Category: Guest Posts

3 Personal Signs That You Should Move To A New House

Two key focuses of my blog is Financial Literacy/Money and Health/Wellness. Major parts of one’s health and wellness are environment and living space. Sometimes after living in a given house for a period of time, the time comes to move to a new house for reasons like more space, or a different location. The following guest post is entitled, 3 Personal Signs That You Should Move To A New House.

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Home is where the heart is, and it should stay this way. Sometimes, people lose the feeling of home is the places they live in. When this happens, it’s usually a sign that they should move to a new house.

Because there are economic factors to think about when making this decision, people tend to overlook personal reasons. This shouldn’t be the case because a person’s home is where they can happily let their guard down at the end of the day. It should feel like their only place of solace-their sanctuary. The following are personal factors that can cause people to move into a new house:

A fresh start sounds like a huge sigh of relief

Sometimes, the memories attached to a place becomes a cloud of gray looming above the head. Perhaps, the walls echo certain screams, or the stain on the carpet reminds you of someone who left.

Moving to a new place will give you a clean slate-a new place to paint and create new memories. Maybe the picture frames on the walls need to be updated. Maybe your feet would love hardwood floors this time. Who knows? You’ll never know until you try to start anew.

Changes in lifestyle

In a constant battle of self-discovery, you might have uncovered a part of you who doesn’t like the city, wants the beach life, or simply needs a few other rooms in their house for leisure. When your current home cannot accommodate changes in your lifestyle, it may feel more of like a cage than a comfortable place to rest.

By moving to a different place, you can select a house that can check all the boxes for what you want in life. Do you want a beach house? Do you want a mini-bar? Do you want an entire gaming room? Make sure to lay it all out before making a decision.

Your life-long dream is in a different city

It’s hard to get things done if places are far from each other. It’s more cost-efficient and convenient to move to a place where it’s nearer your dream job or your true calling. Transportation could take hours, and this is time wasted when you’re trying to achieve your goals. If your house is nearby, you can go home to eat or sneak in some sleep. You’ll also save money by traveling less and eating meals at home.

You can have doubts

It’s a drastic change that requires a lot of energy, decision-making, and resources, but it’s a necessary change. If you don’t want to let go of your current place yet, you can purchase a pre-selling house and lot in Cavite. This way, the new site is not yet built, so you can still stay in your current home.

Pre-selling houses have lower prices, too, because the actual structure doesn’t exist yet. To purchase something that’s only a plan requires an enormous amount of trust, so this trust is paid back by an objectively smaller price tag.

You don’t have to rush yourself into making this decision. Think about what it entails to transfer to another place-peace of mind, better quality of living, and dreams becoming more tangible.

Bolstering Customer Relations: Why You Should Outsource This Service

Two key focuses of my blog are Financial Literacy/Money and Business/Entrepreneurship. A key aspect of any business is customer relations. Keeping your customers happy will assure that they return to patronize your business. In some instances, it’s wiser to outsource this service. The following contributed post is entitled, Bolstering Customer Relations: Why You Should Outsource This Service.

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No one wants to get complaints about businesses. However, taking note of your customer’s claims is vital for your company’s growth and development. Their comments will help you identify areas that need improvement and pinpoint your current weaknesses.

A small company, however, will have trouble juggling customer service with their usual work due to the small workforce. In addition, increasing your customer service department might not be an option due to the lack of budget. Fortunately, there is another option.

Consider outsourcing customer service to handle your customer concerns. Here are a few reasons why.

Reduced Workload

Outsourcing will lessen the workload of your employees. Their stress will be reduced, and they can handle their remaining workload without issue. They can also focus on their tasks and do it well, reducing the chance of mistakes from happening.

Some of these tasks include marketing and making connections, which are essential for a company’s growth. Employees can concentrate on thinking of business ideas and products, thereby increasing the company’s productivity and, consequently, its revenue.

Competent Personnel

If you outsource customer service, you can rest assured knowing that your customer complaints and questions will be handled expertly. Outsourcing companies have employees that are professionals in their specializations, and that includes customer service.

