There was a time when just about every big brick and mortar retail store had their own store credit card. The stores would offer incentives for consumers to use their retail card. E-commerce has not only changed the way that people make their purchases — now mainly online instead of in the store — it is also changing how consumers finance the things they buy.

Some predictions erroneously believed that sites like Amazon are going to take over the world. Those predictions are starting to look less and less erroneous as e-commerce continues to overtake other retail options. It isn’t just that many big name stores are shutting their doors; it is also that retail credit cards no longer seem to have much of a place in the credit world.

Due to the deals that e-commerce sites like Amazon can offer consumers, cards like the Amazon Prime credit card are taking over the online credit shopping industry. Promotions like Prime Day on July 11th, where Amazon offered a 20% cashback bonus for using their credit card, are making consumers switch their credit decisions.

It used to be that you had only a handful of options across companies like MasterCard, Visa, Discover and American Express. Now even the primary cards are being overshadowed by the emerging use of e-commerce credit. With the debut of the Prime credit card just this past January, the card entitles users to no annual fees and cashback bonuses for purchases made at restaurants, gas stations, and drugstores, along with slightly smaller bonuses for all purchases made with the card.

So it isn’t just that consumers are ditching their retail store cards; it is likely that they will start to switch over to the Amazon card and shop on the site that offers anything you want in one place. Not only will brick and mortar retail stores be a thing of the past; also at risk are commercial cu cards online that might not be able to offer the same advantages for use.

The reason many people are foregoing their retail cards is because as more people shop online, the stores they are no longer shopping at are shutting down. That leaves the consumer miles away from their local store and having no real use for the store card. Many “co-branded” credit cards, which are retailer cards that carry a major credit card’s name and is issued by a major card company, are all but disappearing.

Major retail stores that used to be a staple in people’s lives like Macy’s, Sears, and JCPenney are shutting the majority of their stores down due to low sales and fewer in-store shoppers. The biggest problem is that as store cards continue to drop off, not only are the consumers failing to put money toward paying off their retailer card balance, but the interest rates on the cards continue to climb, putting the consumer in a financial hole.

Amazon isn’t the only player on the e-commerce field. Just this April, the Altitude Reserve Visa Infinite Card was unveiled as an alternative to traditional credit cards. It offers consumers as many as triple the points on their purchases when they use their “mobile wallet,” which includes using options like Samsung Pay, Apple, Microsoft Wallet or Android Pay. As this does away with physical cards altogether, many consumers find that it is a welcomed convenience. They no longer have to worry about carrying or misplacing their wallet; it is all stored and kept on their mobile device.

It is possible that many brick and mortar stores aren’t going to go down without a fight. Their response might be to increase their bonuses and to offer various incentives for using their retail card. To keep consumers from completely switching over, they might try to sweeten the pot to bring the consumer back.

Carrying just one balance or one credit card means that the consumer has a lower threshold to put themselves into financial trouble. If you only carry one card, then it becomes more difficult to go over your spending limit or to keep a whole bunch of revolving balances. Whether Amazon will take over the world or not remains to be seen, but what is apparent is that it has forever altered the way consumers both make and  finance their purchases.

Tracy Sippl, M.S., CCC-SLP, a teletherapy presenter, instructor, consultant, clinical manager and CF supervisor who works as the TerhaWeb Clinical Manager at Therapy Source joins Enterprise Radio.

Listen to host Eric Dye & guest Tracy Sippl discuss the following:

1. What exactly is telepractice/teletherapy, and what does it entail?
2. How does telepractice/teletherapy differ from face-to-face therapy?
3. What types of therapy can telepractice/teletherapy be utilized for?
4. What types of disorders typically benefit most from telepractice/teletherapy, and why?
5. As a longtime SLP online practitioner and Clinical Manager for Therapy Source, an organization that provides telepractice/teletherapy services to schools, what type of questions do you frequently receive from clients, therapists, and parents?

Tracy Sippl, M.S., CCC-SLP is a teletherapy presenter, instructor, consultant, clinical manager and CF supervisor who works as the TheraWeb Clinical Manager at Therapy Source.  She has created multiple teletherapy programs in the industry and is well-versed in everything from HIPPA Compliance for clients and therapists to utilizing web-based platforms to work with students remotely.  Ms. Sippl has worked both privately, inside school districts and as a Clinical Manager.  She got her BS and MS in Communicative Disorders from the University of Wisconsin and enjoys volunteering in her community.

Website: www.txsource.com

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Dr. Kristen Nielsen Donnelly the EVP at Abbey Research, a concierge research company, providing evidence based consulting for small businesses and non profits joins Enterprise Radio.

Listen to host Eric Dye & guest Dr. Kristen Nielsen Donnelly discuss the following:

• What, exactly, is “evidence based consulting”?
• Why is culture so important to organizations?
• Why do you think businesses need an outside expert to help evaluate their culture?
• What do you see as the biggest problem facing small businesses in the next five years?
• What should organizations do to respond to the #metoo movement?

Tip: Remember that your people are your business – if you don’t care about them, they won’t care for your customers. Investing in the emotional atmosphere is the most strategic choice you could make with direct impact on your KPIs. It’s hard, and messy, to invest in culture, but is necessary.

