Kristina Storey's Blog: February 2018

Wednesday, 28 February 2018

Getting Life Insurance Coverage When You Have Type 2 Diabetes

As a small-business owner, you know that life insurance is important for you and your family. However, perhaps you have been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes as well. If that’s the case, you may be concerned that you won’t be able to purchase a life insurance policy. So what should you do if you don’t already have life insurance?

Perhaps you’ve read or have been told that as a diabetic, your only option will be a life insurance policy that’s more expensive than you can afford. However, even if you’ve been previously denied coverage, life insurance coverage for people with diabetes does exist.

You’ll need to do your research, though. Also, it will help if you have a good idea of what to expect before you start looking for a policy.

What Is Diabetes?

There are several types of diabetes, all of which affect the way the body processes food. More than 23 million Americans have diabetes of one kind or another. Of these, around 90 percent have type 2 diabetes.

People who have diabetes are at a greater risk of other health risks as well. These risks occur because of complications from diabetes. They include heart disease, stroke, blindness, and kidney failure.

A diagnosis of diabetes was once considered a death sentence. However, improved medical care has brightened the picture. These days, a person with type 2 diabetes can greatly improve his or her chances of living a long and healthy life. Simple modifications, including changes in diet and exercising more, can make an enormous difference.

Can I Get Life Insurance if I Have Diabetes?

You’re probably aware that if you have diabetes, life insurance will cost more for you than it does for other people. In a recent Health I.Q. survey, 77 percent of people knew that insurance premiums were higher for those with diabetes. They also understood the reasons why this would be so.

However, what you may not realize is that those with type 2 diabetes fare better than those with other types of diabetes. This is most likely true because type 2 diabetes typically occurs later in life. It is also easier to manage.

Additionally, people who have had their diabetes under control for several months typically get better rates for life insurance than do others. The methods you can use to get your diabetes under control include exercise, diet, oral medication, injectable insulin, or some combination of these methods.

Don’t Give Up Before Learning the Facts

So don’t resort to a no-exam policy or give up altogether. Instead, consult Health I.Q.’s life insurance guide. Here, you will learn more about rates for life insurance through Health I.Q. The life insurance specialists at Health I.Q. will take the time to get to know you. Their application process is different. For example, they will help you prepare for your medical exam. Additionally, they will work with carriers to secure the best possible rate for you.

So if you’re faced with a diagnosis of type 2 diabetes and you don’t yet have a life insurance policy, don’t give up. You can still protect your family with an affordable life insurance policy.

The post Getting Life Insurance Coverage When You Have Type 2 Diabetes appeared first on Business Opportunities.

source http://www.business-opportunities.biz/2018/02/28/life-insurance-type-2-diabetes/

Free up Cash for Your Startup by Refinancing Your Student Loans

If you’re eager to launch your new business but finances are holding you back, you’re not alone. Funding is one of the most common barriers to starting a business. As a matter of fact, most entrepreneurs have to get creative to launch their ventures. Crowdfunding, borrowing from friends and family, and applying for SBA loans are common approaches, but there are other options, as well. One avenue that many people don’t consider is refinancing their student loans.

Facts About Student Loans

Student loan balances have increased by nearly 150 percent in the last decade. As a matter of fact, Americans owed about $1.4 trillion dollars in student loan debt as of August 2017. Yes, that’s trillion, with a “t.”

The median student loan debt was around $17,000, but many Americans owe much more than that. As a matter of fact, some Americans owe as much as $40,000 in student loans, or more.

Most of these debtors are young people. According to the Pew Research Center, 53% of young adults who have a bachelor’s degree or higher also have student loan debt.

That debt is crushing peoples’ dreams. Young adults who are saddled with student loan debt often work at two jobs and still struggle financially. They delay getting married and starting a family. Naturally, their own student loans make it more difficult for them to plan for their children’s higher education.

Furthermore, young adults with an entrepreneurial bent may also delay starting their own business. They fear the risks inherent in being their own boss.

Is There a Solution?

Student loan debt in the United States is such a stumbling block that some even refer to it as a crisis. Complicating the problem are low wages and limited repayment options. Some political leaders have proposed making tuition free at state schools and colleges. However, if you’re a young graduate who is already making monthly payments on your existing student loans, this option won’t be of much help to you.

However, there is a ray of hope, but only if you take matters into your own hands.

If monthly payments on your student loans are holding you back, refinancing might be an option for you. You could refinance at a lower interest rate but keep the same repayment term, for example. If you do, you might be able to lower your monthly payments to a figure that feels more comfortable to you. If student loan payments take a big chunk of your monthly expenses, lowering that payment might be all you need to feel ready for the risks of entrepreneurship.

See If You Qualify

If you have a high credit rating, chances are good that refinancing will help you. While the federal government doesn’t make a distinction in rates between high-risk and low-risk borrowers, independent lenders do. They can often offer you a much lower rate if you have a good credit history.

The people at Health IQ have put together a quiz to help you assess how much you know about refinancing your student loan debt. Give the quiz a try to see if refinancing could help you get closer to your dreams of entrepreneurship.

The post Free up Cash for Your Startup by Refinancing Your Student Loans appeared first on Business Opportunities.

source http://www.business-opportunities.biz/2018/02/28/startup-refinancing-student-loans/

Are You Using the Right Retirement Savings Plan?

Americans have a variety of tools available to them to help them with their retirement savings. Each one is governed by a different set of regulations. Different plans also have different contribution limits.

If you’re a small-business owner, you might think you’re too busy to be thinking about retirement now. This could be especially true if you’re still young. However, it’s never too early to start planning for your declining years. Make sure you’re ready when the time comes. Do this by choosing a retirement savings plan that is right for you.

Why Are Retirement Savings Important?

Retirement savings are important for Americans because they are living longer. Most Americans expect to retire at about age 66. However, the average age of death for most Americans is 79. As a result, most Americans can expect to have more than 13 years as retirees. Of course, you want to maintain the lifestyle you have become accustomed to in your working years. Therefore, retirement savings are a must.

Consider Your Options

Your options for retirement savings are numerous. They include individual retirement accounts (IRAs), Roth IRAs, 401(k) plans, and hybrid Roth 401(k) plans. In addition, self-employed people can choose simplified employee pension accounts. It’s important to understand a few details about each type of plan so you can choose the one that’s right for you.

Funds that you put away in a retirement savings account enjoy certain tax protections. In exchange, the accounts are governed by strict rules. You need to understand these rules in order to avoid fees and tax penalties. For example, if you withdraw your IRA funds before you reach retirement age, you will pay stiff penalties in most cases. However, if you’re withdrawing for a few approved purposes, you might be able to avoid those fees. Those approved purposes can include unpaid taxes and college costs.

Conversely, if you’re using an IRA or a 401(k) plan to save for retirement, you have to start taking the money out when you reach a specific age. Otherwise, plan administrators can charge you brutal fees of up to 50 percent. On the other hand, with a Roth IRA, you never need to withdraw the money at all.