You will know if you have good customer service agents if they can do the following. They can answer a customer’s questions clearly and make them understand the situation. They can also empathize with the customer and make them feel that they are heard.

This factor will make for happy and satisfied customers, which increases the chance that they will recommend your company to their friends and family. It will lead to better sales in the long run and a more stable market due to recurring customers.

Reduced Costs

Outsourcing also reduces the costs incurred by the company. Since the outsourcing company is in another location, you won’t have to make your office space bigger. Providing the equipment they need to work, such as computers, desks, and office supplies, will not be required.

Also, the wages that you pay them will be less compared to your in-house employees. That is because you only pay them for the services rendered. If they were employed at their company, you would need to pay for other expenses, such as benefits and insurance.

There will also be no recruitment and training costs, which are usually needed when hiring new employees for your department. The outsourcing company will be the one to handle that, allowing you to expend your resources in other endeavors, such as investments and expenditures.

Constantly Available

Outsourcing companies have employees that are working around the clock or people who work in the day and night shifts. It gives you the option of offering customer service 24/7. Your hired customer service can accommodate customers at any given time and day.

There are various reasons why customer service should be available after hours. Issues can be resolved immediately, especially if they have problems that can get out of hand if left unattended. Customer satisfaction will be higher, leading to more returning customers.

Outsourcing offers many advantages to a company, especially if they are looking to cut costs. It can be especially beneficial to small companies and help supplement their little manpower. Keep this option in mind if you are facing difficulties in managing your work tasks and budget.

Investment Options You Should Consider to Earn More

A key focus of my blog is Financial Literacy/Money. Understanding money and setting yourself up to thrive involves more than simply earning your pay at your job and saving. At some point, learning to acquire investments becomes important as well. While it can be daunting at first, it can also turn into a vast and fun new world. The following guest post is entitled, Investment Options You Should Consider to Earn More.

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Money is necessary to buy our needs and wants. That’s why we try to earn as much as possible. It is to live comfortably every day and secure a stable future. No matter how high your income is, however, there are better ways to get higher profits.

With insurance and investments, you can earn money at a faster rate. However, before starting to invest, you should be prepared. Make sure you are following a household budget so that you know how much you can spend without compromising your finances.

After you’ve worked out a proper budget, you’re ready to start investing. Here are your possible options.

Mutual Funds

If you’re new to investing, play it safe by buying mutual funds. They are easier to understand compared to stocks and pose fewer risks since a team of expert investors manages it. Initial investment requirements are also low, which allows you to begin investing earlier.

However, you should be careful when choosing where to invest. Some companies have portfolio managers that make poor decisions just to fix the values for the books. Others have excessive sales charges. Research carefully about the companies that you are considering.

Stocks

When you are more experienced, begin dabbling in stocks. Investing in a company allows you to receive part of their earnings quarterly or yearly and provide you with a stable source of income. However, the stock market is constantly fluctuating, so a company’s worth can change.

Don’t invest a large amount in one company immediately, though. Take your time learning how the stock market changes and base your investing decisions on that. You’ll eventually figure out your investment strategy as you start to settle into a certain risk profile.

Another thing to remember is to separate what you invest from what you use in your living budget. If you end up losing all of your investment, you’ll find yourself in dire straits trying to make ends meet.

Retirement Insurance

Begin saving money for your retirement fund as soon as you have a reliable source of income. While it is ideal for putting in a certain percentage of your salary every month, it is not always possible with a tight budget. No matter how little, build a habit of saving part of your money.

Consider availing of a retirement insurance plan to help you save. It allows you to collect money at your own pace and grow it until you choose to take it out. Some insurance plans also offer additional benefits, such as life insurance coverage to your family in case you pass away.

If you have a hard time building a habit of saving, set up an automatic deposit in your bank account. This also encourages you to spend less. To keep your savings untouched, put them in a time deposit account, which only allows you to withdraw after a certain period.

