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How To Compete In The Leather Upholstery Market

November 18, 2021 /

Demand for leather furniture has been steadily growing for many years. Expects estimate that the market will grow at a rate of 3.9% compounded over the 2020 to 2027 period. More optimistic reports suggest that the industry will grow at a rate of 5.9% compounded over the 2021 to 2028 period, achieving a value of some $626 billion by 2028. Millenials and the emerging cohort of Gen Z buyers, have developed an affinity for leather furniture, and the quality of the product has many things in its favour. Leather is one of the most durable materials out there, and that, coupled with its texture and looks, means that when it comes to conserving value, there is no better product out there on the market. A key driver of growth is that over the forecast period, consumers are expected to enjoy rising disposable income, allowing them to take advantage of the benefits of owning leather furniture. With growth predicted to continue for the next few years, it is no surprise that many entrepreneurs have entered the market to compete for their slice of the market. Increased competition in the market is not the only problem that manufacturers face. We are living in an age of supply chain disruptions, labor shortages, and a consumer that is more price conscious than ever. Competing in this industry is one of the big questions facing upholsters and a question that I will try to answer in this article. 

Manufacturers will have to embrace a new way of doing business. A decade ago, venture capitalist Marc Andressedn declared that, “software is eating the world”, and since then, his declaration has proved prophetic, with industry after industry increasingly mediated by software. The leather furniture industry is not outside of this movement. Manufacturers have to realise that they have to embrace the use of digital technology to generate efficiencies, improve the customer experience, unearth insights to improve their product quality, and ultimately, to earn higher economic profits. With 30% of consumers who purchase leather furniture being between 25 and 34 years of age, there is certainly a massive opportunity to capture consumers who will be on the market for decades to come.

Process optimization and automation are two of the most powerful ways that manufacturers can use to improve their profitability. For instance, the Lectra Versalis 4.0-ready digital cutting solutions enables manufacturers to improve their competitiveness through four improvements:

  • Increased product quality
  • Higher yield, reducing costs and optimising pricing
  • Greater productivity at a time of labor shortages and where time-to-market has to be slashed
  • More efficient processes thanks to data leveraging

Manufacturers need to leverage such solutions, as well as work with innovators who can provide them with adequate support and guidance to deliver the efficiencies that technology promises. The result of an approach that is open to innovation can be seen in products such as the Bradington Young recliner, which is made in the most efficient way possible, while delivering value to the customer.

Why Dentistry Lacks In Quality Management

November 16, 2021 /

Most people do not realise this, but your oral health is a window to your overall health.According to the Institute of Medicine of the national Academies, which in 2011 published the definitive report on the subject, a close oral exam can detect signs of health problems such as systemic diseases, nutritional deficiencies, microbial infections, injuries, immune disorders and even some cancers. Periodontal disease is associated with respiratory disease, pregnancy outcomes, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and coronary heart disease. The link between the two is why a person’s oral health care will be increasingly integrated into their overall health care. As this happens, dentistry will have to embrace standardized quality and outcome measures, areas which the industry has been relatively lacking compared to the rest of the economy. The reasons wny dentistry has been lacking are varied and the subject of this article.

Dentists Don’t Capture a Lot of Information

At present, dentists generally operate according to a fee-for-service structure in which relatively little data is collected about patient outcomes. This means that the typical dentist does not have enough data to be able to make the necessary insightful inferences to improve quality outcomes. Microsoft founder, Bill Gates, has spoken about the importance of measurement to enhanced performance. Measuring stuff allows us to see if the changes we make actually work. Measurement provides the necessary feedback to enable fertile innovation. Without measurement, innovation is doomed to be erratic and rare. It’s for this reason that the fee-for-service model proves to be an impediment. Dentists simply are not measuring enough stuff and so, quality outcomes are reduced and standards of care are not as high as they could be. In order for the coming integration with overall healthcare to work, dentists will have to adopt more evidence-based methods, methods teeming in the kind of measurements that dentists don’t as-yet typically collect.

Dentists do not have broadly accepted definitions and ways of quantifying quality. The first reason for this is that diagnostic codes are not widely used. So, we do not have a sense of the rationale behind why dentists make the decision they make and arrive at the diagnosis they do. So, it is impossible to know, measure and understand if treatments are truly effective.

Secondly, dentists are trained on the technical aspects of their job. Yet, there is a difference between being good at the mechanical side of the job and making the right decisions for the long-term care of the patient. Yet, dentists do not evaluate long-term effects of their care on their patients.

Reimbursement is another issue. Incentives are a powerful force in shaping human behaviour. Quality metrics were institutionalised by the federal government as part of the establishment of Medicare and Medicaid in 1965. Dentistry did not go through a similar process and so reimbursement is not tied to quality metrics. Your dentist is usually well trained and very good at their job. But typically dental practices are small affairs, they have not undergone the scaling and consolidation that other industries have. As dental practices consolidate, they are increasingly embracing quality metrics to drive better patient outcomes.

The 7 Most Important Ecommerce Metrics to Track

November 10, 2021 /

Online stores thrive due to conversion rates, average order value, traffic, and cart abandonment rate. Therefore, it is impossible to take your business to the heights of success without tracking your ecommerce metrics. They help you keep track of your business strategies and assist you in making well-informed business decisions.

As ecommerce sales create more than 20% of retail sales, you need to track all the essential ecommerce metrics that contribute to the success of your business.

So, you should check up on these most crucial ecommerce metrics and learn how to track them because changes in any of these metrics can instantly alert you to the state of your business strategies.

Conversion Rate

As a business owner, you must know the importance of conversion rates. Your business can’t survive ecommerce challenges without loyal customers. Therefore, you need to know the ups and downs of your business conversion rate. You can calculate the conversion rate using this formula:

CR = (Total number of customers / Total Unique Visitors) * 100

This value will inform you how many visitors turn into buyers. Unfortunately, many businesses do not have a high conversion rate even after attracting tons of traffic. However, by keeping a regular eye on your conversion rate, you can plan how to compel your website traffic to buy your product.

Average Order Value (AOV)

The average order value of your website determines how much your customers are willing to pay for your products. Having high-priced products may be why you are generating high traffic but not detecting an increase in conversion rates. So, you must check the average order value of your website to keep your prices in the customer price range. To calculate AOV:

AOV = Total Revenue / Total Number of Orders

Ensure that you only calculate the total revenue of the orders placed in one period.

Website Traffic

Every sale metric of your business is connected with website traffic. You need high website traffic to up your conversion rates. So, it is no rocket science that you should know how many people your business attracts daily. Calculate the website traffic with this formula:

WT = (Previous Users / New Users) * 100

You can change your business strategy if you are not maintaining your previous website traffic.

Customer Lifetime Value (CLV)

Customer Lifetime Value offers you a broader image of your sales. You can’t determine the success of your business based on one month’s sale only. You must know how much revenue a customer will provide your company over the years. That is why you must calculate CLV to check the relationship between your customers and your company. CLV is calculated as:

CLV = (Average Order Value * Average Purchase Frequency Rate) * Average Customer          Lifespan

Customer Retention Rate (CRR)

One of the essential metrics that shows the success of your business is customer stability. If you are only attracting new customers but unable to keep them for long periods, it shows an issue. You can learn how many customers you are losing by calculating the customer retention rate (CRR). The formula for calculating CRR is:

CRR = [(New Customers in Month – Existing Customers at The End of The Month) / Total     Customers at The Start of The Month] * 100

If you are rapidly losing customers, check what is compelling your happy customers to leave your platform.

Average Profit Margin

The average profit margin is the value you earn after deducting supply costs. Your average profit margin should exceed the amount of money you are using to provide your service. Otherwise, your business is going through a significant loss which can eventually shut down your business for good. So, calculate your average profit margin to check if you are any profits on the sale with this formula:

Profit margin = [(Selling price – Cost of goods) / Selling price] * 100

Remember, selling a high number of products doesn’t ensure that you are creating high profits.

Cart Abandonment Rate

More than half of your customers will abandon their carts without completing the order process. For any business, this is a pretty scary scenario. Therefore, to learn if your customers are abandoning their potential purchases or not, you need to find out the cart abandonment rate. Calculate your cart abandonment rate with this formula:

CAR = [(Completed Purchases / Created Shopping Carts) – 1] * 100

Find out whether your customers are leaving without making a purchase and why, so you can aid your customers in completing their orders.

