Big Words start conversations and open doors to new places.
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.
Two key focuses of my blog are Health/Wellness and Technology. Mobile phones have now become a part of our everyday lives. While the younger generations can and will adapt more easily to the technology, it can be a daunting task for the older generations. The following contributed post is entitled, Helping Older People Choose The Right Mobile Phone.
* * *
A mobile phone is an everyday essential item that lets you stay in touch with family and friends. Some older people may have put off getting a mobile phone for many years, but now more than ever, it’s important to stay in contact with each other. Choosing a mobile phone can be hard as there are many devices to select from. If you are helping an older person choose a new phone, there are some things to consider.
Although there are many models available, there are two main types of phones to choose from, cell phones and smartphones. Cell phones have features that are designed to help older people, like emergency buttons, hearing aid support, and GPS tracking. The buttons are considerably bigger on a cell phone, and the interface is much easier to navigate.
Smartphones are more advanced and can be beneficial for seniors who are more tech-savvy. With features such as a bigger and brighter display, it makes it easier for older people who have eyesight problems. Another bonus for smartphones is that they come with a protective case so they won’t get badly damaged if they fall on the floor.
The below infographic from Fanmisenior explains in further detail the differences between a cell phone and smartphone and looks at which of two may be better suited to older people. When it comes to helping them choose the right phone, you need to keep in mind the different features and which will be more beneficial. Check the infographic out here.
A key focus of my blog is Health/Wellness. We often take it for granted, but breathing is not only an essential part of our lives in terms of biology, but it can also unlock other keys to increasing our qualities of life. The following contributed post is entitled, 6 Benefits of Mindful Breathing.
Isn’t it funny how we need to breathe to survive, but breathing is something we do without thinking and often forget the importance of it? It’s crazy that it can take something like a global pandemic and having to wear masks to make us appreciate being able to breathe in the wonderful fresh air.
If you’re not sure how to practice mindful breathing, then you can seek out guides to help you online, or if you’re really serious about getting it right, then check out this app from obVus Solutions, which visually displays your breath so that you can see when you’re breathing correctly using your diaphragm.
Meditation practitioners have known the benefits of mindful breathing for thousands of years, so there must be some truth to it, and there must be some profound benefits, but what are they?
It reduces stress and anxiety We all know how it feels when you need to take deep breaths on a stressful day, well this is because mindful breathing activates your body’s “rest and digest” system and once this is activated, your heart rate and blood pressure lowers, which helps to reduce anxiety. It can also help to balance your emotions, and decrease the hyperactivity in your brain.
It helps to reduce exhaustion With the busy lives people lead these days, it’s common to feel exhaustion. However according to a study published in the Journal of Medical Internet Research, mindful breathing reduced burnout, cynicism, emotional exhaustion, and anxiety.
It provides pain relief Research has found that mindfulness meditation can be effective in reducing the level of pain intensity. The study, published in the Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences said there should be further researched as an alternative to opioids in people with chronic pain conditions like fibromyalgia, migraines, and lower back pain.
It helps your to feel more positive Mindful breathing can help you to feel happier and more positive as is can reduce repetitive negative thoughts that people with depression often struggle with. According to the journal of Cognition and Emotion, manipulating the breath can account for as much as a 40 percent change in feelings of anger, fear, joy, and sadness.
It can aid in weight Loss Practicing breathing exercises increase your leptin levels, which is a hormone produced by fat tissue that signals the brain to inhibit hunger. If you’re looking to lose weight then it’s certainly cheaper and safer than trying weight loss pills or any quick fixes. What do you have to lose (apart from weight) by trying some mindful breathing each day?
It can help you to live a longer life. Practicing something like meditation or yoga has been shown to increase metabolism and suppress genetic pathways linked with inflammation. Chronic inflammation has been associated with deadly diseases as Alzheimer’s, depression, cancer, and heart disease, so if there’s anything you can do to decrease your chances of suffering from one of these, then it’s well worth doing. Who knew that better breathing could change your life? In fact, mindful breathing could even save your life.
Two focuses of my blog are Financial Literacy/Money and Business/Entrepreneurship. Depending upon the type of business that you’re trying to grow and running, it can be a gargantuan task. That said missing and or neglecting some of the details can be costly. The following contributed post is entitled, Keep On Top Of Every Little Thing When You Run A Business.