Dr. Kristen Nielsen Donnelly is the founder and EVP of Abbey Research, a concierge research firm which provides evidence based consulting to small businesses and non-profits. With over twenty years of experience in leadership, research, and teaching across the for profit, non profit, and academic sectors, Dr. Donnelly brings intersectional theories combined with pragmatic application to every interaction.

Raised outside of Philadelphia, she has a Masters of Social Work and a Masters of Divinity from Baylor University, and a PhD in Sociology from Queen’s University Belfast in Northern Ireland. Dr. Donnelly and her husband, John, currently live outside of Philadelphia where she also serves as COO of Abbey Research’s parent organization, Abbey Companies.

Website: www.abbey-research.com

Social Media Links:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/AbbeyResearch
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/abbeyresearch

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Becoming a landlord is not a decision to be taken lightly, but it is often one that many people enjoy once they have committed to it. What are the reasons that people become landlords? Could being a landlord be the ideal way to generate an income for you?

Unable To Sell

It is sometimes the case that landlords are created accidentally. This happens when someone wants to move home, but can’t sell their current property due to a poor property market for example. If the move is needed for work, to be near good schools, or for another urgent reason, then it could be that the best thing for that homeowner to do is to let their current home and use the income to move to another house. They are now landlords, even if they hadn’t planned to be. Later down the line they may need to sell the property, so it might be worth offering the lease on a short-term basis.

Pension Income 

Many people choose to become landlords to supplement their pension. They can use the income to run alongside their pension (or as an alternative to it) to give them a good amount of savings, and then, when the time is right, they can sell the property to boost their retirement fund substantially. If this is the reason, looking at long term net lease properties could be the best option for you, as everything is kept as simple as possible, and there won’t be too much work to do – after all, who wants to worry about their tenants when they are retired?

For The Children

Increasingly, thanks to a tricky housing market, people are purchasing properties for their children to live in. They will collect rent, as any landlord would, but the benefit is that they know their tenants, and they know they will look after the property. This is particularly useful if your child is studying at school in another part of the country. You can make sure they are living in a suitable place, and when they have graduated, you can either sell the property, or you can continue to rent it to someone else. This works well because, if you buy a house that is big enough, then it won’t just be your child living there; you will be able to collect rent from the other tenants too, and potentially make a substantial income.

As A Business 

People are looking for different ways to build a business that gives them flexibility but still allows them to live well. Property could be exactly how to do that. Start with one property, and then using the money made from that to buy another, and another. Only buy the number of properties that you can easily service, otherwise you could start to lose money, and if you need to sell a property then remember that this is your business; it’s not personal. You can have dozens, or even hundreds, of properties in your portfolio, and if you invest wisely in the right areas and the right properties, this can be a very clever way of making a lot of money. It does take time, though, so patience is essential, as much as it is a virtue, too.

SaveSave

For any business, especially those in retail, there are inevitably quieter times of the year when sales will slump. It can be for many reasons, such as bad weather, the economy or roadworks closing the street. Sometimes these things can cause an effect that can last long after the issues have been resolved. So, what do you do if you have a slump in your sales? Here are some ideas to build your profits back up again.

Celebrate a Special Day

When it comes to shoppers, they love to celebrate a holiday by looking for bargains. Not just the traditional holiday celebrations, but also anytime. If you want to get your shoppers into a spending mood, try cashing in on these other lesser known opportunities. If there is a national celebration day that is linked to your products such as national chocolate day, then have a party and invite your customers. Offer them discounts, and you will see your sales figures react positively.

Increase Your Advertising

Even though your profits are going down, you need to start spending more on your marketing. Newspaper, television, and magazines are great places to place an ad, particularly magazines related to your products. You can also take advantage of free advertising using social media, let people know that you are still around and tell them about some of your offers. Another way to spread the word is to have a leaflet drop near your store, post some in the local community and include money off voucher.

Encourage Feedback

Sometimes a fall in sales can occur for no obvious reason or at least none that you can identify. So, a good idea can be to encourage some feedback either on your social media or via a paid survey. You might see a pattern of answers that will give you some idea of the problems. It might be that your customers are waiting too long to be served, so you could speed things up by adding quicker and more secure point of sale systems or employing more staff. It could be that you have changed supplier and your customers don’t like the new products. Whatever the reason, it can be useful to ask the questions.

Rethink Your Stores

Sometimes, your customers might not understand what you are trying to sell. That can lead to people not being attracted into your stores to buy your products. Evaluate your products and the information you are displaying. Ask your customers what they think about your products and if they know what they do. Your customers won’t want anything if they don’t know exactly what it is, so tell them what it does, and why they need it.

The best way to try and avoid a dip in sales is to anticipate it if you know your street is going to close, or bad weather is coming, then increase your advertising to try and get more people through the doors. You may then be able to weather the drop before it gets too bad.

With the Takata airbag disaster, there are tons of cars on the market that still have outstanding recalls. Last year alone, over 50 million trucks and cars were recalled for one reason or another. That can be a huge hurdle for dealerships that are looking to sell cars. If a dealership sells a car with an open recall, they can be held liable, making the whole business a headache for many used car business owners.