Real Estate

This option gives you a reliable and stable long-term income. However, it requires a large initial deposit, so be sure that your finances are in good shape before you begin investing. There are various payment options available, though, such as mortgage plans.

While investing in real estate is mostly self-sufficient, there are still some things to keep in mind when managing it. Choose your tenants wisely and have good relations with them so that they stay for a long time. Property maintenance is also important to fulfill health and safety requirements.

With these in mind, you can plan and prepare your money to start investing. Make sure that you have enough before starting any of the choices mentioned.

Community Quarantine: Working from Home During These Times

Two key focuses of my blog are Career Discussions and Current Events. The Coronavirus/Covid-19 Pandemic has at least temporarily changed workplace conditions around the world. While working at home sounds like a win-win, there are some caveats to it, especially if you aren’t used to it. The following guest post is entitled, Community Quarantine: Working from Home During These Times.

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Now that the country is under quarantine, with Luzon on enhanced community quarantine, working from home is now being implemented by the government and most companies in the private business sector.

Under the threat of the COVID-19 disease, the Philippine government is encouraging private companies to make adjustments to its processes and put in place a work-from-home structure. If you’re new to this scenario, here are a few tips to help you make the most of your time at home:

5 Ways to Be Productive as You Work from Home

1. Treat it as you would any normal workday at the office.

Simply because you’re working from home now doesn’t mean you need to make major adjustments in life. You still need to go about it as you would any normal day at the workplace.

Wake up early. Take a bath. Prepare your work station. Clock in at a certain time to start your workday. Focus on the day’s tasks and deliverables.

It will still pretty much be the same thing you do at work. The only difference is you’re getting all your work done from home. Establish a routine to maintain or even enhance your productivity.

2. Prioritize.

Take a look at your day-to-day tasks and prioritize them according to importance or degree of difficulty. If you are uncertain which ones are needed the most at the end of the day, give your supervisor or boss a call. Sure, you don’t have access to your PBX business phone systems but a text message or an email should do the trick. Knowing which tasks are priority helps determine how your day will go.

3. Organize your schedule and try to stick to it.

Once you have already identified which deliverables are urgent and which ones can wait, plot down your schedule according to these tasks.

Writing down your daily or weekly schedule helps establish the rhythm that you need to keep you on track. Working from home can give you plenty of distractions. You need something tangible to help keep you from getting off-course and keep you goal-oriented throughout the day and week.

4. Take breaks.

One of the things some people tend to take for granted is taking breaks. Breaks are essential to a person’s productivity. These help you recharge and refocus after lengthy periods. Taking a break is not exactly a luxury, but it is a necessity for any worker.

When you take breaks, it is recommended to step away from your workstation. Stand up, stretch a bit, walk around to get the blood flowing in your system, and enjoy a cup of coffee or a sandwich. Do whatever normal people would do at the office when on break.

5. Stop at the end of the day.

Like any other workday, you should stop at a certain time. One of the downsides of working from home is some people can no longer differentiate time for work and time away from it.

Clock out at the end of your day. Once you have already completed your eight hours, step away from your work station and move on to the finer things in life like spending time with your family or taking your well-deserved rest.

Working from home is a privilege. Do not take it for granted. Work when you need to work, stop when you should stop. Learn how to properly balance work and life. Learning how to manage that will make you more productive in the end.

How to Use Social Media to Build Your Brand

Three of the focuses of my blog are Financial Literacy/Money, Business/Entrepreneurship and Technology. Most businesses today need a strategy for building their brand via social media. Social media has changed the game in that it has created an abundance of markets separate from traditional media. The following guest post is entitled, How to Use Social Media to Build Your Brand.

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Social media is about sharing thoughts, establishing an online presence, and building a network. Given these factors, marketing professionals realized how they can use it as leverage. In fact, it helped brands build their digital presence in a social space, and the bulk of online purchases were attributed to social influence. Most consumers will agree that user-generated content can influence buyer behavior.