* * *
Running a business is no easy task, as we’re sure that you are aware. It requires a lot of effort and commitment from you to even be able to think about seeing success. You need to keep on top of every single thing that is going on in your business, even though you have other people to oversee the departments. At the end of the day, it’s your company, which means you need to have your fingers in all the different pies. In this article, we’re going to look at some of the departments you’ve especially got to be on top of, so keep reading if you want to know what they are.
The first thing that we want you to think about is finances. Finances are really difficult to manage, which is why you’ve probably got an accountant doing it for you. Even though this is the case, you need to look over what they are doing every now and then to make sure that they are on top of everything. We’re sure that they are, but it’s always important to check so that there are no surprises. Make sure that they’ve got everything that they need to complete their job effectively, such as crypto tax software, if this is necessary, and other software to make their job easier. Ask them what they need, and then learn how to use whatever they use as best you can so that you know everything is going well.
Marketing
Marketing is massively important to your business, even if some companies have got it into their heads that it isn’t. How else are potential clients going to know who you are, what you can do, and what you can offer them? The short answer is that they won’t. You’ve got to know exactly what marketing campaigns are being used for your company, who is being featured in your ads, what marketing techniques you’re making use of, and so on. You never know, you might have some ideas to improve it, such as posting more varied content on social media. If you don’t know what’s going on, something could be missed!
Lastly, your customers are essential to your business because without them, you don’t exist. It’s for this reason that you need to make sure your employees are providing the highest standard of customer service possible to each and every customer. You want a reputation for doing everything in your power to fix any mistakes you’ve made and doing everything to make your customers happy. Send your employees on training courses periodically if that is what it takes, but your reputation for customer service must be good if you want to stay afloat.
We hope that you have found this article helpful, and now see why you need to keep on top of every little thing when you run a business. It’s essential that you don’t let anything distract you from having the information that you need, or your company is the one that will suffer. Good luck.
As many of you know, I’ve branched out from the Big Words Blog Site into YouTube where I now have four channels. My original channel is Big Discussions76 where I now discuss general topics. One of my recent guests is fellow Buffalonian Dennis Wilson Jr. (see the video at the bottom of this post). Being in the same peer group, Dennis and I played basketball in Buffalo’s “Yale Cup” high school basketball league around the same time in the early 1990s. After launching a career in education, Dennis started and has steadily built his own business empire. In addition to owning one of the more popular restaurants in Buffalo, the Oakk Room, Dennis further hosts high quality and sophisticated events and has also started his own clothing line.
In this interview, I asked Dennis about his background, his educational path, how he launched in the business world, and finally what he foresees going forward. Links to Dennis’ business websites are in the description box below the video. If you want to read more about business topics of all kinds including branding, select the “Business/Entrepreneurship” category from the list of topics in the drop-down menu in the left-hand margin my blogging platform. Thank you for watching, and if anything in our discussion resonates with you, please like, share and subscribe to my channel.
Two focuses of my blog are Financial Literacy/Money and Current Events. Even before Covid-19, the younger generations faced new challenges and a vastly different economic landscape in comparison to those the Baby Boomers and their predecessors. Many of the challenges involve finding work, and being competitive in today’s and tomorrow’s workforce. The following contributed post is entitled, 4 Financial Issues Today’s Youth.
* * *
Young people are facing numerous financial challenges today. Let’s explore some of the biggest issues that they will need to overcome.
Buying Property
The first major problem facing young people today is the challenge of buying property. It’s fair to say that buying your first home used to be a lot easier. Today, homes are more expensive and lenders are less likely to take a chance on someone that doesn’t have a healthy record when it comes to borrowing. Buyers are also going to have to spend some time exploring the market to find the right home for them. However, there are still some great opportunities out there including the houses from Cami Jones & Company.
If it’s difficult for young people to buy property, it’s virtually impossible for them to save a pension. The only real way to do this is to ensure that you are building up your savings as much as possible each month. One of the options here would be to set up a second or third income. You can also think about focusing less on things that you enjoy such as holidays and meals out. However, many young individuals are left wondering about the point of this if they are constantly saving for tomorrow and not enjoying today. Ultimately, it’s going to be a balancing act and young people will constantly need to try and keep their finances healthy while also ensure that they are actually able to enjoy their life.
Gaining Job Security
A key issue for the next generation will be finding a job that provides security and stability. This is due to the fact that a lot of businesses are now establishing a model where they use freelancers. The benefit for businesses is obvious. With freelancers, business owners don’t have to worry about offering employees with expensive incentives. They can also dodge the issue of needing to provide redundancy settlement packages. Instead, employers are free to cut and hire employees as they like. By 2021, it’s expected that more than half of the American workforce will be freelancers. Hopefully, new laws and regulations will come in to protect these individuals. For now, though, young workers will need to learn how to survive on an income that is constantly in flux.