The problem with recalls is that since they are being issued so quickly and the recall notice goes directly to whomever the car was originally sold to, tracking the outstanding ones sometimes can feel like finding a needle in a haystack. The good news is that there are new technological tools that may help your used car dealership find out which cars have open recalls, so that they can be repaired before a car is sold to a consumer who can hold you liable.

The new software is a much more reliable and hassle-free way of finding out which cars have trouble, and it can save your workers time from trying to research and stay on top of the latest recalls, and your dealership from being held liable for not catching a car with an open recall before it is sold.

Recall Masters and AutoAp are software providers that offer dealerships the ability to monitor all the recalls put into action and track their used car intake and inventory to ensure that any recalls are addressed immediately. Both vendors supply Surrey car dealerships with daily updates about which vehicles have been recalled and what to look for.

Carfax, a leading used car app popular with used car dealerships and buyers alike, also has recall services available. The only problem is that they only offer updates on a weekly basis. For a used car dealership that does high volume, or has a quick turnover rate, that can leave you with inventory waiting to be checked or being sent out for market before the recall has been fixed. The difference between AutoAp and Rapid Recon is that they deliver completely automated updates to the dealerships immediately, instead of waiting for the recalls to be provided through the federal government.

Many manufacturers will initiate a recall before the government issues the recall or the information to the general public, which is why having the immediate details delivered automatically is such an advantage to your used car dealership. If you get a popular car into your dealership, you want to move it in and out quickly, not have to wait a week to see if there are any recalls and then get to work fixing and selling it.

When it comes to selling a used car with an open recall, ignorance doesn’t negate liability, which is why getting daily updates becomes so important to protect your dealership. The small price that you have to pay to subscribe to the technology is well worth keeping your dealership from being vulnerable. Even if you sell a car in good faith without knowing that a recall has been issued, if there is an accident resulting from that defect, it is possible for the used car buyer to hold the dealership liable.

Many recalls can be fixed without any cost besides labor by your service department. Estimates are that the cars can usually be fixed for less than what it takes to wash the cars that are set for sale. Not buying the protection to know what recalls are out simply doesn’t make good economic sense. If you know that a car has an open recall, then the fix is typically easy, and you can quickly get the parts you need if you work closely with a good parts manufacturer.

It doesn’t make sense to leave your dealership vulnerable by not spending the money to ensure that the cars that you sell are safe to be out on the road. At best, if your dealership sells a car with an open recall you could hurt your standing and reputation in the community. At worst, you could be held liable for any damages, which can be a sizable amount.

PJ Taei, Founder of Uscreen, that was founded in 2015 after seeing a need for a simple yet powerful solution to help you sell videos online joins Enterprise Radio.

Listen to host Eric Dye & guest PJ Taei discuss the following:

1. How are businesses leveraging video on demand to add a new line of revenue to there businesses?
2. What type of content is primarily sold using Uscreen?
3. Is the platform easy to setup for even self starters?
4. Subscriptions seem like the primary way your customers are making money, why is that so?
5. How do your customers leverage the OTT branded apps?

My name is PJ. I am the founder of Uscreen, an easy to use video platform enabling video makers to monetize their video content.

I started Uscreen in 2015 after seeing a gap in the market for a video on demand platform. Over 1100 customers now use our platform including Zumba Fitness, Wanderlust TV, ToysRUs and various other enterprise brands, but 80% of Uscreen customers are actually small brands, that look to monetize content and build successful subscription services, sort of like building your own NetFlix. These brands include companies such as www.magicstream.com, http://learn.rachelreinert.com & www.totalimmersionacademy.com.

Uscreen is simple to use and its the go to platform for monetizing your video content.

Besides doing business I enjoy staying active, riding anything including motorcycles, cars & even bicycles. I am passionate about Technology and Business and I thrive on meeting other business owners and individuals within various industries whom seek similar interests.

I first started out in the tech industry 12 years ago as a MCSE & CCNA certified technician servicing switches, routers and servers within various organizations such as RHIC and UUNET which is now owned by Verizon. A few years later I stumbled upon an opportunity to start a web hosting company thanks to my brother doing freelance web design who gave me a head start with around 30 accounts. I recently sold WebNet Hosting in late 2016 to a Canadian corporation called Entirely Digital.

My goal is to build a platform that is used by content creators of all kinds, all over the world and to give something back as I go along this amazing journey.

Website: www.uscreen.tv

Social Media Links:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pjtaei
Twitter: https://twitter.com/uscreentv

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For most of us, buying a car as a single adult was based on a search for the brightest, sexiest machine on the market.  By the time we have placed our foot on the road to parenthood however, that zippy little sports car that went from 0 to 60 in five seconds, may not be the ideal carrier of our new precious cargo.

Preparing a list of key criteria is a great way to begin your move to a safe and suitable family car.

Loan Star

Few of us have the ready cash on hand to buy a car without some kind of financial assistance.  Loans through car yards can be expensive so look for affordable, established car loan providers, such as Latitude Finance, who offer the advantages of:

• Secured and unsecured loans
• Flexible payment periods
• Cheaper interest rates compared to the big banks

Safety smarts

One of the most important issues surrounding a family car is safety.  Safety features are not always obvious to the uninitiated when inspecting a prospective vehicle.  Fortunately independent companies such as ANCAP can offer valuable insights into the safety of a wide range of vehicles on the road today.