There are specific retirement accounts for special circumstances, too. For instance, if your spouse doesn’t have any earned income but you file joint taxes, your spouse can open a Spousal IRA to save for retirement. Self-employed people and freelancers can open a simplified employee pension IRA. This lets them sock away up to 25 percent of their income for the future.

Educate Yourself and Choose the Plans That Are Right for You

Learn more about retirement savings accounts by taking this quiz from HealthIQ.com. Once you know more, you can make better-informed decisions.

The post Are You Using the Right Retirement Savings Plan? appeared first on Business Opportunities.

source http://www.business-opportunities.biz/2018/02/28/right-retirement-savings-plan/

Health-Conscious People Can Have Lower Life Insurance Costs

Being your own boss has both an upside and a downside. On the one hand, you have more control over your schedule, your job responsibilities, and your work-life balance. However, being self-employed also means you’ll have to pay for your health and life insurance costs.

As a self-employed entrepreneur, you don’t have the convenience and cost-saving benefits of a group life insurance policy through an employer. Therefore, saving money on life insurance becomes more important. However, by adhering to a healthy lifestyle, even the self-employed can save money on life insurance.

Do You Really Need Life Insurance?

Anyone on whom someone else depends financially needs life insurance. This includes married couples, parents of small children, employers, and others. Life insurance is important in these cases because your life insurance policy will help to shield your dependents from financial loss in the case of your demise.

Choose the Appropriate Category and Type of Life Insurance

One category of life insurance is called term life. This category of life insurance is based on the probability that the insured person will die within a predetermined number of years. You can purchase term life insurance for terms of 10, 20, or 30 years, in most cases. Term life insurance costs less than other kinds of life insurance. Therefore, by purchasing a term life policy, you can reduce your life insurance costs.

The other broad category of life insurance, on the other hand, includes a variety of alternatives. These include permanent life, whole life, variable life, and universal life. Each of these alternatives offer more benefits for your survivors, but each will be more expensive to purchase than a term life policy.

You Can Reduce Your Life Insurance Costs

Some tips for reducing life insurance costs are widely known. For example, according to a recent Health I.Q. survey, 82 percent of people understand the importance of locking in their insurance premiums while they’re still young. Naturally, you can find better rates at age 25 than you can at age 65.

However, did you know you can find other ways to lower the cost of life insurance? This is true even if you have a chronic medical condition. For example, if you can manage your condition through lifestyle changes and medication, you can often benefit from lower rates on life insurance policies.

Review Your Policy and Make Changes as Necessary

Make a point of reviewing your life insurance policy each year. You want to make sure that it still meets your needs. Better yet, take Health I.Q.’s quiz about reducing your life insurance costs.

Perhaps you realize your current policy is not the best policy for you. Or maybe you just want to look at another option. In either case, explore the in-depth life insurance FAQs on HealthIQ.com.

Health I.Q. is the only life insurance agency that offers special rates for health-conscious individuals based on health knowledge, active lifestyles, and healthy diets. Take advantage of Health I.Q.’s FAQs and quizzes to help you determine your life insurance needs. Armed with the proper knowledge, you can reduce your life insurance costs.

The post Health-Conscious People Can Have Lower Life Insurance Costs appeared first on Business Opportunities.

source http://www.business-opportunities.biz/2018/02/28/health-conscious-lower-life-insurance-costs/

Tuesday, 27 February 2018

Don’t Make This Rookie Mistake in Your Online Business

When you’re running an online business, there are a few mistakes you must avoid, whether you’re a rookie or an expert.

However, the subject of this article is a mistake that many online entrepreneurs make, even if they’ve been around a while.

And what is that mistake? It is a failure to follow up with customers who placed an item in the cart but didn’t complete the purchase.

Why Do People Abandon Carts?

Take a look around the next time you go into a grocery store. You’ll see few, if any, abandoned carts. However, online it’s quite a different story.

If you run an e-commerce store, you already know this to be true. Abandoned carts are a fact of life for you. But when it happens, you need to know why your customers are abandoning their carts. Why did your customer put the item in the cart in the first place? Why didn’t they complete the sale?

Answers to these questions can help you to fine-tune your business, so take the time to learn more, each and every time it happens.

Maybe the customer is still thinking about it. Maybe they are not sure if this particular item is exactly what they need. Or maybe they are not sure that you are the right merchant to purchase it from.

For example, they could be looking for a better price on eBay. On the other hand, they might be seeking a similar item with more features.

Or maybe there was a technical issue on your site that prevented them from making the purchase. If that’s the case, you would want to know right away so that you can address the issue and fix your website.

Where a lot of e-commerce businesses go wrong is that they ignore these incomplete sales. This is basic negligence, pure and simple. What’s more, you could be losing more business than you care to think about from these incomplete sales.

After all, your customer already initiated their buying decision just by putting the item in the cart. That means that they were already convinced to make the purchase.

Just Give ’em a Nudge, Already

Potential buyers might need nothing more than a small nudge from you to complete their purchase.

So fire off a quick email. Tell them that you noticed that they did not complete their purchase. Ask them if they would like any assistance or further information about the product.

Your goal should be just to start a conversation. Don’t try and hard sell your product at this point. The worst that can happen is that they will ignore your email completely. However, they might choose to send you a quick, “No thanks,” in reply. Either of these cases is a good indication that they have changed their mind about the purchase.

Cut Your Losses and Move On

It is also a signal for you to move on and concentrate on a different prospect. (Not knowing when to give up is another mistake some rookie business owners make. However, as you gain more experience, you will get a better feel for those people who are serious buyers and those who are time wasters.)

The best response you can hope for is that your customer will let you know exactly why they did not follow through with their purchase. When someone responds to your email query in this way, treat it like the gold it is. Their response can give you a good idea of what might close the sale. What’s more, it will guide you in your dealings with future customers as well.

Therefore, if a customer replies and tells you what the problem is, know that this is a very good sign. Their response gives you a starting point for working with them on whatever issue is standing between them and a completed sale.

Finally

So regardless of whether you’re a rookie or an expert, investigate each and every abandoned cart. Because a cart is not officially abandoned until after you have tried to contact your customer and tried to find out why.

The post Don’t Make This Rookie Mistake in Your Online Business appeared first on Business Opportunities.

source http://www.business-opportunities.biz/2018/02/27/rookie-mistake-online-business/

4 Little-Known Ways of Making Money by Working from Home

These days an increasing number of people are waking up to the notion that they are not limited to a single meager source of income. Thanks to some new money-making opportunities, a good number of people are earning extra cash by working from home. Moreover, they have found that they can easily supplement their income each month just by thinking outside the box.

Do you think you are up for this challenge? Are you willing to put in the extra effort to add to your income by working from home? Keep reading then, because in this post we talk about some legitimate ways that can help you do just that.