To Conclude

Regularly checking your ecommerce metrics can ensure the success of your business. You can also use an ecommerce metric regulating service to stay on top of your stats to make highly effective strategies.

What Are the Advantages of Custom-Written Software?

September 10, 2021 /

Every business is unique. Your company’s needs are going to be different from the business next door. In some cases, it doesn’t make much sense for everyone to be using a one-size-fits-all software solution.

When choosing software for your business, you’re faced with two choices. You can either pick an off-the-shelf package or have someone build and customize new software for you.

So what are the advantages of custom-written software? In this article, we’ll talk about the benefits of custom CRM software and how your business can get a competitive edge with it.

What Is Custom Software?

Basically, custom software is built from the ground up to fit your company’s needs. As the business owner or manager, you define what you need the software to do. Then, the software developer makes it from scratch for you.

The end result is a piece of software that’s entirely bespoke to your business. This means that it does exactly what you want it to do—no annoying workarounds or paying for features you don’t even need—and in turn, makes your business more efficient and profitable.

The Advantages of Custom-Written Software

At first, it might seem like a massive endeavor to build and pay for your own software solutions. But you can’t ignore the rewards that custom-made software can bring you. Here are some reasons your business should get a customized software solution.

It Keeps You Up to Date

Let’s be real here. Some businesses still use software built over a decade ago. Yours could be one of them.

You can’t just settle on something that “does the job just fine” or “works well enough.” What worked five or ten years ago, or even just one year ago, might not be the most efficient way to do things anymore. Out-of-date software can also be difficult to maintain.

By getting new software that’s fully customized, you’re marching your business into the modern age.

It Simplifies Your Business

Some businesses are forced to “duct-tape” different pieces of software and hardware together to accomplish various tasks. While individually, they may be great tools, it’s easy to see how inefficient this method is.

Custom-made software can solve these issues in one of two ways:

  • Creates an all-in-one solution that eliminates the need to run multiple applications
  • Acts as the connective tissue between the different programs you use 

With customized software in place, you can create more efficient ways of completing tasks. You increase productivity while reducing the number of user errors from juggling different programs.

It Offers a Cost-Effective Solution that Scales

As with any investment, custom CRM software can require some hefty upfront costs. But after that initial investment, well-designed software can save you money in the long run.

Pre-made software might have lower upfront costs, but overtime expenses can add up. Consider these hidden costs from using off-the-shelf products:

  • Renewing licenses
  • Training employees
  • Additional software to cover deficiencies
  • Other maintenance costs

When you use bespoke software that’s tailored to your business’ needs, you can keep your budget under control. 

The software can also be designed with expandability in mind that facilitates your company’s growth. This way, you can future-proof your business and scale it in ways that pre-made applications won’t allow you to do.

Still not convinced you need custom software? Here are 9 reasons why your business needs a custom software solution.

Give Your Business a Competitive Edge

Let’s be real. Your organization needs to keep up with modern trends to stay competitive in today’s world. More and more businesses are turning to customized solutions to stand out from their competitors.

Now it’s your turn. Take the next steps and see how a customized software solution can advance your business. Work with a team of experts who know the software business and how to get customers.

A Massive Shortage of Home Care Workers Threatens the industry

August 19, 2021 /

As more and more older adults report a desire to spend their twilight years at home, there has been a boom in home-based care. The trouble is, the home care industry has been plagued by staffing shortages for many years. This makes it difficult for the families of older adults and the older adults themselves, to give older adults what they sorely desire. Often, family members have to become makeshift caregivers, forced to get time off from work, or sometimes even work part-time, use adult day care facilities, or retire early, just so they can give older adults the home care that they need. Getting home care is even harder today, because the risks of having hired help or volunteers in the house often outweigh the benefits. This puts additional pressure on family members to take care of older adults. It’s this crisis that is the subject of a fascinating piece in the New York Times. 

As the New York Times shows, it can be hard to find help, either through word-of-mouth, local agencies or other means. Often, local agencies will charge fees only to tell you that they don’t have any home caregivers for you. Eventually, some families are forced to place their older adults in facilities, often at incredibly steep rates. The economic consequences of the staffing shortages in home care are massive. 

The homecare industry is made up of a hodgepodge of nonprofit programs, publicly funded care, and for-profit businesses and chains, all of whom operate under federal and state regulations. There is also a gray market that caters to clients who want to avoid regulation and so hire privately.

Vicki Hoaqk, the Home Care Association of America’s executive director, says this is the most frustrating period in her 20-year career in the industry. It has never been so hard to find workers. The association is made up of 4,000 agencies and 500,000 people and yet, even then there is a struggle to help people get the workers they need.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the direct day care workforce shrunk by 342,000 workers in the last year. This includes nursing homes, as well as other home care and residential care staff. This reverses a long-held pattern in which employment rose in each category every year. The reason for the contraction in the labor force is that many workers were laid off, or workers resigned because of Covid-19 related fears or health problems, child care issues, and other issues.

Thankfully, employment in the home care industry rebounded toward the end of last year and is now just 3% off from its pre-pandemic levels. However, this rebound occurs at a time when there has been an explosion in demand for home care workers. Other healthcare categories, such as nursing home occupancy and assisted living, are in decline, whereas home care is on the rise. At present, there are over 800,000 older adults and disabled people, all eligible for Medicaid, and all on state waiting lists to receive home care. Those clients who are paying with private schemes or their own funds are being turned away by agencies. With the nightmare of Covid-19 receding, many people have taken the lesson that congregate care settings are less healthy and safe than home care. Resolving this crisis is one of the great challenges the country faces moving forward.

Google and French Alliance Agreement Boosts News Publication Industry

August 2, 2021 /

The digital age has certainly driven readers online in search of news, but for some time now questions have surfaced as to the negative implications for publishers who invest in quality journalism and reporting and have seen their earnings eroded by the re-publication of their original content for no reward by Internet giants such as Google.

  1. Licensing agreements offer French publishers access to Google News Showcase

Now comes the welcome news that Google France has reached a landmark agreement with an alliance of 121 national and local French news publications—Alliance de la Presse d’Information Générale—to license their content for three years to the tune of $22 million. Individual licensing agreements will offer publishers access to Google News Showcase, a new press publications licensing programme giving readers access to rich content.

Pierre Louette, CEO of the Les Echos – Le Parisien Group and president of the Alliance de la Presse d’Information Générale said in a press release: “After long months of negotiations, this agreement is an important step, which marks the effective recognition of the neighbouring right of press publishers and the start of their remuneration by digital platforms for the use of their online publications.”

Meanwhile, although there has been a decline in printed newspaper sales over the years, there are some good reasons to consider custom newspaper print solutions for corporate communications and marketing. The spread of COVID-19 has indeed seen companies trim marketing budgets and demand for print advertisements, wrought by the decline in corporate profits, shedding of workers, and price increases.

Most readers will agree that the tactile sensations—the feeling of opening and turning the pages of a newspaper—are irreplaceable. The reading experience on paper is still vastly superior and newspaper print remains more powerful to share ideas, whatever the objective of the paper.

  1. Newspapers enable image-strong corporate communications

To offset the loss of advertising opportunities in print, many companies have taken to promoting their products and services with an original, tangible product made in-house. Company newspapers can be sent to clients and partners, helping build strong and long-term relationships.

A printed newspaper enables image-strong corporate communications and strengthens brands. Corporate newspapers have the potential to keep colours, tone, and company culture consistent, win new business, and shore up client loyalty through instant recognition and personal connection.

While demand for printing is forecasted to continue declining over the next five years—as the era of e-commerce and digital marketing continues to expand—niche, high-value, collectable items in print are likely to remain valuable investments.

One unforeseen trend in the book industry, for example, has seen video sharing platform TikTok’s “BookTok” hashtag driving up sales of paper books, sending old books back to the top of bestseller lists, and launching the careers of new authors. Videos with the hashtag have been viewed a collective 12.6 billion times on TikTok.

As the news industry continues to evolve and re-shape itself—as evidenced by the Google France agreement—there is no doubt that newspaper print will survive. What’s more, newspapers have the potential to preserve values and promote social cohesion within community organisations such as schools, clubs, associations, and events, showcasing work and demonstrating commitment to quality. Newspapers are ideal in creating durable links with custom editorial content.

