Category: Contributed Posts

How Your Company Can Do More In 2020

Two of the focuses of my blog are Financial Literacy/Money and Business/Entrepreneurship. When you’re in charge of a business, you always have to think about how expand and your productivity. In 2020 there are numerous ways you can do that. The following contributed post is entitled, How Your Company Can Do More In 2020.

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If you are a business that has been around for some time, you may have found yourself failing to see some year on year growth. If this sounds like you, there is no need to panic; getting back on track is quite a simple process.

Today, we are going to be looking at some modern-day solutions that could benefit your business in huge ways should you consider applying them. While some of them may be simple at their core, you will find their application in your business could be exactly what you need.

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Am I Not Doing Enough?

One thing you should recognise is this; we are not saying you are not doing enough with your business, what we are, in fact, saying is that if you have hit a place where you cannot see any continuous growth from your company, then you are going to need to start applying something a little different.

While different may be scary, it can often be the thing that keeps you company afloat and helps you reach the level that you have been aiming for, for some time.

Improve Your Logistics

While most businesses are able to keep hold of almost every corner of their company, there is often one part that can be placed in the hands of others.

We are, of course, talking about the logistics side of the business. As most companies have discovered, they are able to apply control over every section of their business, but when it comes to getting a consignment to a customer, you have to place your faith in the hands of your logistic service.

Now, while in an ideal world, your company would manage its own fleet, we have to be real and recognise that financially this may not be viable. What you want to look for is an expedited trucking company that will be able to provide a service that gives live tracking and everything your business needs to ensure your shipments reach your customers on time.

Look At Better Software Solutions

As we have moved forward into the 21st century, software solutions have very quickly become more advanced, and you can be sure that if you want to streamline your business, there will be a huge need for an update to the software you are using.

Most people are probably thinking, what difference could software really make? The answer to this is simple; a big one.

Today’s software solutions can automate the menial and laborious jobs that take your employees out of the business for hours on end. By having software that can build data build data files on customers to give them a personal experience, can automate emails and even run a nurturing campaign, you will have a huge portion of your business covered.

Having a simple solution like this can save you time, effort and money, and you will be surprised as to how quickly you will be able to see a change in your business.

3 Tips to Shoot Professional-Looking Videos on Your Smartphone

Three of the focuses of my blog are Financial Literacy/Money, Business/Entrepreneurship and Technology. In today’s digital age, many forms of business and marketing involve shooting video and posting it online. You don’t always need an extravagant studio to shoot video and sometimes your smartphone will do. The following contributed post is entitled, 3 Tips to Shoot Professional-Looking Videos on Your Smartphone.

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Thankfully, it’s becoming more common knowledge for businesses to realize that video marketing is here to stay. It’s one of the most effective ways to connect with people, build your brand, and give your business an actual voice.

In fact, 51% of marketing professionals believe video marketing is the best for ROI. SO, if you haven’t jumped on the bandwagon yet, it’s time to play catchup!

If you have, and you’re not sure why you haven’t experienced as much success with your video marketing efforts, have you considered the kind of video you’re shooting and producing? Are you using quality video SDKs from an app or website to quickly shoot and publish your content?

If the quality of your video isn’t up to par, there’s a good chance people will skip it. That’s especially true as more businesses recognize the importance of video and try to outdo their competition when it comes to quality.

So, what can you do to shoot more professional-looking videos for your business, using a smartphone? The good news is, you don’t have to be a pro videographer to make it happen. Let’s go over some tips that can set you apart from your competitors.

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1. Have the Right Lighting

Even if you have the latest and greatest smartphone with the best camera that’s ever been released, your video could still look less-than-professional if your lighting is bad. Professional videographers rely on good lighting to make their videos look sharp, bright, and easy to see.

You don’t have to invest in studio lights or other fancy equipment to get better lighting for your recording. But, always try to shoot in a well-lit area to prevent shadows and graininess that can make it difficult for people to see the detail in your video.

Most phones nowadays have “touch focus,” so you can tap on the area of the camera that’s highlighted to focus on one area. The phone should automatically balance the lighting based on the area you’re focused on.

2. Audio is Just as Important

It’s great if you have a high-quality, sharp-looking video. But, if the audio quality doesn’t match up, people aren’t going to pay attention. Unfortunately, most phone manufacturers haven’t given as much attention to the microphones on their devices as they have to the cameras.

So, what can you do to boost the sound quality of your video?