These unique ways of making money by working from home could surprise you. As a matter of fact, some might seem a bit unrealistic to you. However, keep in mind that we’re suggesting these ideas as supplemental sources of income, not full-time careers.

Earn Money Using Your iPhone

There are numerous apps that offer people money for easy tasks. For example, you could take a picture of a restaurant menu, verify that a road is closed, or even take a picture of yourself drinking a Starbucks coffee. You just snap that picture and send it over. And the app gives you money.

Want to check some out? Here are few of those apps:

Complete Tasks on Zaarly.com

Zaarly is an online portal that connects people offering random services with people who are willing to pay for those services. Tasks include such things as being a personal assistant for a day, walking a dog, sending someone a dozen roses, and giving guitar lessons.

Check out these and some of the other interesting ideas listed on the website. Then, sign up with them. It becomes really simple to earn money when you find out that services you can easily offer are in high demand.

Teach Language Classes Online

Teach your native language online to eager students through websites such as Italki.com. The website is a virtual online classroom. It facilitates freelance teachers and provides them with students. Moreover, anyone is allowed to give lessons and set their price. What’s more, you can expect to make around $15 to $20 an hour.

To give just one example, there are countries in the world where the English language is difficult to learn. However, people in those locations often want to learn how to speak English well. Surprisingly, they are willing to pay good money to people who can teach them.

View Ads on Your Phone’s Lock Screen

There is an app for Android called Locket that actually pays you to allow it to place ads on your lock screen. It plays those advertisements and pays you each time you unlock your phone.

You can use it only a few times every day and make some good money. I have done this myself. Just by downloading the app and thereafter using my phone in the casual way I do every day, I managed to make $3 in just a couple of days. Granted that my earnings from this app were not huge. Nonetheless, I didn’t have to do any real work to earn the money.

Rent Out Your Vehicle

I recently heard from a friend that a website called Turo, formerly RelayRides.com, was offering people money to rent out their cars. Based on a business model that echoes Airbnb’s, they let you choose either to lend or to rent your car to others. In return, you get paid good money. Therefore, if you happen to live in a large urban area, this gig could prove to be quite profitable.

Scour the Internet and Use Your Imagination

Finally, if you put on your thinking cap and do a little web surfing, you’re sure to come up with even more ideas. So if you’re starving for a little extra dough, don’t just sit there. Do something that will allow you to make money by working from home.

The post 4 Little-Known Ways of Making Money by Working from Home appeared first on Business Opportunities.

source http://www.business-opportunities.biz/2018/02/27/working-from-home/

How to Build a Business as an Independent Investment Advisor

Perhaps you’re one of those people who has shown a knack in the past for choosing investments that are profitable. As a matter of fact, your investments outperform whatever market they might inhabit. If that is the case, there is a good chance that you’ve been able to make a pretty penny from such activities. But there is another way to benefit from this expertise as well. That is, you could become an independent investment advisor.

An investment advisor is someone who tells customers what they should invest in. In addition, the advise their customers how much they should invest and when to cash out. Essentially, you are acting as someone’s personal trader. In return, you receive money in accordance with how much money you handle for each client.

You Could Choose to Work from Home

As an independent investment advisor, you can essentially perform these duties from your home. What’s more, you wouldn’t need to affiliate with a larger company.

You can also find clients, at least in the beginning, by offering your services at lower fees than some of your more established competitors.

All the same, this is an extremely rugged area of business. You’ll be trying to sell your services in a market where many big-name investments firms have a huge imprint. As a result, you’ll need to find ways of standing out. That’s the only way you will bring clients to your door. And once they show up on your doorstep, it will be up to you to usher them in.

Brush Up Your Skills First

If you need some practice with your investment techniques, you should learn How To Open a MetaTrader 4 Account. But if you already have the expertise and you know you want access to clients, there are certainly effective ways in which you can make this happen.

Build a Strong Website

For an independent, freelance type worker, a solid website is an absolute must. This is especially the case if you’re looking to build a career as an investment advisor. Your website should be informative about some of the theories behind your investment techniques. It should also demonstrate some of the success that you’ve had with your strategies. It can be especially effective to offer testimonials from customers you have already had who can attest to your expertise.

Put Yourself out There

Additionally, a seminar in which you explain some strategies to potential clients is a smart way to bring in business. Your seminar should not be structured as an absolute hard sell. In other words, you want the people attending to think they are getting something for free, just by being there. Once you demonstrate your knowledge, you can let attendees know that they can have even more access to your knowledge by hiring you for your services.

Rely on Old-Fashioned Word-of-Mouth Marketing

In the early stages of your time as an independent investment advisor, there is a good chance that you will have to rely on family and friends for your business. Perhaps you might even offer those people a big discount.

Then, if you do a good job, you can ask them to tell everyone they know about how well your services worked out. That will get you the kind of notoriety that will build your business up quickly.

Using your investment skills to help others is a great way to build an independent business. Especially if it is something you love doing, it won’t feel like you’re working at all.

The post How to Build a Business as an Independent Investment Advisor appeared first on Business Opportunities.

source http://www.business-opportunities.biz/2018/02/27/build-business-investment-advisor/

Monday, 26 February 2018

How to Select a Reliable Medical Malpractice Lawyer

Though medical professionals are highly skilled, they’re still human. As such, they are susceptible to mistakes, just like anyone else. The difference when a medical professional makes a mistake is that it can have a profound impact. Accordingly, it can adversely affect a person’s everyday activities and cause them psychological trauma. This is what’s known as medical malpractice.

If you’re a small-business owner who has been the subject of medical malpractice, you might be entitled to compensation. As a matter of fact, this is true for anyone. If the carelessness of a medical institution or an individual has caused you problems, it’s worth pursuing the case. Though it’s difficult to prove someone was at fault, a medical malpractice lawyer can deal with the complexity of the situation.

However, it’s important to choose someone who can represent your case with expertise. But how do you go about selecting the most qualified medical malpractice attorney?

Here are some tips for choosing the best lawyer for your case.

Get Recommendations

The chances are you know a lawyer in your city, or you know someone who has used a lawyer before. By communicating with professionals, you can gain referrals from people who are in a good position to advise you. If you live in the Syracuse area, for example, you can discover Syracuse medical malpractice lawyers. Just ask friends and family if they know someone they can recommend.

In other areas, use online feedback and reputation, or stretch your outreach to people in other professions. Rather than rushing your decision, compare the market and devise a short list before selecting the right lawyer for you.

Before selecting a lawyer, arrange to meet a few different people in person. From your meetings, gauge whether you can build rapport with at least one of them. You’ll end up communicating personal information with them, so it’s important you feel comfortable opening up to them. You can assess their previous cases to judge their exact experience. After all of your consultations make an informed decision.