Outsourcing and Your Business: What You Need To Know

July 9, 2021 /

The business world is truly global as you can easily meet with someone in a different country virtually. Remote work is becoming more popular among companies that want to reduce their overhead costs. The elimination of the need for an office space is a monthly expense that plenty of small business owners will happily save money on. Increasing cash flow can allow for growth to be maximized depending on the business model. Taking a proactive approach to outsourcing can allow your team to run more efficiently and maximize productivity. The following are things that you need to know when outsourcing for your business. 

Areas To Outsource

Small business accounting services can save money for business owners and also save them a headache. Accounting can be quite tedious for someone that simply doesn’t like to organize their books. Allowing another company to handle this can also save more money come tax time which is always important. There are also so many apps that you can stay organized with expenses without issue. 

Marketing is something that most companies should outsource, especially during their infancy. Marketing agencies have established relationships that can be leveraged almost immediately. The fact that they have a plethora of copywriters that can handle the revamping of your content marketing strategy provides ultimate convenience. Quality content helps drive traffic to your website and helps it climb the search engine rankings. Enlisting the help of the right agency that provides SEO and website design in Hitchin is immensely important as some might utilize less than ethical ways to rank. These tactics are considered blackhat as Google has specifically stated they will penalize websites that do things like purchase links or build site networks to drive rankings. 

Sales tasks like that of gathering contact information can be outsourced. There are so many companies that employ people to find this information as data is extremely valuable. Your sales team can also be outsourced but you need to make sure your contractors are representing your company in the appropriate manner. Pushy salespeople can lead to a company being blacklisted in a business niche. The professional world is far closer than it was in the past due to technology. 

Hiring Slowly And Firing Quickly When It Comes To Freelancers 

Freelancers should be hired slowly and through a platform like Upwork that protects your business. Unfortunately, there are a number of people willing to take payment upfront only to disappear. These platforms track communication to ensure that nobody is being ripped off. Firing freelancers that miss deadlines or are poor at communicating should be done quickly. Most freelancers are not going to completely turn their performance around but this is possible. There are so many talented freelancers that it should not be difficult to find a replacement. Setting up a training process for freelancers can make this seamless as some might take on other contracts at one point or another.

Outsourcing needs to be done carefully but can help grow your company in a huge way. Take the time to assess what could be outsourced (like the Data cable installation) and look at the cost-benefit analysis.  

Beauty Tech Is Revolutionising the Cosmetics Industry

July 7, 2021 /

When people think of technology, they seldom associate it with cosmetics. Though the cosmetics industry can represent the art of the future and the possibilities of tomorrow, its use of science, technology, and research and development, including insurance for aesthetics, is often hidden from the public view. As technology has evolved, so too has cosmetics. The cosmetics industry has embraced the new wave of technology that is sweeping the world. “Beauty tech” is becoming an increasingly important part of how the cosmetics industry conducts research and development, delivers products to its customers, and tries to enrich the customer experience. As Know Techie reports, new technologies are set to revolutionize cosmetics. 

One of the most important developments in recent years has been the adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) and augmented reality (AR). These technologies assumed an even greater importance during the pandemic. As shoppers were forced to stay at home, cosmetics businesses had to adapt to deliver their products to their customers and find ways to recreate the magic of the in-store experience at a time when shoppers could not go to stores. AI and AR came to the rescue. AI uses data to find patterns and draw insights from those patterns and thereafter, perform some task. So, for instance, when you browse through a cosmetics firm’s website, it can recommend products based on your search and browsing history, purchases you have made and other data. AR, on the other hand, overlays actual reality with digital information. So, for instance, while shopping for lipstick, an AR program can take an image of you and apply lipstick on that image so you can see what you would look like if you wore that lipstick. Sephora’s 3-D augmented reality mirror allows customers to try Sephora’s makeup products in such a way, avoiding the need for actual physical contact with the product. A clear advantage of AR is that not only can brands deliver the in-store experience of trying products out, AR is much more sanitary at a time when the pandemic has made us so aware of the dangers of physical contact. AR is also much more cost-effective than maintaining an actual store. Customers can try products from anywhere on the planet using the brand’s app, and order what they like, without ever having to go to a physical store. 

When you talk about skincare, most people think of moisturisers, cleansers and things like that. Brands will often promote these products as important elements of skincare, which they are. However, these products are not the be-all and end-all of skincare. Technologies and apps are becoming a very important part of skincare routines. These technologies can be used to analyse your skin and monitor UV exposure. SkinScanner is an example of a product that you connect to your smartphone. SkinScanner scans your skin and helps you find irregularities there. FaceGenius and Clinical reality are other examples of skin scanners that are now widely used. These technologies won’t do your eyebrow microblading for you, but they do allow you to intelligently scan your skin and ensure that it is at its healthiest.

Using Artificial Intelligence To Help Keep Your Financial Data Safe

June 29, 2021 /

USA crime never sleeps. Without a doubt, cybercriminals are always testing your organizations’ cybersecurity systems 24/7. Hackers are attempting to break into your network and get away with your personal identifiable information or your financial data.

Cybercriminals try to exploit your weaknesses in several ways, whether through phishing, malware or through weak encryption. Regardless of the size of your organization protecting requires a vigilant solution, one that is constantly testing for vulnerabilities and adapting to new threats. Fortunately, artificial intelligence can help supplement your traditional cybersecurity systems for your business, and your customers.

How Artificial Intelligence Enhances Your Information Security

What makes AI such a powerful protector is its ability for machine learning. Machine learning is where algorithms automatically improve through experience. In the instance of cybersecurity systems, AI can learn as new threats emerge. AI’s ability to identify patterns or abnormal actions also proves useful when monitoring users. Even if AI doesn’t identify anything suspicious. It is still analyzing for weaknesses within your cybersecurity system.

One of the most common examples of cybercriminals attempting to access cybersecurity systems is phishing. Phishing is where an attacker sends a fraudulent message that attempts to access sensitive information. By sending emails that appear official, criminals can trick employees to send sensitive information or install malware onto personal networks. With AI constantly monitoring, it can pick up the fraudulent email and get rid of the email before it is even sent to an inbox.

Safeguarding your most valuable financial data requires having cybersecurity systems that never stop assessing threats. For more information and tips on how to use AI to help keep your financial data safe, check out the resource below.  It discusses a few more common ways attackers get access to your data, as well as how AI addresses each of those threats.

Infographic created by Donnelley Financial Solutions, a financial consolidation software provider

The Importance Of Backup & Disaster Recovery For Remote Workers

June 29, 2021 /

The current pandemic has rapidly shifted the current workplace toward remote work. As companies return to normal operations, remote work is here to stay. With this change comes a different landscape for security. Most businesses were forced to design and deploy a new digital security strategy overnight for remote workers. This left IT professionals and employees with an increased risk for potential problems in security.

To reduce the risk, it’s important for an organization to create a comprehensive backup and disaster recovery plan. If you are interested in learning more check out the resource below. It describes tips for creating a backup and disaster recovery plan for remote work.

Infographic created by MXOtech, an IT network management company

Proving PTSD after a Car Accident Claim

June 25, 2021 /

When it comes to car accidents, physical injuries are often the first thing that comes to mind. However, these events can also leave lasting emotional and mental damage ranging from mild emotional distress all the way to diagnosable Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

In fact, the American Psychological Association states that car accidents are the leading cause of PTSD for non-military Americans. Emotional and mental damage are equally as debilitating as the physical injuries one suffers in accident but can be more difficult to diagnose. Here’s how to prove you have PTSD after your car accident claim.

Diagnosing PTSD

You’ll need your primary care physician to help you diagnose this condition before you can prove it to your insurance company or in court. However, it’s up to you to watch out for the signs and symptoms. Knowing the red flags of PTSD is the first step in getting help. They are:

·         Anxiety over being inside a vehicle

·         Nightmares about getting into accidents

·         Recurring flashbacks about the accident

·         Insomnia

·         Sudden irritability

·         High blood pressure

·         Fatigue and body aches

·         Feeling “jumpy”

·         Difficulty working or concentrating

Showing Proof

With your symptoms identified, the next step is to visit your doctor for a diagnosis. If you’re working with legal aid, like this car accident lawyer in San Francisco, then you may want to talk to them first. A lawyer can recommend a doctor or specialist for you that will get you the proof and help you need.

