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Business Owners: These 6 Proven Strategies Help You Do More With Less - Entrepreneur Podcast Network – EPN

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If your bottom line isn’t where it needs to be, it’s time to start thinking about how your business can do more with whatever meager resources it has on hand.

While these six proven strategies won’t rocket your company to profitability overnight, they can improve your cash flow picture and reduce your reliance on outside capital. Here’s what you need to know about each.

  1. Barter or Trade Services

What is this, the Stone Age?

No. It’s smart business. Nowhere is it written that you have to pay cash for every good or service your business consumes — nor that your business has to accept such consideration for every good or service it provides. Look for sensible opportunities to make win-win barters with vendors, suppliers, and even clients: for instance, trading whatever service you provide for website development help or free marketing labor.

  1. Use a Rewards Credit Card

It won’t change your financial picture overnight, but responsible credit card use can make a big difference. Look for cards that pay you back for everyday purchases, such as office supplies or utility expenses. Products that can honestly claim the best rewards credit card mantle return 2% or more, on average.

  1. Tap Low-Interest Financing Sources

Credit cards count as low-interest financing sources — as long as you pay off your balances in full each month. If you need a longer float, look to alternatives such as home equity lines of credit.

  1. Use More Efficient Transportation

If your business requires your team to spend lots of time on the road, invest in a more efficient fleet. Look for hybrid or all-electric vehicles that sip (or completely eschew) conventional fuel. Even if they cost more upfront, you may qualify for state and federal credits. Fuel savings will boost your long-term savings too.

  1. Invest in Word of Mouth Marketing

Why pay for advertising when your customers are willing to do it for free?

That’s the goal, anyway.

Implement a lean marketing strategy that encourages, then magnifies, word of mouth. There’s no wrong way to do this: referral programs, new account bonuses, above-and-beyond customer service all have their place. The most important thing is to get your customers talking in positive terms about whatever it is you have to offer.

  1. Make Sensible Cuts to Overhead Expenses

It’s all too common for decision-makers at high-growth businesses to glaze their eyes whenever the conversation turns to overhead expenses. After all, they’re unavoidable.

Or are they? You’d be surprised just how much you can trim from supposedly fixed expenses — whether by investing in efficient fixtures and appliances in your office space, negotiating a better deal on your lease, or opting for a more flexible, scalable coworking plan instead of a traditional long-term lease agreement.

What’s Your Secret?

Every business is different. That means your precise money-saving formula will likely be different from your competitor’s across town — and certainly your distantly related peer business two states over.

All the more reason to take a hard look at both sides of your balance sheet and ask tough questions about what you need to do differently. Your company’s future may well depend on it.


Using SEO to do Marketing as a Chiropractor - Entrepreneur Podcast Network – EPN

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Every website that wants to be found needs a good SEO and it goes far beyond using and tossing out few keywords. Chiropractic practice is no exception. It is very important to use SEO for chiropractor marketing to be known and seen by prospective customers and clients and also get new ones.

Generally, it is a normal thought that chiropractic practice would not need SEO but here we bring to you a few reasons of having good SEO for chiropractor marketing which is optimized and designed by a professional for the best results.

1) SEO for chiropractic marketing is considered to be a non-invasive strategy on the internet. Whereas in email marketing and telemarketing is invasive. Existing patients and the prospective patients are searching and better SEO one may offer some elements which would lead them to your website.

2) Tweaking can be done more effectively at any time for chiropractic SEO. Whereas brochure or a business card is difficult and costly to change SEO gives you the freedom to change and to tweak on your website very easily.

3) The most cost-effective marketing tool for chiropractor marketing is SEO. It is cost effective because it works to get you more business on a more solid professional platform. You cannot overcome it because it grows with you. Locations can be changed, services can be added and changes can be reflected instantly in spite of where ever you are.

4) SEO in chiropractor marketing can easily be tracked and measured. After evaluating and analyzing the SEO, you can see what difference it is making in your practice. You are at a freedom to correct something if it is not working properly. Easy to track your investment and see the returns.

5) SEO works to attract the needed and relevant traffic for your chiropractic practice. The potential clients would get to you easily if the keywords and widgets used are properly put in. It needs to be optimised properly. People who are actually looking for what you have will be sent to your site. The best way to get relevant customers.

6) SEO works to achieve high conversion potential in chiropractor marketing. What are the chances of a person looking for widgets and lands up to your site because of the best SEO performance?  They would pick up the phone and get an appointment at the earliest since relevant traffic is being driven to your website, the potential conversion automatically becomes higher.

7) Chiropractic SEO also help you in driving offline sales. It is a proven fact that 80% consumers search online to buy a particular commodity. With the best chiropractic SEO services, the customer would get the exact commodity they are looking for through your website and give you some trustworthy customers.

