Financial Literacy and Money – Page 78

Tailoring Your CBD Sales For Success Through COVID-19

Two of the focuses of my blog are Financial Literacy/Money and Business/Entrepreneurship. Despite the Coronavirus/Covid-19 Pandemic/Crisis, there is still and demand for CBD (Cannabidiol) products. The following contributed post is entitled, Tailoring Your CBD Sales For Success Through COVID-19.

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CBD sales have increased across the world in recent years, with 14% of Americans now regularly using these products. Yet, even CBD sales have taken a hit in recent weeks as COVID-19 changes lives, buying habits, and priorities.

Given that this is the first real hurdle for the CBD industry since legalization, it’s natural to feel some worry over what this means long-term. At this stage, after all, the market is still green, and there’s no true way of knowing how loyal existing customers will prove once the pandemic has passed.

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Luckily, as is evidenced by current front-runners like CBD Unlimited Inc., the CBD industry does stand more chance than many of weathering this storm and even enjoying boosts. That said, losses elsewhere prove that only companies who continue to put one foot in front of the other will enjoy these benefits.

With that in mind, you need to look forward and keep fighting. And, we’ve got a few of the ways you can do that for success both now and once lockdowns lift.

Perfect your online presence

Given that 70% of CBD sales take place online, the chances are that you already have an ecommerce shop. But, if you’ve primarily focused on your in-person dispensary until now, your basic online efforts won’t be enough to keep you afloat. Instead, now is the ideal time to turn to a CBD marketing agency. Not only will they be able to get your web design just right, but they’ll also be on hand to ensure that you forever adhere to local legislation, and appeal to the right people. As simple as that, you’ll be in the best position to begin flourishing in this lockdown landscape. Even better, you’ll be able to go head-to-head with your largest online competitors once all this is over.

Highlight benefits with COVID-19 in mind

While CBD sadly doesn’t cure COVID-19, it can at least address some of the issues/symptoms that relate to this pandemic on a broader scale. By changing your sales narrative to account for this, you may find that even consumers who haven’t considered use before test out your products. That’s invaluable at a time when few companies are even considering acquisition, and it could see you at the market forefront at last. Luckily, there are plenty of benefits that you can highlight in this sense. For instance, CBD has suspected anti-viral properties, as well as helping to ease potential infection complaints like nausea and fatigue. Not to mention that, outside of the virus itself, CBD can work wonders for reducing the anxiety that we all undoubtedly feel right now.

Expand your expertise

Now is also the ideal time to focus on areas of your business that allow you to expand. For instance, you could enhance your sales for the moment by focusing on things like ‘anxiety packs,’ or even just expanding your range to incorporate items like massage oils and bath bombs to tune into that consumer need. Equally, you could follow in the steps of CBD companies like Beam, who are expanding awareness for their brand using free Instagram live workouts/meditations. Honestly, the more innovative you are, the better chance that you’ll be able to achieve the sales you need. So, have fun with throwing some ideas around, and test them out to see which best capture your audience’s new concerns.

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Stretch, release, and stay beaming ✨ Take care of each other and we’ll be right here with you too. #bettertogether

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Show your support to healthcare workers

Now is also the time to show your support for our much-needed health care workers. Public awareness has shifted very much towards provider support as doctors and nurses put themselves on the front line. As such, CBD companies like Beam have also decided to offer up to 50% discounts for all medical professionals, with a further 10% of their net profits going to Greater Boston Food Bank. This effort greatly helps the community, but it also highlights your company ethics in a way that few people could argue against. While you should, of course, do such things out of kindness and nothing more, that’s certainly not going to harm your sales along the way.

A final word

This is a hard time for every industry and, despite being medicinal, CBD is no exception. The fact is that consumers are distracted, and ultimately buying less due to loss of income, etc. But, as some of the best CBD businesses on the market right now are proving, that doesn’t mean you can’t still expand and grow during lockdown. Simply start by implementing these tips and feeling their benefits.

What Does It Take To Run A Successful Healthcare Business?

Two of the focuses of my blog are Financial Literacy/Money and Business/Entrepreneurship. Healthcare businesses aren’t just large corporations. In some instances they are small healthcare businesses. If run properly they can be lucrative. The following contributed post is entitled, What Does It Take To Run A Successful Healthcare Business?

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It is estimated that the global digital healthcare industry will be worth more than $234 billion by 2023. Healthcare is one of the most prosperous sectors and it provides millions of jobs worldwide. While setting up a business in this industry can be lucrative, there are no guarantees of success. To make it to the top, you have to ensure you check a lot of boxes. Here’s a handy guide to what it really takes to run a profitable healthcare venture.