From there, the challenge is getting your insurance company to work with you. These companies are notorious for covering the least amount of damages possible after an accident, which makes proving PTSD after a car accident claim difficult. To do so, your lawyer will need to prove the following:

·         The other driver’s owed you a duty of care and failed to do so

·         The other driver was acting negligently or carelessly

·         Psychological trauma led to lost wages, pain, and suffering

·         Your PTSD symptoms are a direct result of the car accident

Your insurance company will want to see your medical history, which your lawyer will help you gather and provide. Expect your insurer to use any prior mental illness against your claim. While it is unfortunate, especially on top of your emotional distress, your legal aid will help you fight your case.

Seeking Help

While it’s vital that you gain the financial compensation you’re entitled to, it’s equally as important that you address your PTSD and seek psychological help. Unlike physical injuries, PTSD isn’t something that heals on its own.

After your diagnosis, your doctor or lawyer can recommend psychological professionals. Therapy and counseling are the most useful tools for overcoming PTSD and its symptoms. This condition is one you have to work through, one step at a time, until you regain control over your mind and your life.

On the plus side, proving your PTSD to your insurer and in court will ensure that your treatment is paid for and that can you recover any lost wages from time off work. It might be a long road ahead, but seeking the compensation you deserve makes it that much easier.

Lowes Under Scrutiny for Recent Sexual Harassment Claims

June 25, 2021 /

Lowe’s came under scrutiny this week over a lawsuit filed with the Solano County Superior Court in California. The lawsuit shows a troubling pattern of male-on-male sexual harassment, alleging numerous causes of action against the retail giant.

Both the Lowe’s Home Center and 1751 E. Monte Vista Ave. store are involved in the lawsuit, with the claimant’s attorney stating egregious harassment that would have been, “difficult to imagine being ignored had the victim been female. Here are the details so far.

Male-On-Male Harassment

Harassment is often thought of in the context of male aggressors and female victims, but that doesn’t have to be the case. Any man can harass another man just as one woman could do to another. Unfortunately, complaints like these made by male employees are rarely taken seriously.

The case has been picked up by a San Francisco sexual harassment attorney, first filed by Kelly Armstrong on behalf of the victim who has chosen to withhold their identity due to the nature of the case. The attorney has been very outspoken about the reality of male-on-male harassment often being swept under the rug.

The Case

The Reporter obtained a copy of the 17-page complaint filed Tuesday, which the court has acknowledged. It alleges a hostile work environment, failure to prevent harassment, and even retaliation against the employee, all of which violate California’s Fair Employment and Housing Act.

The document also alleges wrongful termination, intentional infliction of emotional distress, and invasion of privacy. Armstrong has spoken about how Lowe’s management repeatedly ignored numerous complaints with excessive detail about a growing culture of sexual harassment within their Vacaville store.

The complaint explains that employees spread rumors about John Doe having sexual relationships with other employees, that he gave some STDs, was having group sex, and even that he slept with another female employee.

It also talks about an employee named Mark Fox, an assistant store manager. Fox, according to the complaint and written testimony from Armstrong, repeatedly made inappropriate comments to Doe ranging from describing his genitals to photographing Doe in the restroom while at work and sharing them with other employees.

A Lack of Action

Doe reported each and every instance to Vacaville store management as well as corporate management, but Lowe’s failed to act on those complaints according to the court filings. When addressing Vacaville manager Dave Berlin, Doe was told to drop the issue and threatened with termination.

Doe took the complaint to Lowe’s Associate Care Center, but was then threatened by Fox with physical violence. Armstrong alleges that this was overheard by a department manager but that nothing was done. Doe then requested to be transferred and took a leave, but was denied the request.

What’s to ComeThe court has acknowledged the complaint, which means testimony is the next step. The court will then have to decide if the case moves to trial. In the meantime, Armstrong is urging anyone from the Vacaville location to come forward as a witness. She’s also encouraging any Lowe’s employee to speak up about harassment when they see it.

Why Instagram Is So Popular and How To Set Up An Account

June 24, 2021 /

For many people, social media is a critical tool. Individuals use these public platforms to communicate, in addition to updating friends, family members, neighbors, and co-workers about the happenings in their lives. Businesses also employ these outreach methods as a means of promoting their entities and attracting new customers. 

One of the more popular social media avenues is Instagram. 

Instagram Overview

Started in 2010, Instagram is a social media platform devoted to photo and video streaming. Users can post photographs and recorded videos to their site for their followers to see and watch. Like other well-known outlets, individuals can follow others with active accounts and vice versa. 

Unlike other social media outlets, however, Instagram is more of a mobile platform that people typically use while on devices, such as their cell phone or tablet. That said, you can still view and post from your laptop or desktop computer.

The Reasons Instagram Is Popular

Visibility: Arguably, the most significant reason Instagram has become so popular is that it is a strictly visual medium. Everyone has heard the phrase that a picture is worth a thousand words. Those who set up an Instagram account are afforded the opportunity to view bright, vibrant photos. Granted, other avenues enable account holders to post and view images. However, these pictures are typically surrounded by blocks of text that might prove distracting or limit a viewer’s interest. 

Creativity: Instagram users favor the platform for its promotion of creativity. People often use the platform to post innovative, enjoyable, inspiring visuals for their followers to enjoy. Given that Instagram is a worldwide entity, these posts can prove quite far-reaching and help heighten the user’s profile manifold. 

Business-Friendly: Instagram has quickly morphed into one of the more business-friendly social media platforms. Establishments from large corporations to local mom-and-pop stores use the versatile platform to display products and services in a way that brings their products and services to life. 

Setting Up An Account

Establishing an account is relatively straightforward. First, choose which device you want to use to Instagram on (most use their phones). Then download the Instagram app onto that device. Next, open the app and follow the directions for setting up and using the account. You’ll be asked to provide information like your email and phone number and then confirm via code texted to your phone (for security). You’ll then be asked to register by creating a username and password. 

Note that Instagram also enables those with active Facebook accounts to register or log in utilizing their Facebook credentials. 

Though mobile usage is the preferred method, Instagram accounts may be established and used on laptop and desktop computers. Those planning on employing Instagram on their computers can visit Instagram’s website and click on the sign-up icon. If you do it this way, you’ll be prompted to enter your email address and then choose a username and password. As with mobile accounts, computer users can log in using their Facebook credentials.

How To Streamline Your App Development Workflow

June 11, 2021 /

As the shift to digital accelerates, the demand for new apps has surged. App developers face various challenges in meeting the market’s demands. There are funding constraints, a need to establish quality control systems, and other issues. The most immediate concern for app developers though, is how to work in an efficient and effective way. In this article, we will discuss how you can streamline your app development workflow in order to reduce development costs and speed up turn around times in your quest to build the next great app. 

  1. Start By Building a Code Library

Writing the actual code that will run your app is a vital part of your process, but it is a part of your process that takes up a big chunk of your time. For many app developers, they will be working from scratch, with very limited resources. Finding ways to write code efficiently is, then, very important. 

So what you need to do is to catalog any existing code in a library. This will improve your productivity by reducing the amount of time that developers will need to write and test new code. All that will need to be done is to retrieve code from the library and use it where needed in future app development projects. Consequently, your turnaround times will dramatically improve.

  1. Reduce your Data Storage Infrastructure

This sounds counterintuitive, because you often assume that the bigger your infrastructure, the better off you are. Yet having multiple databases only serves to increase the number of steps that your team has to go through to achieve their goals. 

Duplication is a likely result of having multiple databases. Often, teams find that they have databases that they do not need or even use, all the while increasing your security risks. Using a single database to store resources is much wiser from a workflow as well as a security aspect. Students in the best STEAM and STEM programs will be familiar with the importance of optimization. Having more than one database is not the best way to achieve optimization. 

  1. Use Layouts of Pre-Existing Apps

Using templates seems to be an admission of some kind of defeat for many developers. Yet, as the great scientist Isaac Newton noted, in order to see far, you should stand on the shoulders of giants. Take advantage of app templates in order to make a better product and work even faster. Using what came before you and worked well will help with your workflow in ways that are often underestimated.