Many companies adopt this strategy since social media is key to a successful brand campaign. In cities such as Brisbane, SEO services and social media marketing doubled in demand. However, the social media climate is harsh, and business owners should be aware of this. Creating engaging online campaigns can be a disaster without proper research and planning. Here are some pointers on how to utilize social media for brand-building:

Be bold with ideas

Burger King launched a unique and controversial online campaign for its customers: delete ten of your friends to receive a free Whopper. To their surprise: 240,000 people were unfriended by people who wanted something free in return. Each customer who took up the challenge received a receipt after participating in Burger King stores. Their unconventional strategy, “Whopper Sacrifice,” was the Grand Winner at the 2009 Clio Awards. When you’re willing to take risks and push the envelope, you’ll reap the rewards. Be bold with your ideas and don’t hesitate to push the envelope; it will pay off.

Use social media interests and hashtags

MTV, the music video pioneer, utilized social media to boost the 2012 Video Music Awards. Six-second videos were aired on different social media platforms to announce the nominees for Best Female Video, Best Male Video, and Video of the Year. Fans were treated to an exclusive glimpse of the Moon Man’s trip from LA to New York by using the #RoadtotheVMAs on Twitter. The Road to the VMAs 2012 became the second most talked about social buzz to date. Using social media interests and hashtags helps get the word across the online space.

Take over a social space to pick people’s interests

Uniqlo, a Japan-based clothing company, created a simultaneous pinning event on Pinterest. As users scrolled across the brand’s page, big blocks of pinned images (shirts, jeans, jackets) formed Uniqlo’s brand mosaic. Their products were animated in real time, which gave people a glimpse of what their brand had to offer. Taking over a social space and allowing people to participate in a synchronized online event helps a company introduce its brand to an untapped market. Brands should work with different social media platforms to engage people and wake them up from their digital slumber.

In the end, these are just some examples of how social media can help your brand increase its revenue and build its name. Social media is an effective tool in building a brand while increasing its online revenues. Digital platforms are perfect marketing mediums: no restrictions and barriers. Armed with good strategies and creativity, social media is an effective tool to build your brand’s name online.

Fishing Dos and Don’ts All Beginners Need to Know

A key focus of my blog is Athletics and Sports. Fishing while a relaxing activity is also a competitive sport which requires quite a bit of knowledge and skill. As with most activities, there important aspects for beginners to consider. The following guest post is entitled, Fishing Dos and Don’ts All Beginners Need to Know.

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Do you like the idea of spending a lazy afternoon being surrounded by nature? How about the thrill that comes with not knowing what can happen next? Then one activity you should consider doing is fishing.

Fishing can be both a relaxing activity bursting with fun and excitement. It allows you to de-stress and appreciate and understand nature more. The fact that there is no way to learn how many fish you can catch and what kind of fish is on the other side of the line makes it an exciting adventure. This is the very reason many continue to fall in love with fishing.

If you finally decide to go fishing, then it is a must to know more about the activity before testing the waters. We’ve gathered some dos and don’ts that newbie fishers like you will find extremely useful.

Don’t forget to secure your fishing license

To make sure that you don’t get in trouble, secure a fishing license before you plan your fishing trip. But why would you need such a license in the first place? Acquiring a fishing license is an act to protect fish populations. There are state regulations that will tell you what kind of fish you can legally fish in a day and what species are legal. The fees you pay will not only support wildlife departments. These will also help finance wildlife research that also costs much.

Don’t buy fishing equipment that you can’t afford

Even if you already set your mind to learning how to fish during your free time, it is wise to buy only fishing shackles that you can afford. Take reel shopping, for instance. When buying reels, it is a good idea to buy Shimano spinning reels, as you can choose from a variety perfect for beginners. Of course, you need to consider your budget before buying one. As for your fishing lures, you can choose cheaper ones so that you won’t regret buying expensive lures only to lose them while fishing.

Be wise when choosing between saltwater and freshwater fishing

For beginners, freshwater fishing is a common choice. When choosing lake fishing, you still have two options to choose from: natural and man-made lakes. Knowing the differences between the two and doing a bit of research will help you understand the best way to fish.

