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 Stay Positive When Everything Feels Difficult

Two focuses of my blog are Current Events and Health/Wellness. When things get difficult, it is often times hard to remain hopeful. Regardless, it’s important to figure out how to do so. The following contributed post is entitled, How To Stay Positive When Everything Feels Difficult.

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The last couple of years has been a wild ride. Catastrophic bush fires in Australia, the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the new administration in the White House and claims of election rigging, Brexit in Europe, climate change crises, and now, of course, the terrible situation in Ukraine. On top of that can be all the personal difficulties you are going through – health, finances, relationships, injuries which you are getting sorted with the help of this personal injury law firm and so on. So it is little wonder that people are on edge and feeling the uncertainty of the world around us, and mental health is a big issue.

Many of these events are pretty much out of our hands, but that doesn’t help when you feel scared and anxious. The main thing to remember is that you are not alone if you feel like this. It can be hard to feel optimistic with so much going on around you. However, while much easier said than done, staying positive can help you get through the more challenging times and keep your mental health on a more even keel. Here, we look at some tips to help bolster your positivity.

Image via Unsplash

Make a gratitude or happy list at the end of every day

Invite your family and friends to do the same. Maybe you could even start a private group on social media and encourage people to share theirs to brighten up everyone’s day. It just needs to be a shortlist of things that have made you feel grateful or put a smile on your face that day, from a film that you enjoyed watching to receiving a parcel in the post or enjoying a superb cup of coffee. It is essential to celebrate the joys of the smaller moments in life rather than always waiting for the big things to be happy and excited about.

Stay away from the news and social media for a short period

You should take a break if the world is becoming too much for you, and you can tell that social media and the news are having a detrimental impact on your mental health. When struggling, many people find it helpful to mute their news notifications and turn off particular keywords in their Twitter stream.

Take some time to listen to some highly upbeat music

You would be shocked at how powerful music can be. Try to remember how good music makes you feel and remind yourself of them. There are many ways to stream different playlists these days, so set up some happy ones for when you are having a terrible day. Have an impromptu dance party – they can lift the spirits and can not help but make you smile. The release of something positive into your body through music and dancing can divert you and bring you positive feelings, even if it is only a brief fix.

Communicate with your friends, even if it is only online or over the phone

When we are locked up inside and feeling the world’s weight, it is easy to lose sight of the people who care about us. However, it is possible to connect with other people in various ways, and there is nothing quite like hearing the reassuring and diverting voice of a friend to speak with to return to a more positive frame of mind. Regular voice or video talks with your pals can significantly impact your ability to remain cheerful and joyful.

Concentrate on your current hobbies or learn more

Having hobbies may altogether remove you from the real world and provide you with some much-needed momentary escape, which we all desperately need from time to time. Remind yourself of the things you appreciate and the reasons why you enjoy them; spend some quality time enjoying your hobbies; and rekindle your passions after a long period. We guarantee that having a strong passion for a particular hobby will make you feel more positive about yourself.

Declare to yourself that your being positive and happy and that today will be a fantastic day for you

Finally, think of a short slogan that you can repeat to yourself. Every morning, tell yourself that today will be a nice day and that you will look for the positives in everything. Try to put a grin on your face and be thrilled about one aspect of your day. Give yourself a compelling reason to get out of bed in the morning. Take a shower, put on a nice outfit, and make your bed. Start your day off on the right foot and strive to maintain a positive attitude.

How To Protect Your Business

Two focuses of my blog are Financial Literacy/Money and Business/Entrepreneurship. One of the aspects you have to learn when starting a business is protecting it. The following contributed post is entitled, How To Protect Your Business.

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As a business owner, your business will be your pride and joy. It will be the entity that you have poured your metaphorical blood, sweat, and tears into and you will, of course, be fiercely protective over it. The world of business can present many challenges and hurdles during its lifespan and if you want to safeguard your business and protect its viability you need to be prepared to face the challenges and have appropriate measures in place to withstand them. To help you to shield your business and its future then here are some considerations to make.