8) An SEO professional would be able to optimise your site to deliver chiropractor marketing. SEO serves in the long term of chiropractor marketing strategy. This helps a lot if you want to see quick results to help your practice. It is a long-term strategy and used to receive ongoing returns. This strategy needs to be managed appropriately to keep you on the top of the search results, but it only works as long as you are working with it.

9) A good chiropractic SEO helps you to get prospective patients and this SEO service directly leads them to your website and then into your chiropractic office.

10) Chiropractic SEO helps to put your website and your practice in the top rankings. To get high ranks in such engines is the main goal of the SEO. The ranking is everything in the search engine game. If you want to be on the top spot you need to have a few critical keywords to put you on the top of the lot.

11) The chiropractor marketing with the help of a good SEO helps you to build your brand. Branding is a tough job which is costly and complicated. SEO helps in creating awareness about your brand without a lot of branding effort. The SEO will get patients to your site and helps them to find you resulting in the growth of your practice. Once your prospective patients become familiar with you, a mouth-of-word to their friends and information shared on social media makes your practice known.

12) People tend to trust websites that appear on the first page of the search engines. Chiropractic SEO helps you build a great credibility of your website and overcome trust issues of the internet surfers. The surfers hardly go beyond the second page to search. So a good SEO will see to it that you are placed on the first page and get you, trustworthy prospective clients.

13) Advertising is done free through a chiropractic SEO. The search engines include a brief description of your site. A good keyword of an optimised site equals to being informative and descriptive about your website resulting in free advertising.

14) You totally become handsfree on your marketing efforts if the chiropractic SEO has been outsourced. It is highly recommended that you hire a professional for your chiropractor marketing to optimise your site. Try giving a handsfree marketing experience to your chiropractic websites.

An investment done for chiropractic SEO is a wise one. If you are still not convinced about it, you need to re-read the above-given points that would entirely change your perception and help to get your chiropractic practice the best SEO services.

By ClientReachMedia.com

Keeping on Top of Finances When You Are Self-Employed - Entrepreneur Podcast Network – EPN

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Being self-employed can bring about many positives to a person’s life. Freedom, flexibility, and autonomy are just a few of the reasons why someone might choose to make the leap into having their own small business, or to work as a sole trader. Despite such positives, there are added stresses that come with taking care of your own finances, especially if you are not an accountant.

Many people can find themselves behind on tax payments, unsure of their benefits, and struggling to put aside money for a pension. These negatives can sometimes negate the benefits, so it’s wise to keep on top of them to avoid any problems during your career.

Make a note of incoming payments

Whenever you get a payment from a client, whether it be by cash, bank transfer, or PayPal payment, it’s easy to sit there and think you will make a note of it later. If you have a select group of a few clients, you can sometimes get away with this mindset. However, when you rely on payments coming in from a lot of people, you will almost certainly lose track if you don’t record the details. The easiest way to keep a record is by having a spreadsheet that you can update every day, or a notebook to hand whenever a transaction takes place. If you get into the habit of doing this sooner, then you won’t have to worry about it later.

Pay your taxes on time

You would be surprised at how many people get caught up in running their business and forget to pay their taxes on time. Such practices can lead to interest building up, and legal issues arising if you haven’t paid them on time. In the rare chance that you must start paying taxes back in installments, it’s a good idea to follow a plan such as the IRS Fresh Start program, which will help you live your life sustainably, without worrying about taxes looming over your head as you pay them back bit by bit.

Keep receipts for business-related purchases

A lot of people who are self-employed pay for equipment such as laptops, software, and phone bills from their own pocket. If you are using these things primarily for business purposes, then you might not be aware that you can claim back money for these when you file a tax return. Business-related purchases can even include trips away if your income relies on you being a travel writer or international entrepreneur.

Hire an accountant 

You might have nailed your business plan and have all other parts of your life on track, but numbers could be your weak spot. If you are confident that your money skills can ensure you pay the right taxes and still put enough aside for necessities, then you won’t have to worry. Yet if like most people you are scared you will put a foot wrong, it’s best to hire an accountant to help you organize your personal and business finances. It may seem like an arbitrary expense, but will help you immeasurably in the long run and take any stress off your shoulders.

Keys to Bridging the Generational Divide in the Workplace - Entrepreneur Podcast Network – EPN

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Kelly Riggs, business performance coach for executives and companies throughout the U.S. and Canada & co-author of: Counter Mentor Leadership: How to Unlock the Potential of the 4-Generation Workplace joins Enterprise Radio.

This episode of Enterprise Radio is working in association with the Author Channel.

Listen to host Eric Dye & guest Kelly Riggs discuss the following:

  1. How are Millennials disrupting traditional workplace styles?
  2. In what way are Baby Boomer bosses squandering the potential of their Millennial employees?
  3. How has organizational leadership changed in today’s world?
  4. What must a BOSS do to better tap the potential of a multi-generational workforce?
  5. How does the Counter Mentor Leadership framework lead to a high-performance workplace?