Be confident

Being the newbie in the block is not enough reason to feel wary about not catching a fish. Remember that in everything you do, your confidence is your key to success. The same goes for fishing. If you are not confident, then it can be hard to attract fish. Having the best equipment and learning the best techniques are not enough. You will need to learn how to be confident enough so that you can succeed.

Fishing is not easy. But know that before expert fishers became great, they had once been newbies, too. Don’t lose hope if you fail to catch a fish or two. Get your fishing license, invest in the right fishing tackle, and choose the perfect place to start learning how to fish. Keep practicing and build up your confidence, and you will succeed in no time.

5 Ways to Enrich Your Life While Working 9 to 5

Three focuses of my blog are Career Discussions, Health/Wellness and Professional Development/Skills. Many people stagnate once setting into a 9 to 5 career/job while others continue to grow and thrive. There are ways to continue thriving both personally and professionally while working your 9 to 5. The following guest post is entitled, 5 Ways to Enrich Your Life While Working 9 to 5.

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Time is a precious resource not everyone has. This becomes especially relevant when you reach your adulthood. The typical set-up for most working adults is a 9-5 job. Some work for as long as 10 hours, or work during nighttime. You might be cursed with daily 3-hour commutes. Much of your adulthood will be spent on earning a living and a lot of times you won’t have a weekend well spent aside from lounging around.

But that doesn’t mean you can’t live your life to the fullest while working hard. There are many ways you can enrich your life and get the most out of every situation-if you make time for them. Here are some ways you can step out of your 9-5 box and enrich the moments in your life:

Learn New Skills

The advent of new technologies like the Internet and smartphones paved the way for easier access to things you might not know yet. More often than not, if you don’t know something, you Google it. You can go to online schools and open universities to learn something new. Better yet, you can even learn new skills from YouTube, like learning how to cook or fix the sink.

Also, if you can manage your time, you can try to go to take vocational courses from accredited institutions or continue your education and take a graduate degree. All these can add something new or further hone your skillset, which can help you in the long run.

Declutter Your Life

Take a page from Marie Kondo’s minimalistic way of living and declutter your life. Fill your life with things that spark you joy; get rid of things that don’t make you happy or you have no use of anymore. You can donate old clothes, recycle your stack of papers, or even cut contact with someone toxic from your life. When it comes to work, categorize and sort everything. Make everything in your life valuable and it’ll help you in the long run.

Practice Mindfulness

Become more self-aware. Mindfulness brings you to the forefront of your very situation instead of being stuck in the past. You can do this kind of meditation whenever you’re feeling pressured with your work, or with making a very important decision. You can do things with a clear mind. It lets you become objective; you attune to what’s happening right now, regulating your emotions.

Apart from being a good stress reliever, you gain control that otherwise would’ve been lost when you panic or freeze.

Don’t Forget to Relax

When you have no plans for the weekend, sometimes you might be thinking to yourself: “How do I make the most of my weekend?” Well, there’s more to life than doing a Netflix binge, so do whatever relaxes you. If it’s reading by a warm fireplace, then do that. If you’re more of an extrovert, try doing volunteer work. Be creative, express yourself.

Take Control of Your Narrative

“Live your life so it’s a story to tell,” says one lifehack. Sometimes, there are things that hold you back from achieving great heights. Although, other times, it’s you who’s holding you back. You need to gain the courage and confidence to step up and take a leap of faith. You know yourself well; you know well what you can do.

You don’t have to leave your 9 to 5 to do anything rewarding for your life. Go in headfirst with no regrets. If you stumble along the way or get to the finish line in the end, it’ll be a rewarding, learning experience for you.

How To Write A Very Elaborate Thesis

Two of the focuses of my blog are Education and Writing/Blogging. Whether going for a Bachelors, a Masters, or a Doctoral degree, many individuals must write a thesis. How do you write a thesis if you’ve never written one? Also, what are the keys to writing and effective thesis? The following guest post is contributed by www.customwritingservice.com and is entitled, How To Write A Very Elaborate Thesis.