Photo credit Anna Schvets from Pexels

Unambiguous terms and conditions

If your business provides a product or service to clients or customers then it will be entering into a contract with these clients and customers. It is vitally important therefore that your business makes the terms and conditions of this contract abundantly clear to protect both the customer and your business. To ensure that the T&Cs are up to scratch they should be written in simple and straightforward language and should also be easy to refer to. Concise and attainable terms and conditions will not only add protection but it will make your business more user-friendly and help to develop strong and trusted relationships.

Employment agreements

If your business takes on staff then it is always good practice to crystallize the terms of that employer-employee relationship by way of an employment contract. Again this contract should protect both parties but will be an essential tool in safeguarding your business and its assets. Employment agreements should contain provisions regarding working hours, pay, holiday entitlement, place of work, etc but they can be extended to cover nuisances of your business. For example, if your business operates with confidential or sensitive information you can protect this information within clauses of the employment contract; you could incorporate conditions that forbid employees from divulging sensitive information.

Security

Many businesses now operate online, using cloud systems and sophisticated networks. All of which involve the handling of financial information and sensitive or confidential data. The result of this is that cyber security has never been more important than it is today particularly as the world of cybercrime is constantly evolving. More and more businesses are becoming susceptible to cyber-attacks and as such protecting your online business presence is imperative. Take actionable steps to ensure not only the basics in cyber security are understood such as secure passwords and regular backups but also consider whether professional services are required to enhance your cyber security and protect your business.

Personal conduct

As a business owner, you are able to buy yourself certain personal protections however it is important to remember that your personal conduct could have an effect on your viability to run your business. As such it is important to ensure your personal conduct remains within the confines of the law at all times. To help limit any damage or adverse exposure to your business as a result of your personal affairs, where appropriate seek professional advice. It might be tax or accounting advice or you may even need to speak to a criminal defense attorney, Personal conduct can expand beyond adhering to the law to ensuring that you maintain a certain level of ‘appropriate behavior’. You may not be breaking the law but if you are acting in a way that clients or customers take offense to this could also have a negative impact on your business.

Protect your intellectual property

Your intellectual property (IP) is anything that can be considered as ‘intangible property’ or put another way, anything that has been created using your mind. Examples of intellectual property include your business logo, designs, or business name. If you do not take steps to protect your IP then it will allow others to use it without your permission and this could have devastating consequences for businesses. There are different methods in which you can protect your IP such as copyrights and trademarks and it can become a complex process. If you have valuable IP that is specific to your business then it is always recommended you seek professional advice and take steps to protect your intellectual property.

Be the best on the market

While there are lots of practical and legal steps you can take to protect your business one of the best pieces of business advice is to simply, be good at what you do. If you have a sound business idea that is executed with professionalism and high standards you will be putting your business in the best possible position to succeed.

How Technology Is Changing Manufacturing and its Workforce

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“Technology has become pervasive in our society; it’s difficult to imagine how things would work without the many gadgets and machines that make life easier.”

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A key focus of my blog is technology. As our world becomes more and more technological, everything is becoming impacted, in this instance manufacturing industries. The following guest post is entitled, How Technology Is Changing Manufacturing and its Workforce.

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Technology has become pervasive in our society; it’s difficult to imagine how things would work without the many gadgets and machines that make life easier. This holds especially true for companies that depend on mass production, such as manufacturers.

As technology is getting more advanced and widespread, there is a shift in the way things are made and the skills required for manufacturing jobs. We’re seeing a lot of advancements in many areas of business, including engineering, where you can learn more about stranded wire, for example and how it’s improving electrical applications. Here are some examples of how technology is changing manufacturing and its workforce.

1. Automation

Manufacturers are starting to use automation in their facilities because it provides them with many benefits, such as ease of use and efficiency. Automated machines let the manufacturers produce more in less time; in addition, they can be operated by fewer people. A manufacturer in California, for example, has four employees and produces 80 million metal parts per year. It needs only 50-55 workers to produce such a massive amount of products, given that it has automated the production process using robots programmed with assembly lines.

2. Use of Cobots

What are cobots? Cobots are what people call collaborative robots, which collaborate with human workers instead of replacing them. Collaborative robots work alongside humans to make the workflow more efficient. For example, a cobot can be programmed to place objects exactly where they need to go for assembly. This way, workers don’t have to spend time walking around the facility looking for what they need; instead, they can do what they’re supposed to do – which is assemble parts together – while the cobot does what it’s supposed to do.