Kelly Riggs is an author, speaker and business performance coach for executives and companies throughout the U.S. and Canada. Kelly is a former sales executive and two-time national Salesperson of the Year with well over two decades of executive management and training experience.

Robby Riggs is a corporate consultant specializing in strategic transformation initiatives and driving successful change in companies ranging from start-ups to Fortune 100s. Their new book, Counter Mentor Leadership: How to Unlock the Potential of the 4-Generation Workplace (Nicholas Brealey Publishing, 2018), offers practical, actionable advice that improves workplace culture and enables organizations to bridge the generational divide.

Website: www.countermentors.com

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5 Tips to planning corporate entertainment in London - Entrepreneur Podcast Network – EPN

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Entertainment is one of the most essential tools to any event. While many might tell you how difficult it is to plan for a corporate event, the reality is that it is a simple thing when planned and preparations have been made early in advance. Ensuring that there is proper planning and entertainment determines either the success or failure of the entire business event since it will promote the business both internally and externally strengthening your relationship with clients, colleagues and business partners.

Your guests need to be well received alongside with an awesome party that is both fun and rewarding career-wise. You do not have to be an expert in event planning to pull up a successful and satisfying corporate event. Let’s look at some tips that you can use to plan a corporate entertainment that would make the day a success.

Know your audience

The people attending are among the most important things to consider when planning corporate entertainment. Do not just make choices based on your preferences and try to consider your guests. Whether they are your clients, business partners or colleagues, find out what can be acceptable and comfortable for everyone. Figure out the kind of music that everyone will like based on the age, sex and social backgrounds of the attendees.

Make lists

Listing is a great way to keep track of how the program will go into ensuring that nothing goes wrong. Make a list of the most important things that you need such as finding out the size of the venue depending on the number of people attending, whether the equipment required is in good condition for live entertainment, speeches, and presentations among other factors. Find out if the location is ideal for entertainment purposes or if there are limitations. Make the booking appointment once you feel that all your requirements have been met.

Find the right venue

Pick out a venue that is within the allocated budget and which accommodates all the attendees. The venue’s location should also be easily accessible. The venue will also help in determining whether you will seek the services of a live band, a DJ and if there is any special sound or lighting equipment required.

Set the budget

Estimate the overall amount that you will spend on the entertainment and set the budget expenses. Making plans early enables you to narrow down to the kind of corporate party, you will be planning for. Find out if the venue has all the entertainment equipment or you will need to hire at an additional cost and decide on the best alternative. You can also negotiate with the venue and organizers to cut down any costs and save you some money.

Know the purpose

You can plan for corporate entertainment thinking that everyone was entertained, yet you were not able to meet the end goal of creating the entire event in the first place. Know and understand why the event is being held so as to know which kind of entertainment to offer the attendees.

Your company’s culture and what it expects from the corporate event should guide you during your planning.

Adventure Activities to Indulge in When in Dubai - Entrepreneur Podcast Network – EPN

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The extravagant city of UAE, Dubai has many rich and sprawling towers. Getting in is quite easy because of the cheap flights to Dubai which conveniently connect it to every part of the world. There is a lot in store for the adventure seekers. Give yourself the adrenaline rush and experience the top adventure activities when staying in Dubai.

  1. Desert Safari

Hummer desert safari is something which you should embark upon when in Dubai. You can feel the thrill while rushing down a sand dune in Hummer which you cannot find in any other vehicle. Also, camping at the safari site is an added charm to the ride. The hookah, belly dance and barbecue are quite enjoyable. All you can do is fulfil your desire to mimic Paul Walker at the Dubai dunes. Innumerable activities available at a reasonable cost at one place make it an extremely wide choice among the masses. Locations with experienced drivers are carefully selected to give you the utmost experience.

  1. Skydiving

It is truly said that sky is not the limit, and this applies to Dubai. One of the extreme sports in Dubai, skydiving has never lost its charm among the tourists and the locals. You can see the breath-taking view of the Burj Khalifa and Burj Al Arab as you skydive. The instructors are safe as they have ample experience. A bird’s eye view of the skyline can also be seen. There are two landing sites; one is close to the Palm Jumeirah and the other one in the desert.  A free-fall from a height of around 12000 feet with a speed of 200 kmph is thrilling. Apart from the outdoor skydiving, you can also opt for iFly Dubai, an indoor skydiving experience where you are lifted in the air with the help of huge fans.

  1. Hot Air Balloon

A hot air balloon ride will offer you a birdseye view of Dubai, the Persian Gulf, sand desert, Burj Al Arab and Burj Khalifa. An early morning ride will provide you with a spectacular view of the rising sun followed by a scrumptious breakfast. An experience of gliding in the sky is incomparable with any other thing. Do not forget to carry your camera along to capture the unending views hovering around in the balloon.