Scrutinize Advertisements

You’ll discover lawyers in internet and newspaper advertisements, as well. However, don’t be swayed by misleading advertising with exaggerated claims. Advertisements can make it easier to find a medical malpractice lawyer if you’re struggling to get referrals. Nonetheless, you’ll have to use vigilant judgment to select the right person.

Lawyers you find online will specify their specialty. Therefore, you can easily find a lawyer who is well suited to your case. Another important consideration is how much they charge in fees. A simple search will indicate who you can afford. If you’re lacking money to invest in a suitable lawyer, you can seek a private loan from Val-Chris Investments. Lawyers are transparent with their fees online. Moreover, usually a group of attorneys share a website. Therefore, you’ll have a pool to choose from.

Peruse Public Interest Groups

Public interest groups aren’t interested in making profit. They are, however, committed to providing a useful public service. They’re usually concerned with the greater good. Many have an invested interest in justice and human rights. You’ll find groups like these by contacting a bar association or agency.

Check Out Client-Lawyer Matching Services

These are great websites which match your individual requirements to specific lawyers. Simply post your details online and explain your case. Then, the service will find the right lawyer for you. Lawyers can bid on your case and offer a consultation. Eventually you can choose the lawyer who can best represent your case.

The post How to Select a Reliable Medical Malpractice Lawyer appeared first on Business Opportunities.

source http://www.business-opportunities.biz/2018/02/26/select-reliable-medical-malpractice-lawyer/

What to Do if You Live Where Taxes Hit You Hard in the Wallet

Every government on the planet is expected to serve the needs of its citizens. Therefore, governments expect their citizens to pay taxes.

In this respect, Americans are no different from citizens of any other country. In other words, we all have to pay our fair share in taxes. Additionally, when you’re trying to run a small business, you need to be particularly careful about how you report your business income and expenses as they relate to your taxes. This is true regardless of where you live.

Tax Disparities in the United States

Almost everyone who has an income has to file income taxes, even if they don’t end up owing anything. There are some states in the US where people don’t have to pay personal income tax. (Looking at you, Washington, Florida, Texas, and a few other places.) The people who live in those states might have to do a little less work come tax time. However, those states still have to raise revenue somehow. And the money, for the most part, comes out of citizens’ pocketbooks.

Some states have a high tax burden when you combine state and local taxes. Additionally, tax rates hit citizens of different locales differently due to disparities in the cost of living.

For example, a locale might have high property taxes but no state income tax. Conversely, a state might have a high sales tax but low property taxes. There’s a lot to consider, generally speaking.

To take things a step further, states on both the eastern and western seaboards of the US, such as New York, Connecticut, and California, tend to have higher tax burdens. If you live in one of those states, you’re probably paying special attention to the way recently passed tax laws are being implemented. So are your state leaders.

SALT Deductions

One major sticking point in the tax bill that passed into US law in late 2017 was SALT deductions. SALT stands for “state and local taxes.” The bill that the President signed into law limits those deductions to $10,000.

That might sound like a lot. However, in some areas of the country, it’s really not. This is especially true if you live where the housing market is soaring and you have a really expensive mortgage. For example, if your mortgage is a million dollars you could cross that $10,000 mark without blinking.

New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut have announced plans to sue the Federal Government over the new tax bill. However, it’s unclear if the suit will really get anywhere. State legislatures are also looking for laws they can pass to help alleviate some of the tax pain their residents might be feeling this year.

What Happens Next

The lawsuits will work their way through the courts system. However, it’s probably best to count on the tax bill remaining on the books for now. Therefore, it’s time for you to think about your strategy.

If you’re in New York, it’s a good idea to look into hiring a New York tax attorney. Dealing with tax matters is literally their job. Therefore, if you’re confused about something, they can explain it to you. If you’re worried about a higher tax burden, a tax attorney may be able to help you look at deductions you didn’t realize you qualified for.

For instance, you can deduct certain medical expenses from your taxes. To take only one example, if in 2017 you started using a CPAP machine to treat your sleep apnea, ask your tax attorney if that machine is deductible. It’s less likely that accessories like a CPAP cleaner will also be deductible, but it never hurts to ask.

To put it bluntly, you can sit around and worry about the tax law’s effects on you. Or you can start asking for expert help. The latter will give you a better plan and more peace of mind.

The post What to Do if You Live Where Taxes Hit You Hard in the Wallet appeared first on Business Opportunities.

source http://www.business-opportunities.biz/2018/02/26/taxes/

The Importance of Great Packaging for Your Internet Sales

In a world of rising internet business, most products are shipped to consumers. And whether you want to believe it or not, great packaging is a must for your e-commerce store.

Even the products that aren’t shipped, the ones displayed in stores, now need to seem more attractive than the cheaper thing on Amazon. In other words, in order to stand out and sell, in-store products increasingly need to be more appealing.

It’s even more important for shipped products to be appealing. After all, they’re the only tangible interaction your e-commerce store has with a customer. Instead of dealing with a smiling sales rep who treated them right, all they did was click and pay. You need to make your customers feel valued. Therefore, you need to find ways to pamper them. And when you’re an e-commerce entrepreneur, you have to do that pampering with great packaging.

Packaging is your first and only in-person impression. If you want to acquire regular customers, that impression must be a good one.

Great Packaging Will Sell Your Product

Every year, 95% of new products fail. The main reason is that customers don’t have time to research new products. They hurriedly ask themselves, “Is this really better? How should I know?” In the end, they go with a product they already know.

If nothing about your product grabs their attention and catches their eye, they’ll pass it by. In short, your product won’t sell.

However, great packaging is its own advertisement. If your packaging design is unique, people will start to recognize it.

Then, too, people are also naturally drawn to attractive objects. If your product is visually pleasing, people will be more excited to buy it. Good packaging also spells quality. Most people are willing to pay a little extra for a higher quality product.

One last thing to consider when designing your packaging: go eco-friendly. More and more people base their buying decisions on this final feature. Therefore, it will be worth it to you in the long run.

Great Packaging Needn’t Be Expensive

Great packaging will cost more than a plain brown box. However, it will be worth it in the end.

On the other hand, great packaging doesn’t have to be expensive. There are plenty of ways to take a plain, inexpensive design and make it look chic.

The truly important thing, however, as you make the financial investment towards great packaging, is to make sure that your packing looks amazing. It has to somehow capture the feel of your product. Just by looking at your packaging, a customer should be able to tell the style and quality of your product.

Additionally, your packaging should be at home with the product itself. In order to design the best looking packaging for your product, try to glean some inspiration from some of the best package designs online. This will give you a better sense of what aesthetic to go for.

Whatever you choose, a great packaging design will pay off in the long run. So don’t let your e-commerce business fail. Run with great packaging that’s both bold and beautiful.