Layouts will come with source code, which means that you will be able to skip a developmental stage by simply using that source code instead of writing it from scratch. There’s no need to consider things like UI/UX design, because someone else has already worked through those problems for you and come up with a solution you clearly like.

  1. Test! Test! Test!

Many apps fail because they are not rigorously tested. Developers kind of assume that their apps work well or that a few tests are enough to get an idea of the capabilities of the app. If you can test your app under the most extreme conditions, even if it seems unlikely that they will occur, you will be able to build a robust app that consumers will like. 
Running continuous tests is a great way to ensure that problems are dealt with as they arise and you receive almost immediate feedback at each stage of development.

Aluminum is Primary Choice for CNC Machining

June 10, 2021 /

No material is perfect for every CNC machining situation. To be useful, the right material must check off all of the necessary boxes for your particular job. If you are manufacturing a part that must be highly conductive, for instance, it may be that only copper will do. Likewise, if you need a material that absolutely resists corrosion, you might need to go with titanium.

One metal, though, tends to tick off more boxes than any other: aluminum. Aluminum has a number of useful characteristics. It is a relatively affordable metal, and is lightweight but also extremely durable. As it happens, aluminum is also especially well-suited to the CNC machining process. In fact, with so much going for it, it’s no surprise that aluminum has become the go-to metal in CNC machining.

Aluminum’s Qualities

Many CNC aluminum properties make it ideal for industrial manufacturing. To begin with, it is non-toxic, which means it is safe enough to be used to manufacture cooking appliances and utensils. It is non-magnetic, which makes it perfect for electrical shielding in computer products. Aluminum is also non-sparking and is excellent at absorbing both sound and shock, all useful qualities in automotive engineering. 

In fact, one of aluminum’s best qualities is its versatility. On the one hand, for example, aluminum conducts heat well. At the same time, it is also an excellent heat sink, meaning heat can be drained away from it rapidly. And finally, because of its reflective properties, it can also be used to repel heat and light.

Aluminum’s most important property is its high strength-to-weight ratio. Aluminum is exceptionally light—only about one-third the weight of steel. Yet, many aluminum alloys are, pound-for-pound, stronger than steel. Aluminum is also resistant to corrosion and, unlike steel, and shows increased strength at low temperatures. In fact, its lightweight durability has made it an essential material for the military and in industries like aerospace.

Perfect for Machining

Aluminum also has qualities that make it particularly suitable for the CNC machining process similar to the polished brass flat bar.  

First, aluminum’s malleability and low density make it easy to shape. Additionally, aluminum chips easily. Together, these two properties make aluminum easy to work with, which ultimately means you can produce better final products at a lower price. In fact, aluminum prototypes made with CNC machining can reach tolerances of up to .01 millimeters, and the process can benefit from dust suppression techniques. With that kind of precision, part production becomes repeatable. 

Best of all, aluminum is among the most cost-effective metals you can work with. It has a low raw material price to begin with; it saves additional money because it is so easy to work with; and because it is 100% recyclable, little money is lost to waste. In fact, aluminum can be recycled for just 5% of what it takes to produce initially. 

Many people look to aluminum first when they are considering their CNC machining projects simply because it is so cheap to purchase. After all, we’re all looking for ways to cut costs. In most cases, people wind up choosing CNC aluminum because it has so many valuable qualities

6 Essential Points Why Cbd Is a Good Space for Investors and Innovators

June 10, 2021 /

The CBD industry is flourishing and has birthed many entrepreneurs wanting to create something new and exciting. Cannabis has been in the dark for many years despite its medicinal value. Significantly CBD may help in dealing with many health conditions. Luckily, that’s changing lately, with many countries and states legalizing the use of cannabis for both medicinal and recreational purposes. 

Innovators, entrepreneurs, and investors can benefit from the high demand in the CBD industry for a better ROI. So if you are keen to enter the CBD industry, here are six reasons that indicate that it is a good choice.

Source

1.  Product Value and Diversity

The CBD industry is not just a flourishing one but also a diverse one in itself. You can find various CBD products ranging from CBDistillery to CBD topicals for acne. That gives CBD manufacturers focus on creating unique CBD supplements for their users. For instance, you can create CBD supplements like pills and capsules that fall under the health and wellness category. Similarly, if you incline towards skincare, the list of CBD topicals like body butter, facemasks, bath bombs, and lotions is endless too. The best part of all is that with more research about CBD and cannabis, the variety of CBD products may expand further in the future.

Source

2. Lower Regulations

The U.S CBD industry has witnessed massive growth lately, thanks to the Farm Bill 2018. The bill legalized the use of CBD products all over the country. That boosted the sales to revenue of $358 million from $108 million in 2014 when CBD products were still not legal in many states. The farm bill also legalized the cultivation and sale of hemp in the country. That played a significant role as well since manufacturers use CBD extracted from hemp rather than marijuana plants. A high concentration of CBD and a low concentration of THC is why manufacturers use hemp-based CBD. Though CBD products may contain THC, the authorized level states that it must not exceed 0.3%.

3. Increased CAGR in the CBD Industry

The growth rate in the CBD industry has been increasing and may continue to remain that way, looking at the market trends. Cannabis was not much of a mainstream herb in the past, probably due to its psychoactive effects of THC. But, the separation of THC from CBD changed it all. Estimated reports suggest that the CBD industry may reach $13.4 billion in sales with a growth rate of 21.2% by 2028. Through proper management and execution, any business owner can make profits with that growth rate. While the numbers mentioned above represent the CBD industry as a whole, the CBD oil industry alone may experience a growth rate of a whopping 38.4% by 2027.

Source

4. Pet CBD Market

The CBD industry is not just beneficial for humans but also for pets, mainly dogs. Many pet parents use CBD products to help their fur buddies deal with various issues like anxiety, aggression, etc. CBD may help deal with health conditions by interacting with the endocannabinoid system (ECS), present in almost all mammals, including dogs. That is the primary reason CBD may be efficient in helping with pet problems as well. The opportunity in the pet CBD market is also increasing recently, with more pet parents relying on CBD for their pet’s overall health. From yummy treats to CBD oils for pets, the product line in the pet CBD market is also diverse.

5. Customers Understanding the True Value of CBD Products

Here’s another factor contributing to the growth of the CBD industry. Users are now able to differentiate between average and high-quality products. Surprisingly, many CBD brands are failing to deliver the customer’s expectations. So, as a CBD brand or company, if you can reach the users’ expectations, you can boost sales. Moreover, achieving superior quality CBD products is not rocket science anymore. Through the proper extraction techniques, procuring high-quality raw materials, one can manufacture the best quality CBD products. Cultivating your hemp is one of the best ways to ensure the final products are of high quality. 

Source

6. High Scope For Product Research and Development

The best part about CBD is that it may help deal with various health conditions, physical and psychological. For instance, research suggests that CBD can be efficient in reducing chronic pain and inflammation. So whether the user experiences inflammatory pain caused by arthritis or pain from a tedious physical exercise, CBD products may help. CBD may also help reduce insomnia, anxiety, stress, and depression. As it serves various purposes, it allows manufacturers to create products and get into multiple niches in the CBD industry. You may choose to develop products for pain relief or anxiety relief initially when entering the market. Moreover, the CBD skincare industry is also flourishing since CBD may help deal with skin problems like acne, dry skin, etc.

Final Thoughts

The CBD industry is a fast-growing sector. It is not only flourishing but also an easy one if you plan accordingly. Whether you are keen on investing in a CBD company or creating a brand, high-quality products play a crucial role in its success. So, it’s essential to choose the appropriate niche, customer base, and robust business plan to make huge profits in the CBD industry. 

Blockchain and CBD: Everything You Need To Know

May 22, 2021 /

CBD comes from the hemp plant as a component of marijuana that doesn’t make you high. The popularity of this industry has seen mainstream society warming up to it. Today, the use of this wonderful plant for medicinal and even recreational use is no longer stigmatized as much as it was several decades ago. Plenty of research highlights many benefits of the product in treating medical ailments and offering pain relief.

Blockchain technology has played a role in the growth of the CBD industry. There is a unique relationship between blockchain and CBD as they attract attention from all sectors. For example, heavy advertising and restricted banking opportunities characterize both industries. Here is everything you should know about blockchain and CBD.