  1. Water and Theme Parks

The water parks are famous for the high waves of the flooded river and many more wonderland activities. Kids can enjoy numerous activities in the theme park. Kidzania is the largest and oldest theme park in the desert area of Dubai. It is the best place to enjoy exciting activities with over more than 30 rides and attractions adorning it. The Wild Wadi Water Park is on the Arabian theme with rides for all age groups. The park is located in front of the astounding Burj Al Arab. If you are a sun lover, then Iceland Water Park in Ras Al Khaimah is the place for you which offer 25 slides themed as Penguin Homeland. It is UAE’s largest waterpark.

  1. Bungee Jumping

Jumping from an incredibly high spot like you have never imagined before is something to give a shot. Nothing can match the thrill of being thrown from a height. Gravity Zone is one such centre which provides you with all the instructions and safety gear before taking your jump. Trained and experienced staff will guide you through the 50-metre jump. If you are trying it for the first time, then you can go for the tandem jumping where you can team up with an expert or your friend.

So, take time out of your schedule and book cheap flights to Dubai for an unforgettable experience. Each location has its own importance. There is something special waiting for you in Dubai!

Get a Tax Refund on Technology Imports with an Expert IOR - Entrepreneur Podcast Network – EPN

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It’s difficult and time-consuming to stay up-to-date with the importing and tax rules and regulations of every nation in which you do business (or would like to). Many companies get unexpectedly caught unawares because tax and compliance paperwork isn’t properly completed or perhaps even considered. Clients become frustrated and may even feel punished by these extra expenses. This is not a scenario likely to lead to repeat business.

Take Value-Added Taxes (VATs), for example. This is a tax paid on goods being imported from another country in the European Union (similar to customs duty in other countries). A client can register for VAT and get a slightly lower rate, but if they don’t, they’ll be charged the local rate of the supplier’s country. No one wants to dig through the complexities and intricacies of foreign tax rules in every country into which they want to grow their business. VAT rules alone are a headache, let alone other associated taxes you could get stuck paying (GST, JCT, or HST).

Importing electronics is already a hassle with the fear of your goods getting stuck at customs. IT equipment is intensely regulated and requires highly detailed import permits, and, in many countries, a local Importer of Record is needed. These delays are costly for everyone, in the end. If your client’s goods get stuck at the border, and they also get dinged with unanticipated taxes and fees on top of the delays, you’re in trouble!

Luckily you can partner with a single IOR service that will expertly handle all of the above as a one-stop shop. A stellar example is TecEx, who has a presence in over 160 countries as an IOR, and who offers fully outsourced tax recovery services in 40 countries. If you incur indirect taxes in foreign countries, like import VAT, customs taxes, co-location taxes, and taxes on the local purchase of equipment, they can help. TecEx specializes in tech companies, so you can get a foreign tax refund if you’re a value-added reseller, distributor, manufacturer, IT solution provider, cloud-service provider, networking security firm, or work in the data center space.

Are you entitled to a refund?

On TecEx’s site, they offer upfront, useful information to help figure out if you’re entitled. If your answer is ‘yes’ to any of the following questions, you’re due a refund:

    • Do you ship equipment overseas to an import VAT refund country where you retain ownership of the equipment?
    • Do you store equipment in foreign data centres located in a refund country?
    • Do employees of your company travel or participate in trade shows in a refund country?
    • Do you purchase equipment in a refund country?

(A table of applicable countries is also available on their site, so be sure to contact them to get details about your particular situation.)

It’s important to partner with an IOR service that has a long history of this type of work and that has a knowledge base and record of experience in many countries. Working with a partner that also offers tax recovery services means you’ll save even more money.

The two Australian Mum’s breaking down barriers and inspiring women to chase their business goals - Entrepreneur Podcast Network – EPN

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Alison Valenti and Sophie Musumeci

Co-founders of the Real Entrepreneur Mums Alison Valenti and Sophie Musumeci, a network referral group created for mums and women in business joins Enterprise Radio.

Listen to host Eric Dye & guests Alison Valenti and Sophie Musumeci discuss the following:

  1. Why did you both start Real Entrepreneur Mums?
  2. What is the aim of Real Entrepreneur Mums and what kind of impact does the network referral group have on women in business?
  3. What makes Real Entrepreneur Mums so different to every other network referral group and how does it work?
  4. What has been the biggest challenge that you have had to overcome so far?
  5. What is the future for Real Entrepreneur Mums?

After meeting at a business coffee event in 2014, Sophie and Alison quickly realised that although they had different businesses, their visions for what they were creating was the same.

‘To build a global business that inspires women to go after their dreams and smash their goals.’

They could see a movement building. A movement where women from varying industries were seeking alternate careers or starting their own businesses. Women who wanted to be more present for their families without sacrificing their desires to be fulfilled professionally and contribute financially.

Starting your own business and becoming an Entrepreneur Mum takes great courage and requires a support network, both personally and professionally.

Whilst there are a few opportunities to build a network they can lack the right culture for an Entrepreneur Mum.