Vehicles are rated in a number of key areas including:

• Adult Occupant Protection (AOP)
• Child Occupant Protection (COP)
• Pedestrian Protection (PP)
• Safety Assist (SA)

Vehicles are scored through a rating system and their safety features outlined clearly.  The final star rating provides prospective buyers with a clear and concise way of appreciating the safety of the vehicle for both occupants and pedestrians.

Size Wise

The move to SUV’s by many parents, has been propelled in part by the ability to store large items such as prams, baby bags and fold-up cots easily in the sizeable boot.  They also provide a flexibility with many having the ability to remove or flatten rear seats.

Look for substantial interior space. Reverse facing seats require considerable room between the back and front seat.  Note how wide the doors open to make access to the baby capsule or seat, easier.

Easy access

A parent with bags of groceries under one arm and a baby under the other, needs a car which is easy to access – enter keyless entry.

Many vehicles now have foot activated lift gates which provide the capacity to open the boot simply by waving a foot under the rear bumper.  This marvellous technology has been a boon to parents everywhere.  Do your research and read online reviews as not all ‘kick open’ boot access operates to the same level.

Fit for purpose

Unless absolutely necessary, it is advisable to invest in a four door car or SUV, with a young family.  Access to minivans, trucks, utes and sports cars is usually limited and the safe installation of car seats make most of these vehicles inappropriate for carrying children.

In situations where a car only has a front seat, never use a rearward-facing baby seat when there is an airbag installed.  There is risk associated with the powerful release of the airbag causing fatal head and neck injuries in infants whose heads are immediately in line with the airbag.

Extra mile

While the above strictures have narrowed down the field somewhat, it still leaves a wide range of vehicle options to choose from.  Look for cars which carry extra features such:

• Rear reversing cameras as a safety precaution when baby gets bigger
• Parabolic mirrors to keep an eye on baby in rearward-facing position
• Air conditioning
• Adjustable speakers from rear to front to avoid loud music affecting baby’s hearing
• Window tinting with high UV protection

The new car market has evolved over the years to provide parents with a range of technological features which raise them to a new level of efficiency and safety.  Investing in a car which will carry your family through every stage of life and grow with them, is money well spent.

Digital security is a funny thing. For one, many people don’t take it seriously. This is because their computer or access point like a phone or tablet are locked safely in their homes. They equate physical safety with doing their best in protecting virtual data, when in reality their data is more valuable than they realize, and can be hacked even behind closed doors. This is even truer for companies. As a company, your data is your lifeblood. It is what keeps you going, because without that data, you don’t have the information needed to operate. In some cases, your entire company is built on data and digital products and services.

That is why you need to make your company’s security a priority. This mean improving, training, and implementing new tools to ensure your digital data is safe, backed up, and secured. To do that, follow this guide:

1. Have an Offline Backup 

Having offline backups can be expensive, depending on how much data you have, but they are worth it. Further, even small businesses can purchase 4TB hard drives for an affordable price, so backing up your whole system can be done, and should be done. That’s because, in the worst-case scenario that a hacker begins to delete your files or holds them for ransom, you haven’t lost anything. Not money, nor the information; you may even be able to keep a firm grasp on your reputation.

Note: The key here is offline – if your backup is online then it is vulnerable to cyber-attacks like the rest of your data.

2. Use the Best Safety Practices 

In the best-case scenario you never encounter a cyber-attack, and one of the ways you can help prevent this is to use the best practices for AWS security or whatever your cloud hosting system is. Follow these practices, and more importantly, ensure that everyone else in your company follows these practices. This means training each and every employee, so that they cannot jeopardize your data in ignorance.

3. Train Your Employees 

To be safe, you need to all uniformly work together towards that safety. Digital security should not be left up to the IT department alone. Instead, train all of your employees on how to recognize cyber-attacks in the form of phishing attacks or malware, and how to use the system so that it is as secure as it can be. Similarly, training your employees will ensure that a virus they have downloaded at home will not be uploaded through the cloud into your company’s data.

4. Use Stronger Authentication Methods

If there are two-or-more factor authentication methods, use them. The more loops a person must go through in order to log in, the harder it will be for a hacker to access your accounts.

5. Keep Programs Updated  

All programs, plugins, and data must be updated. Outdated programs have security holes that hackers can exploit to gain access to other areas of your computer or data.

Digital security should be every company’s priority. Being hacked or infected with malware or ransomware can be the end of your company. Never underestimate the power of your data. Protect it, and protect your company.

Sherimane Johnson the Owner & Baker of NaturallySweet Desserts with a mission to increase consumption of plant-based foods and empower customers to make healthy food choices joins Entrepreneurial Fit Radio.

Listen to host Eric Dye & guest Sherimane Johnson discuss the following:

1. Why did you start a vegan bakery?
2. What did you do before you started your business?
3. What are the challenges for artisan businesses like yours?
4. How are your vegan desserts different from your competitors?
5. I hear you have exciting news to share. Tell us about the Kensington StoreFront Challenge.