3.3D Printing

3D printing is a type of manufacturing where raw materials are turned into parts and products. It’s used to transform digital designs into real objects that can be held in one’s hand. It works by putting down layers of material, such as plastic or metal, to create durable and strong parts using CAD (Computer Assisted Design) software. 3D printers were only accessible to large companies with well-established connections; now, however, they have become more affordable for smaller businesses as well. As a result, it has become part of the manufacturing process for many companies.

4 . Virtual Reality

Virtual reality lets people experience a different time, place, or world entirely. It takes them to imaginary places that don’t exist outside of the digital realm. While virtual reality was once a gimmick used only in video games and science fiction films, it’s becoming part of real-life as well. Manufacturers are now using virtual reality for training workers on how to make something from start to finish.

5. Improved Communication

There is improved communication between manufacturers and the people who buy their products. Manufacturers can now interact with customers directly through social media. This way, customers can tell the manufacturer exactly what they want and expect from a product before it hits the market. The manufacturer can work on perfecting an idea based on these suggestions without investing time and money in manufacturing something that’s not wanted by consumers.

6. Increased Collaboration

Collaboration has also become easier due to technology. Manufacturers are now able to work together across state lines or even across the world. It’s not uncommon for manufacturers to hire consultants from other countries because they have knowledge, expertise, and experience that one can’t find domestically. There is an increased emphasis on allowing people to work remotely as well, which isn’t possible without effective online collaboration tools.

7. More Training Opportunities

Technology makes training easier too, both for workers and factory managers. Online platforms allow managers to take courses through their computers at any time of day or night without having to take off from work. A lot of manufacturing companies now require employees to take classes, so they can stay up-to-date with the latest technological advancements that keep companies competitive. What used to require a college education is now only necessary for high-level management positions.

8. New Jobs

Technology is creating new jobs as well, which are often more high-tech than the manufacturing jobs that once existed. For example, there are now 3D printers, CAD designers, computer numerical control operators, cobot programmers, data analysts…the list goes on. There are also many other types of administrative positions that didn’t exist before technology. With the steady growth of technology in manufacturing, this list will only continue to grow.

Technology has had a profound impact on the manufacturing industry and the workforce. It has made the process more efficient and has allowed for increased collaboration between manufacturers. It has also made training easier, both for workers and managers. As technology advances, it is likely that even more changes will take place in the manufacturing landscape.

Making It In The Financial World: Advice For Career-Builders

Two focuses of my blog are Career Discussions and General Education. If you have the aptitude and passion for it, the financial world could yield you a promising career. The following guest post is entitled, Making it in the Financial World: Advice for Career-Builders.

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Few people know that you don’t have to be a genius to have a successful career in finance. In fact, with the right skills and attitude, anyone can make it in this industry. The key is to stay on top of the latest news and trends and to network with others in the field. By following these tips, you’ll be well on your way to achieving your career goals.

Why you should build a career in the finance industry

A career in finance can be extremely rewarding, both personally and professionally. This is because you’ll be working with all different types of people and helping them with their financial needs and goals. Here are a few reasons why you might want to pursue a career in finance:

• The finance industry is always growing and changing, so it’s a great sector to be involved in if you want a challenging and dynamic career.
• The pay and benefits in the finance industry are often very good, making it an attractive option for career-minded individuals.
• Finance is a global industry, so you have the opportunity to work anywhere in the world.

How to get started on the right foot in your career

A great way to position yourself for success in finance is to get a good education. Having both an undergraduate and graduate degree is extremely helpful, and you might also want to consider earning an MBA. However, not everyone has the time nor the money to afford the traditional way of earning an education.

Fortunately, there are alternate options that you can look into, such as online courses. For instance, if you want to pursue a career in accounting, you can earn your accountancy degree online through a reputable school.

This way, you can learn the material at your own pace, and you can even set up adjustable deadlines. You can also work full-time and do your homework between shifts, so you can fully maximize your time while building your future career.

Another great way to set yourself up for a successful career in finance is by networking with others in the industry. You can do this through groups or organizations, conferences, or even informational interviews.