Networking events have some great guest speakers, but unless you attend every event religiously and really step out of your comfort zone during ‘speed dating’ networking games, it is a long and sometimes painful process for most to build real connections.

Referral groups are also a great option, however memberships are very expensive and there is high pressure to give referrals even when you don’t really know, like or trust other members yet. Most are quite male dominated and the times are not appropriate for a mum with school drop off and pickup.

For so many Entrepreneur Mums, they unfortunately lacked the support from those closest to them.

If we really are the sum of the five people we spend the most time with, imagine spending time with 20+ incredible, inspiring, supportive, REAL Entrepreneur Mums who you know, like and trust, that have got your back and truly want to help you succeed!

Sophie and Alison saw a massive need. So imagine the power of their vision when they joined forces and created an inspiring community where Entrepreneur Mums can come together and support each other to really smash their business goals, without judgement.

Where you would leave feeling ten feet tall knowing that you have team of women behind you who understand your business, a Community of raving fans who are actively promoting your product or service and truly have your back to do everything in their power to help you succeed. You won’t be able to wait for the next one!

Could they really do this? Do others feel the same? They asked ourselves.

After consulting with dozens of other Entrepreneur Mums, it was a resounding yes! There was an absolute need to create Real Entrepreneur Mums – so they did!

Being part of the Real Entrepreneur Mums Community you have the support, inspiration and encouragement to step up, make your dreams bigger and start taking the actions to really achieve them.

Real Entrepreneur Mums is for highly motivated and committed women who want to grow their business through referrals, increase their professional profile and genuinely help others to do the same.

Website: https://realentrepreneurmums.com.au

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/remums

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Ways to Celebrate Your Spouse’s Birthday - Entrepreneur Podcast Network – EPN

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Your spouse is kind of a big deal. They’re the person you fell in love with, decided to share forever with, and chose to annoy for the rest of your life. You sleep beside them every night, kiss their morning breath, and put up with the weird noises they make during the night. Your spouse is profoundly precious to you, and the trouble with profound things is that they’re often hard to express.

This year, you can get some of your “I love you”s out with a special birthday celebration. The right night for your spouse will vary based on their personality. However, no matter what they like and dislike, you can find a special way to show them how much they mean to you on their big day.

The Quiet Retreat

If your spouse is on the introverted side, you probably don’t want to throw them the world’s biggest surprise party, or take them to a noisy club. While everyone enjoys getting out and doing something exciting now and then, your spouse will probably prefer somewhere relaxing, where they can fish, read, hike, and be with you. There are few things as romantic as some outdoor candles or the sound of lapping waves, so if you and your spouse need some peaceful reconnection, a night away in a cabin or campsite could be just what you need.

The Vibrant Vacation

Your spouse’s middle name might be adventure. If so, and you really want to wow him or her on their birthday, consider taking a meaningful trip. Your spouse will never forget taking surf lessons with you in Waikiki, HI, or hiking in the mountains of southern China. Seeing the world together is the perfect way to spend a birthday and further bond as a couple, especially if you don’t have kids and you plan to have some later!

The Romantic Dinner

It might be played out in movies, but that doesn’t mean it’s played out in your love life. If your spouse would love a quiet, candlelit dinner for his or her birthday, make a special evening for them. You could eat out at your favorite nice restaurant, or you could create your evening at home. Pick up some speciality wine and cheese in Covington, LA or cook a three course meal from scratch. Put on some music and light a few candles. You know your spouse’s favorite foods, so surprise them with a delicious evening at home, if you’re a master in the kitchen.

The Party

Quiet and zen might be the opposite of what your spouse needs on their birthday. If they’re extroverted, love people, and love fun, then the best gift you can give them on their birthday is a party. Invite all their friends, put on some music, have great food, and do whatever it is you do until well past ten o’clock. You might play board games all night long, tell stories, or entertain each other. Whatever you do, your spouse will have an amazing night with their favorite company, including you!

Career Choices In Canada - Entrepreneur Podcast Network – EPN

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If you’re interested in living as an expatriate, you might find yourself in a rather complex situation, especially if you don’t already have a visa. Deciding to relocate to another country is no easy decision and the process itself isn’t necessarily a cinch, either. To illustrate the challenges and steps of moving to and working in another country, let’s take a look at Canada. Of course, each country has its own rules to follow, but this will give you a basic overview of how another Western country works.

Marriage?

Of course, if you’re married to a citizen of the country your moving to, you’ll have more luck. And if you’re dating, well, the first thing you two should consider if you haven’t already, is whether or not you two are serious enough for marriage. This isn’t to apply unnecessary pressure, but if you two decided to have a legally recognized marriage, then your spouse could sponsor your citizenship.

A common assumption is that citizenship is granted immediately upon marriage with a Canadian citizen, but that’s simply not the case. The spousal sponsorship path would still require you to complete the formal application process, which might be delayed for any number of unexpected reasons. That being said, it’s still a viable option.