Sherimane Johnson is the owner/baker of NaturallySweet Desserts. Her mission is to increase consumption of plant-based foods and empower customers to make healthy food choices. Her method is delicious vegan desserts. NaturallySweet Desserts create delicious dairy-free (vegan), soy and GMO-free and low-glycemic artisan pastries made with locally sourced fruit, vegetables, and herbs.

Sherimane is a testament to the healing power of a plant-based diet having been diagnosed with Type II diabetes. After searching for alternatives to traditional pharmaceuticals, she discovered that her diabetes could be controlled by changing her diet to one that was non-meat and dairy free. Becoming vegan literally saved her life. Her goal now is to pay it forward by using her knowledge the healthy benefits of a plant-based diet. In addition, her desserts being 100% vegan, 100% delicious, they are also used as a teaching tool.

Websites:

www.naturallysweetdesserts.com
https://insomniavegan.com
https://ywevegan.com
https://soundcloud.com/ywevegan

Social Media Links:

https://www.facebook.com/naturalsweetsbaker
https://www.facebook.com/insomniavegan
http://twitter.com/veganndelicious

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As now the Florida foreclosure lands and properties continue to reach, different investors are seeing the Florida as a good location to invest in. So as anticipated Federal assistance to ease the property insurance burdens and Florida contemplating elimination of the tax on the property has led home buyers and dealers to focus their attention on Florida Foreclosures.

Every person need home to live and mostly people finds various places which are beautiful actually. Some kind of the market for foreclosure properties is very attractive and competition can also be as violent. Some kind of the internet is also proving to be a good and valuable source of information as like the investors and home buyers look for the updating.

Importance of Getting Interest in Florida Foreclosures

Several of these factors contributed to a complete building huge in the Florida during the starting few of the years and after the start of the new millennium. So the bubble burst with the different other country’s economy recession. So as high unemployment is resulting from the economic crunch resulted in lots of the home mortgage are going sour in the Florida as well as in the rest of the developed countries.

As declining the trend in the prices of the existing houses in the reason ample enough to encourage looking into Florida Foreclosures can be apple of the eye of the most astute of the home buyers. People who are thinking you had enjoyed living in the Florida or just to see the complete wisdom of owning Florida Real Estate as some kind of the investment.

Florida Foreclosures What Are the Best & Hot Properties

The bank will be typically putting the home back on the different market at the discounted prices and rates. Now the size of the different discount offer will depend to a large extent on the location and condition of the different homes. So as Florida Foreclosures affects lands and properties statewide so as defaults are also likely to occur in the upscale neighborhoods as they are poor ones.

Main thing is that first stop you should make in the search for Florida Foreclosures is the internet or as online. Various websites have also listed of the Florida Foreclosures classified by the city and even the different location codes so you can also easily get the foreclosure in the desired area or in the interested location.

How to Get Free Florida Foreclosures Schedule

Like the US economy just continues to struggle and Foreclosure rates in Florida continue to reach records highs with the higher homes filing for foreclosure in the past years. Homes, condos and the property of the all types across all of the Florida in the cities and counties like the Jacksonville, Ft Lauderdate etc. with the driving around we can get good locations and places for obtaining right place for us.

Such things are no doubt that the American real estate markets is still in some kind of the unstable state with the millions of the troubled homeowners on the brink of the foreclosure. The best way to browse free some of the Florida Foreclosure listings are to use one of the main three online places. Now the Florida Foreclosures which looks good on the papers and in the news.

Florida Foreclosures Law to Get the Cheap

People who get to find the Florida then should definitely get some acquainted with the Florida Foreclosure Law so let’s face it no one is like immune from the different risks of the foreclosure which is the need.

It doesn’t always take a fat bank balance to start a business. For businessmen like Ken Langone from Roslyn Heights, all it took was hard work and a keen understanding of what the customer wants. With that, he formed Home Depot, one of the most successful home renovation chains in the world. But for those who plan on being a little more mobile, it will require being savvier with cash to remain in business. For those who run a one-man show which is often the case with nomadic businesses, the personal and business finances are often intertwined. Discover some healthy finance tips for the traveling nomad.

Don’t Work for Free

The lure of traveling is often enough to get traveling nomad off their couch and into a plane, but this lifestyle needs to be sustainable. There are instances where accepting goods in exchange for services work; however, that can’t be the only source of income. Bloggers, journalists, traveling writers, photographers and others who find themselves jetting off to distant locations may find themselves in a financial pickle if the only form of payment is their accommodation.

Know Where to Go When Finance is Needed

As a traveling nomad, it might be a good idea to do some research on the banking options within the country that is visited, especially if the tenure of the project is more than just a few months. There will likely be differences in what is available to you depending on whether you’re based in Asia, Africa or Australasia. For example, when looking for a Loan Singapore based nomads might find a wide variety of financial products with favorable interest rates, but there may be less choice available in parts of Africa. There are many other online loan application options that nomads can try from their home countries as well. Sometimes a little bit of finance goes a long way, especially if it enables that digital nomad lifestyle to grow.

