Avoid These Corporate Event Mistakes

Two focuses of my blog are Financial Literacy/Money and Business/Entrepreneurship. Corporate events are important functions and must be handled with care. Mistakes must be kept at a minimum. The following contributed post is entitled, Avoid These Corporate Event Mistakes.

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When you’re planning a big corporate event to impress your clients or the boss or whoever, you want to ensure that everything goes right and you, and your company get glowing reviews.

This is harder to achieve than you might think and many people have screwed up in one way or the other. The good news is, we’ve put together a list of the most common mistakes corporate event planners make, in the hopes that you can avoid them and be one of the people who get it right…

Not outsourcing it to an event production company

If you have the budget to do so, but you don’t hire a full service event production and design company to handle the bulk of work for you, you are wasting more of your time and effort than you need to and increasing your chances of having a mishap at the same time. These people are professionals; they know what they are doing, If you are able to do so, hand things off to them and amazing things will happen.

Not planning well in advance

The best corporate events are the ones that have had months of loving planning out into them. So, if you are asked to plan a corporate event at short notice, and you don’t have to accept, hand it off to someone else, or at the very least try to negotiate more time to plan for the big day.

If you have plenty of time available to you, start planning right away. Book the venue, call the caterers, reach out to entertainment providers and get as much done as soon as you can because, if you leave it too late, things are sure to go wrong.

Not drawing up a tight budget

Most corporate events have a strict budget. If that is the case, you need to sit down and think very carefully about how much you will allot to each area of the event from venue hire to catering to goody bags, and you need to do everything you can to stick to those numbers.

It is so easy for things to get out of hand and you to spend way too much securing the perfect venue only to have no money left to serve your guests a decent meal. A tight budget will save your event, and potentially your job.

Not keeping your guests happy

From being there to greet them with a smile to ensuring their champagne glass is always topped up and that the conversation is flowing. If you don’t take the time to look after your guests and be the gregarious host, there is a good chance that the event will fall flat and that is the last thing you want to happen. So, whatever else you do, keep the guests happy.

If you can avoid these corporate event planning mistakes, you can ensure that your event is a total triumph from start to finish and that your place in the company is secured for the foreseeable future.

How To Keep The Cost Of Housing Down

Two focuses of my blog are Financial Literacy/Money and Home/Property Discussions. One of our major costs is housing. It’s one of the costs that can destroy our personal finances if it’s not properly controlled. The following contributed post is entitled, How To Keep The Cost Of Housing Down.

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It is no secret that the cost of living is rising the world over. Everything includes the price of houses, the cost of rent, the amount you spend on gas and electricity, and your weekly grocery bill. What is more, prices are seemingly only going one way. If you are looking for new ways to stay on top of your finances and avoid getting caught out by price spikes, here are some ideas to help you keep one of the biggest expenses down, the cost of housing.

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Don’t overstretch

Think very sensibly about your budget. This is not just how much you can possibly afford but how much you should afford. Does your housing budget still leave you with sufficient funds to save money each month and meet all of your other commitments? Is it a comfortable budget or a top-end stretch? To avoid falling foul of price rises it is important not to stretch your budget, but to leave plenty of change for emergencies and unforeseen (and inevitable) price rises. As tempting as your dream home might be, try to have a practical approach and consider whether you really need it. This applies to whether you are buying your home or whether you rent property. Don’t forget with bigger properties comes bigger bills, more maintenance, and higher repair bills. If you don’t need that guest bedroom for an extra big garden then don’t pay for it.

Consider living in a shared house

This can be a particularly useful means of accommodation if you live in some of the big and particularly expensive cities such as London or New York. Living in a shared house can be an incredibly affordable means of living and help you keep your overall expenditure down. You will still have your own bedroom, potentially bathroom, space, and comforts but for a considerably reduced cost. You will only be paying for the room you sleep in and sharing all of the utilities with your housemates. You can also look for shared accommodation that provides your own private bathroom.

If you are considering shared accommodation then the most important thing to consider is the people that you choose to live with as this can have a huge impact on your happiness within the shared house. You want to ensure that they are people who have a similar interest or working pattern to you. People that you are comfortable sharing communal areas with and having a conversation with where required.

Rent out a room in your house

If you own your own home and have a spare bedroom then why not consider taking on a lodger? You will have complete control over who you rent your room, you can determine the rent payable and set the availability timescale and ‘house rules’ to suit you. It can be a great way to help pay your bills or mortgage each month and considerably reduce the cost of living.

Vehicle Tax Deductions For Business

Two focuses of my blog are Financial Literacy/Money and Business/Entrepreneurship. If you’re running a business and it involves the use of a vehicle, you must consider what vehicle tax deductions you can take advantage of. The following sponsored post is entitled, Vehicle Tax Deductions For Business.