Paying Off Debts
Finally, one of the biggest challenges that are certainly impacting the youth of today is the issue of attempting to clear debts. Specifically, we need to think about the issue of student loans. Student loans can be hundreds of thousands of dollars, plummeting young individuals into high levels of debt before they ever have a chance to build up a solid career. If you are worried about this, then you can think about the support offered by the government. You should also be working to pay off your debt little by little each month. One of the ways you can do this is by setting up a direct debit to repay your debt and save as much money as you can, even as you are going through college.
Two focuses of my blog are Financial Literacy/Money and Business/Entrepreneurship. Many businesses involve some sort of travel. While it’s necessary in business, it doesn’t have to be an altogether unpleasant experience. The following contributed post is entitled, Improving Your Business Travel Experience.
* * *
Whenever you have to travel for business reasons, whether it’s just for a couple of days or even several years, it can often be an experience that you simply dread. The chaos of airport security, cold lifeless accommodation, a considerable distance between you and family or friends and a general sense of an uncomfortable countdown slowly grudging by are just a few of the side effects that many professionals fear, but it needn’t be like this for much longer. There are so many tips and tricks that you can make the most of to ensure you have the best time possible, no matter where you might be, and it couldn’t be easier to begin planning your journey today. So, if you would like to find out more, then read on to uncover some of the greatest steps that you can follow now to improve your business travel experience in no time at all.
More often than not, your employer will be the one who chooses, books and pays for your accommodation. This means that you’re probably going to end up with the easiest, most affordable option, whether you like it or not. However, rather than suffering through a 1 star hotel, it may be possible for you to approach your boss and request a new method of handling the situation – simply ask them to set a budget, and request that they allow you to find and arrange your own suitable accommodation. Hosting sites such as Airbnb can be a great place to find excellent accommodation in the centre of every city or town, and the fact that your host is likely a local will be of real benefit to your trip too! There are so many ways to find affordable accommodation, and gaining the opportunity to pick and choose based on your own personal preferences can make your travel experience feel less lonely.
Research & Organise Transportation
There’s nothing worse than arriving at your location to find no taxis, public transport or car hire as far as the eye can see. Organising the right transportation is such a key aspect of your trip, as you need to have the freedom and capacity to visit any location you wish to. Business travel does provide some down time, and it’s such a bad idea to simply sit inside your accommodation and watch the hours crawl by when you could be out on the road experiencing all of the sights and sounds. Whether you arrange accommodation close to a regular bus route or train station, hire a vehicle straight from the airport, or even use a site like https://carsrelo.com/ to transport your own car from your hometown for ultimate comfort, there are just so many different options that you can explore. Why stay isolated inside when you can just get outside and experience the culture of the area surrounding you?
Improving your business travel experience has never been so simple when you are able to utilise the tips and tricks detailed above.
Two focuses of my blog are Financial Literacy/Money and Business/Entrepreneurship. Launching a new business can be a daunting task if you’ve never done it before. It can be exponentially easier if you understand some of the basic concepts. The following contributed post is entitled, 3 Things You Have To Remember When You’re Launching A New Business.
* * *
These days you need to make the right decisions at the right times, and moving forward in the right way is so important. When you are launching a business it is vitally important that you take steps to focus on what you can do to launch the business in a more successful way. There are so many factors that you need to make the most of right now, and this is something that plays a massive part in this.
Here are some of the ideas you are going to need to work on right now, and there are a lot of things that you need to keep an eye on when it comes to launching a new business. This is something that you need to work on to help make this as successful as possible. You are going to have to factor in what you need to launch the best possible business right now.
There are a lot of ideas you are going to need to work on doing as much as you can to work on improving your business plan as much as possible. A strong and detailed business plan is something that you need to try to work on when you are trying to move forward. The business plan is the most important part of the process when it comes to the initial phase of developing and executing a successful business for the future. The business plan is the blueprint for taking your company forward in the best possible way, and this is something you need to work on right now.
2. You Need to Do Your Research
Doing your research is really important and this is something that you need to make sure you keep in mind right now. There are so many factors that you need to keep in mind when it comes to making the right business decisions, and research is absolutely essential for this. Make sure you factor in the best ways of being able to do this moving forward, and there are a lot of things you need to know about. For instance, you should be researching the cosmetics industry if you’re looking to launch a beauty business, and check out the trends and things to look out for. The more you can do to get this right the better the decisions you will be able to make in the future.