The best thing you can do is to get an external recording device of some kind. Even an inexpensive microphone that can be plugged into your phone will make a world of difference when it comes to the clarity of the sound. If you can’t afford an external mic or don’t want to get one right now, make sure you always record on your phone in a quiet room with no external noises. Try to avoid recording outside.

3. Never Shoot Vertically

It’s hard to believe that this still needs to be said in 2020, but perhaps the biggest and most important tip to keep in mind is to never shoot your video vertically on your phone. When you record vertically, it makes playback look strange on many other devices. Hold your phone horizontally, and playback on screens everywhere will look just fine.

You don’t need to hire a professional camera crew or be a pro yourself to create better-looking videos on your phone. Keep these simple tips in mind as you boost your video marketing efforts this year.

Thrown Off Your Career Path Without Warning? Here’s How To Move Forward

The first principle of my blog is Creating Ecosystems of Success and a key focus is Career Discussions. Unfortunately, some individuals find their careers disrupted, often without warning. It’s important to understand what to do if your find yourself in that situation. The following contributed post is entitled, Thrown Off Your Career Path Without Warning? Here’s How To Move Forward.

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Most of us, as in those who are concerned with expanding our professional utility, skillset and career orientations, can often become truly shocked to the core when our path is thrown off. Perhaps a redundancy prevents us from raising the ranks in a career we’ve followed our entire life, and now we need to find work elsewhere, delaying that promotion for some time. Maybe we’ve realized that an industry path is not for us after 20 years working within that field.

Or, perhaps worst of all, we may find ourselves becoming injured or unable to work due to an accident, or workplace neglect, or safety standards failing. This last issue can be so debilitating, because not only does it knock our professional potential, but all other life progress for the time being. As far as that’s concerned, it can be worth knowing what your options are. Gathering yourself is key in these situations, as this process can provide you hope for the future.

As far as that is concerned, we’d love to give you some worthwhile and timeless advice in this direction. Please, consider:

Litigate If Needed

If necessary, it can be important to litigate. This can not only give you a sense of emotional closure, but it can help you protect yourself and claim the compensation you truly deserve. This can soften the blow of being out of work for a while, just as you recover from an injury or come back to your potential productive self. Go to lawboss.com to understand just what processes are best to follow in this light, and how you can approximate the best results with careful attention.

Understand Your Rights

Understanding your rights is also an essential part of this process to keep track of. It might be that you are entitled to workmen’s compensation, or disability, or job seekers allowance, or another form of support that enables you to look for further work. Sometimes, understanding your rights may even help you figure out that you were wrongfully terminated, and this may give you grounds to seek a renewed litigation effort. Understanding your rights can also enable you to search for worthwhile work, and avoid being placed into an unfriendly contract out of desperation.

If Returning To Work, Follow Best Procedure

When starting anew, no matter how unjust or unfair the circumstances may have been leading to this point, it’s important to apply humbly and understand how to follow best procedure. You may not be entitled a new job just because of being fired. Perhaps you need to prove yourself to a new employer before gaining work. Maybe reputational management can help you wipe off the layers of inaccuracy that can always occur in any dramatic change of social circumstances. Following best procedure, carefully, with humility, verifying your right action all the way, can help you once again structure your career in the best possible manner, even if you decide to start out on your own.

With this advice, we hope you can come back to your professional life with care and possibility.

How To Choose Where You Live

The first principle of my blog is Creating Ecosystems of Success and a key focus of my blog is Health/Wellness. A major aspect of your personal wellness and that of your family is where you choose to live. The place where you live has multiple effects on your life. The following contributed post is entitled, How To Choose Where You Live.

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It doesn’t matter whether you are planning to retire or you are just looking for a new place to live, deciding where to go is not a natural choice to make. There are so many cities and towns, suburbs, and municipalities to choose from. It’s always smart to look at your options and move to what you feel is the best location for you.

But where do you begin? Choosing where to live takes research. You’ll need to know where the jobs are and how the real estate market is looking (and Peter Barlin makes this easy for Austin!). You need to see if you will have the right amenities in your new place, and you need to find out whether you are in the right place for everything that you will need. So, what do you need to consider when choosing where you should live the rest of your life?