Understanding the market
The healthcare industry is complex, and it would be impossible to launch and run a well-oiled, streamlined business in this sector without in-depth knowledge of how the market works and what is involved in the management of a company that provides medical services. Before you start working on a business plan or try and convert ideas into a functional model, it’s crucial to spend time looking into the mechanics of the industry, researching rules and regulations and analyzing what companies that will be your competitors are doing. It is also incredibly beneficial to look at how the market has been performing in recent years and how it has changed and evolved. The digitization of healthcare, for example, has revolutionized the way providers communicate with patients, how patients make appointments and how practitioners access, store and share data.

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Finding your niche
The healthcare sector is broad and it covers a raft of services and sub-sections. If you’re thinking of setting up a new business, it’s wise to find your niche. What kinds of services are you keen to provide, and who are you targeting? Analyze the demand for services and create an accurate picture of who you are going to treat. It’s important to have an ideal customer in mind when strategizing and drawing up marketing, branding and sales campaigns. Competition within this industry is fierce, and you may want to avoid a market that is already saturated. You need to ensure that your business will stand out from the crowd, and that there is a demand for the services you plan to provide. If demand is low, and your competitors already have an established client base, it will be tough to make waves with a new venture. Look for gaps in the market or offer a new spin on existing models.

Once you know who you want to target and the kind of brand you want to create, conduct thorough research to get to know your customers. Ask questions using surveys and online polls and feedback forms, and use the information and data you gather to inform your decisions going forward.

Getting your figures and finances sorted
Launching any kind of business requires funding. Whether you plan to set up a small, local healthcare company, or you have grand plans for a chain of practices or a national or global brand, you’ll need to ensure that your finances are in order. If you’re borrowing money, or you’re approaching investors, you should have calculations to hand, and you should be able to provide explanations to outline where your money is going. Cost out all your expenses, work on price points, produce realistic turnover projections and make sure you can answer questions related to the numbers. If you’re presenting as part of a pitch to secure funding, or you’re approaching a lender for a business loan, rehearse your presentation, have confidence in what you’re saying and try to preempt questions and prepare answers.

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Checking the legal boxes
As a business owner in the healthcare sector, it is vital to understand the regulations and legalities involved in providing services to patients. There are policies and procedures in place to protect patients, clients and members of staff, and you must adhere to the rules at all times. Make sure you are familiar with the laws that govern practice in your state or country. You will be required to provide high standards of care in clean, safe settings, to take steps to minimize the risk of negligence, accidents and injuries and to shield sensitive data and personal information. It is always beneficial for healthcare business owners to liaise with legal experts to ensure that everything is in place to check the boxes and ensure best practice guidelines are followed. All staff members should be aware of the latest updates in policies and regulations.

Investing in the right equipment and technology
Equipment and technology play an increasingly integral role in medical research and the provision of short and long-term care. As a budding entrepreneur, it’s an exciting time to be starting out in the healthcare field. Before you decide what kinds of machinery, tools or equipment to purchase and what type of technological systems and gadgetry to employ, analyze the competition, look into emerging trends and see what is available on the market. There are some investments that will make more financial sense than others. Spend your money on machines, technology and medical equipment that will benefit your patients, your staff and your accounts. Your purchases should be relevant to the services you plan to provide, and it’s wise to cost out expenses before you make any final decisions.

Cutting-edge technology can make the difference in the world of modern healthcare. If you choose your investments wisely, you should be able to provide the latest treatments, to offer high standards of care on a consistent basis, to improve efficiency and customer service and to minimize the risk of mistakes and human error. Consider what is essential for your business and then explore options that will further enhance the patient experience. From a vaccine fridge and treatment beds to blood pressure monitors, PPE and computerized records systems, it’s critical to ensure you have everything you need to treat patients before you open for business. If you don’t have the right equipment, or you’re using outdated technology, you could lose out to rivals and your profit margins might suffer. Once you’re up and running, it’s useful to conduct audits on a regular basis to see if you could benefit from making changes or upgrading your tech.

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Building a strong team and hiring the best talent
As a patient, there are few things more important than being able to trust the person who is in charge of your care. The team you hire will represent your brand, and in many cases, patients will judge your business based on the individuals they meet and the standards of care they provide. When hiring, look to build a strong, cohesive team made up of talented individuals who have the skills and experience needed to excel in the roles available. Use the interview process to get to know the candidates and look for people who show enthusiasm, passion and commitment, as well as having a brilliant resume. You want to be able to trust your team to take on the responsibility of representing your brand. Working in healthcare is not easy, and you need drive, energy and compassion to succeed. It’s important to think about the kind of person you would want to look after or treat you if you were a patient. The individuals you hire should embody the ethos of the business.