This way, you have the opportunity to put a face to the name of the people you’ve worked with or read about, which can help you gain a better understanding of the industry as a whole.

The skills you need for a successful career in finance

One of the most important skills to have if you want a successful career in finance is math. You will constantly be using mathematical equations to solve problems and complete your work. This means that you should get very familiar with things like percentages, fractions, and decimals.

You also need to know how to build strong financial models and prepare accurate financial statements. This is a great way for you to display your skills and show what you can do. You need to make sure that you have a good grasp of things like valuation, forecasting, and budgeting.

Another important skill is your ability to think critically and analyze. You should always be able to see things from multiple perspectives, so you can come up with different solutions for the same problems. Being flexible and open-minded can help you solve issues more efficiently.

Finally, you should be able to communicate well with others. This means that you need to have excellent writing skills and public speaking abilities. You should be able to make presentations that will engage your audience and convey all the necessary information.

How to stand out in your career

A great way to stand out in your career is by staying on top of the latest news. If there is a big story or significant development in the finance world, you want to know about it. This way, you can keep your team informed and ready to act if necessary.

Aside from that, you can also show that you’re a well-rounded individual. You want to show that you aren’t just good with numbers, but you can handle all sorts of tasks and responsibilities. You should be able to take control of the situation and help others when they get stuck.

Finance is a very competitive industry, and you want to make sure that you’re giving yourself an edge above your competition. The tips above are great for both new graduates looking to get their foot in the door, or current employees looking to move up in their company.

If you just follow the simple steps mentioned above, then you will be well on your way to a highly successful career in finance. But don’t forget to have fun and enjoy your time while you’re building your career because that’s just as important.

4 Tips To Look After Your Health When Running A Business

Two focuses of my blog are Business/Entrepreneurship and Health/Wellness. While running a successful business can be very lucrative and rewarding, it can also adversely tax your health. The following contributed post is entitled, 4 Tips To Look After Your Health When Running A Business.

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Pixabay

Running your own business can really take it out of you. It becomes your whole life and you are constantly thinking about what you can do to grow your company and make more money. Even though your staff might clock out at 5pm, you don;t have the luxury, and you probably find yourself sending emails and drafting sales pitches well into the evening.

There’s nothing wrong with following your passion and devoting yourself to it, but when it starts to affect your physical and mental health you know there’s a problem. As a business owner, you don’t have a whole lot of free time and for that reason it is incredibly easy to let things like self-care, exercise, and healthy eating fall by the wayside.

But good health and entrepreneurship are not mutually exclusive, and as long as you are motivated and employ the right strategies, you can boost your wellbeing and heighten your ability to run your business at the same time. After all, you will be much more successful if you are fit in body and mind.

To help you along your fitness journey, here are four tips to look after your health when running a business.

Schedule it in

Most people who exercise casually tend to fit in their workouts whenever they have some down time. But as a high-powered executive, this won’t work. If you’re constantly waiting for free time it will never happen. You have to schedule it in the same way you would an important meeting. Putting a 5k run or a gym session in your diary makes you more likely to commit to it, and will give you some much needed consistency in your healthy lifestyle.

Cook for yourself

Cooking is another activity that is often seen as time-consuming and laborious, but it doesn’t have to be. If you’re always eating out at restaurants and ordering in food to save time, not only are you spending way too much money but you’re most likely eating unhealthily. There are plenty of quick, easy and nutritious meals you can prepare at home that don’t take any time at all to prepare.

Reduce your caffeine intake

When you’re in the office early or working late into the night, sometimes a cup of coffee is the only way to stay alert and productive. But too much caffeine is terrible for your health. It can raise your stress and anxiety levels, as well as impacting your sleep and digestive system. It also stains your mouth, so you might end up needing to invest in some teeth whitening kits. If you need a hot drink to liven you up, try switching to decaf coffee or herbal teas.

Enjoy some downtime

If all you’re doing is working, you risk overdoing it and succumbing to burnout. Too much work and too little relaxation will make you stressed, anxious, and irritable. We all need downtime to compose ourselves and rest our brains. Try to schedule some time off each week, in which to spend time with your loved ones, go for a walk, or do something else you enjoy. You will feel much happier and more productive when you return to work.