American businesses abroad

Another realistic possibility is looking into American businesses operating in Toronto. Though it might seem tedious, you could sift through Toronto’s list of top 100 employers, which includes American brands like General Electric, Accenture, Oracle, Pepsi, etc. Most of those organizations are continually on the lookout for new talent, especially when it comes to technology and digital marketing. Landing a job with one of them stateside could put you in a position to transfer to the Canadian affiliate office. However, there are no guarantees. As you might also imagine, most large businesses also have fairly strict policies that outline if, when, and how employees can make horizontal/lateral transitions.

Small businesses

A related strategy is exploring opportunities offered by smaller business based in Toronto. You can tap into free research on digital marketing agencies local to the city and figure out if any of them offer internships for recent graduates. This might mean committing to unpaid work experience, but it’s better than nothing, especially if it’s only temporary. Some employers could even sympathize with your situation and offer support or guidance.

Coursework

One final consideration is alternative coursework for professional development. In other words, you could explore curated group learning experiences through trade and technical academies or learn topics on your own terms through online education platforms. A program like this professionally-administered Digital Marketing Course Toronto boasts is just one relevant example of the former. And you probably already know if online learning platforms such as Udemy, Coursera, Skillshare, etc. Either way, things are very promising because Toronto was recently named the fastest growing market for tech jobs in North America.

 

One-week camp in Florida - Entrepreneur Podcast Network – EPN

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With the month of March getting set to speed by without a trace, plans towards the full utilization of the coming summer are already in progress for some people. Every summer, millions of families all over the world travel to notable places and engage in new activities, cuisines and cultures. This year, while preparations are made towards travel expenses, some families might want to try out an outdoor camp for the very 1st time.

One thing that campers are sure to discover at https://essayvikings.com/essay-help is the art of co-operation with other different kids from different backgrounds and upbringings. They will learn things that might come in handy for them as they grow, things like self-control, discipline, endurance among other characters.

Camping out for the first time

If you have never been to a summer outdoor event, or you’ve never left your kids off at one, it might seem a frightening experience at first. But there’s absolutely nothing to be scared of. Majority of summer camping programs are quite engaging and educative. They help children of all ages explore their strengths and learn basic life values while having fun – a win-win for both parents and kids. Even in a period as short-seeming as one week, a lot of useful habits can be learnt.

If you are a parent and you’re looking for suitable similar events around, we would like to suggest some of the top summer camps in the south bound part of the USA that are guaranteed to give you an experience you won’t forget. Southern USA boasts of wonderful locations in states like Alabama, Mississippi, Kentucky, Florida and others.

Why choose Florida?

Besides being famous for notable landmarks, Florida is also a good spot for a one-week camp experience. Especially notable is Florida’s Frontier Camp. With a fun-packed schedule that features events like cooking classes, crafts, sports and an overnight ‘traditional’ night, this outing promises to be an unforgettable experience. It’s the perfect getaway for your kids after a long term at school.

Another option to consider is from a variety of summer camps in Orlando. Located at the heart of FL, Orlando has so many options for families to pick from. Different calibers of camps are available here – Lego Fun and Educational Camps plus many others. If you are looking for one that will give your children a spiritual experience with fun in one package, the YCMA camp options are worth checking out.

As a parent, you might wonder what’s in the whole package for you. We are pleased to bring to your notice that it’s possible for you to get working with some of these places. There exist certain summer camps hiring in Florida for various positions. One of them is the position of a camp counselor, someone who can relate with the kids should they have any issues adapting even for a week. Other staff openings include Site Admin, Welfare, Medical and Security staff. If you are a parent seeking to invest in other children other than yours, applying for such positions is a commendable idea for you.

Some families would love to spend the camping experience together in one resort, and this is quite reasonable. There are several children-friendly zoos that can be considered a touch location. One of such is the Bay Bayou RV resort which is located in Tampa Bay, FL. Another one can be found in Madison, FL – the Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park Camp-Resort. Both places are children – friendly and offer a varied set of options for a one-week experience – ATV trails, outdoor grills to mention but a few.

Getting your kids/yourself ready

When enrolling your children for a fun time out, it is essential to be aware of key things to pack in for your kid, as well as yourself. This is essential even in cases of a family-type camp experience. A few of these things include:

  • A warm blanket/warm socks and cardigan.
  • An umbrella. (Always be prepared for a weather change, even when the forecast promises a sunny day).
  • A portable water bottle.
  • Changes of clothes.
  • Extra sets of underclothes.
  • A sleeping bag.

Other camping choices in FL

The city of Orlando also provides outdoor programs where participants get to experience a ‘pioneer’ kind of lifestyle- they plant gardens, engage in outdoor cooking and get educated on various hotspot topics. These include global warming, water conservation and many others. The aim is to get the kids to understand and appreciate the significant influence ecology has on them.