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Marketing your business
Achieving success in business is not just about receiving 5-star reviews. It also involves turning over profits. In the healthcare sector, marketing plays a key role in connecting patients with practices and driving sales. Use the findings of market research to engage with people who are likely to have an interest in the services you offer and choose techniques and platforms that will enable you to reach the right audience. The healthcare industry is unique, and for most patients, the number one priority is finding a reputable provider that champions optimal levels of care. Your marketing and branding strategies should reassure prospective patients that you are trustworthy and reliable at the same time as up-selling your USP and encouraging customers to want to learn more.

In this day and age, it is vital for healthcare businesses to engage with clients online, and having a fantastic website is an excellent place to start. People who search for healthcare providers and practices online are often looking for information, and providing accurate, factual guides, FAQ pages and informative, interesting blog posts can help you attract attention. It’s a great idea to vary the content you share on your website and social media channels. Infographics and video clips can break up text and make information more digestible. The brain processes visual content 60,000 times faster than text, and videos are much more likely to be shared than text posts.

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Attracting positive reviews
Research suggests that over 70% of patients consider reading online reviews a crucial part of choosing a medical practice or a doctor. To attract new patients and keep hold of existing clients, you have to ensure that you provide the highest possible standards of care and customer service. Offer training for staff members, always ensure patients receive a warm welcome and go out of your way to help every individual feel safe, comfortable and relaxed. Try to ensure that appointments run smoothly and efficiently, communicate with patients on a regular basis and make it easy and quick to organize and pay for treatments. Invite patients to leave feedback and reviews, read comments and take ideas and opinions on board. It’s essential to learn from both the positives and the negatives.

Launching a successful healthcare business isn’t straightforward, but if you make the right choices, you’re committed to providing the highest standards of care and service for your patients and you deliver on promises, it could be a very rewarding decision.

Online Shopping: Securing Your Private Data

Two of the focuses of my blog are Financial Literacy/Money and Technology. While online shopping has made our lives easier and in some ways more efficient, it has introduced new and unique dangers to us as well. There are unscrupulous individuals our there who are looking to take your personal data and information for theft. The following guest post is entitled, Online Shopping: Securing Your Private Data.

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Online shopping has become easy. You’re not only able to find the local or overseas products you want on the internet. You also have multiple options for shipping and payment. But all these ease can sometimes come with a price: your security.

Every time you click on the “check out” button, you’re entrusting sensitive information, like credit card numbers and PINs, e-mail addresses, and home and work addresses to an online store. When hackers get a hold of your personal details, your identity may be stolen. So you need to be consistently on-guard against security threats.

Follow these steps to safer online shopping:

Stick With Tried-and-Tested Sites

The Philippines has a wide variety of trusted online stores and marketplaces to choose from, like Lazada, Shopee, and Zalora. They have robust security and buyer protection policies. For overseas purchases, buying from Amazon and shipping to the Philippines through a forwarder is your best bet.

You may find some obscure online stores that provide deals that are too good to be true. It’s best to stay away from these shops or at least search them up on review sites, like Trustpilot to see if they really are legit. As for branded online shops, check with their official website or social media to see if they do own the store.

Look for a Private Connection

Every time you visit a reputable website, you’ll see a lock icon on your web browser’s address bar. This symbolizes that the site is encrypted. No one else can see or access what you download and upload on the site except you and the website’s servers and admin.

It may also be a sign that the site you’re visiting is legitimate. As such, you should look for this lock in every online store you visit to ensure your payment and personal information aren’t intercepted by cybercriminals.

Pay Smart

Credit and debit cards offer a convenient way to pay for your goods. However, using them to pay for products online may not be the safest route. Illegitimate online stores and data breaches on legitimate ones may cause your payment data to land in the hands of hackers.

Use a prepaid card from your bank, which you can load up with the exact amount of the product, plus the shipping fee. Unlike credit cards, which have spending limits, prepaid cards are useless to cybercriminals when they’re empty. Cash on delivery is great as well, as you get to receive the product and inspect its packaging before actually paying for it.

If you have no choice but to use your credit or debit card, however, consistently check your transaction history on your bank’s website. If there are products you’re sure you didn’t pay for, call the provider immediately to file a dispute and get your money back.

Buying from online stores is a great way to get the local and foreign products you’ve always wanted. As convenient as they are, however, you should practice caution when buying from them. Consider these suggestions for a safe and secure online shopping experience every time.

Dealing With A Drastic Change In Your Healthcare Business’ Day To Day

Three of the focuses of my blog are Current Events, Financial Literacy/Money and Business/Entrepreneurship. The Coronavirus/Covid-19 Pandemic/Crisis has created drastic changes for healthcare businesses. Whenever something happens that imparts systematic changes, it’s important to understand how to deal with them. The following contributed post is entitled, Dealing With A Drastic Change In Your Healthcare Business’ Day To Day.