4 Tips For Improving Your Political Campaign

Two focuses of my blog are Current Events and Political Discussions. If you’re thinking about getting into politics and you want to run an effective campaign, there are several factors you want account for. The following contributed post is entitled, 4 Tips For Improving Your Political Campaign.

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Whether you’re running for house elections, local elections, or another type of election, your campaign strategy can make the difference between winning and losing.

The size of the electorate, the geography, the public’s mindset, the timing of the election, and the methods of voter communication used should all be considered when developing your campaign strategy.

Image credit

A specific election campaign strategy, influenced by the political climate in which it is conducted, is required for every election campaign, in short. And in a local election, gaining supporters is primarily a matter of winning over the voters in one’s community.

This post looks at some ways you can improve your campaign strategy.

Competitor Analysis

The evaluation of competitors is critical in any competition. A thorough understanding of your opponents’ strengths and weaknesses can provide you with a significant advantage in developing your campaign messaging, participating in head-to-head debates, and undermining their campaign message when it becomes necessary.

Make a spreadsheet with the strengths and weaknesses of all candidates, including yourself. Each candidate’s position on the critical issues in the election should be listed on a single spreadsheet. So you can identify your strengths and weaknesses and where you are vulnerable concerning your competitors, and you can communicate more clearly with your customers.

Phone Calls

Talking to your local community and the wider population will be essential to your victory. You need to be able to speak to and reach as many people as possible to persuade them to give you their vote. Working with Kaplan Strategies can streamline your phone calls and help you provide efficient outreach to your phone call plan.

Improve Your Campaign Message

The goal of a campaign is to establish the candidate’s personal identity. This includes the candidate’s educational and professional background and what makes them a good fit for the position for which they are running.

Your campaign will only be successful if it is tailored to the specific needs of its target audience. It informs voters about the critical issues and policies of the candidate. It is necessary to consider the viewpoint of the voter in this situation. Demonstrate that your victory will improve their quality of life to gain their attention and vote.

Creating Multiple Fundraising Channels

One of the most challenging tasks when running for a local office is raising funds. How are you planning on expanding the necessary funds to make yourself a viable candidate in the election?

Your campaign costs could range from a few thousand dollars to several hundred thousand dollars, depending on where you are running and the demographics of the area in which you are running. That’s why it’s so critical to provide as many opportunities as possible for people to contribute to your campaign as possible.

From selling merchandise to asking family and friends to setting up social media fundraisers and more, please find out how your demographic prefers to donate and make sure you have the suitable options available for them to do so.

Help Your Employees To Provide The Best Possible Service

Three focuses of my Business/Entrepreneurship, Organizational/Management Discussions and Workplace Discussions. No matter which sector you’re in, you want to empower your employees to provide the best possible service to your customers. The following contributed post is entitled, Help Your Employees To Provide The Best Possible Service.

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Pic Link – CC0 License

How can you help your employees to help your customers? You want your employees to provide the absolute best to all of your customers, but this is not going to be possible if you do not provide them with the means to do so. In this article, we’re going to be looking at some of the ways that you can help employees provide the best possible service. Keep reading down below if you would like to find out more.

Aid Them How You Can

The first thing that we are going to say is that you should help them where you can. If you can see that one of your employees are struggling, or a group of them are, then you should ensure that you are helping them. You can’t just watch them struggle and walk away like they aren’t working for your company. If you help them, get them on the right track, then they can go and help someone else, passing on the fantastic support that you have given them. Don’t worry too much about actively seeking them out though. If they need help, they will let you know, and if they don’t, just wait until you notice it yourself.

Provide The Best Tech

Another thing that you are going to need to do is ensure that you are providing them with the best tech on the market. Or, at the very least, tech that you can afford that does the same thing as the best on the market. There is no point in buying tech from years ago, as this is not going to work as efficiently as you want it to. It will be a lot slower than the newer models that have been released. We understand the urge to save money, but you can’t do that here. You have just got to make the investment.

You also need to ensure that they can use it properly, which might mean some people need keycaps, so that is also a consideration.