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  1. Town Size. Whether you covet the city or you swoon after the suburbs, you need to choose the size of the town that works for you. You want to find somewhere to live based on your needs, and it starts with the size. The internet is invaluable for this, as you can find out what the populations are for all the areas you are interested in.
  2. The Weather. If you hate rain, Seattle is not a good idea. If you love the sunshine, then Miami could be for you. The weather affects your mood, and it affects everything that you want to do – especially if you love the outdoor life. Choose the right climate for you, and you’ll be able to enjoy the new area in which you are basing your life.
  3. Entertainment. Are you looking for a quiet life, or do you hope for jazz clubs and buzz? Living within the right area can make a big difference in the way you look at life. It would help if you considered what you enjoy and what’s close by to you. There’s no use in feeling isolated and living so far away. Be aware, though, that the more built-up the area, the more expensive it can become.
  4. Employment. Are you moving for your job? Do you hope to find a new job when you do eventually move? These are essential questions that you need to answer because without doing so, you’re going to find it hard to settle without means to pay your way.
  5. Amenities. Are you moving with children? Well, you’ll need to consider schools you may also want to know about public transport and local hospitals just in case you need this. You will need to live somewhere that ticks all the boxes, whether that’s a town or city to start with!
  6. The Great Outdoors. Nature is a big deal for a lot of people, especially if you love hiking and walking to new areas. Beaches are also a big deal if you love water sports. Choose your area based on your interests, and you can’t go wrong.

Science And Investment Opportunities

Two of the focuses of my blog are Financial Literacy and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics). For those individuals with a mind and aptitude for investing, there are lots of opportunities in the sciences. The following contributed post is entitled, Science And Investment Opportunities.

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Science And Investment Opportunities

There are many people around the world that are looking for places to invest their money. Whether it’s a charitable cause, or an investment opportunity that hopefully will bring big Returns. So when it comes to investment and the Sciences, where can we invest our money for either life and will changing reasons, or for a return on investment? It can be a minefield, and it’s important to know that the advice and and and information that you may receive when doing your research, is not everything, you have to really consider all of the alternatives and make the right investment choice for you. So where can we mix science and Investment? The first thing to think about is how much money you are looking to invest in the first place and once you know no this you will know where to start.

Photo by William Iven on Unsplash

Education
Education is, of course, the basis for any improvement. Improvement of the way we live, and the way we look after our planet, and this is an important aspect of investment. Investing money into the education of younger people, and for the Education of people who may not otherwise have access, means that we are likely to move forward in the future. Giving access to education to many people means that one or two who are going to make changes in the world are able to do so. The way in which we can move forward and educate the population is a fantastic opportunity. But it relies on investment. Whether that’s from personal, or business investments, it makes no difference as long as as.the funds get to the right places.

Research
Research in science is, of course, essential, researching new ways in which you can treat illnesses, such as cancer, and researching alternatives two fossil fuels, for example, can make a huge difference to the planet. The only way we have reached the current medical advances, and spectacular technology we that we have no, is through research. But we need the funding to be able to drive this sort of research. And many of us benefit from these advances. So whether you’re investing gold bullion via ABC refinery, or investing your time, there is is no end to the benefits of research in science. It can take decades to reach a breakthrough, and this, of course, equates to a lot of money. But to actually advanced and evolved, we all have to make investments into this industry.

Climate Change
Climate change is a big talking point all around the world at the moment. And 99% of scientists agree that unless changes are made then the human race is going to suffer from the effects of climate change. This, of course, means that we need to have more investment opportunities, the right people, and the right research being done on alternatives and ways in which we can improve the planet. Humans are no longer and wittingly causing damage to the earth, so it is important that we invest as much as we can into reversing the effects of this damage.

Is Expansion On The Cards For Your Business?

Two of the focuses of my blog are Financial Literacy/Money and Business/Entrepreneurship. If your business is one of the lucky ones to make it past its early stages, you will likely think about expansion. Before expanding your operations, there are some things you want to think our first before investing the necessary resources. The following contributed post is entitled, Is Expansion On The Cards For Your Business?

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Expansion is something a lot of small business owners dream about. You think of the day you can open up a second location, or take on more staff to help deal with the influx of customers coming your way. It’s one of the best signs of business success, and you can only hope things will turn out this way sooner rather than later.

But at the same time, you need to be ready for expansion, and to be able to spot the signs of when it’s coming. So, we’ve listed a few questions below that you’ll want to keep in mind when looking at your books. If expansion is on the cards, these little thought statements will help you to keep an eye out for the opportunity.

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Do You Have a Steady Flow of Customers?

A steady flow of customers means a steady cash flow, in and out of your business. And if you’ve got enough customers to ensure your profit margin is always bigger than your costs margin, it’s a good sign you’re ready to take on more.