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Whenever something needs to change within a business, the company itself can have a bit of an overhaul. But when it comes to a healthcare business, there’s a lot more back and forth to go through – operations management can get very complicated when both health and wellbeing are involved.

So, considering the current global pandemic, and the need for change within the healthcare sector around the globe, let’s go into a little more detail about making a drastic change. The day to day in a healthcare business can be highly unpredictable anyway, but especially so in times like these.

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Come Up with a Strategy

Your patients still need to know you care. And without knowing what you’re going to do over the next few months – without a plan – you won’t be able to keep up with the tide of patients you might not even think about having to accommodate for usually.

A strategy is going to be essential right now, and it might be hard to come up with on your own. Thankfully, Healthcare Consulting companies are out there, and are looking to band together to help you make an effective yet drastic change to your daily operations. Put this kind of resource to good use; healthcare is all about lending a hand.

Pick Up on Technology

Technology is one of the main things that can help your healthcare business to cope during difficult times. Tech has revolutionised the healthcare sector in the modern era; more people have access to regular and quality healthcare simply because they can talk to a doctor online, and almost everyone has an internet connection.

Which is why it’s key to focus on your tech capability right now – what would you be able to do with the digital strategy you’re already putting to good use in your business? You can’t be sure you’ll have the chance to upgrade right now, so you’ll need to focus on what you do have.

How many virtual appointments could help keep patients safe and at home? Can you have at least two to three people man the phones at all times? Can you use an online delivery service for medications?

Think About Costs

And finally, operations management in healthcare is all about knowing where the costs are going to be, and how you can cope with them. You can use data analysis to work out where the big and recurring costs are, so do this first.

Then, if you don’t already have an emergency fund in place, or a form of insurance that you’ve paid into over the years, be sure to reach out for donations and/or for government aid. You and your workers are on the front lines during a time like this, so ensure you have a portal for people to lend their aid through right now.

Dealing with a drastic change in a healthcare business’ day to day is one of the hardest things. Make sure you know the drill above.

Your Business During Lockdown: How The Online World Could Change The Way You Do Business

Three of the focuses of my blog are Current Events, Financial Literacy/Money and Business/Entrepreneurship. During the Coronavirus/Covid-19 lockdown, many businesses have done okay because they’re doing business online which doesn’t require coming into personal contact with people. The following contributed post is entitled, Your Business During Lockdown: How The Online World Could Change The Way You Do.

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We are in a very uncertain and unique time of our lives right now. With a lot of the world grinding to a halt, it can mean that you start to worry about your business. Running a business even in normal times can be quite difficult. Starting out, finding investment and launching your new business venture always seems uncertain at the beginning, and with so many businesses failing in that crucial first year you may think you are out of deep water, only to find that you are now in a period of time that seems more uncertain than ever. Especially if you rely on people dealing with your business face to face, such as providing a service or even having a shop that you would normally sell from.

So what can you do? Many businesses have had to diversify and change their processes, and this can mean utilising the online and digital world more than you have ever done before. It can seem daunting at first, but there are so many ways that you can enhance your business this way and this could present a whole new line of opportunity for your business to grow and develop in the future. With that in mind, here are some of the ways that the online world might start to change the way you do business moving forward.

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A social media strategy

One of the first things to think about would be to develop a new social media strategy. More people are having to stay indoors and that can mean that more time is spent browsing their social media channels and platforms. So now more than ever your business needs to be relevant and visual online. Coming up with a new social media strategy is a great way to make your content relevant and consistent. You can also ensure that you use this time to engage with your audience and also reply to direct messages and comments. Humanising your business in some way will help you to appear relatable, especially in these uncertain times. You could also use social media to offer up content or even a freebie to entice people to look into your business and what you can offer in more detail. Many have offered free online resources or shared video content to highlight their business in a different way.

Updating your website

You may have had a basic website to get you this far., but now you can use the time to enhance your website and add different pages to it. This might be looking at your ecommerce shop and making it easier for people to buy products or order services from you. It might be that you create more content for the website, or improve things such as explanations for the products and services that you provide. This could be the ideal time to look at making these changes so that you can make your website more appealing when people click through to it.

Having an up to date CRM system

Another thing that you might want to sort now that you have some time is your customer relationship management system. Now more than ever you will want to look after the customers and clients that you have, as well as attracting new ones into your business. This is when you want to update your system and also correct any information that might be incorrect. You could use the time to contact these customers directly, be that on email address or calling them to ensure that you have the right details. This might also be the perfect time for some data capture, so if you don’t have email addresses, for example, which can be an excellent way to directly market your customer base, then you could try and find out this information and update your records accordingly.