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Want to write texts that can attract the attention of teachers? Learn 6 Tips from customwritingservice.com That Can Help You

Within the academic universe, students need to find creative ways to write to attract the attention of the teacher who will correct the text. The author of the paper must come out of common sense and explore arguments and issues in depth.

To increase the reader’s interest, it is essential to develop a well-crafted, specific and complex thesis. This start will be the basis for the whole narrative and will ensure the success or failure of the project. Check out tips for writing a good thesis:

1 – Cheer On Your Theme

The more engaged you are, the better your text will be. Although you don’t like it, try to find a solution to make it creative and interesting. Thus, your performance will be more enjoyable and the reading of the final project as well.

2 – Develop A Strong Opinion

Consolidated opinion is important for the success of the thesis. If you encounter difficulties with this part of the process, read specific newspaper articles on the subject. Also, look for ready-made theses that have something to do with yours, to increase your argumentative base.

3 – Use Good Adjectives

Avoid vague expressions like “good” and “bad”. Explore more elaborate adjectives to emphasize your opinion and strengthen the arguments presented.

4 – Focus The Thesis On A Main Idea

Since the thesis is what gives meaning to all concepts in the text, you must ensure that it does not address many different contents. This keeps the document organized and with a relevant line of reasoning.

5 – Be Extremely Specific In The Thesis

A generic beginning weakens the text, because the reader cannot detect which subject will be dealt with the most emphasis. However, if the thesis presents characteristic details about the arguments, the teacher is prepared for the rest of the content. During the newsroom production period, you can stay focused on the main subject.

6 – Make A List Of Interesting Theses

Add to the list the content available in books or on the internet that can help you create your own thesis . The greater the amount of information, the more easily the text will be developed.

Here Are Some Examples Of Theses:

• Weak:

“North and South fought in the Civil War for various reasons, some being equal and others respectful.”

• Average:

“While two sides fought in the Civil War involving slavery, the North faced the dispute over moral issues and the South to maintain its institutions.”

• Strong:

“While northerners and southerners believed they were fighting oppression and tyranny, the former focused on ending slavery and the others defended the right to self-government.”

Taiwan is Becoming a Blockchain Island, and Jason Hsu is behind it

Three key focuses of my blog are Financial Literacy/Money, Business/Entrepreneurship and Technology. Blockchain Technology is a technology that will impact numerous sectors is an area that’s worth keeping an eye for those the financial and technology sectors. In the first Blockchain Technology piece on my blog, I gave a comprehensive overview of the technology. The following guest post comes courtesy of Techwarn. It discusses plans to implement and grow the technology on the island of Taiwan and is entitled, Taiwan is Becoming a Blockchain Island, and Jason Hsu is behind it.

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Image from pixabay.com

The world’s digital infrastructure, internet usage, and connectivity are changing rapidly. This is all thanks to the emergence of technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT), and Blockchain. Blockchain — the technology behind cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin, Ethereum, Ripple, etc. — in particular, is a very powerful idea. Just like the internet did in the 1990s, Blockchain has the potential to revolutionize our lives.

Although it was originally developed for financial transactions, blockchain technology can be used to record just about any type of data or transaction. This revolutionary technology allows the distribution of digital information without copying thereby creating a new kind of internet that seems incorruptible. The use cases of blockchain extend beyond cryptocurrencies, and many countries are still on the fence on whether to advance its adoption, with the exception of Taiwan.

Serious About Innovation

The east Asian island nation-state of Taiwan is serious about innovation in the fintech. The country is pumping millions of dollars into advancing the adoption of cryptocurrency and blockchain technology. Jason Hsu, a congressman in the Taiwanese parliament is working tirelessly to integrate blockchain on a national level and steer the state towards the use of blockchain technology for more than just cryptocurrencies. His goal is to help Taiwan become a blockchain island.

In an interview with Jason Hsu, ExpressVPN asked the popular Taiwanese parliamentarian how exactly he plans to transform the small island nation-state into a crypto and blockchain hub. According to Jason Hsu, the law is a major impediment to innovation in the country. The congressman wants to use his legislative powers to help create an environment that nurtures and cultivates blockchain and financial technology and attract more start-ups to the island.