Train Them

The final thing that you are going to need to do is train them. They should know the expectations of your business, and they should also be trained by your business or by someone that you employ to ensure that they are all up to the same standard. Having everyone go through the same training, you ensure that no one person can say that they don’t have the same experience as others, because it simply doesn’t matter. Training them is the best way to get them on board with your business!

We hope that you have found this article helpful, and now see some of the things that you can do to help your employees provide the best possible service to customers. It’s not the easiest thing in the world to do, but if you provide them with the right tools to do so, they shouldn’t have too much of an issue. If you’re ever unsure about what they need, the simple solution is to just ask.

How To Make Extra Money On The Side: 4 Crafty Ideas

Two focuses of my blog are Financial Literacy/Money and Business/Entrepreneurship. A key financial intelligence is making more money. Doing so requires a level of creativity and flexibility. The following contributed post is entitled, How To Make Extra Money On The Side: 4 Crafty Ideas.

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Photo by Karolina Grabowska from Pexels

If you want to make some extra money on the side, there are a few easy ways to do it. From selling flowers to doing odd jobs, there are plenty of ways to make some extra cash. So how do you go about finding these opportunities? Here are four tips that will help you get started:

Find a hobby you enjoy and sell it

Many people start their businesses by selling their hobby. If you’re passionate about something, you can likely find a market for your product or service. This is especially true if your hobby has a lot of potential customers who are interested in what you do. For example, you can sell flowers, jewellery, clothes, and more on eBay.

Start a blog and sell advertising space

One of the best ways to make extra money on the side is to start a blog and sell advertising space. When you have a blog, you can reach a much wider audience than if you were just selling ads. You can also use your blog as an opportunity to share your latest project or giveaway. This way, you’ll be promoting your business in a way that’s most likely to bring in visits from potential customers.

You can also sell advertising space on your blog. This will allow you to target specific keywords and see how well you’re doing with those keywords. If you believe that your blog is worth taking on some additional advertising, consider doing so.

Sell handmade items online

One of the best ways to make extra money on the side is to sell handmade items online. Not only do you get to sell your work of art directly to customers, but you also get a commission on every sale. This is a great way to make extra money while still maintaining your creative control. Some ideas for handmade items to sell are paintings, which just require a blank canvas or A4 page plus paints, or you could make personalized buttons, which does require specific materials – but once you find a button template and have what you need, are surprisingly easy to make.

Offer services such as home cleaning or dog walking

This is a great way to make extra money on the side. You can offer your services to people who need help, such as cleaning or dog walking. This can be a great way to build relationships and get to know people. Additionally, it’s a great way to learn about different cultures and what they need or want.

Sell things you don’t need

If your house is cluttered with hoards of items that contribute to the mess and that you don’t need, you can solve this problem and make money by selling these items. They could be books that you’ve already read or aren’t interested in ever reading, or old furniture, or DVDs and videotapes. You can sell these online through eBay, Facebook Marketplace, or other popular online sales sites.

Invest in stocks

One of the best ways to make money on the side is to invest in stocks. When you buy stocks, you’re buying shares of a company that will be affected by the success or failure of that company. This means that you have a piece of the company and can benefit from any changes within it. Additionally, stocks are often more volatile than other investments, which means you can make more money per dollar invested.

5 Reasons To Take Social Media Marketing More Seriously

Two focuses of my blog are Financial Literacy/Money and Business/Entrepreneurship. In today’s digital age, social media is valuable tool in your business tool box. For the lay person, it may be simply a way to fill the time, but for business owners, it’s a tool for growth. The following contributed post is entitled, 5 Reasons To Take Social Media Marketing More Seriously.

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Image Source

There’s no denying that the online marketing landscape has changed in recent years thanks to the introduction of social media.

Advertisers got introduced to exciting new marketing methods that were both powerful and easy-to-use, plus they could now communicate content to people worldwide in seconds. Today, billions of people use social media networks like Facebook and Twitter each day.

If you’re not using social media to market to your target audience, you’re missing out on excellent and cost-effective ways to reach your intended consumers.

The following gives you five examples of why it makes sense for you to take social media marketing more seriously for your business:

1. You’ll Drive Traffic To Your Website

The first point to note about social media marketing is how it will drive more traffic to your website. As you know, your website won’t get any visitors unless people know about it.