After all, if you can always turn a profit based on the limited resources you have at the moment, what kind of positive impact could another location or more people to service your customers have on your business?

Are You in Need of Another Office?

Another office is a good thing to have in your collection of business assets. It ensures you’ve got more than one location to work in, and that means you can cover more and more area around you. Sure, you’ve got the online world to rely on, meaning your virtual reach is massive and untouchable, but you need a similar tangible reach to rely on as well.

Setting up satellite offices might seem costly and unnecessary at first, but if more and more people outside of your local area are becoming interested in your business, it might just be the perfect solution. You’ll have another office to work out of, closer to your new source of custom, and that makes business convenient for both sides of the equation.

Is Your Team Eager for More?

Of course, your team needs to come into a decision like this as well. If you’ve got a strong team around you, who are capable of working together and taking initiative as and when it’s needed, it’s a good sign you can take on more business and assign tasks out accordingly.

At the same time, your team members might just be eager for more too. After all, they’re professionals in their own right, and have ambitions and goals just like you do. If you can help them take their professional acumen to new heights, they’ll do their best work for your business.

Expansion is something a lot of small business owners look forward to, and now might just be your chance to make it happen. After all, the sooner you’re ready for expansion, the better your business accounts look.

The Right Mindset for Successfully Working for Yourself

Three of the focuses of my blog are Career Discussions, Financial Literacy/Money and Business/Entrepreneurship. While going into business and working for yourself is highly glamorized, there are stark realities to it. There are a whole host of aspects and responsibilities an employee doesn’t face. The following contributed post is entitled, The Right Mindset for Successfully Working for Yourself.

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Transitioning from being an employee in the traditional sense, to “being your own boss” and running your own business, is certainly fulfilling and uplifting in many ways; but it’s also deeply challenging in many other ways.

While everyone generally likes to think of all the perks of being self-employed – things such as setting your own hours, and not having to be accountable to a boss you hate – there often isn’t enough attention paid to getting the right mindset and expectations in place, to actually make a success of the venture.

Here are a few mindset adjustments to make, in order to successfully work for yourself.

Everything is your responsibility now – so you absolutely have to plan and prepare accordingly

If you’re working as an employee for a large company, it is quite likely that such questions as whether or not the uniforms are made of antimicrobial scrub fabric, have nothing to do with you at all, unless your compartmentalised role within the company happens to be dealing with such issues.

When you are self-employed, though, everything is your personal responsibility – and you absolutely have to plan and prepare accordingly, on the assumption that no one else is going to swoop in and pick up the slack.

This means being as orderly as you can possibly be. It means having a very robust task and project management system, staying on top of your calendar, being punctual with appointments, and just generally being prepared every step of the way.

Your own level of discipline and grit will have a totally decisive impact on how successful you can expect to be

Being self-employed is hard work – and especially if you’re trying to create a new business from the ground up and make a success of it.

That being the case, you can expect that you will have to work long shifts on a regular basis, will have to push forward in spite of frequent frustration and disheartenment, and will have to exercise a level of grit and discipline above and beyond the ordinary.

The bottom line is that your level of discipline and grit will have a decisive impact on how successful you can expect to be. So, if you’re not ready to be your own taskmaster, you should probably either get ready quickly, or go do something else.

You are your number one resource and asset – so take your own health and well-being seriously

Although you will have to work hard and be organised, you shouldn’t fall into the trap that many self-employed people do, of running themselves absolutely ragged until a major “crash” results.

Remember that you are your number one resource and asset, and that you should be taking care of your health not only for its own sake (although that is, of course, self-evidently something you should do), but also so that you can continue to be the most productive and driven version of yourself at work.

What’s true for your physical health is true for your general well-being, too.

Eat good, nutritious food, make sure to get enough sleep, and have some fun when you can, in your free time.

Why Personal Branding Is Essential

Two focuses of my blog are Financial Literacy/Money and Business/Entrepreneurship. No matter what your business is, a key to is your branding. Your personal branding will set you apart from your competition. The following contributed post is entitled, Why Personal Branding Is Essential.

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This is a competitive world that we live in, and it’s not always (or ever) as easy to get ahead as we would like it to be. There’s always competition for jobs, or for the products and services that we are trying to sell. All we can do is our best, and hope that people take notice. There is, on occasion, ways that we hold ourselves back, however — for example, if you’re not investing in your personal brand, then you’re missing out on an opportunity to show off your credibility and professionalism.