Who’s Jason Hsu?

Jason Hsu is a former Silicon Valley entrepreneur who wants to turn Taiwan into a haven for people working on different applications for blockchain technology. Hsu moved back to the island in 2009 and started working with the government as the advisor to the prime minister on matters innovation and technology. He joined politics in 2016 after being nominated to the Taiwanese parliament as a legislator-at-large. In his role as a congressman, Jason Hsu focuses on technology broadly and does not represent any singular district.

Since he became a congressman, Jason Hsu has worked on legislation relating to autonomous vehicles, cybersecurity, and the digital economy. Currently, the man christened “the Crypto Congressman” by Ethereum’s Vitalik Buterin is on a mission to transform Taiwan into a blockchain island and cryptocurrency hub. Jason Hsu is working tirelessly to deal with any issues between public policy approach and technology. The ‘Crypto Congressman’ hopes to remove legal barriers to technology innovation in the island.

How Has Jason Hsu Changed Taiwan?

The blockchain landscape in the world remains highly uncertain. Countries such as Singapore and Switzerland have taken a proactive approach and have cultivated favorable environments for the advancement of cryptocurrency and blockchain technology. These nations are the pioneers of the current digital currency regulatory frameworks in favor of cryptocurrencies and blockchain technology. Taiwan wants to join the ranks of Singapore and Switzerland and become a blockchain island. Jason Hsu is leading transformation efforts.

As neighbors China and South Korea issue blanket ban on ICOs and ICO activity, Taiwan is moving in a different direction. Lawmakers in the island are passing legislation intended to encourage cryptocurrency and blockchain innovation in the island. Congressman Jason Hsu has played a pivotal role in the drafting and passing of legislation designed to advance blockchain and financial technology in the country. For instance, the legislator helped draft and pass Taiwan’s Regulatory Sandbox Bill.

The Financial Technology Experimentation and Innovation Act

Taiwan’s Financial Technology Experimentation and Innovation Act, popularly known as the Regulatory Sandbox Bill, is historical regulatory legislation designed to overhaul the island’s fintech and usher in a new era for the sector. The Regulatory Sandbox Bill allowed selected start-ups to launch new products and services with some immunity from existing regulation for up to one year. The bill was passed on 29th December 2017 and was a response to the decision by the Chinese government to block ICOs.

In September 2017, two months before the Financial Technology Experimentation and Innovation Act was signed into law, Chinese authorities banned Initial Coin Offerings (ICOs) by cryptocurrency websites in mainland China. Congressman Jason Hsu came up with the idea to draft the Regulatory Sandbox Bill to ‘capitalize on this chance to introduce friendly legislation that nurtures and cultivates blockchain technology and attract more start-ups to Taiwan.’ This move earned Jason Hsu the nickname ‘Crypto Congressman.’

According to Congressman Jason Hsu, the goal of the Taiwan authorities is to create a fair regulatory environment that encourages innovation and protects the rights of the consumer. The ‘crypto congressman’ believes that Taiwan’s large pool of talent can pilot and pioneer projects that can build actual applications for the blockchain and transform Taiwan into a blockchain island. Compared to Silicon Valley, Hsu notes that the island nation has a supply of cheaper engineers who are just as good — if not better — than their counterparts in Silicon Valley.

What About Taiwan That Makes It Ripe for Blockchain and Technology Development?

In addition to his contribution in the drafting and passing of the Regulatory Sandbox Bill, the congressman has drafted numerous policy recommendations to make Taiwan more friendly to blockchain and cryptocurrency start-ups. The ‘Crypto Congressman’ has helped create a bipartisan alliance designed to help support the blockchain industry. The parliamentary coalition is currently working on implementing a number of crypto and blockchain legislation in his quest to transform the tiny nation-state into a blockchain island.