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Taking the maximum deduction from your business car payments is crucial for maximizing your return. This article will discuss Section 179 deduction, Bonus depreciation, Actual costs, and leasing options. To make the most of your deduction, it’s best to own the vehicle instead of leasing it. However, if you can’t afford to buy a new car outright, you may want to consider leased cars. To know more about that, you can visit different websites. A good example is MIle IQ.

Section 179 deduction

You may be eligible for Section 179 vehicle tax deductions if you are a business owner. The deductions are based on your net taxable income for the year and can be as much as $510,000. However, if you use a vehicle for work, you can only take advantage of this deduction if you purchased it for business purposes. In addition, the deduction cannot exceed your net income for the year.

The Section 179 deduction applies to vehicles purchased for business use. You can claim a percentage of the cost of the car on your tax return, as long as you are using the vehicle for business purposes. However, most employees cannot take this deduction. This deduction was suspended for most employees when the law was passed in 1997. Some exceptions to the rule include Armed Forces reservists, qualifying performing artists, state or local government officials, and people who have disabilities that limit their ability to work.

Bonus depreciation deduction

A vehicle must be used for at least 50% of its life to qualify for a bonus depreciation deduction. If use decreases to less than 50% within the five years, the deduction must be returned. To take advantage of this deduction, tracking mileage is necessary. Heavy vehicles are eligible for bonus depreciation deductions because they have a gross weight of more than 6,000 pounds. To calculate weight, check the manufacturer’s website.

Those who own a new business vehicle or plan to replace a used car can take advantage of a bonus depreciation deduction. This deduction is available to businesses, including small business fleets, delivery services, and specialty vehicles. The maximum deduction is $1,040,000 per year for a business, and you must have purchased the vehicle by December 31. In addition, it is essential to note that a company must show positive income for the year to qualify for a bonus depreciation deduction.

Actual costs

You may be eligible for a vehicle tax deduction if you’re running a business. In this case, you can deduct the business portion of your car-related expenses, including gas, oil, repairs, and tires. Your mileage and insurance costs can also be deductible. You can even claim depreciation expenses. As long as you keep careful records, you may qualify for a larger vehicle tax deduction than you otherwise would.

To calculate your vehicle tax deduction, you need first to determine your mileage. The standard mileage rate deduction is designed for the average vehicle. A heavier driver may qualify for a higher deduction. But an economical vehicle will typically cost you less. For example, if you drive twenty-two thousand miles per year for business purposes, you can claim a deduction of $12,320. According to AAA, a typical vehicle costs $11,278 per year.

Leasing options

Were you considering vehicle leasing? Here are a few advantages to consider. First, you can write off the lease payment. If you use the vehicle for business purposes, you can claim a larger deduction for the lease payment. Second, leasing is much cheaper than purchasing a vehicle. Third, the monthly payments are much more affordable. And, you’ll never have to worry about mileage limitations. If you need a luxury vehicle, leasing might be the way to go.

Leasing options for vehicle tax deductions allow you to take advantage of a broader range of vehicle expenses than purchasing a car outright. For example, you can deduct your fuel, insurance, and tire costs as business expenses. Additionally, you can deduct maintenance and repair costs as well as depreciation. However, you must make sure you lease a vehicle for at least 30 days to qualify for this deduction.

The Importance of Vetting Your Suppliers

“When it comes to partnering with other companies in business, it’s essential that you choose the right ones. They can have an impact on the strength of your business, so it is important to make the right choice.”

Two focuses of my blog are Financial Literacy/Money and Business/Entrepreneurship. Depending upon the business you’re in, you may utilize supplies from suppliers. As such you have to make sure that they are both reliable and quality as their performance will impact your profits. The following contributed post is entitled, The Importance of Vetting Your Suppliers.

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When it comes to partnering with other companies in business, it’s essential that you choose the right ones. They can have an impact on the strength of your business, so it is important to make the right choice. This is where vetting your suppliers comes in.

The Importance of Vetting Suppliers and How to do it

To vet a supplier, you need to know what they are capable of producing and how they produce those products. You need to know whether or not they have the capacity and capability to produce what you need. It is important that you have a list of criteria that you can use as guidelines when vetting suppliers. These criteria will help you in evaluating potential suppliers and decide whether or not they are right for your company.

Why Should You Vet Your Suppliers?