Taking advantage of alternative marketing methods

Now that you have lost one of the main sources of marketing, which could be face to ace business, you may want to think about alternative methods. It could be that you look at prospecting and suing things like the Drop Cowboy Ringless Voicemail to advertise and make contact with customers. You could look at creating an email newsletter where you could keep existing as well as new customers up to date with your offers and what your business is doing during these unprecedented times.

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Making the most of remote working options

Now that you are unable to work in your office or retail premises, you may have to start getting a little more investive with your remote working options. Things like video calling have proven really popular during the lockdown period. Skype and Zoom are excellent ways to create video conferencing and meetings and allows you to communicate as well as you could be doing physically. You could also look at things such as email communication as well as phone calls. You may still be able to operate your business, even from home.

Finding other ways to expand your business

During these times you may not be fully operational or able to provide a full service from your business, so you may want to seize the opportunity to try and find other ways to expand and diversify your business. This might be things such as a blog as an extension to your business, where you can collaborate with other businesses and create sponsored content. It might be that you create a product that can be supplied during this time, or provide a service in a different way. It is now time to think outside of the box and look for different ways where you can enhance your business and continue to make a profit and be successful.

Using the time to take on the jobs you wouldn’t normally get to

Finally, you could use this time to do things that you might not normally have done. It could be that you improve the content on your website and take more notice of things like search engine optimization. Sometimes these administrative tasks can take up a lot of your time, but now that you have the lockdown period you can really see it as an opportunity and not a hindrance.

Let’s hope these tips help you when it comes to your business in lockdown.

Financially Savvy Ways to Use Your Economic Impact Payments

Two of the focuses of my blog are Current Events and Financial Literacy/Money. As a result of this Coronavirus/Covid-19 Pandemic/Crisis, the United States government has intervened to help individuals affected by the crisis with an economic stimulus. Those receiving this economic aid need to determine how to best handle it once receiving it. The following guest post comes courtesy of Dominic LoBianco and is entitled, Financially Savvy Ways to Use Your Economic Impact Payments.

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Due to the growing global pandemic of COVID-19, also referred to as the coronavirus, the federal government has taken unprecedented steps to help those who have been affected by the virus and its economic backlash.

As Congress decided to take action, they passed the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act, commonly referred to as CARES. Within CARES, the federal government has provided the most comprehensive aid package for all different types of Americans.

Small Business Grants to help firms maintain payroll, and Economic Impact Payments for individuals who have been negatively impacted by the loss in work.

As more individuals file for unemployment and can no longer work, stimulus checks are beginning to roll out to any individual who qualifies. Per NPR, the restaurant industry alone cut 3 million jobs in March alone, marking a $25 billion drop in revenue.

Individuals who earned no more than $100,000 when filing their taxes in 2018-2019 qualify for a $1,200 stimulus check, and up to an additional $500 per dependent. Determining the best way to us your economic impact payment can help you to put your unexpected stimulus check to great use.

Save Your Stimulus Check
This one is obvious. Keep as much cash as you can on hand. You don’t necessarily have to have physical cash accessible (although it’s not a bad idea to have some stashed away), but it should be a priority to have as deep of a rainy day fund as you can.

One way to use your economic impact check in a financially savvy manner is to consider saving all of it, or at least a portion of your incoming check. Setting aside a portion of the entire stimulus check you receive to call upon in case of emergency is a smart, and savvy strategy.

Stock Up on Food and Supplies
Stocking up on additional food and supplies is another way to make great use of the economic stimulus check you receive. While it’s not recommended to hoard supplies that are essential to everyone, stocking up on supplies including toilet paper, household cleaners, and even garbage bags can ensure your family is readily prepared for any future outbreak or global incident.

Stocking up on food with pantry food and non-perishable vegetables and meats is also highly advisable to remain as prepared as possible for your entire family, including any children you have in your household. If you want to avoid the grocery store, you can order dry meal replacements or equivalents online in bulk as well.

Pay Off Bills and Debt
Paying off debts and paying current bills is highly advisable for anyone who is focused on getting ahead financially and bringing down the debt they have to the names. Paying off debts can help you if you are in the process of rebuilding your credit or if you simply want to alleviate any of the payments you are required to make currently each month.

Choosing to use your economic impact payment to pay for your household bills including your mortgage or rent, your utilities, and even your cable, internet, and cell phone services can help you to remain afloat until your work and the rest of the economy is back up and running.

You can take advantage of the student loan interest forbearance as well, and pay down some of your student loan principal. That will also alleviate your future costs, as the interest that can accrue in the future will be less as you are paying it down now.

Take a Vacation
Once the COVID-19 pandemic has slowed and is under complete and total control, you may want to consider taking a vacation with your loved ones or your entire family. Getting out in the fresh air, exploring the world, and spending time with those who mean the most can be extremely beneficial mentally and emotionally once the quarantine orders have been lifted throughout the country and throughout the rest of the world.