The post The Importance of Great Packaging for Your Internet Sales appeared first on Business Opportunities.

source http://www.business-opportunities.biz/2018/02/26/great-packaging-internet-sales/

5 Tips for Growing Your Accounting Firm in 2018

There’s no question that the accounting industry is changing pretty rapidly in today’s business climate. As these changes unfold, some accounting firms are thriving and others are dropping by the wayside. If you want to ensure that your accounting firm continues to grow in the midst of change, you need to come up with a strategy for scaling.

5 Tips to Help You Grow

While it’s never easy to grow a business in a competitive industry, there’s a pretty clear formula for scaling an accounting firm in today’s landscape. Keep the following advice in mind and you won’t have any trouble with growth.

RELATED ARTICLE: 5 BUSINESS GROWTH STRATEGIES

1. Provide a Stellar Client Experience

With so many different accounting firms to choose from, clients have the luxury of being picky. In order to increase your chances of landing big accounts, place a bigger emphasis on providing a stellar client experience.

“An essential part of good client experience is providing your clients with peace of mind. And knowing that their financial data is safe and sound contributes substantially to that peace,” says Isobel Moulder of The Receipt Bank, a leader in bookkeeping automation. “In 2018, investing in trusted security software can and will be a key differentiator for your firm, so you should begin researching your options. Mimecast and Symantec are good places to start.”

It’s also important to provide one-on-one attention. In a world where other businesses are prioritizing personalization, connecting with clients goes a long way towards making them feel special.

2. Price Services up Front

It’s always smart to price services up front. Not only does this take some of the guesswork out for clients, but it helps you understand if you’re meeting your own internal goals.

“Price based on outcomes and value, and manage costs by targeting an average hourly rate,” consultant Shannon Vincent suggests. “One of the first things you need to be doing is looking at your average hourly charge rate by client. Why is it that you can get $70 an hour on some jobs and $300 an hour on others?”

3. Never Stop Recruiting

Most businesses view recruiting as something they do when a position becomes open in the firm. However, you should be recruiting on a perpetual basis. That’s because you never know when someone is going to switch firms or take a leave of absence. It’s also possible that your firm will scale and you’ll need to hire new people to satisfy this growth. Therefore, if you wait to recruit people, you’ll end up with a very limited supply of candidates.

4. Start Specializing Your Services

Is your accounting firm trying to do a little bit of everything? If you’re offering tax prep, auditing, bookkeeping, advisory services, and every other service under the sun, you’re doing too much. Not only are you spreading your resources thin, but you’re also watering down your value. Clients would much rather know you specialize in one or two services than get average results with everything.

5. Launch a Social Media Strategy

Are you using social media to market your firm? If not, now’s a great time to launch a strategy and connect with people in a personal way. Specifically, you should be using it to disseminate relevant, timely content.

As marketing expert Becca Fieler points out, “Social media users show a distinct preference for hyper-relevant, in-the-moment content over regurgitated updates or retrospective posts. In addition, most social media newsfeed algorithms now prioritize posts based on a degree of perceived relevance, rather than based on the time of publication.”

Say Goodbye to the Status Quo

It’s time to stop limping along and pretending that your business is doing fine. If you aren’t evolving with the industry, your accounting firm is going to find it difficult to remain competitive in the coming years. Do yourself a favor and say goodbye to the status quo. There’s a bright future ahead for those willing to reach out and seize it.

The post 5 Tips for Growing Your Accounting Firm in 2018 appeared first on Business Opportunities.

source http://www.business-opportunities.biz/2018/02/26/growing-accounting-firm/

What Is the WordPress 503 Error and How Does One Fix It?

Don’t you just love WordPress? We do, too. However, like many of us, you have probably fallen victim to WordPress errors at one or another, maybe even the WordPress 503 error.

Well, we have gotten that error, too. And it took us quite some time to figure out the solution to the problem. But, hey, cut us some slack. Because back then Internet wasn’t so easy.

Anyway, now we can offer you some of the most common reasons why the WordPress 503 error happens. Plus, we’ll give you some ways to fix it.

Worry not; you don’t need a PhD in rocket science to nail the WordPress 503 error into its coffin!

What Is the WordPress 503 Error?

Before you can solve a problem, you need to know what caused the problem in the first place, right?

So yeah, let’s understand this error right now.

The most common reason the issue occurs is because of server resources. Most servers, especially shared ones, have limited resources dedicated specifically to any one website.

So the slightest hike in traffic or usage can cause the WordPress 503 error.

On the other hand, do you have any known enemies? If someone doesn’t like you, they could initiate a DDoS attack on your site. This means that multiple compromised computer systems target you, causing a flood of incoming messages and pings that use up your server’s resources. This can result in a DDoS, which stands for “distributed denial-of-service.” If this happens, you’ll likely get a WordPress 503 error.

These cases are always temporary. Once the attack stops or traffic plummets, your site will come back up. At that point, you should definitely change and/or upgrade your server.

A Troublesome Plugin Can Cause the WordPress 503 Error

On the other hand, the issue could lie with either your plugins or your theme. These are just codes, after all, and codes can get quirky at times. When they do, you’ll need to fix them on your end if you wish to be rid of the problem for good.

Fortunately, it’s easy to pinpoint the cause in the case of plugins. What I mean by this is that WordPress will tell you if one of your plugins is causing the error. You can even identify the exact plugin that’s causing the error, as a matter of fact.

WordPress error 2

How to Fix the Error If It’s a Plugin Issue

If you think that one of your plugins is the root cause of your troubles, simply disable all of your WordPress plugins. I can hear you protesting now: “Wait! How can I do that? Isn’t my WordPress admin panel showing that error? So how will I be able to log in?”

Not to worry. Just go to your Cpanel and disable all your plugins from there.

Here’s how to do that:

Log in to your hosting server (or use an FTP client).
Go to the directory where you’ve installed WordPress.
Navigate to Wpcontent.
Within Wpcontent, look for a folder called “plugins” and rename it something else. Anything else. Just rename it. The thing is, once you rename it, your WordPress installation can’t communicate with the folder, and thereafter the plugins will be disabled.

WordPress 503 error 3

Next, create another folder named “plugins,” but leave it empty for now. This just lets WordPress know there’s a plugins folder present.
Now, refresh your site. If your site works again after your refresh, you’ll know that one or more of your plugins was the source of the problem.
Delete the new folder you created and left empty.
Rename the actual plugins folder back to “plugins.”

All your previous plugins will now come back to life. However, they will still in reality be deactivated. And because they are, your site will work. So now, you’ll need to log back in to your site and reactivate each of your plugins. In the process, you’ll be able to identify the plugin that’s been causing your problems.

That’s because eventually, you’ll encounter the troublesome plugin that caused the WordPress 503 error in the first place. You’ll know because after you reactivate it, you will again get the WordPress 503 error. Since you’ll now know that that’s the plugin that’s causing the issue, delete it. Your site should be trouble-free after that.

Or It Could Be a Theme Issue

If going through the above-described plugins process doesn’t solve your problems, your theme might be causing the error. Because only one theme can be active at any given time, the one you’re using is clearly the culprit, right?