Supplier vetting is a process that helps to identify and assess the risks associated with suppliers. It also helps to identify the supplier’s strengths and weaknesses. All companies need to vet their suppliers as it is important for them to be aware of the quality of goods they are purchasing. Supplier vetting also helps in reducing costs and risk of supply chain disruptions. Thinking about your customers and the experience that you want them to have should be top of mind, and having a supplier that isn’t reliable or isn’t providing the best products can impact your customer experience significantly. It can be beneficial to you to find wholesalers who offer a range of products for your industry. A great example is the food industry; look for suppliers that offer a range of brands that meet what your customers expect, everything from Whitey’s Chili to frozen appetizers, and napkins to the right dry seasoning. After all, the quality of the products they provide can significantly impact your bottom line. But what about businesses that don’t produce finished products? For companies that focus on packaging and shipping, the quality of their Packaging Supplies is just as important as the quality of the products they are shipping. That’s why it’s essential to vet your Packaging Suppliers just as carefully as you would any other supplier.

What You Should Know before You Spend Money on a Supplier

When selecting a supplier, it is important to find one that can provide the best product for the price. There are many factors to consider when making this decision. Some of these include:

-Price: The cost of buying from a new supplier should be less than from an existing one.
-Quality: The quality of the product should be as high as possible.
-Delivery time: The delivery time for orders should be short and efficient.
-Service level agreement (SLA): A supplier with a good SLA will have more flexibility in terms of delivery times and other aspects.

The Process of Interviewing & Researching Any Potential Suppliers

The process of choosing a supplier is not an easy one. There are many things to consider and questions to ask before signing the contract. The interview and research phase is the most important phase of the process because it will help you decide which supplier will be best for your company. Researching is essential so you can look for things like National Life Group lawsuit information to get more of an idea of the company itself.

Then there is the idea of interviewing them. There are some key questions that you should ask any potential suppliers before deciding whether or not they are right for your company:

-What services do they offer?
-What is their pricing model?
-How much experience do they have?
-Do they have any reviews online?
-Do they have a website with contact information?

Different Types of Background Checks for Vendors and Suppliers

Background checks are a way of making sure that the person you are working with is trustworthy and has no criminal history. There are different types of background checks that can be done on a potential vendor or supplier.

The first type is the company background check. This search will give you information about the company, such as its registration status, address and directors. The other type of background check is a company search engine. This will provide information about the company’s activities, such as their website, social media platforms and any reviews or complaints made by customers about them.

Want To Protect Your Small Business? Read This Guide Now

Two focuses of my blog are Financial Literacy/Money and Business/Entrepreneurship. Once you start successfully running a business of any kind, you must next start thinking about how to protect it. The following contributed post is entitled, Want To Protect Your Small Business? Read This Guide Now.

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Running a small business takes an enormous amount of time, money and energy, so it’s vital that you can take the opportunity to protect all of your hard work by implementing the most effective security measures. Thankfully, this guide contains an array of innovative ideas and handy hacks that you can make the most of to protect your small business like never before. So, if you’re interested in finding out more, then simply read on.

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Explore The World Of E-Safety

In today’s modern world, every business needs to channel considerable efforts into e-safety. There are so many different risks online that could cripple your business, from viruses to scammers and hackers, so you need to take the time to prevent such dangers from putting your company in harm’s way. One of the worst web-related problems that you can encounter as a result of lacking e-safety efforts is a data breach, as a hacker could gain entry to your data stores and business files to use them for criminal activity. They could subsequently access your commercial bank account, steal customer data for identity related crimes and so much more, ruining your reputation and potentially even leading you down the path of legal action. You could be sued due to your lack of data protection, so there’s no time like the present to up your security online! Install firewalls, use complex passwords and tell your staff never to visit personal websites on company devices – these are where most threats lurk. Regularly run antivirus software to clean your system of any suspicious activity and data, and make sure you take extra steps to encrypt your data to promote ultimate security.

Protect Your Premises

Protecting your physical premises should be your next priority, as there are a number of risks that could cause reputational and financial damage to your business. For example, if your security simply isn’t tight enough, then a criminal could easily gain unauthorized access to your property and subsequently steal or destroy anything they please. A good step to take would be installing CCTV cameras, as they can deter criminals from attempting to access your business as they will be recorded and therefore potentially identified. You can also choose to employ a security guard to watch your cameras and act if anything suspicious occurs. In addition, installing a good locking system on external doors such as the mul t lock mt5 that can promote extra safety. Such secure locks are much harder to bypass, so you can rest easy knowing your small business is as secure as can be.

Protecting your small business has never been so simple when you can take the time to utilize some of the brilliant tips and tricks that have been detailed above! Keeping your hard work safe and sound is vital, as you have likely spent countless hours building your small business to its current thriving state. Start by implementing extra e-safety measures, and be sure to protect your physical premises too.