3. Reputation Matters
Remember, you only get one chance to make a first impression, and this is something that you need to try to make the most of right now. There are a lot of ideas that play a role in this, and it is important to make sure you focus on doing what you can to take things to the next level. There are so many things you need to get right here, and you don’t get a second chance to make a first impression. So this means you need to work on making a good first impression as much as possible, and this is something you have to try to make the most of as much as possible moving forward.
As you can see, these are a few of the key things you need to keep in mind when you are looking to make the right decisions for your new business. It is important that you come up with ideas that you can use to take things to the next level right now. Here are some of the key elements you need to make right now, and getting this right is important moving forward.
Two focuses of my blog are Athletics/Sports and Career Discussions. While many youngsters have aspirations of playing sports at the highest levels, the reality is not everyone will ascend there as players. The good news is however that there are multiple ways to continue to be involved in the world of sports. The following contributed post is entitled, 6 Side Hustles For Sports Lovers.
Want to turn your love of sports into an income? While not all of us are able to dedicate our lives to a career in sports, there are still ways to make a bit of extra money on the side. Here are just six examples of sports-related side hustles.
Sports coaching
If you have experience participating in sports and feel you have a good understanding of your chosen sport, you could consider looking into coaching. It’s possible to coach a kids’ team or privately coach individuals in your free time. Certain sports may require you to first obtain a license from a professional body. You’ll also need to consider expenses such as renting out a field or a gym hall, as well as insurance. It’s ideal for those that enjoy the participation aspect of sports and for those that want to pass on their knowledge.
Sports betting
Sports betting definitely isn’t a certain way of making money. However, with a good strategy and sensible budgeting, you can minimise your losses and maximise your chance of winning. There are lots of sites set up to offer tips on sports betting. By shopping around bookkeepers, you can also find the highest paying odds.
Fantasy sports betting
Fantasy sports has become very popular in recent years, with many sites setting up professional leagues offering huge prizes. It’s best to start off on smaller DFS sites – these sites offer smaller payouts, but also have smaller entry fees and a greater range of less experienced players. By doing your research, you can increase your chance of creating that winning team. You can find tips on individual fantasy sports online such as these winning DFS NHL hockey picks. As with regular sports betting, it’s important to manage your bankroll effectively to minimise your losses.
Selling sports memorabilia
People pay a lot of money for sports memorabilia. This includes items signed by athletes and rare sports collectibles. In order to make money selling sports memorabilia, you need to be able to hunt down authentic items that are under-priced so that you can buy them and sell them on at a profit. You can also invest in certain items by holding onto them and letting them gain value.
Sports blogging
A sports blog could be used to provide sports news, advice or other information. Succeed in getting enough readers and you may be able to monetise your blog by providing ads. You may also be able to run sponsored content such as reviews of sports products and sports-related affiliate pieces. You can find tips on making money blogging here.
Sports vlogging
A vlog is similar to a blog but is made up of video content. Your video content could be dedicated to news, commentaries, advice or even memes. If it gets enough views, you’ll similarly be able to monetise it by displaying ads. There may also be the option of running sponsored content to make money. YouTube is the best platform for starting a vlog on.
Two focuses of my blog are Financial Literacy/Money and Business/Entrepreneurship. Our world has now become global in terms of economics to the point where business is no longer restricted to your own shores. It is now possible to extend you business activities overseas. The following contributed post is entitled, Taking Your Business International.
When you first start a business, you’re probably focused on engaging with your target market within your town, region, or country. As you get off the ground, however, there’s nothing stopping you from taking your business international. With the potential to generate more income and expand swiftly, an international growth plan could be your route to commercial success.
Of course, there are lots of elements and potential issues to consider before you can begin selling or providing services internationally. To simplify the process, take a look at these top tips for taking your enterprise international:
Do your research
Turning a local or national company into a global business requires a considerable amount of research. In fact, you might spend months or even years researching different markets and plotting potential growth plans. However, major business decisions should never be made on a whim. By investing your time into research, you can determine whether an international growth plan is right for your business and, if so, how you can reduce operational costs and maximize your return on your investment.
Understand trade regulations
Selling in another jurisdiction from the one you reside means you will likely be subject to new trading regulations and legislation. Even if you’re dispatching goods from your hometown, you’ll need to ensure that they meet certain legal criteria, for example. In addition to this, you’ll need to know whether you are likely to incur additional tax liabilities as an international trader. As this can depend on the size of your enterprise, it can be well worth getting professional advice in order to determine what the true financial impact on your company would be.