Well, here’s what you need to do: Delete that theme. Yeah, it’s that simple. I get it, though. Because of the WordPress 503 error, you still can’t log in to your WordPress site, so you can’t do it from there.

So we’ll take the road less traveled once again:

Log in to your Cpanel or use an FTP client.
Navigate to Wpcontent > themes.

WordPress 503 error 4

Now, delete the folder where your theme resides, and you’re done. Simply select the folder and hit the delete button on your keyboard. That should do the trick.

In most instances, your theme automatically defaults back to “Twenty Twelve” or any other default WordPress theme that you’ve got stored on your server.

If you’ve deleted your default themes, however, you might need to download a theme separately. Upload it manually to the themes folder.

If that didn’t solve your problem, worry not. There’s still hope for you.

First, check out these detailed solutions by 000webhost. They have left no stone unturned.

If All Else Fails, Talk to Your Hosting Provider

If you’re still searching for a solution and nothing else has worked, you’ll need to talk to your hosting company.

Let them know the issue you’re facing. Also tell them that you’ve already tried the possible fixes described here but they didn’t work for you.

Let me say this straight out: Hosting companies aren’t responsible for fixing these kinds of issues, and they might not help you unless they really want to.

On the other hand, most established hosting companies such as Bluehost or Hostgator do fix minor issues such as WordPress 503 errors. After all, they’re experienced with these kinds of things, and it doesn’t take them a lot of time to fix them.

WordPress 503 error 5

Final Words

We hope the solutions described here have solved your WordPress 503 error issues. We’ve tried to include as many ways as we’ve used, known, or heard of. There are still other ways to solve this problem, but the solutions described here are the most common and the simplest.

If you know of other ways to fix the WordPress 503 error, let us know on our social media profiles.

Finally, keep in mind that if you go with a good hosting provider, most WordPress issues can be solved from their end and you won’t have to worry about them.

The post What Is the WordPress 503 Error and How Does One Fix It? appeared first on Business Opportunities.

source http://www.business-opportunities.biz/2018/02/26/fix-wordpress-503-error/

How to Improve Customer Payment So Your Business Can Thrive

Running a business is about making money. That’s why customer payment is so important.

Sure, there are other things about entrepreneurship that can bring us satisfaction. However, if we don’t pay the bills and we don’t go home with a paycheck (and provide one to every employee), we won’t be around too long.

One of the biggest obstructions to business profitability is the timely collection of accounts receivable. Companies that are primarily in the business of doing something else may not devote enough resources to collecting customer payment. The owners might even feel they can’t really afford to spend the time or money on these activities.

What’s more, when the business is small or new, it can be risky to pressure customers too hard for payment. They might simply leave the account unpaid and take their business elsewhere.

Yet you still have to pay your bills on time. What’s the solution?

Many companies have chosen a service that assists them with customer payment. Rather than housing the billing in the company and directly contacting customers for payment, the company turns over invoices to a specialized firm that does nothing but handle payments. In exchange, this firm takes a small percentage of the invoice total.

This has proven to be very effective for trucking firms. Trucking companies have constant expenses for fuel and repairs. These expenses come due whether the load that generated them has been paid for or not. TBS Factoring handles many such accounts. This lets the trucking company—often a single truck owned by its driver—stay on the road while TBS handles the bills.

Apart from the labor savings, this process is very effective for several reasons.

Separation from the Customer

It can be very uncomfortable to badger a neighbor or friend about an unpaid invoice. Factoring takes the process out of local hands. Instead, it goes through an out-of-town firm. This keeps the interactions businesslike. Therefore, the process doesn’t seem quite so personal. Companies are able to eliminate those awkward times and still pay their bills.

Some Room to Stretch

Factoring companies pay you whether the invoice is paid or not. Consequently, any issues with collections are up to them, not you. They can stretch things a little bit so that they can pay you. And you can get on with your work. In the meantime, they go to work with second notices, phone calls, and even collection efforts if necessary. All of this takes place outside your four walls with no visible impact for you.

Better Technology

It’s easier than ever for companies to do invoices efficiently in-house. However, it is even easier to pass the work of customer payment along to a factoring company. Because they specialize, they’ll be up to speed on whatever new software and processes come along to help expedite payment.

Perhaps you have a one-person (or even part-time) billing department who takes months to get proficient on new software. How much better would it be, then, to have an experienced team that is quick and efficient? What’s more, they will have the most effective tools available.

Of course, factoring is just one option for getting invoices paid in a timelier fashion. Businesses can also take some other routes. For example, you could require prepayment for goods or services. Or you could add credit card payments. Additionally, you could set up automatic payments through the customer’s bank account.

Whatever option for customer payment your business chooses, make sure that it’s one that will provide the revenue your business needs to stay healthy and grow. Whether you’re hauling a load of toys or doing plumbing, you have to have on-time and accurate customer payment.

The post How to Improve Customer Payment So Your Business Can Thrive appeared first on Business Opportunities.

source http://www.business-opportunities.biz/2018/02/26/improve-customer-payment/

Getting Results: Why Online Learning Works Across Multiple Industries

Many people think that education ends as soon as they’ve graduated from school. However, nothing could be further from the truth. If you want to stay ahead of the curve in our mercilessly competitive world, you need to continuously seek new knowledge and refine your craft. As it so happens, modern technology offers plenty of opportunities for expanding your horizons. That’s one of the many reasons why online learning has become so popular. Read on for more.

1. Online Learning Allows for Flexibility and Independence

Being able to take online classes from the comfort of your home is a game changer. All of a sudden, you don’t have to be physically present in a certain area in order to further your education.

With online learning, your physical presence is not needed at all. You can set your own hours and watch as much or as little of the course content as you see fit. If you happen to miss something the first time around, just rewind the video and watch it again.

2. It’s Suitable for Different Learning Styles

Perhaps you’ve already heard that most people learn best through visual aids. A smaller number of people are auditory learners, meaning they prefer listening to an explanation. Still others are kinesthetic learners, having a preference for hands-on learning through movement.

Of course, if you’re taking a video course, you won’t get a live response in real time from the instructor, since the video is prerecorded material. However, most instructors are available to answer questions via comments. In any case, the majority of online courses will cater to most learning styles. That’s because they tend to contain a wide variety of materials, including video footage, graphs, charts, podcasts, illustrations, and so on.

3. If the Market Demands It, There’s Probably a Course on the Subject

The dynamic nature of the online learning marketplace adapts to what people want to see. If enough of them express a desire to gain an education on a certain topic, chances are that someone is going to create the course. Additionally, gaining an education through online courses tends to be cheaper than attending college.

4. It’s A Good Way to Get the Certifications You Need

If you learn from an officially approved provider, you can even get certified online. If you’re looking for employment in certain industries, you stand a higher chance of succeeding if you can present a suitable certificate. Some examples of certificates of this nature include CISCO for network experts, Cambridge English Proficiency certificate for translators, and so forth.