  1. The technology has improved customer confidence in CBD products.
clear glass jar filled with kush

Image source: https://unsplash.com/photos/Bu6BSErSL_M 

Businesses are using blockchain technology to improve customer confidence and peace of mind when choosing CBD products online. It is helping to deal with any damaged reputation attached to CBD use by providing transparency in inventory management. The technology allows customers access to information about a product through the QR patented code. Businesses can use blockchain to analyze market trends and create market forecasts that will help increase revenue and profits.

CBD has struggled with a lack of awareness and increased regulations. However, cannabis businesses can use blockchain to show proof of selling 100 percent organic products. The technology creates a system for buying and selling CBD products like Sunday Scaries CBD gummies, ensuring transparency. It helps maintain the industry’s integrity and morals by providing the correct product as advertised.

  1. Cryptocurrency serves as a payment option.
blue and red line illustration

Image source: https://unsplash.com/photos/vBCVcWUyvyM 

Since banks in the United States don’t accept fiat currency for hemp transactions, blockchain offers an alternative banking option for CBD businesses. Cannabis industries have struggled with making payments for the products. They cannot process Visa payments through their banks due to the regulations against cannabis products.

This is one of the many problems hitting the CBD industry concerning accessing banking services. The issues of payment processing make it difficult for the industry to thrive. Fortunately, blockchain provides the technology to facilitate money transfer from the payer to the payee without passing through a bank. The entire process is efficient and helps the business avoid running through the risks such as fraud. The alternative banking solutions can enhance the growth of the CBD industry even further.

  1. Blockchain technology helps track products from seed to market.
person using phone and laptop computer

Image source: https://unsplash.com/photos/EMPZ7yRZoGw 

CBD businesses can use blockchain technology to improve transparency, traceability, and accountability. The technology facilitates the tracking of cannabis production and distribution from the farm to the market. It helps businesses build trust between consumers and suppliers and encourage a smoother process of purchasing the product.

When you integrate blockchain in the business, the information is stored in a blockchain-based system for comprehensive tracking and tracking. Customers can trace the source of CBD products and their journey to the market through a QR code. They can use this information to prove the quality and legality of CBD products to avoid purchasing.

As businesses look to digitalize the supply chain process, blockchain technology helps reduce fraud by monitoring every transaction. The technology allows monitoring of supply chains by focusing on the production, distribution, and sale of the product. It solves all issues related to illegal transactions with transparency in price models.

  1. The technology streamlines the purchase process.

Cryptocurrency entrepreneurs are exploring ways of legalizing cannabis use through blockchain technology. They partner with CBD businesses to push the industry to the next level by creating a valuable database. Blockchain brings transparency into the industry that can build trust between the cannabis industry and its stakeholders.

By streamlining the purchase process, blockchain solves issues of duplicate prescription and illegal transactions. It determines the source of CBD products and establishes total transparency that benefits the whole industry at large. The blockchain is helping businesses to manage the paper trail of all transactions and get all the data relating to transactions.

Through this technology, a business can connect with farmers, suppliers, and distribution centers in the value chain with ease. Customers can access blockchain data to determine the source of CBD products and track the process from start to finish.

  1. Blockchain facilitates strong intellectual property protection.

silver iPhone 6 on brown surfacde

How To Deal With A Foreign Workforce Post-Pandemic

May 12, 2021 /

The COVID-19 pandemic has hit the world, and more than a year from its start date, we’re still trying to cope with the fallout. Workforces have evolved significantly since the start of the outbreak. With businesses forced to close thanks to rolling lockdown situations, they had to get creative about hiring and maintaining their workers. CNBC notes that many people started seeing working from home part-time as the norm during the pandemic. Even so many businesses opted to furlough employees. These workers would be kept in reserve for when lockdowns eased, and businesses were once again allowed to open. Other companies opted for hiring remote freelancers to replace those they lost because of the pandemic. In a post-pandemic world, however, how does a business deal with an ever-increasing international workforce?

An International Worker Crisis

While many people would be acutely aware of North America’s situation, we tend to lose focus on the fact that the pandemic was a worldwide event. From Indonesia to Argentina, the world has seen workers lose their jobs because of dwindling business income and finding reskilling necessary. McKinsey even suggests that businesses should look into reskilling their existing workforce if they are to survive the pandemic. In places that are already low on population, such as Japan and Canada, the need for new migrants to build out the workforce becomes even more critical. With several less economically developed countries facing the pinch of a contracting economy, there’s likely to be a wave of incoming immigration to more economically developed countries.

The Freelancer Equation

Due notes that many big businesses much prefer to hire freelancers because it helps them to manage their costs more effectively. Over the last year, we’ve seen several more people enter the so-called ‘gig economy” to make ends meet. Even so, established freelancers exist in several countries. In 2018, Payoneer, an international payment processor popular with freelancers, surveyed 21,000 workers from over 170 countries globally. Inc. mentions that from this survey, they discovered that 80% of freelancers have between one to three projects going on at the same time.

Freelancers fill a void, and businesses will rely on them more often as they start paring down their in-person workforce. Hiring internationally can still be a headache, especially when local tax regulations may not conform with the employer’s home country. Freelancers work around this issue by allowing them to operate as independent contractors. The business doesn’t keep them as an employee. Instead, they are a separate entity responsible for their own tax filing and details to their local authorities. This simplification makes it much easier (and less stressful) to manage a freelance workforce than one that’s made up of salaried workers. Overseas, the operation cost may be much lower, as may the amount needed to fund staff. However, running afoul of local legislation may be more trouble than it’s worth. If a company intends to go the freelancer route, they may pay more per job but wouldn’t need to keep an eye on the changing local labor legislation. For many, this is an acceptable trade-off.

International Expansion and Acquiring Workers

For businesses intending to expand internationally, locating a local workforce is a challenge. Compliance is always a concern when it comes to international hires. Companies used to how North America does things may have a rude awakening if they move to countries like those in South America where strict labor law is imposed upon businesses intending to operate there, especially if they’re looking to operate in the world of Legacy Countertops and laser treatments. There are solutions that companies may choose to employ, such as executive search firms, the “executive search” process, the freelancer hiring methodology mentioned above, or alternatively, a business could opt for the Employer of Record solution instead.

What is an Employer of Record?

An Employer of Record is a solution that enables international companies to access a local workforce through a proxy. The proxy could be an employment agency or a contact on the ground responsible for recruitment and interviewing. Once the candidate has made it through the interview process and is hired, the Employer of Record takes over the relationship as the primary contact. Once they do this, the Employer of Record is responsible for HR, employment benefits, etc., and the end-client company only needs to deal with day-to-day operations. Employer of Record solutions are useful for several reasons:

§  More Rapid Expansion into New Markets: If a business wants to enter a new market rapidly, using the Employer of Record method allows them to get their business up and running faster. There’s no need to go through the lengthy process of registering a local imprint of the company and the bureaucracy associated with that process. The EOR allows for compliance in that particular local market and doesn’t take excess time to set up.

§  Expansion Costs are Reduced: Businesses entering new international markets usually have to deal with paying fees for registration, rentals, offices, etc. The money allocated to a global expansion may be significant, but if the business doesn’t need to throw that money into these areas, it could be used to do more. EOR solutions enable an enterprise to reduce the cost of entry into a new market since they just need to establish contact with the client company on the ground and build a relationship. The client company handles all the local expenses while the parent company keeps their funding for more viable purposes.

§  Compliance With Local Laws: As mentioned before, compliance is one of the hardest things to guarantee when a business expands into an international market. Local legislation is fluid, and where a market suffers from protectionist measures, they may be draconian. It would be easier for a local company to set up than an international business to get a foothold. EOR solutions ensure that the parent company can still operate within the country without dealing with the red tape associated with the company’s legal status. All employees would similarly be compliant since they would function under the client-end business registered within the country.

§  Allows For Non-Core Functionality Outsourcing: Typically, a business has certain core functionalities. When it expands into international markets, outsourcing non-core functionalities helps them keep the essential parts of the business in-house, where they can focus on perfecting those processes. Outsourcing also enables the business to operate with less risk in some jurisdictions. There’s no need for the company to ensure compliance with local payroll requirements or submit to labor laws within the country. They can focus their home office on core functionalities and outsource to the end-client business in the international locale.