So far, Congressman Jason Hsu says he has introduced 25 projects across different government departments to address the implementation of blockchain technology in areas such as drug testing and supply chain management. Authorities in Taiwan understand that blockchain has great economic potential and are doing their best to advance the adoption of cryptocurrency and blockchain technology. The positivity of Taiwanese authorities towards innovation in cryptocurrency and blockchain technology indicates that the island is ripe for blockchain and fintech development.

How a Poor Name Can Lower the Value of your Brand

Two of the focuses of my blog are Financial Literacy/Money and Business/Entrepreneurship. When starting a business, one of the most important components is building and maintaining your ‘brand’. A key component of your brand is your name. Choosing the right name can be the difference between life and death in the business context. The following guest post comes courtesy of Squadhelp.com and is entitled, How a Poor Name Can Lower the Value of your Brand.

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When you are brainstorming a name for your brand-new startup, you might notice that certain people you run into will tell you not to worry about the name you select for your business. They will say to you that a startup name lacks any tangible value because they believe that names are just frills. They will tell you it is not worth investing your time and resources into, but they would be wrong. In actuality, research shows that easy, memorable names outperform non-captivating and lackluster names on the stock market by 33% or more.

A Poor Name Won’t Set a Solid Brand Foundation

In today’s fast-paced market, first impressions matter more than ever before. Generally, your brand name will be the first thing that a possible client or customer will learn about your brand. You brand encompasses many aspects of your business including your logo, beliefs, values and name.

The name is basically the foundation and the identity of your new company. If the name is too weak, it will not be able to support the weight of your brand and will hold your business back from growth. You ideally want to choose a name that sets the stage for your success.

Fail to Capture Audiences

Your target audience is very likely overwhelmed by the vast number of options available in today’s modern market. It’s very likely that your business offers special services or products, but without a great name that captures the attention of your audience, you might lose customers. If your name does not get their attention right away, they will move on to the next business without checking out the options your startup offers.

A name should create a strong connection between your business and your target market. Ideally, it should give them something to hold on to and remember about your brand.

Drive Audiences Away

Although making your brand name attractive is very important, you need double check that it does not drive any potential customers or clients away. Difficult, boring, or offensive names risk alienating a large segment of your customer base. Make sure that you don’t select a company name that is cringey or awkward, as something like that will likely drive customers away and send people the wrong message.

A great example of this would be a salon with the name Curl Up & Dye. Although this name is clearly descriptive and witty, but it could accidentally send the wrong message to any potential customers about the quality of services that the salon offers. The name heavily relies on the audience’s sense of humor, but you risk losing potential clients that do not find the funny brand amusing.

Audience testing is a quick and simple way to make sure that your startup name will do well with your chosen target audience.

A Forgettable Name = A Forgettable Brand

Even if a customer really wants to remember your brand name, if it is boring or too perplexing to pronounce and spell, they will likely not remember it. When your target demographic cannot remember your name even when they want to, it is a bad sign for your business.

A memorable name will ensure that your brand is something that your customers will never forget. Double check that your brand name does not fall by the wayside by brainstorming a catchy, memorable name that will capture your target audience’s attention. Peruse some of these winning company name suggestions to give yourself a better idea of what type of names catch your attention the most.

Lose Referrals

In the end, your brand name needs to be appealing and memorable enough that it establishes your brand and sets you up for success in the future. If you cannot create a solid foundation for your company with a great name, you will not only lose out on any potential clients but also the potential referrals you would have gotten from those clients.

Conclusion

Each and every tiny aspect of your brand adds up in the end, and if your name can help you get some extra of press coverage or a couple more chains of referrals from customers, it makes all the difference. A brand name really has the power to impact your business success.

When you are coming up with a business name, make sure you remember that a brand name is way more than just a word. It establishes the foundation for your business, and it can be a very useful tool making your business successful.

Grant Polachek is the Director of Marketing at Inc 500 company Squadhelp.com, the worlds #1 naming platform, with nearly 20,000 customers from the smallest startups across the globe to the largest corporations including Nestle, Philips, Hilton, Pepsi, and AutoNation. Get inspired by exploring these creative business names.