Identify growing markets
Deciding to trade internationally doesn’t necessarily mean making your products or services available worldwide. Instead, you might want to identify the most profitable markets and focus on expanding your business into these areas. You can access more info about citizenship and migration in Australia here, for example. This type of information gives you the quantitative information you need to determine whether a potential market is the right one for your business. By analyzing and assessing different markets around the world, you can determine which is going to be the most profitable for your firm.
If you manufacture goods, you’ll need to find out whether it will be more cost-effective to produce and ship goods internationally or to set up a factory in a new jurisdiction. Similarly, if you’re a reseller, you’ll need to determine whether the cost of logistics would outweigh your potential profits.
Shipping goods and paying export and import taxes can significantly increase your costs, which may need to be passed on to customers in the form of a price increase. If so, you’ll need to conduct market research to confirm that your products or services will be in demand at an increased price. By doing so, you’ll get a clear idea of whether taking your business international will be as profitable as you hope it will be.
Have a contingency plan
As a business owner, you’ll already know that things can go wrong when you least expect them to. When this happens at your headquarters, you can probably be on site quickly to resolve any issues. When you’re trading internationally, however, this won’t necessarily be possible. That’s why it’s essential to have a viable contingency plan in place. Whether you choose to hire regional managers to handle your international operations or you build up a network of reliable suppliers you can use when you need to, it’s vital to know how you’re going to cope when something goes wrong.
Get the Right Advice
If you’re thinking about taking your business international, you’ll want to seek advice from a number of sources. From consultants and financial advisers to tax experts and logistics specialists, there are plenty of professionals who can give you the insight you need.
In many ways, the digital era means that trading internationally is easier than it’s ever been before. Customers can easily engage with you online and purchase goods from your firm via the internet. Furthermore, fast travel options mean you can ship goods to almost anywhere in the world.
However, this doesn’t necessarily mean that trading internationally will be a walk in the park. To ensure your international venture is a success, you’ll want to research the options, create a long-term growth plan, and build your professional network. By doing so, you’ll have the knowledge, skills, and support you need to compete in the global marketplace.
Two of the focuses of my blog are Financial Literacy/Money and Business/Entrepreneurship. In the aftermath of Covid-19, most businesses will have to operate differently. Furthermore, new innovations will emerge for those savvy individuals to take care of. The following contributed post is entitled, 4 Business Ideas for a Post-Covid-19 World.
The global pandemic has meant that many people’s lives have been turned upside down. It has also meant that there has been a shift in lifestyle changes from spending more time outdoors to spending more time online. If you’re looking to start a business right now, it is as good a time as any, and there are even some great opportunities that wouldn’t have been there before COVID-19 as new problems that have been created by the pandemic which need to be solved and people have new needs and wants. Your business could be just what they’re looking for.
A repairs business Now that many people are watching their money and due to loss of work, more people are choosing to mend old things rather than buy new. This is where you can help. Offering repair services wouldn’t have to be an expensive or difficult business to set up as long as you have the skills. It might be that you can offer something that no one else is, and that way you can make a real success. For example, this driveline shop which was founded in 1973 came about because at the time; there were no driveline specialists in the state and in most driveshafts were being cobbled together in the back of junkyards. Have a look in your local area and see what you’re missing and what people need. Are there more people out on their bikes now? More people needing help with repairs around the house or with their technology so they can work from home? Look at the skills you have and where they could be put to good use.
Online teaching Online learning was already booming before COVID-19, but since everyone had to homeschool, it has grown even more. That doesn’t mean there’s no room for more though. While the kids have now gone back to school, many have fallen behind after missing so much last year, so there is a huge need for more teachers. Perhaps you can offer free lessons and make money off advertising so that you appeal to those who can’t afford private tutors? You don’t even have to be a trained teacher, what skills do you have that you could teach online that would help someone?
Cleaning services Offices need to be deep cleaned more than ever before, and with people unable to travel, there are thousands of Airbnb rooms and holiday homes that need cleaning.
Working from home services This isn’t a good name for the business, but it encompasses a whole new world of services you could now offer those who are working from home. While people are saving money on their commute, expensive coffees and fancy lunches, they have spare cash available, but they also may now be a little fed up of their own sandwiches in their own kitchen every day. Perhaps there’s an opportunity to deliver tasty lunches, coffees, working from home loungewear, a home workout programme with equipment or a juice diet delivery programme for those who want to be healthy at home?