Of course, you only want the right kinds of visitors – people that are most likely to engage with your brand and buy stuff. Social media marketing is a clever way of targeting the right demographic for your website and brand.

2. It’s Easy To Benchmark Your Campaigns

According to companies like BrandTotal, it’s easier than you think to benchmark your campaigns and determine how you can adjust them for optimal results.

For example, making changes like adjusting ad creatives and improving landing pages will help boost conversion rates for your website. You can also use metrics like Google Analytics to measure the success of each campaign.

3. Social Media Marketing Offers Better Engagement

The only way you can genuinely attract customers to your brand is by understanding who they are and what they want. If you’re a brand that makes it known you care about your customers, they will be more likely to buy from you than a competitor.

Social media marketing offers you better engagement with your customers as platforms like Facebook and Twitter enable you to quickly and easily respond to each customer’s concerns and questions.

4. It’s Perfect For Marketing To Mobile Users

Did you know that most people go online from mobile devices like smartphones and tablets? According to Statista, around 92% of all active Internet users go online from a mobile device!

You undoubtedly want to target people who go online, and given that people mostly use mobile devices to do that, one of the activities they will do is use social media. With that in mind, social media marketing can help you target mobile users.

5. You’ll Build Your Brand

One final point to consider is how social media marketing is a powerful way to help you build your brand. It makes no difference whether you’re a startup or an established business – you must embrace social media marketing to help your brand grow.

You’ll find that most people are likely to use social networks more times than visit your website or search for the products and services you sell.

Could Life Expectancy Actually Start Falling?

A key focus of my blog is Health/Wellness. A major consideration for all our lives is how long we expect to live. There are numerous factors affecting this today. The following contributed post is entitled, Could Life Expectancy Actually Start Falling?

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Even before the pandemic, medical professionals around the world stood aghast as statistics revealed the first decline in life expectancy for nearly two centuries. Between 2018 and 2019, life expectancy fell by 1.5 years, pushing us back to where we were in 2003, when the internet was barely five years old and Facebook hadn’t been born yet.

Increases in life expectancy continued almost unbroken since the industrial revolution. In the middle of the 19th century, life was so tough that the average man was lucky to reach the age of forty, with women not doing much better at 43. Back then, a lot of people didn’t die of old age. Instead, infectious disease, accidents and poisonings topped the list of killers.

Unfortunately, the rise in life expectancy has come to a halt. And what’s more, many of the declines look like they are set in.

Why Is Life Expectancy Faltering?

All the way back in 2013, statisticians noted that increases in life expectancy had begun to slow down. The prevailing theory at the time was that it was just a blip, but that no longer seems to be the case. It’s not just a matter of stagnation either. Today, the life expectancy for people over the age of 65 is now six months shorter than it was a decade ago, despite all the advances we’ve seen in technology.

A common claim is that humanity has reached its peak longevity, but that doesn’t appear to be the case. There are countries, like Japan, outside of the West, that continue to see rising average life expectancies. What’s more, it seems strange that countries like the US and UK would peak in the mid 2010s and then go into decline if it was solely based on biological factors.

No doubt there is an upper limit to life expectancy, but that doesn’t carry much explanatory weight.

The other leading theory is that there is something wrong with the environment. People are now living in conditions, the theory goes, that are worse for their health than they were in the past.

Modern Killers

This is a sentiment that health executive, Michael Rashid, holds to firmly. He believes that we’re caught in the middle of a perfect storm of health issues, everything from obesity to the current opioid crisis. There are so many factors ravaging our health that, as a population, sustained increases in life expectancy just aren’t possible.

Because of the influence of environmental factors, health inequality is likely to continue to get worse over time. Those who know the science of longevity and apply it in their lives will live longer, while those who can’t follow it, or ignore it, will see their lives shortened.

Lack Of Care For The Elderly

Whether the problem is societal or something solely affecting the older generations is not well known. Problems with social care for seniors appeal to be compounding pressures on life expectancy, but the data are still coming in. Increasing suicides may be another issue but, again statisticians are still trying to work out how they will affect the overall picture.