A Changing Employment World

To say that the world has shifted its focus from traditional employment would be an understatement. Between freelancing and international EOR companies, there is a significant amount of work being done overseas for local businesses. For some people, this is seen as a negative. It results in an outflow of funds from the country, potentially impacting the local economy. However, as the world becomes more globalized, this is less of a concern. If international workers have the skills, then businesses shouldn’t hesitate to take them up on their offers. Establishing these relationships with international workers may become even more of a vital function as time goes on.

How Does Local SEO Work?

How Does Local SEO Work?

May 4, 2021 /

The internet has widely been seen as a way for businesses to reach a global audience. What is often ignored is that it is also a way for businesses to more effectively reach potential consumers within their vicinity. Local search engine optimization (SEO) is a powerful tool that is neglected as businesses chase far-flung consumers. Yet, mobile searches qualified by the phrase, “near me” have grown by 900%. Consumers are hungry for information about goods and services near them. That’s an opportunity that you cannot afford to miss. 

Explaining Local SEO 

Local SEO refers to the optimization of a website for local search results. The web content, the link building and the on-page optimization are enriched with locally relevant content. This is particularly powerful if your business is naturally focused on serving your immediate community.

SEO itself refers to optimization of your website so that your page ranks improves. Local SEO is more granular. Rather than optimizing your content against the universe of service providers in your industry, you optimize based on your location. 

How Local SEO Works  

Optimizing your website with locally relevant content, links and on-page optimizations sends Google a signal that you want to attract people who are interested in receiving a service within a certain locale. Aside from this, local SEO is similar to “normal” SEO. So, when a person searches for goods and services with a qualifier “near me”, Google scans its page index for the best results and spits out pages based on its page ranking. The better optimize your content, the higher up the search results you will feature. 

Google uses various criteria to help it give the user the right results. It looks at NAP citations; the number of times users have “checked in” to a locale; the Google Maps ratings of businesses; the Google My Business keywords; online reviews and keywords; the amount of content shared on social media; and if your business has a Google My Business listing. 

  • Presence of your Google My Business listing

Google and other search engines also view the technical part of your website pages. They look through your LocalBusiness Schema Markup. This element makes it clear to Google that you’re a local business aiming for the areas you serve.

Why Local SEO Is Important

The best search engine optimization services will help you do well and rank highly on search results based on the above metrics. This means you will be able to capture more clients interested in goods and services in a particular location. Often, when people want to get goods and services in a particular location, they also want to get other goods and services there. In other words, they will have many reasons to be in that location. So you just may have a repeat customer on your hands. And, that person is likely to know other people in that area, meaning leads for you. 

You should pay more attention to customers who want to buy in your vicinity. These are low hanging fruits that you cannot afford to ignore. ALl kinds of businesses can increase sales by tapping into local SEO. A whopping 88% of consumers who use location qualifiers in their searches make related searches within a week.

How To End Your Business Legally

May 3, 2021 /

When your business has come to the end of its active life, you need to close off its operations legally. The Houston Chronicle tells us that the term for this process is known as “Dissolving”. Dissolving a company is a simple process for a sole proprietorship. However, as a business’s structure gets more complicated, it takes some more effort to ensure that a business stops existing as a legal entity. When dissolving your company, there are the legal steps you need to take:

  1. LLC/Corporation Action

The board of directors would draft and then approve the resolution to dissolve the corporation. When the resolution is tabled, the shareholders will vote on it. The results of the voting should be entered into the corporate record book. WHile not strictly necessary, documenting the overall decision and the attitude of members to the dissolution is recommended.

  1. Filing the Paperwork

Once the resolution for dissolution has passed, the company must file the documents to dissolve the company in the state where the business was initially incorporated. If the company operates across state borders, then each jurisdiction that the company is present in must also be advised of its dissolution. The requirements for the articles of dissolution vary from state to state. In some cases, a state legislature will require the business to settle claims and notify creditors before it files for dissolution. 

In other cases, these steps can come after the dissolution filing has already been submitted. Some states need the company to have tax clearance before they can file for dissolution. If the company owes taxes to the state, these must first be dealt with before it can file for dissolution.

It is of course preferable to sell the business instead of dissolving it, as this benefits all of the owners by providing some profit according to business broker and advisers at ExitAdviser. Having the proper documents needed for selling a business are just as crucial as if you were to dissolve it.

  1. Formalizing Business Closure at the Federal level

Even though the business is no longer in operation, its tax obligations don’t immediately stop. You need to formalize the closing with the IRS and with taxation officials at the state level. The IRS itself has provided a checklist for closing a business that allows you to check off each action as you complete it. Payroll reporting obligations will apply if you have workers that are registered under the company.

Most IRS forms will come with a checkbox that you can utilize if this is your last year in operation. You’re also required to make a note of the property you dispose of (and who it went to) as well as any like-kind exchanges that you’re undertaking on behalf of the business. 

Another point to remember is that your EIN remains valid, even though the business is shut down. The IRS does not recycle EIN numbers, and once you get one, that number remains associated with your business, even if that business is no longer in operation. Even if you stop using the EIN for tax filings, and no revenue is received from the business that the EIN is registered to, the IRS will never reassign the EIN to another company. Each newly filed company gets an EIN of their very own, and the number is a permanent record of their tax payments. If the business reincorporates at a later date, the EIN may be reused for tax payments.

  1. Notify Creditors of Closure

In all states, you are required to inform your creditors by mail about the business’s closure. The letter you send should state that the company intends to dissolve, a mailing address to send their claims to, all information included in a request, and the deadline for submitting the claim. Furthermore, the letter should state that claims not received by the deadline (usually 120 days after closure) will not be entertained. Some states require businesses that are closing to declare their intention to close in the local paper.

There are situations where your state may allow claims from creditors that your business isn’t aware of at the time of closure. In these cases, you may be required to place an advertisement in the local paper to let everyone know about the closure of the business. If you’re unsure about if your state allows for this situation, consult a local lawyer for insight into whether you need to advertise the closure.

  1. Settling Claims from Creditors

When the business has ceased operations, creditors may make claims on the business’s assets. Based on the level of debt that the company has to the creditor, he or she may be entitled to some of the business’s holdings’ best corporate meeting spaces. If you have to reject creditor claims, you must write to the creditor and outline why you had to reject their requests.

You don’t need to accept all of a creditor’s claims either. If a creditor has a claim, he or she may decide to settle for less of the claim, or a transfer of assets in lieu of any monetary payments owed to him or her. In most cases, a business can discuss the situation with the creditor and work out a settlement. In many cases, the settlement is likely to be in favor of the business.

  1. Distribution of Assets

When all of the creditors’ claims are settled, the business can distribute assets to company owners based on the share of their ownership. If a particular owner holds 80% of the company’s stock, for example, he or she is entitled to 80% of the assets left over after the dissolution of the company and payments to creditors have been settled.

All of a business’s asset distribution must be reported to the IRS as we noted above. If your business has multiple classes of stock, then the company bylaws will usually help determine how the remaining assets are to be distributed to the shareholders. 

Closing Up Shop

Sometimes, you need to shut down your business for any number of reasons. It happens to some owners from time to time. Protecting your personal assets from creditors is a crucial part of being a smart business owner. Don’t be discouraged. With time, you may chance upon a new idea that will be even better than the unsustainable one.

Improving the Banking Experience With Customer Value Management

April 30, 2021 /

For many, everyday interactions with their bank are a headache, to say the least. Poor customer service is “rampant” in major financial institutions, and according to experts like the Harvard Business Review, that’s because it’s profitable for them to hassle their clientele to the greatest degree allowable.

News like that might make any hope for improvement seem pointless, but beleaguered customers might be able to take solace in the potential benefits of customer value management. Applied to banking, it might be enough to spark some serious change to the entire customer experience. Here’s what you need to know.

Customer Value Management Explained

In short, customer value management (CVM) refers to the techniques that companies can use to manage the value journey of their customers — the series of steps they’ll take from initial contact to eventually doing business with the organization.

Successful CVM encompasses many elements, but one of the most critical, in this context, is how businesses are incentivized to build perceived value by providing quality to the customer. Let’s next take a look at ways in which this concept might be used to drive changes that add value to the customer experience in banking.