Not to mention if you decide to book a trip now, you can take a trip for a fraction of the traditional cost. Airlines are running specials to help bring in revenue, and it includes discounts on all facets of your trip (air fare, hotel, car rental, etc.).

Save for a Home or a Car Down Payment
If you are free from debts or if you are simply looking to make a bigger change in your life, consider setting aside your stimulus check to put towards a car down payment or even a home you are interested in purchasing. Whether you have big dreams of owning your own home or if you are in need of a new vehicle, you can use your economic impact payment to ensure you receive a long-term benefit for your investment.

Not only does it fulfill an immediate need in your life, but it can improve your long term financial standing in the future as well. Not only are you setting yourself up for success now, but your also bolstering your credit rating for potential future purchases.

Dabble in New Hobbies
This step is only recommended if you feel secure in your income and already have money stashed away. However, if that is the case, exploring new hobbies, activities, or skills you have wanted to pursue is a great way to keep yourself busy.

After all, you may never have as much downtime as you do right now, and what better way to spend that time than by refining your skillset or diversifying your talents. Learning about new hobbies and spending time honing your skills can help you to maintain a sense of purpose while also providing you with a uniquely rewarding and personal experience.

The more hobbies and activities you have to keep yourself from feeling bored and despondent from the outside world, the easier it will become to cope with quarantine and learning how to live with your own company, even during tough times.

Whether you are currently in need of your economic impact payment to help with bills, your mortgage, and even groceries, or if you simply intend to put your stimulus check directly back into the economy, there are many ways you can do so in just about any situation. With a bit of brainstorming and financial calculating, determine the best way for you to put your stimulus check to work for you.

Dominic LoBianco is a guest contributor on behalf of Newroadsautoloans.com. Dominic has been a writer for six years and has worked across several industries from professional sports, to automotive repair and everything in between.

Localization Strategies That Work – Period

Two of the focuses of my blog are Financial Literacy/Money and Business/Entrepreneurship. A key to being successful in business and winning the loyalty of your customer base is relating to them on a local level when necessary. In such instances, localization is key. The following contributed post is entitled, Localization Strategies That Work – Period.

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Localization matters. According to recent surveys, a massive 90% of customers prefer marketing content that is in the mother tongue. Just less than half of shoppers only interact with a brand if localized content is available. Localization is essential, and it’s not hard to see why.

Boosting sales through lead generation is one thing, but it also focuses on rapidly growing your business. Entering new, international markets and improving conversion rates suggests the company will expand and boost its share of the industry. And, all of this is available without mentioning how the practice reduces risks. You need to adopt a comprehensive strategy if you plan on taking your organization to the next level.

However, crafting a plan that works isn’t as straightforward as it appears. For localization to succeed, you must be smart, humble, and always online. Here are the strategies to consider.

Choose Relevant Languages

There are hundreds of languages and dialects around the world, so picking a handful isn’t easy. Plus, you have to deal with the temptation of choosing popular ones, such as French, Spanish, and German. Yes, they are the most commonly spoken in the world, along with English, but are they going to help the company?

The odds are high, for instance, that you’ll want to break into the Chinese and Indian markets. Retailers should be particularly conscious of China and India considering the scope of their manufacturing processes, as well as the demand of their citizens. Therefore, French isn’t going to come to your rescue because the billions of people in said countries speak Mandarin and Hindi, respectively.

What you must do is link the language with the area, as well as the sector. Then, you’ll likely strike the perfect balance.

Don’t Translate With Google

Here’s a scenario. You’ve created a powerful advertising campaign that you want to roll out around the globe, and all that’s left is to translate it into the relevant languages. However, money is tight and translation apps are free, so you decide to use Google Translate instead. What’s the worst that can happen?

Regarding your standing in the industry, the answer is ‘a lot.’ Translation software uses algorithms to change sentences into a language of your choice, yet it lacks the human element. It won’t automatically input the slang if you’re trying to be hip, for example, or may translate the ad into something that’s outdated and makes no sense. With that in mind, you can never underestimate the role of a professional translator. Paying them to cast an expert eye over the wording and grammar will pay off in a big way.

After all, they’ll ensure your ads are on-topic and on-brand and help you to maintain a high standing in the market. There is nothing worse than trying to localize only to get it horribly wrong and waste valuable resources.

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Switch To A Non-Fixed VoIP

VoIPs have changed the way businesses operate. Nowadays, calls are directed to a center where dedicated and knowledgeable assistants deal with questions and queries. As far as putting out fires is concerned, as well as enhancing the customer experience, a VoIP is vital to the cause. Still, that doesn’t mean that the one you have is the right software for the job.