One other key feature found in most camp or outdoor programs in Florida is adventure. Children get to visit the renowned Universal Studios where they get a glimpse of how film production is done. They can also secure an excursion to various amusement parks located in the state. The coordinators are there to ensure that your wards enjoy hassle free rides and other endearments parks have to offer. Fun and order in one go – it cannot get better than that!

Prices for most of these camps are quite reasonable. From a fee of $100 and above per child, you can register your kids early to secure their spots for a summer they will cherish.

Still wondering on what to do in Florida in the summer? Or where to go? Ponder no more! With the varying choices we’ve picked out for you above, you should be able to get a suitable, one-week camping program in a location of your choice within Florida’s borders.

Basic Tools for Getting Started with Making a Game - Entrepreneur Podcast Network – EPN

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Interested in making your own game? The field is more active than ever, with many new people entering it on a daily basis, and it’s one of the best times to get started right now! Technology in that area has advanced quite a lot too, allowing anyone to get started with relatively little effort and knowledge. All you really need to know are the right tools and communities, and of course, have a solid idea to experiment with!

Engine

The most important point to consider is what engine you’re going to use. While it’s possible to code your game from scratch without relying on one, this is not very advisable if you’re inexperienced with programming, as you’ll usually be able to progress faster and learn things more quickly by starting with a comprehensive solution designed for the purpose. Unity and Unreal are the two most popular choices right now, and they’re both free for hobbyists, so you can get started right away and see which one suits your current needs better. Both have their advantages and disadvantages, and it’s a good idea to compare them carefully before settling on either one.

Task Management

You may quickly find yourself overwhelmed with tasks if you’re not careful, and working on even a smaller game can quickly make this a problem if you don’t organize your work in some way. Finding the best Kanban software with metrics and learning how to use it properly is a great idea, and it can optimize your workflow significantly if you know how to break down your different problems into small, fundamental task pieces. Even if you’re not that experienced in this field yet though, this is something that should come with enough experimenting, so just find a tool that looks good for your current skills and get started with it!

Testing

You’ll want to make sure that your game works properly before sending it out to other people, and if you’re developing for the desktop, this is usually simple enough. But for something like a mobile game, you’ll want to look into getting a device that can run the game properly, or at least an emulated environment that can show you any obvious problems with the product. Keep in mind that an emulator will rarely give you a good enough idea about factors like performance and compatibility, but it’s still a good starting point. In the end, investing in a real device is the only way to go.

Above all, remember to have fun! Making a game can be a thrilling experience that can teach you to work with many advanced modern technologies, but it’s also something that can be quite overwhelming at first, and can seem like a huge mountain to climb for newcomers. Just take it easy, organize your work in logical small steps, and before you know it, you’ll be juggling major tasks around and planning a large project that’s entirely within your scope of knowledge. As long as you get involved in the community too, you’re pretty much all set.

Ceos Facing Criminal Charges – What Now? - Entrepreneur Podcast Network – EPN

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The situation of CEOs facing criminal charges because of some problems with the companies they manage seems to happen more often every day. And when this happens, it’s important to be aware of all the different possibilities available on how to proceed. If someone has been convicted after a trial in any of the different court systems, there are different procedures available that can be used in order to challenge this conviction. These procedures are known as “appeals.”

When crimes are charged by the government, it is possible to appeal against them after the sentencing or conviction is done. It is possible to file a federal appeal immediately after the trial. Upon conviction in a circuit court, the defendant has the constitutional right to file an appeal within the Circuit Court of Appeal. The purpose of these appeals is to go through the decisions of the trial court or lower tribunal once again for determining whether a legal error has taken place. If a legal error affects the outcome or result of the case, then it is considered harmful and should be reviewed.

One thing to note is that appeals are not actually trials, so they are not meant to give a litigant another opportunity to argue the facts of the case once again. The appellate court does not serve as the role of being a second jury. Instead, what appellate courts do is to review motions for jury trials, summary judgement, bench trials, and appeals of all non-final and final orders for lower court error.

So, if a CEO is facing criminal charges, what should be done? The first and most important thing is to find a law firm that can handle appeals at every step of the case of criminal defense. These include post-trial motions and federal criminal appeals. From pretrial motions to appeals and the post-conviction phases of a case, and passing through the trial itself, a good law firm which can handle each case with great focus and level of attention is needed.

If you need help, take some time to search for the best law firms that can handle these kinds of cases in the state of Texas. From their extensive clientele that includes lots of renowned business moguls and high-profile citizens, it’s obvious that many others have entrusted them to get through their issues. This firm specializes in motion to vacate conviction, motion of habeas corpus, and motion to withdraw plea, among other things.

In the Future, Cars Will be Our Robot Personal Assistants - Entrepreneur Podcast Network – EPN

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Steve Perun

Stephen Perun, Co-Author of “My Cognitive autoMOBILE Life: Digital Divorce from a Cognitive Personal Assistant” joins Enterprise Radio to discuss how in the future, cars will be our robot personal assistants.