How Customer Value Management Intersects With Banking

One of the most effective ways in which banks can apply the ideas of CVM to their customer experience is through improved personalization. It’s well-known that the more tailored they perceive their treatment, the better customers typically perceive it to be. 

By getting away from a “one size fits all” approach and trying out some targeted interactions, banks can better engage their customers and help make the experience that much more enjoyable. For instance, personalized product and service recommendations delivered at critical points in the customer journey, or a precise cross-sell opportunity that aligns with a customer’s life goals can go a long way to making them feel valued.

There’s also the idea that proper implementation of CVM can help interactions between banks and customers feel less like cold transactions and more like friendly interactions. Garnering good will like that makes customers more likely to stick around and even recommend a financial institution to their friends and family.

Interactions like these don’t just arise from nothing, however. In order for customer value management to become effective, banks also need to prioritize data gathering and customer analytics. This will allow them to pinpoint the unique needs of their clientele, then start making the necessary adjustments to fulfill those needs with the type of care that positively impacts their overall experience.

Unforgettable Cyber Attacks — So Far

April 29, 2021 /

Ask any computer crime attorney or cybersecurity expert, and they’ll tell you that there are serious dangers lurking out there on the net without proper hard drive destruction techniques. Criminals across the globe are always looking for ways to instigate that next big incident, and these following examples illustrate just how devastating the ripple effects can be when they succeed.

The Baltimore County Schools Ransomware Attack

Back in November of 2020, Baltimore county school records were hit hard in a cyber attack that affected student transcripts, ID numbers, state test scores, and more. 

Many of these records were completely destroyed or corrupted beyond repair, and the school system had to put a pause on remote learning classes for over 100,000 students. 

The school district’s reticence to share details about the exact nature of the attack means that little else is known beyond the fact that anonymous hackers hit the school system with some kind of ransomware and that the recovery efforts will take some time to complete.

The SolarWinds Hack

SolarWinds provides various IT management services to a wide range of big organizations. In late 2020 it was discovered that hackers managed to infect their servers, gaining the ability to inject malicious code into their software updates and then spread those to clients.

This left big names vulnerable to external data modifications, data theft, and unauthorized remote access to internal devices and software. Organizations affected included the Pentagon, Department of State, Homeland Security, Department of Energy, and even the Treasury. The extent of the damage could make this one of 2020s most severe breaches overall.

The Advantech Ransom

Holding data hostage is a common tactic for cyber criminals, and this is exactly what happened when hackers breached the systems of IOT manufacturer Advantech in November of 2020. 

The hackers demanded quite the sum, 750 Bitcoin (equivalent to more than $14 million), and claimed that the amount of data they stole from Advantech was well beyond the snippets they had leaked on their site. No word on whether or not that ransom was paid.

The Marriott International Breach

If it feels like Marriott’s name and cybersecurity breaches are starting to become a common occurrence, that’s because the 2020 infiltration of their data stores was the second in just as many years. Cyber bandits made off with the information on some 5.2 million guests, though the hotel chain says that it was nothing as payment info or personal IDs. 

Instead, Marriott claims, the thieves were only able to get away with contact details and some customer loyalty account information. No passwords, PINs, or extremely sensitive details were stolen, if the hotel’s management is to be believed.

The Importance of Balanced Inventory Management

April 24, 2021 /

As retail trends shift quickly, a small business may find itself an opportunity to leverage new technology and improve their supply web capabilities. Many new business owners typically focus on making the most sales as well as improving their ROI. With that being said, the task of properly fulfilling the sold products may not have as much an emphasis. In fact, only 18% of small organizations use inventory management systems. While tracking is possible using manual documents, it may not be as accurate. Without an accurate inventory, many problems can ensue with inventory levels that are too little or are carrying too much. Make sure to check out the resource below to understand more about the significance of using a balanced inventory management system.

Infographic created by WSI, a warehousing and distribution company

Criminal Risks That An Entrepreneur Faces When Starting a Business

April 4, 2021 /

A number of entrepreneurs realize that they face fines for breaking local business laws. These laws can differ depending on the city or even the street it is located on. What a number of entrepreneurs do not realize is that they could face criminal charges if found negligent in a number of areas. An entrepreneur has to be careful with the people that he surrounds himself with at the top of the company. These individuals can do the most damage if they are malicious or just not knowledgeable about laws/policies. The following are criminal risks that an entrepreneur faces when starting a business. 

Correctly Filing Taxes

The last thing that any business owner wants is to get involved with the IRS in a negative manner. Incorrectly filing taxes could be seen as tax evasion especially if the owner is keeping personal funds illegally in company accounts. Hiding income is quite common and can lead to a number of issues. There are a number of tax breaks but you will likely have to invest in a CPA to assist with this. The IRS is not an entity that will make very many mistakes so keep this in mind during tax season. 

Personal Spending of Investor Money 

There are so many stories of how investor money has been spent unwisely. This is not illegal although it can put an entrepreneur on an investor blacklist in a particular industry. You do not want to have to get a federal crime attorney due to breaking laws across state lines. Setting up meticulous systems to track the spending of the company is important. These might seem tedious at first but will be a lifesaver during tax season.

Fraud 

Fraud could be misrepresenting services or products. Products that are supposed to be sourced from one country but are knowingly purchased from another is a perfect example of fraud. There are some entrepreneurs that try to take shortcuts when it comes to product parts. There are certain countries that are not known for quality products but are far cheaper than buying them domestically. Fraud takes so many forms that it is important to be transparent with investors, employees, and management. 

Civil Issues Are Still A Huge Risk 

Criminal issues can be eliminated by simply having a compliance professional on your team. There are still going to be issues with terminated employees no matter how generous you have been in the past. Discrimination could be claimed and this is why it is important to document everything throughout all the employment of an individual. HR professionals can be a huge help as they understand what needs to be done to protect the company legally. Getting the right business insurance is important as the last thing you want is an accident to lead to the business closing. 

Criminal risks when you are an entrepreneur do exist whether you are using your own money to fund the business or not. Restrictions on businesses could increase so make sure you stay updated with all of this information going forward.

Where Should You Upload Slideshow Presentations in 2021?

April 2, 2021 /

The days of being limited to Microsoft PowerPoint for creating and viewing slideshows are long over. Millions of people around the world are still using PowerPoint for various reasons, and one of them is the reality of hard habits being hard to break. 

There is no question that PowerPoint is extremely useful and dynamic; the fact that it is part of the MS Office productivity suite makes it a trusted brand, but there are quite a few alternatives that you should consider using in 2021, particularly if you intend to share your presentation with large audiences.

When you want maximum exposure for your presentation, the native .PPT file format may not be the best choice. What you need is an online platform that turns your slideshow into an element that a reasonably modern browser can display; preferably HTML5, Java, or even streaming video. You also want your presentation to be suitable for mobile devices such as smartphones or tablets. With this in mind, here are some websites you may want to bookmark for the next time you need to create and display a presentation:

SlideServe

This website is excellent for uploading PowerPoint presentations that do not have multimedia elements such as videos or digital audio recordings. As long as the .PPT file you wish to upload is not larger than 300MB, SlideServe will accept it easily and for free. The conversion to HTML5 is done on the fly; you do not have to worry about responsive design because SlideServe is already optimized for mobile devices. The best practice for using this online service is to make the .PPT file simple. See this slideshow on SlideServe to get an idea of how the file should be formatted.

Prezi

As much as PowerPoint has advanced over the last few decades, it has not been able to shake off its reputation as being a tool for corporate use. You can see this corporate legacy in the various templates included with the software, and starting with a blank canvas does not exactly get the creative juices flowing. 

When your slideshow presentation needs to feature aesthetics or an artsy sensibility, your best bet is to use Prezi. This cloud-based slideshow maker has always been a big hit among designers, and you can understand this appeal when you browse through the themes and templates. Even if you start with a blank canvas, Prezi will give you prompts to make your presentation look great. If your target audience skews younger, Prezi is highly recommended.

Haiku Deck

If you are the kind of professional who believes that less is more, you will like what Haiku Deck has to offer. Simplicity and style are at the heart of Haiku Deck, a Software-as-a-Service solution that lets you create and share gorgeous presentations. Similar to Prezi, Haiku Deck has a strong aesthetic focus, but there is also a minimalist approach that prevents you from creating clutter in your slides. Of the three options discussed herein, this one is the trendiest for 2021.

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