For localization, a non-fixed version is a savvier choice. As Call Cowboy points out, non-fixed numbers get a choice of area code and work from anywhere in the world with any device. So, rather than providing a number that is not from the region, you can create a generic one that applies to every customer in every country. Sure, you can have a number for each market, yet that’s costly and time-consuming. With a non-fixed VoIP, calls are directed straight to your call center to save valuable resources.

A fixed VoIP is an excellent start, but you may want to consider switching when you expand into foreign sectors.

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Invest In Responsive Web Design

Responsive web design is the tool that you will rely on more than any other software or hardware. The way it works is simple – the website has features that kick-in when certain elements are triggered. A prime example is a mobile-friendly design. You can create two sites, one for portable devices and one for desktops, or you can use one that optimizes content automatically.

The good news is that web designers can implement web features that localize your website within seconds. Phrase lists several reasons why responsive web design is crucial, yet the one you should focus on is the use of an API. This is the software that will translate marketing into the correct language without skipping a beat. Yes, most people speak English in some form; however, there’s no need to take a risk. You may isolate them by being monolingual when it’s easily negated.

Shivar Web will guide you through the muddy waters that are picking a web designer.

Value Equality

Consumers have a peeve when brands release products or services elsewhere without doing the same in their country. Let’s face it – this tactic doesn’t keep with the spirit of localization. After you do all the hard work, you can blow it by giving a group preferential treatment, disillusioning a big chunk of your new base.

Therefore, you should attempt to release all of your items and services at the same time. It’s tricky because international markets need double the amount of work concerning translations and proofing, yet it’s worth the effort. The shoppers in the region, while they may not recognize your hard work, will enjoy the fact that they aren’t excluded.

Of course, you’re going to have to manage your workflows more efficiently if you plan on hitting multiple tight deadlines. Time management is going to be the key to this localization strategy as a tiny error may set you back a couple of weeks.

Localization is challenging, but the rewards are high. If you follow these guidelines, the odds of succeeding will be much greater.

4 Things Your Business Should Be Doing While On Lockdown

Two of the focuses of my blog are Financial Literacy/Money and Business/Entrepreneurship. Many businesses are facing challenging times during this lockdown. During this time though, there are in fact things that you can do to assure the survival of your operations. The following contributed post is entitled, 4 Things Your Business Should Be Doing While On Lockdown.

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Has your business been affected by the coronavirus? The answer is almost certainly yes. Whether the virus has disrupted your supply chain or the lockdown measures have forced you to close your doors, life is very different for your organization right now.

It’s easy to sit back and do nothing during this period as you feel helpless. Don’t do that. It’ll serve no purpose and leave you in a much worse state when everything clears. Instead, here are a few things your business should be doing while on lockdown:

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Plan ahead

Start by planning for the future and thinking about what you’ll do when you can get back to work. Naturally, things will be very slow-moving when the lockdown measures are lifted. But, with careful and strategic planning now, you can make a much better transition. Think about what you will do when you’re able to work full-time and create an action plan for your business to follow. That’ll help you get back up and running a lot quicker than most.

Clean your premises

All businesses should really do this to be extra certain that your premises are safe when you return. It’s known that the virus can live in a human for around two weeks. What’s not known is how long it lives on surfaces. Many scientists believe it can live for far longer than two weeks. As such, you need a coronavirus cleaning service to give your workplace a deep and thorough clean. This eliminates the virus from your premises, meaning you can return to work without worrying about catching it from surfaces and spreading it again.

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Manage your finances

You’ll be in a very challenging financial position while this virus takes hold of the world. Therefore, you have to try and save as much money as you physically can. Look through your budget and aim to identify areas where you can make a few savings. This might mean you have to take a pay-cut or limit your employee’s wages for a short while. It’s far from ideal, but you have to do everything within your power to keep your business afloat. If you’re not making as much money as usual, then action has to be taken.

Stay connected

Lastly, ensure that all of your employees stay connected. This is vital for a couple of reasons. Firstly, it keeps everyone in-tune with the business and makes sure all of your employees know what’s going on and what will happen. This deals with some of the uncertainty they might feel during this time. Secondly, it helps to maintain a strong bond between your team and provides some much-needed relief from isolation. You’re used to seeing each other for many hours a day, so taking that social element out of your life can be challenging. Host video chats and put on digital get-togethers, so you and your team stay connected and social.

I can’t promise that your business will be fine if you do all four of these things. However, it’s safe to say you will be in a much better position than if you sit back and do nothing at all.

How To Make Health Insurance More Affordable

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“Getting insured is the best way to afford healthcare – but what if you can’t afford health insurance? While rates can be expensive, there are a number of cheaper insurance options out there.”

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Two of the focuses of my blog are Financial Literacy/Money and Health/Wellness. A major personal cost depending on your stage in life and circumstance is healthcare. Most people don’t understand their premiums and how to manage the costs but it can be done. The following contributed post is entitled, How To Make Health Insurance More Affordable.