But what’s personal branding all about, anyway? It’s a term that you hear often, but it’s not always so clear as to what it involves. Essentially, it’s all about controlling your own message. It’s about ensuring that people that are searching for you see the values that they want you to see, and not anything that might harm your reputation and cost you business. With the rise of the internet, it is easier to look up people than ever before. This is why personal branding is such a priority for executives and professionals; they know that their business may be harmed if it’s not watertight.

Personal branding can also be used during the job search. All large companies do a background check on their candidates, and it’s usually the ones that have put the time into making their personal brand as watertight as possible that get ahead. To learn more about the importance of personal branding, take a look at the infographic below.


Infographic design by University of Maryland University of Maryland

3 Ways To Ensure Your Accounts Are Up To Date

Two focuses of my blog are Financial Literacy/Money and Business/Entrepreneurship. A significant part of a business is accounting. Depending on the volume of your business, a major challenge may be making sure that your accounts are up to date. The following contributed post is entitled, 3 Ways To Ensure Your Accounts Are Up To Date.

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When you’re a business owner, making sure your accounts are up to date is one of the most important things you’ll do. This ensures you’re paying the right taxes and claiming the right expenses, and that everything is above board. It can be difficult to do this, and it can take a lot of time that you simply don’t have if you’re doing it inefficiently. Below, you’ll find 3 ways you can ensure your accounts are up to date:

1. Use An App
Start by using an app. An app like Quikbooks can be a huge help and can help you to keep track of absolutely everything so that you don’t need to worry about missing anything out or forgetting anything. Although it may cost a little, there are free apps available for when you’re just starting out.

2. Outsource
Alternatively, you can outsource your accounts to another company. This way, it’s not taking up any of your valuable time and you’re still free to do what you’re best at.

3. Hire In House
Alternatively, you could hire an accountant or accounting team in house to take care of everything for you. However, if you do decide to hire, then it’s a good idea to be aware of the trends in accounting so you can make the right decision. The infographic below will help clue you in so you can decide exactly what you want to do.


credit to University of Alabama Birmingham

4 Issues That Can Ruin Your Chances Of Claiming A Dream Job

A key focus of my blog Career Discussions. Even when we are qualified for a job on paper, there are things we can do personally to prevent us from securing the position. Knowing what these are will increase the likelihood of getting that job. The following contributed post is entitled, 4 Issues That Can Ruin Your Chances Of Claiming A Dream Job.

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Are you wondering whether there are problems that can stop you from claiming that dream position? Here are some that you need to watch out for.

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Trouble On Social Media

Social media is a funny one because a lot of people seem to think that they can avoid the issue of social media by simply not having it. However, most employers these days want to hire someone with a social presence. It suggests that they will be a valuable person for their team who has a strong network. However, you do have to be careful there is nothing embarrassing or potentially even harmful to a brand.

Criminal Record

You might also want to think about your criminal record. Most people won’t have a criminal record but even a small issue could lead to a blotch on your record. If you do think there is something in your past that could stop you from getting a job, it’s important to handle this issue the right way. You should think about speaking to a criminal lawyer like https://benfieldlegal.com/. They will be able to inform you how long this is going to remain on your record and whether it is likely to impact whether you are considered for a job or not. In most cases, you can avoid problems here by fighting to get a small issue expunged from your criminal record. Particularly, if it happened several years ago.

Credit Rating

You might think that a credit rating isn’t going to be relevant to a job application and to an extent you would be right. However, information on your credit rating can be gained by an employer and it is more relevant to some positions than others. An accountant, for instance, will often be judged based on their credit rating. This relates to reliability. As well as this an employer might not want someone in debt as part of their business, whether this is fair or not. Something to consider here is how to fix your credit rating. Well, there are a few ways to do this. The best is to borrow money from a source that you know you can pay back on time. Do this and you will be able to fix your credit rating quickly and easily. You can learn more about your credit rating on https://swiftmoney.com/.

The Wrong Name

While the others are at least somewhat understandable this one reeks of prejudice. Unfortunately, there is research to show that your name can be enough to stop you from being considered for a job. There are variables that people can assume or predict based on your name. They can estimate your nationality, your age and of course your sex. Now, if an employer is ruling you out for these reasons, then you might want to reconsider working for them in the first place. However, sometimes you need to prove your worth and for that, you have to first get your foot in the door. This is why a lot of people choose to leave their full name off their resume or provide an alternate name. If you do this, make sure that your references will recognise you by this name when the call comes.

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