5. Schools Love It and So Do Students

Traditional schools are slowly starting to gravitate toward online learning platforms. Everyone seems to love it. At any time, students can enjoy a clear overview of the lectures and what they need to do. Teachers can effectively distribute homework and other types of assignments. Platforms like Moodle offer plenty of ways to communicate with parents using technology. Parents love the transparency, because they can always check to see how their kids are doing in school.

Conclusion

Online learning platforms are the new way of getting an education. Anyone can enjoy them, regardless of their physical location, their preferred smart device, or age. The only thing left to do is to be willing to put in the time and a little bit of work. Are you excited to learn a new skill that could get you further in life? Online learning could be exactly what you’re looking for.

The post Getting Results: Why Online Learning Works Across Multiple Industries appeared first on Business Opportunities.

source http://www.business-opportunities.biz/2018/02/26/getting-results-online-learning-works/

5 Tips for Getting the Best Deal on a Car Title Loan

Are you investigating ways to raise capital to start or expand your business? One of the options you might want to consider is a car title loan.

You probably already know how difficult it can be to access the kind of funding you need. Multiple obstacles stand in your way. What’s more, if you’re able to raise capital, it can turn out to be costly for you. Or, the terms could be unfavorable when you’re paying the money back.

So you might want to consider applying for a car title loan. If you do, make sure the lender is licensed to operate in your region. You want to avoid third-party liabilities. Regulations vary from region to region, so do your homework before you apply. Make sure your lender is registered in your region to give you a loan using your car as collateral.

Some car title loan services are available in physical offices and others can be found online. One of the benefits of this type of loan is that the process is not demanding. This makes this type of loan a favorite among many borrowers.

To put it simply, a car title loan is a secured loan that uses your car title as the security for the loan. What this means is that you hand over your car ownership on a temporary basis until you have fully paid the loan.

But how do you ensure that you have the best deal on a car title loan? Below are 5 useful tips to keep in mind.

1. Investigate the Lender’s Payment Options

Know about the lender’s repayment options even before you make an application for a car title loan. Be conversant with your repayment options well ahead of time. Most importantly, verify the number of weeks or months you’ll have for repaying your car title loan.

2. Ask Whether There Are Penalties for Prepayment

As you check through the repayment terms, familiarize yourself with the terms that for early repayments. Some companies might charge you for an early repayment. In other words, they might charge you a penalty or a predetermined fee if you pay off your loan early. For this reason, check whether such a penalty will apply in your case.

3. Consider the Application Process

Some applications for a car title loan are long and tedious. At the end of the day, it will have cost you your precious time. As a business owner, you well know that this quickly translate to money.

Therefore, find out whether there is an online application process for your loan. A streamlined loan application process, especially one that is online, will be a better deal for you. That’s because it will certainly be more convenient and probably faster as well.

4. Confirm Whether You Will Be Driving the Car

Some lending organizations may choose to keep your car until you have paid off the loan. However, others will allow you to keep your car. Those that do might require you to meet with them from time to time. Alternatively, they might install a tracking device in your car so they can track your movements in it.

5. Make Sure Your Vehicle Is in Good Condition

Getting a good deal on a car title loan should be your number-one objective. One of the best ways to do that is to keep your car in good shape. That’s because the amount of money that you will be able to borrow will be based on the market value of your vehicle. The market value is calculated based on your car’s year of manufacture, its mileage, the model, and its general condition.

Do Your Homework to Get a Good Deal

You’ll need to do your research in order to get a great deal on a car title loan. However, there is a lot of information out there, and all you have to do is dig a little to find out what you need to know. Hopefully, these 5 tips have pointed you in the right direction.

The post 5 Tips for Getting the Best Deal on a Car Title Loan appeared first on Business Opportunities.

source http://www.business-opportunities.biz/2018/02/26/tips-best-deal-car-title-loan/

Why You Should Create Content That Answers Readers’ Questions

Whether you’re writing a post for your blog or creating content for a new marketing brochure, it pays to answer your readers’ questions.

Most business writing falls into the category of expository writing. In other words, whatever you’re writing centers on a main idea. Furthermore, within the piece you’ll include data and reasoning that support your main idea. Finally, you’ll wrap it up with a conclusion that summarizes your main point.

For example, if you’re writing a business letter to a vendor, your main idea could be that you want this vendor to give you better prices. You’ll include data about what you’ve paid in the past and how often and how much you have purchased from them. You might write a sentence or two about current rates for similar products from other vendors.

You might try to anticipate any of the vendor’s possible objections to your request. Then you would address those possible objections in your letter as well.

If you’re not a good writer yourself, you might hire a writer to write the letter for you. However, even if you hire someone, you’re going to want to know what to ask for and how to evaluate any writing you pay to have done.

Here, we discuss the basic questions readers will ask as they read your brochures, your blog posts, or your business letters.

RELATED ARTICLE: HOW TO START AN ESSAY WRITING BUSINESS

“What?”

“What?” is the first of your readers’ questions that you need to answer in any writing.

This is pretty straightforward and self-explanatory. What are you writing about? You need to answer this question within the very first paragraph. Moreover, in most business writing, you need to be succinct. That is, the answer to this question should not take up much more than a third of the piece, whatever it is.

“How?”

Next, you’ll want to answer the question, “How?” In this section, you’ll bring in any counterarguments, again keeping your writing brief. Be careful not to overemphasize this section, as you don’t want to muddy the main point you’re trying to make.

“Why?”

Finally, your blog post, brochure or letter needs to answer the question, “Why?” In our initial example of the business letter to your vendor, the reason why you’re writing may well be implicit. However, if you feel the need, you might expand on your reasons for asking for a price cut. Perhaps you have been this vendor’s customer for several years and have ordered thousands of dollars’ worth of product from them. As you point that out in your letter, you strengthen your argument for why they should now give you a break on pricing.

On the other hand, if you should neglect to answer this question, you’ll only leave your readers scratching their heads. And if you leave them confused, you might as well not have bothered to write at all.

Conclusion

Whatever you’re writing for your business—or paying to have written—needs to be effective. And in order to be effective, it must answer your readers’ questions: what, how, and why.

The post Why You Should Create Content That Answers Readers’ Questions appeared first on Business Opportunities.

source http://www.business-opportunities.biz/2018/02/26/content-answers-readers-questions/

Sunday, 25 February 2018

How to Choose an Online Forex Broker That Suits Your Needs

Are you considering trading on the foreign exchange markets, also referred to as the forex market? If so, you’ll need an online forex broker. What’s more, you’re going to want to choose a forex broker that is right for you.

These days, there are multiple forex trading websites to choose from. However, not all online forex brokers are created equal. Therefore, it is important for you to choose the best forex trading website for your needs. You’ll want one that’s safe. Moreover, you’ll want one that specifically suits your online trading needs.