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Getting insured is the best way to afford healthcare – but what if you can’t afford health insurance? While rates can be expensive, there are a number of cheaper insurance options out there. Here are just several ways in which you can lower the cost of health insurance.

Check if you’re eligible for Medicare or Medicaid

There are federal and state programs in place across America that could help to pay for some or all of your health insurance. These are only eligible to certain people however.

Medicare is eligible for those over 65 and those with disabilities – while you must still pay a contribution, this program could allow most of your insurance to be paid for you. There are a number of different plans out there ranging from Medicare Plan A to Medicare Plan G. These each offer a different level of coverage.

Medicaid is meanwhile eligible to those with a low income, pregnant women and people with certain disabilities – participants pay little to nothing for coverage providing they meet requirements. This is largely state funded, unlike Medicare, so can vary a little from state to state.

Talk to your employer

Many employers offer health insurance to employees as a company benefit, often making contributions to help lower the cost. If your employer does not offer this, you could try talking to them about the possibility of setting up a scheme. Even if they contribute only a tiny amount to it, it will still save you some money and it has tax benefits for your employer.

Join organizations with health insurance perks

Aside from working for a company that offers health insurance, you may also be able to gain access to cheap health insurance by becoming a member of certain organizations. This includes state farm bureaus, university alumni associations and automotive clubs such as the AAA.

Raise your deductible and use a HSA

A high deductible plan can also save you money. The deductible is the amount of money you’re willing to pay out of your own pocket before asking an insurer for help in the event that you need to pay for healthcare. It could mean that you still end up paying for most minor healthcare, but you’ll still get some assistance if you need major treatment such as surgery.

A HSA (Health Savings Account) could help you to pay your deductible. This is a savings account in which your earnings are contributed on a regular basis. The main benefit of such accounts is that you don’t have to pay tax on any earnings that are put in these savings accounts.

Start living more healthily

Health insurers tend to ask a number of questions about applicants’ lifestyle in order to get an idea of how healthy you are. If you smoke, drink heavily and do little exercise, you could find that your rates are higher – this is because there’s a greater risk you’ll need to claim insurance for healthcare. Even getting check-ups with – or listening to – experts like David Minkoff can be a part of this.

While you can lie about your lifestyle to gain access to cheaper rates, this could backfire if you’re found out. Start living more healthily so that you can honestly take advantage of cheap insurance – less health problems could also mean less health insurance claims in the future, which means cheaper future rates.

Technology To Keep Your Home Secure

Two key focuses of my blog are Financial Literacy/Money and Technology. For individuals who own their homes, their primary residences are their largest investment. As such those investments must be protected and their ways to use technology to do so. The following contributed post is entitled, Technology To Keep Your Home Secure.

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Keeping your home secure and safe has always been at the top of many people’s priorities. It is just as important as ensuring the security of your business. We all know that it is important to close your windows and lock your doors before you go out, but as technology develops, there are more and more gadgets and tools that we can use to improve our home security. Many of the security items will be familiar, but they now have added technology that can help to make your home safer than ever:

A doorbell with a camera
No longer do doorbells just alert you to the fact that somebody is at the door, they can now show you who is at the door. This is useful for those unexpected house callers, as you can talk to them to find out who they are before you open the door. The camera doesn’t usually run all the time; it triggers when somebody comes to your door. There are even doorbells that allow you to connect to your phone so that you get alerts when there is someone at the door, and you can talk to them, even when you aren’t in the house.

A secure padlock
Padlocks are known for making things secure and safe by preventing people without a key from opening whatever you have secured. However, they have become even more secure with the invention of the biometric padlock. Biometric padlocks allow you to use your fingerprint, smartphone, or a password to unlock. No more losing keys, or getting your lock picked!

Home security systems
Home security systems are a great way to deter burglars and alert others if there is an intruder around. Many alarm systems set off an alarm when movement is detected in your home, but now there can be much more to home security systems. Many come with security cameras, some with excellent night vision. If your camera detects that someone is there, some will send you an alert and image of the person. This allows you to decide what to do if there is someone you don’t know outside. The alarm will still go off if someone breaks in, but this extra level of security acts as more of a deterrent and will provide authorities with an image of the perpetrator if anything happens.

Online security
Breaking into your home is no longer one of the only ways people can find your personal details and steal from you. There are now many cybercriminals out there that will try to do this online. You can put things in place to prevent any breaches of data from happening. All the passwords that you choose should be complexed and include numbers and special characters. Make sure that your device and the software on your device is regularly updated, encrypt anything private, and install effective firewalls. If you run a small business, it may be a good idea to get some advice from an IT professional who specializes in cybersecurity so that you can be sure everything is secure.