Learn to Save

As with any business, it’s important to realize that some months will be better than others. From seasonal projects to fluctuating budgets, it’s important for the nomad to stay on top of their cash flow. The incorrect use of cash flow kills one out of four businesses every year, which can be avoided if managed properly. A good way to ensure a consistent level of cash in the business is to save the surplus. This will allow a bit of a buffer during those quieter months. If there is no quiet period, the business can then make use of the reserve for better equipment or marketing. Owners who save in their personal capacities will be less of a burden on the business.

The importance of money management is not just important for corporates and those who operate from a fixed premises. Nomadic businesses also need that extra care and attention in order to remain relevant and healthy. Those who have their personal finances in order will also place less stress on the business.

It’s the something that happens every day, but never dreamt of happening to you. You’ve lost your wallet, and the second you realize it, you start to panic. How can you not? Your wallet not only contains cash but also a number of identification cards like driver’s license, credit cards, ATM cards, security cards, and more. You could be the next victim of an identity theft. But you have to resist the urge to panic at this very moment. Instead, you should wisely do the next moves in order to protect your identity.

Here are five tips for protecting your identity after losing your wallet.

1. Contact your Credit or Debit Card Company.

One of the most common forms of identity theft is credit card fraud. If your wallet goes missing, the first thing that you need to do is call the bank or financial institution that issued your credit/debit card. Thieves can do a lot of damage to your credit card in a short time. You can put on a fraud alert or credit freeze on your accounts so that any creditor will have to verify your identity before any credit is approved. It makes impossible for a thief to run a huge chunk of a bill on your behalf.

2.    Report the loss or theft to the local authorities.

It is important that you report the loss of your wallet. This way, you have an evidence in favor of you should you become a victim of identity theft. In worst case scenarios, you do not want to end up explaining why you did not report the loss in the first place. After you have reported your case, make sure to keep a copy for your own records.

3. Replace your Social Security card.

One should never carry their Social Security card in their wallets. Thieves can easily apply for loans or lines of credit in your name with the information contained in your Social Security card. However, if you made a mistake of keeping your card in your wallet, you will have to replace your lost social security card. You will not be given a new number, but you will be given a new card. This may not help you in terms of fraud and identity theft but you still have to inform the social security administration to reduce your risk of identity theft and so you can get help from the right authorities.

4. Get a new driver’s license.

You need to get a new driver’s license if your wallet is stolen. Otherwise, you could face a large fine if you are driving without one and you are stopped by a police officer. Get in touch with your local DMV as soon as possible to report the loss.

5. Consider getting an identity theft protection if you still don’t have one.

This comes in handy once you have lost your wallet. Getting an identity theft protection membership will make the process faster. The company will help you immediately cancel or replace your cards and other items in your wallet.

Starting a business is easier today than it ever has been. Efficiency is essential to stand out from the crowd. Good ideas and dedication aren’t always enough – obstacles can surprise you and cause minor to major setbacks. Avoid these roadblocks through preparation and efficiency; you can guide your business to greater success and make life easier for yourself while you do it.

1) Set Goals

When you start your own business, it can feel like a fruitless endeavor until you see the reward for your hard work. Sometimes it can take a long time before you even notice a hint of success or see a return on your investments.

Have patience and set goals to look out for as you work. Whether these are sales goals or growing your team, you can track your business’ progress much easier by taking note of the changes that happen when you aren’t necessarily searching for them. Keeping a business diary is always a good idea, but to make sure you meet your milestones, you should also take note of quantifiable pieces of information that can outline the trajectory of your business. This way you can spot flaws much quicker and implement corrections more efficiently.

2) Embrace Change

The world is being shaped around new and innovative technologies, and it’s unlikely for a business today to survive for long or reach enough customers without, at the very least, having a website. Marketing your business is a minefield of good and bad choices, but outsourcing your search engine optimization and web design can take the pressure off yourself. Take advantage of web design DC to help you professionally market your business and achieve the furthest reach possible. Embracing new technology and techniques that come with it will set your company up for a much more efficient path to success.

3) Make Connections

It is more efficient to allow others to help you than take on every task yourself. While you can usually find quality companies to outsource jobs to, it is equally important to make real-life connections with people both inside and outside your industry. You never know who might have a useful bit of knowledge for you or a skill that may drastically improve your business. It is more efficient to actively network and discover these connections than it is to spend hours trying to achieve it all on your own.

By setting yourself practical goals you can watch your business’ progress and more effectively make important changes. Resist the urge to undertake all the work by yourself and find qualified people to help you reach these goals. Accepting the input of others will smooth out any rough edges in your business and help it to run much more efficiently.

Bridget Scarr, Chief Creative Officer at Colibri Studios, a company focused on development of high-end Television drama series joins Enterprise Radio to discuss how to leverage your creative potential.

Listen to host Eric Dye & guest Bridget Scarr discuss the following:

1. How did you get into creative development for high-end drama series?
2. What is it that attracted you to this career?
3. How do you create a popular drama series?
4. Do you focus on any genre or a specific type of story in the TV series you develop? What does the development process for TV series look like?
5. What have you learnt in your career that is relevant to other industries?

Bridget Scarr is a writer and creative producer who has an affinity for developing compelling content which extends across platforms. From television to digital content, virtual reality, augmented reality and interactive exhibition, her projects resonate with large audiences both intellectually and emotionally.