Here are the critical factors to look for before you entrust your money to an online forex broker.

1. Is the Broker Properly Regulated?

Choose a forex broker whose trading website is properly regulated. Mainly, your forex broker needs to have enough capital to cover possible trading losses.

Additionally, your broker should keep clients’ funds safe in segregated accounts. Moreover, you need a trading platform that maintains fair dealing practices. This ensures that your broker executes your forex trading deals only at recommended market rates.

Therefore, choose a regulated online broker who keeps a clean trading record.

2. Will Your Data Be Secure?

Your online forex broker will require you to transmit a great deal of personal information and financial data when you open an account. For example, most brokers will ask for copies of your passport, your bank statements and sometimes even your utility bills.

If you happen to choose a broker who is not careful with internet security, you could risk identity theft and worse. So choose a trader who puts the safety of your data first. Don’t risk falling prey to online hackers and thieves.

Therefore, look for a broker who employs internet security and makes use of SSL encryption. This will help to ensure that the information you share is not intercepted by third parties.

Two-step authentication is another important security measure a reliable broker should use. This makes it harder for third parties to hack into your account. This is because the two-step authentication requires the account holder to use more than just a username and password to access an account. Most of the time, a randomly generated code is also required to access the account.

Additionally, check the forex trading website’s privacy policy. Ensure that they guarantee to keep the data they collect private and that it can’t be sold to third parties.

3. How Much Will Transactions Cost?

Regardless of the kind of forex trader you are, you will always be subject to trading costs. For every trade you enter, your broker will charge you either the spread or a commission. Therefore, it is important for you to find the most affordable online platform.

You need to also ensure that you understand whether your type of trades require tight spreads. Also, look at the options that are available for your trades. Aim for striking a good balance between affordable transaction costs and online trading security.

4. What Are the Broker’s Terms for Withdrawing and Depositing?

The best forex trading websites ensure that you enjoy a hustle-free deposit and withdrawal process. There is no reason for a forex broker to make it difficult for you to use your account. Your broker is responsible only for the amount you make available for trading. Therefore, you should be able to withdraw profits whenever you want to.

5. Is the Trading Platform Easy to Use?

Your broker’s trading platform needs to be stable and user-friendly at all times.

For this reason, always check to see what a forex broker’s trading platform offers before you select one. Some of the features to check for include free news feeds, easy-to-use chatting and technical tools. You’ll also want easily available information to aid you in your trading.

6. What About Customer Service?

You need to choose a forex trading website that offers around-the-clock customer support. This makes it possible for you to get help in case you encounter a problem while trading.

Additionally, you’ll want a competent broker who can assist you with support issues. This is every bit as important as how they perform when executing trades.

Most brokers will be kind and helpful when you are opening an account. However, many have terrible customer service after that moment has passed. Therefore, check other customers’ service reviews before choosing a trading website.

Finally

The forex markets can be lucrative, if challenging. However, make sure to choose the right broker. Only in this way will you be able to be successful in the forex market.

The post How to Choose an Online Forex Broker That Suits Your Needs appeared first on Business Opportunities.

source http://www.business-opportunities.biz/2018/02/25/choose-online-forex-broker/

Tuesday, 20 February 2018

Improve Your Business Leadership Skills for Greater Success

Almost every successful joint effort throughout history has been spearheaded by the actions of a leader. It stands to reason that you should develop your business leadership skills. Only in this way can you expect to lead your company to success.

Strong armies conquer new terrain. Skilled sports teams achieve domestic and international superiority. In each case, the importance of at least one true leader has always been a prerequisite to success. In any successful business, the same rule applies. Whether you are an established CEO or you have aspirations to lead your own company, the ability to lead will help you achieve your vision.

Have a Clear and Expert Understanding of Your Field

Remember that even a genius asks questions. You should never stop learning. These days, things have a tendency to change very quickly. What’s more, a booming technology dictates how we approach business and our concerns. Therefore, there is simply no room for anyone who chooses not to grow.

Don’t be left behind. Keep up to date with as much as you can. And get as many ideas from your peers as possible. For example, study top financial blogs daily. Try to identify the trends among your competition.

Lead by Example at All Times

Remember that business leadership begins at the bottom. In other words, some of your newest staff members will have designs on your job. If you have established a culture in your business where professionalism is expected, ensure that you are the one who shows how it is done.

Dress the way you want your staff to dress. Speak as you would like your managers or supervisors to speak. Additionally, encourage others to follow your time keeping, communication and relationship management skills. Also encourage your marketing team to emphasize your digital presence.

Always Be a Presence, Even in Your Absence

Being distant and operating from behind closed doors might work for some bosses. However, there is nothing more appealing to workers than a present, relatable superior with strong business leadership skills. Of course, board meetings, functions, and visits to other sites or areas are essential. All the same, ensure that you make time to spend with your staff.

Make it a priority to visit the office as often as you can. Ensure that you have a desk that is positioned to be visible to your workers. This means that you will be in their minds even when you are not around. Circulate an email every once in a while to address key issues or commendations to your staff. When you do, remind them that you are always in the loop. Improper leadership can seriously affect your business’s chances of success.

Make Frequent Meetings with Staff Members a Priority

Getting everyone together and keeping them updated on company progress helps to establish trust. Additionally, it contributes to your staff’s level of bonding with you and among themselves. Encourage your employees to voice concerns within the group. Ensure that you tailor your answers to their concerns. Make sure that each person feels their needs have been addressed.

Your staff will respond well when you do this. They will be happy to work for a leader who is genuinely interested in how things are going on the front lines. Your staff will labor tirelessly for a boss who shows them clear direction. They will support a captain who steers the ship to dry land in every crisis.

Additionally, recognize performers on your staff for their accomplishments. On the other hand, deal with lazy, rogue, or careless employees appropriately.

Assert Your Company Ethos and Brand in Practice

You have a way of doing things. What’s more, you expect everyone else to do the same as an expression of your company’s brand. Remind your staff of your company’s key values. Further, incorporate those values into the company’s environment.

Let each and every individual member of your workforce know what you require of them. Further, be as realistic as possible with your expectations.

Communicate your values visually. Visual aids, stationery and motivating photos can help. However, the most effective way to communicate your expectations is the old-fashioned way. In other words, demonstrate good business leadership.

For example, is your company a benevolent and caring community business? Then look at sponsoring local charity events. Better yet, arrange for a volunteer day for you and a number of volunteers from your staff. You could clean up the playground at a local orphanage. Or perhaps repaint the exterior of a retirement home.

Good Leadership Breeds Strong Leaders

When you lead by example, your staff members will want to emulate you. Your company will only grow stronger. And it will be more successful as a result.

The post Improve Your Business Leadership Skills for Greater Success appeared first on Business Opportunities.

source http://www.business-opportunities.biz/2018/02/20/business-leadership-skills-success/