What To Consider When Choosing Your Next Commercial Premises

Two focuses of my blog are Financial Literacy/Money and Business/Entrepreneurship. If you’re running a business or some sort of proprietorship, one of the most important decisions you’ll make is choosing your commercial premises. The following contributed post is entitled, What To Consider When Choosing Your Next Commercial Premises.

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Choosing the ideal building for your company can be both exhilarating and stressful, whether you’re shifting premises or finding a property for the first time. With so much to think about that will affect workers, customers, and future success, company owners have a lot to consider before making choices and committing.

Of course, some of the criteria influencing your decision will be determined by your company’s kind of industry, but there are certain universal characteristics that all organizations must consider. We’ve developed a list of items to consider while making that all-important decision for your next commercial premises for those firms in need of additional information before the big move.

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Location

Though this list is not in any particular order of significance, location is often a major determining factor when buying a property. For example, if your company is a restaurant or a clothes store, it must be located in an easily accessible location for clients.

The same is true when it comes to employing new personnel. It may well be difficult to attract talented team members if your location lacks appropriate transportation or if their prospective remuneration is insufficient to make the expense of travel worthwhile.

Similarly, think about who and what will need access to your commercial premises. If your new location will be visited by heavy vehicles, make sure it is easily accessible via major highways or main roads. If you’ll be traveling regularly, being near an airport will be advantageous, and clear access routes will save customers from getting confused on their way to appointments.

Potential For Growth

Where do you see yourself in five or ten years? Consider your position before making a choice; the last thing you want to do is spend a lot of money improving your new premises, putting in better windows, commercial metal roof decking, and making it pleasant for employees inside, only to have it grow more than you intended and force you to relocate.

When examining your alternatives, ensure that there is adequate space to handle various sorts of expansion, such as recruiting additional personnel and producing new products. If the site is great, but you believe you will outgrow it shortly, check to see if planning approval for an extension is available.

On-Site Facilities

You may have access to comprehensive on-site amenities depending on the kind of commercial property; bigger business parks generally contain a café or restaurant, as well as a shared community area.

Is your potential property and its on-site amenities appropriate for your industry? Some buildings provide free internet as an incentive, so it’s worth looking around for one that meets your needs.

Customization

This will often be determined by your budget, but you may want to purchase a commercial property that is ready to move into right away, or you might just want to spend less on the original outlay and customize the inside as the business grows. Weigh the cost-effectiveness of both to ensure you’re in the best financial position possible when you move in.

4 Things You Must Do Before You’re Ready To Run A Business

Two focuses of my blog are Financial Literacy/Money and Business/Entrepreneurship. Many people want to start and run businesses but don’t have the fundamental skills or knowledge sets. The following contributed post is entitled, 4 Things You Must Do Before You’re Ready To Run A Business.

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Are you considering setting up and running your own business? Perhaps you have a great idea that you know you can transform into a successful business venture. If that’s the case, then you do need to approach this the right way. Here are some of the key steps that we recommend you explore.

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Build Your Knowledge

Anyone can run a successful business. This is true but you increase your chances of success if you build up the right knowledge. The reason for this is that you’re seen as a lower risk by investors and customers who might be interested in your company. That’s why it’s important to make sure that you do learn how to be an entrepreneur. If you do this, then you can make sure that you understand what it will take to make your business successful while also getting information about the common pitfalls new business owners do tend to fall into.

Expand Your Network

Another key stpe that you can’t miss is building up your network. No man is an island and that’s certainly true for business owners. To run a successful business, you need to make sure that you are connected to the right people. If you don’t have these types of connections, then you’re always going to struggle to make your company a success. You can use social media to build up your network. Or, you can use contacts that you have already made in previous positions that you have held in the past.

Create A Personal Brand

Next, you should consider creating a personal brand. While your business idea is important, this is often going to be just part of the puzzle to making your company successful. You need to give customers or clients someone who they can connect with and feel like they know. This is why it’s important to start building up your personal brand before you even think about creating a business brand identity. Start getting more active on social media and perhaps consider writing some guest posts for blogs that relate to your chosen business industry.

Find Funding

Finally, you may have heard in the past that you can run a business with no money in your account. Well, this isn’t the case. You’re always going to need funding to run a business, no matter how small your business model is. On average, you will need to save about three thousand for an online business. If you are interested in running a brick and mortar company, then you’ll need closer to ten grand. The good news is that there are lots of funding options that could be worth exploring. For instance, if you think your business is highly marketable and has wide appeal, then crowdfunding could be the right choice.

We hope this helps you understand some of the key things that you must do before you will be ready to run a business. By exploring these options, you can guarantee that you are giving yourself the greatest chance of finding success on the market.