Bridget is also a seasoned Exec producer with over 15 years production experience in advertising, television, and animation. Over her career, Bridget has been responsible for overseeing the creative development as well as creative and technical production output of teams (from 5-220 people) across numerous productions spanning drama, children’s animation, entertainment, lifestyle, and factual entertainment programming.

Bridget currently heads up the content development, strategy and partnerships at Colibri Studios where she is focused on drama and is involved with daily development collaborating with international broadcasters, production partners, and creative talent to bring high-end drama series to life.

Websites: www.colibristudios.tv | www.bridgetscarr.com

Social Media Links:
Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/colibri_studios
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/colibri_studios

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Starting or expanding a business without funding is difficult. This is because you can’t acquire inventory and cater for business expenses without money. As a matter of fact, most people have good business ideas but fail to implement them due to lack of seed capital. Besides that, businesses that are already up and running experience major hurdles when they want to expand because the owners lack sufficient funds to open new branches. Without funding, any business is bound to fail.

On the other hand, an entrepreneur has to be careful when seeking business financing. This is because illegitimate funds will haunt your enterprise to its grave. At the end of it all, you don’t want to step on other people’s feet as you go up because you expect them to hold you when your business crashes. Below are ways that can help you get funding for your business responsibly.

1. Borrow from Friends and Relatives

You can get money to start a business or expand an existing one from your relatives and buddies. All you have to do is share your idea with them. It’s easier for relatives and friends to lend you their money because you have already build rapport with them.  And although they may not want you to pay them back with some interest, you should mention that you intend to settle the debt with an interest. This will convince them to lend you the money that you need so much. The advantage of borrowing money from friends and relatives is that they won’t rush you to pay them back. However, you should commit yourself to repaying the loan because you might ruin your relationships by not fulfilling your promises.

2. Sell Some of Your Assets

Disposing some of your properties is definitely the best option when you are looking for seed capital. If you have several assets such as cars, land, stocks and old home appliances, you can sell a few of them to raise funds for your enterprise. The advantage is that you will not be owing money to anyone. This will enable you to work in your business without a lot of pressure. Whether your business succeeds or fails, you don’t owe anyone an explanation. You can actually buy some of the assets that you had disposed earlier when business starts recording consistent returns.

3. Get an Angel Investor

You can get funding by partnering with an angel investor. There are actually many people who have a lot of money but they don’t have investment ideas. You can actually pitch your idea to such individuals and secure start up capital. However, you must be ready to share your earnings with them. Before you approach such investors, it’s recommended that you first prepare a business plan. If the business is already in operation, you should prepare balance sheets, tax returns records and cash book statements. This is because you will have to convince angle investors that you have a viable business.

4. Crowdfunding

You can get funding by sharing your business idea with a Crowdfunding community. Kickstarter.com is the most popular Crowdfunding platform. All you have to do is elaborate on your idea and people will start donating money. You can reward your donors by giving them some of your products. For instance, if you want to publish a novel, you can send them a free copy of the book in digital format.

5. Search for Microloan Lenders

Getting business funding from a bank is never easy. This is because they can’t give you the loan if you don’t have an asset to secure it. On the other hand, microloan lenders can give you seed capital without asking many questions. The downside is that their loans come with high interest rates. But that should not be a problem as long as your enterprise is profitable. Moreover, they might be able to refer you to other creditors with favorable terms.

Many businesses go through rough periods. When your business is struggling financially, you need to have a plan in place to turn the business around. The five tips below can help put your business back on track and back on the path toward business success.

Evaluate and Revise the Business Plan

Image via Flickr by Informedmag

When you first began your business, you probably created a business plan. Whether the business plan was to obtain financing, gain a partnership, or advance your own business goals, that plan outlined the business objectives, processes, and profit expectations.

If your business is now struggling, you need to revise certain elements of your initial business plan. Turning around a business requires a solid business plan. Additionally, a revised business plan may be required to obtain additional funding, especially if you are pursuing funding from investors.

Keep a Positive Cash Flow

Businesses that are struggling need to improve their cash flow. You can find many ways to improve cash flow including revising payment requirements, increasing the convenience of payment to customers, and evaluating inventory pricing. The bottom line is that cash flow is more important than ever to a struggling business. Funds can help keep a business from going under, and without a positive cash flow, your business cannot meet this requirement.

Find the Largest Problem

While multiple problems could possibly be contributing to your business struggles, finding the largest one is important. Dealing with this low-hanging fruit can produce the fastest results. Evaluate each department of the business including operations, finances, purchasing, training, and human resources. Communicating with both employees and customers can give you a better idea of where the largest problem lies.

Meet With Vendors

Image via Flickr by Wonderlane

Word spreads fast when a business is struggling. Vendors may begin to worry that they will no longer receive payment.

Since your business supplies are crucial to not only your business success but also to successfully turning around your business, you need to communicate openly with your vendors. Set up a meeting and inform vendors of the steps you are taking to correct the business’s mistakes. It can be helpful to create a prepared statement to respond to your business vendors.

Use Rentals to Accept New Jobs

You generally need money to make money. When your business is already on a downward spiral, accepting new clients, especially when you require expensive tools or machinery to complete a job, can be difficult. Renting large construction or warehouse equipment can prevent you from having to turn away new jobs because of a lack of equipment. Renting also allows you to keep more cash in your pocket.