Outsourcing: Signs It’s Time To Start

Two focuses of my blog are Financial Literacy/Money and Business/Entrepreneurship. Depending upon the type of business you’re in, you may need to consider outsourcing in order to continue your operations and or to scale upwards. The following contributed post is entitled, Outsourcing: Signs It’s Time To Start.

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When was the last time you thought about getting some help in your business? We don’t mean hiring a temp to get through data entry, but outsourced, specific and expert help to ensure that your business can comfortably meet its goals? Running and being the leader of your own business takes a lot of time, and as the owner you are going to have to recognize when you need to pull in extra pairs of hands for help.

Outsourcing can be the best option for a range of different functions, whether you are an insurance company looking for help from resources like Green Leaf FMO, or whether you need additional IT support. The options can often feel limitless with outsourcing, so it’s understandable that you might find it difficult to know where to begin. Below, we’ve got a short list of the signs that it might be time for you to start looking at outsourcing for your business.

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  1. You have way more work than you do time! You cannot possibly know everything about everything and that’s okay – you’re not supposed to. It’s a good problem to have a lot of work because it shows that your business is booming. The unfortunate thing is that you can’t handle every single thing on your own. So, instead of waiting to handle it all, outsourcing can make the biggest difference to what your business needs.
  2. You are on the right track for growth. If you are heading toward meeting your goals, you’re on the right track. However, if you are on track for growth but you can’t do it alone, then you have to consider outsourcing for that additional help that you need. Finding someone to support your marketing needs or your content needs is not a bad decision. In fact, it’s the smartest choice that you could make for your business to succeed.
  3. You’re struggling to add new services. If you are looking at ways in which you could add new services, you might need additional support to market those services and that means that you need to outsource. Expanding your team is one of the best things to do to support and enhance your business. You might be more limited in what you can do, and if that’s the case, asking for expert help is smart.
  4. There are some business tasks you could do without doing. There are always those jobs in a business that people hate to do. It’s not because they’re not good at it; you could be excellent! The thing is, these are the tasks that are boring and uninteresting. You could pass these off to those that are experts in what they do, and clear your plate of the things that you dislike doing.

If you haven’t done it before, then outsourcing is going to feel a little like you’re getting someone else to run certain areas of your business. The truth is that’s precisely what’s going to happen – but that doesn’t have to be a bad thing. Your business will benefit from the help!

Side Hustles You Can Be Proud Of

Two focuses of my blog are Creating Ecosystems of Success and Financial Literacy/Money. Many individuals have side hustles to make additional money to their days jobs and primary careers. The following contributed post is entitled, Side Hustles You Can Be Proud Of.

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If you are wanting to make some extra money on the side then this article will give you lots of ideas on how to go about this. A side hustle is something you do in your spare time around your usual nine to five job. Take a look below for three amazing side hustle ideas.

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Childcare

First off is one of the easiest ones, well easy if you enjoy working with children. You may have a day job working with children so you want to offer your services on the side as well. Families are always calling out for babysitters to help them when they want to go out or have appointments they are unable to take the children to. If you register your interest on websites or at the local schools then you will have bookings flooding in.

Another great side hustle that involves working with children is tutoring. During the lockdowns, a lot of children missed out on vital hours of education. Parents are now keen to make those hours back up so are always on the lookout for tutors. You can decide to tutor all ages or simply just primary or secondary-aged children.

Investing

Next, if you are confident in your decision-making skills then you could look into investments as a side hustle. This is a sure-fire way to make a lot of money or lose some money, there are a lot of risks involved with this one. If you take some time to read up on different avenues then you will soon have a greater understanding of it all. You could invest in gold or silver, or even cryptocurrency. If gold is what you are looking for then you can use a website like Hero bullion to buy from. Remember, when you are investing in things like this the prices will constantly be fluctuating. One day you could make a profit if you decide to sell, the next it could lead to a loss.

Freelancing

Something else that may be relatively easy, especially if you find something that you are into is freelancing. This could be anything from photography to writing articles for blog sites. If you have an interest then you may as well make some extra money from it. You can do freelancing from anywhere in the world, so you wouldn’t have to worry if you needed to work while being away on holiday as this is totally possible.

There are websites you can use to sign up as a freelancer, you can also take a look at different jobs and see what people have to offer on these websites. If you are just starting out then you can look here for inspiration on what to charge per hour as this is your choice. Be aware that if your prices are too high then people may not choose you for their projects. On the other hand, if your prices are too low then people may be reluctant to use your services as they are not sure if you are any good. Be sure to collect reviews from the clients you use.