Cash is king, and having more of it can make a business turnaround easier. Equipment rental rates are affordable, and equipment can be rented by the day, week, or month, giving you plenty of financial options.

Owning a business takes work. You are likely to have both business successes and business struggles. If your business is currently struggling, the tips above can help you stay afloat until you can successfully turn your business around.

Master Mentalist Erik Dobell from Impossibilities – Magic, Mindreading and Mayhem! at the Iris Theater in Gatlinburg, Tennessee joins Enterprise Radio.

Listen to host Eric Dye & guest Erik Dobell discuss the following:

1. Tell us a little bit about your background. how did you become interested in mentalism and how did you meet your current business and performance partner to start Impossibilities?
2. What does it feel like to have your own show in a tourist town?
3. Running a theater is obviously a lot of work. what do your day to day operations look like?
4. What is social media’s role in promoting Impossibilities?
5. What is your ultimate goal with all of this?
6. Is there some advice or information you’ve learned from all of this that you think other people could benefit from?

Have you ever wondered what real mind reading would look like? The Master Mentalist Erik Dobell can show you.

Born and raised in a small town in upstate New York, the Master Mentalist Erik Dobell has traveled the world performing amazing feats of magic and mentalism.

Currently, you can see Erik Dobell with the Magical Comedian Chris Collins in the critically acclaimed show Impossibilities – Magic, Mindreading and Mayhem! playing nightly at the Iris Theater in Gatlinburg, Tennessee.

“He kept us spell-bound through his entire performance”
-twjw701 on TripAdvisor

“You MUST see this show!”
-Marie B. from Nashville, TN

“A hidden gem”
-Christina from Alabama

Website: www.IrisTheater.com

Social Media Links:
Facebook: Facebook.com/ImpossibilitiesShow
Twitter: Twitter.com/BestMagicShow

People also listened to this: Bridget Scarr discusses the development of high-end drama television series and how to leverage your creative potential

Janet Wu and Erin Wold, Co-founders at SilkRoll, a digital currency market place to exchange products online, starting with high-end women’s fashion joins eCommerce Radio.

Listen to host Eric Dye & guests Janet Wu and Erin Wold discuss the following:

1. Where did the idea of SilkRoll come from? How Does It Work, and what are your big dreams?
2. How do you plan to build a financially viable & scalable bartering business?
3. Who are your competitors, and why do you think this is an opportunity to give up your careers for?
4. The Sharing Economy, where are we at when it comes to fashion?
5. What are you plans next in terms of funding the business to enable growth?

Janet Wu is born in China, grew up in the UK and was an investment banker for over 10 years, where she helped 50+ publicly listed companies raise over $30B in financing. She’s an avid traveler, part time investor, and a sustainability advocate.

Erin Wold is an operations and logistics genius and performance coach. She spent 5 years at a service logistics startup, RedCap, where she helped it to scale it nationwide as it’s Chief People Officer, she loves building awesome teams to work with.

SilkRoll: www.silkroll.com
Fundraising Campaign: Republic.co/SilkRoll

Social Media Links:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/silkroll
Twitter: https://twitter.com/silkrollsf

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Cars make you happy. You might be extremely proud of the fact, or slightly embarrassed. Either way, the truth can’t be denied: one of your greatest passions in life is engines.

If you do have a passion for cars, it’s nothing to be embarrassed about. Whether you fondly remember tinkering with engines with your dad, hands covered in black grease, while the radio played in the garage; or if you just love things that go VROOM, a love of cars is a common passion. It might be time to take yours past a simple appreciation and do something adventurous. If you love engines so much, maybe it’s time to invest some of that passion.

One of the simplest ways to gain a thrill is to buy a new car. There’s nothing like new car smell, a shiny exterior, and the low-to-nonexistent mileage on a new car. Instead of feeling cheap and suppressed in a small, bumbling vehicle, you can spend your driving time somewhere new. A new car, whether new-used or brand-new, always feels like a luxury, a gift. If cars really are important to you, then maybe you should do this for yourself: get a car that makes you feel excited about life. Like this car dealership in Holden, there’s always somewhere exciting to browse.

Another, more complex way for you to invest in your love of engines is to learn to repair them. You may have never considered a career in maintenance, but a good auto technician is in high demand. As fewer people train to become one, the more valuable you’ll be. Not only would you be assured of a job forever, you’d be doing what you love. And really, what better way is there to spend your time? Instead of engines being a hobby, they can be your source of income. If the idea of fixing engines for the rest of your life sounds a little bit like Christmas morning, go for it.  It’s never too late to become an Automotive and Diesel Technician.

You’ve loved cars since you were a kid. Whether you dreamed of becoming a race car driver, or whether you now have fifteen vintage cars displayed on your lawn, your passion is a thing of pride. You love the way a car fits together the way doctors must love human anatomy. Everyone was born to find certain passions, and you’ve found one of yours in engines. Whether you took the lawn mower apart as a kid and put it back together, or whether you looked at sports car magazines, you and cars have always been an item. There’s something very constant about cars: you always know how they fit together.