Listen to host Eric Dye & guest Stephen Perun discuss the following:

  1. I find this book fascinating — and I think readers will too. But when you were writing it, how did you decide what to present in terms of your reader? Some of the information is technical, but it’s also mind-blowing.
  2. Can you explain connected cars and data-defined vehicles? The terms don’t sound like cars as we think of them.
  3. Can you explain the difference between an automobile and your term, autoMOBILE?
  4. Are there other kinds of companies on the forefront of this shift from cars to mobility?
  5. Why is it only going to take a decade or so for cars to transform?
  6. What about people with “old-fashioned” cars? Will they still even be able to use the roads? I’m imagining a driver / self-driving car collision.
  7. Any advice for the next generation of car buyers?

Stephen Perun is Offering Management Lead for Automotive and Connected Vehicles for IBM’s Watson IoT Business Unitm and has worked with Automotive and Electronics clients for 25+ years. Dr. Sebastian Wedeniwski is a Chief Technology Strategist at Standard Chartered Bank, Singapore, and was an IBM Distinguished Engineer, Chief Technology Officer for IBM’s Global Industrial Sector, and part of the IBM Research & Development Laboratory, Germany. He is a trained mathematician and scientist. Their new book is My Cognitive autoMOBILE Life: Digital Divorce from a Cognitive Personal Assistant.

Website: think-automobility.org

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Famous Cars You’ll Want To Own - Entrepreneur Podcast Network – EPN

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If you’re a car enthusiast, then the list of cars you want to own will easily be as long as your arm. Driving gorgeous and well-designed cars can give you that buzz that, quite frankly, is second to none. Getting behind the steering wheel of a sleek and eye-catching car can get you raring for more and eager to experience the thrill of feeling the pull of a large powerful engine. For many people, owning a car and driving are not simply just a means of getting from A to B, but a pleasure in itself. Petrolheads all over the land will agree that driving is an enjoyable experience made even more exhilarating when controlling a car that everyone else wants to have.

Jaguar F-Type Coupe 

There’s no doubt about it, the car you drive impacts your image and can reflect of your style and taste. A car is a status symbol that communicates wealth, interest and ability to recognize beautiful design and engineering when you see it. The Jaguar F-Type Coupe is capable of taking your breath away, and not only because it’s near enough design perfection. The car also features a 2.0 liter engine and is capable of reaching speeds of up to 150mph. You’ve likely dreamt of owning a car of such luxury and have only been stopped by the not so small question of cost. Driving a car of this spectacular charm can be within your reach if you turn to leasing. Leasing a car from Fulton Leasing is your way of owning this famous car more affordably, ensuring you live the dream you want.

Audi A1

Humans are competitive creatures, and having cars that are highly sought out and desired gives them a feeling of grandeur and success. So, it’s no wonder you want to parade your shiny new motor around town. In fact, it’s expected. In mind of this, make sure you get out and drive the Audi A1 about and get a feel for it and how others respond in its presence. This sporty hatchback is an all-around pleaser and can deliver the good without question. Expect speed, grace and power in its German engine. Get behind the wheel of the Audi A1, enjoy its great handling and connect with the joy of driving.

Land Rover Range Rover Sport 

Your car is an investment and one you’re keen to look after and enjoy for as long as you can. New technology has paved the way for some helpful advancements in the way you drive and complete tasks from your car. The Land Rover Range Rover is famous for its ability to turn heads as well as being one of the most desirable and versatile models available. Superbly popular, the Range Rover can become a staple in attractive design as the body is distinctively streamlined and the interior classic with an expert finish. The beauty is in every detail of this car and owning it can be far more achievable than you may at first thought.

Volkswagen Golf 

This car has long been in style, and the design has come a long way over the many years, and its road presence is staggering. You now find yourself gazing into the front headlights and knowing this sporty hatchback means serious business. The TDI GTD model is capable of going from 0-60 is just over 7 seconds. Volkswagen has a long history associated with delivering reliability, quality and looks. The Volkswagen Golf has it all, it’s got style, it’s got grace, and it’s got the ability to wow.


Don’t Chop Up Your Services: Choosing a One-Stop Provider for Your Ecommerce Needs Can Help - Entrepreneur Podcast Network – EPN

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Working online within the ecommerce realm is unique. Not only are you faced with many of the same trials and tribulations as brick and mortar stores, but the additional struggles of being primarily online are tacked on as well. In order to combat issues and find creative ecommerce business solutions, your company should consider working with a one-stop provider.

Working with a sole partner for non-stop collaboration in every facet of your ecommerce realm can offer your company tons of benefits and even reduce the risk of future problems. Working online and running an ecommerce shop can offer your company tons of unique benefits that traditional businesses don’t, a trend that most companies are catching on to. According to Trellis, ecommerce sales saw a steady growth of about 13 percent through 2017.

But being an ecommerce service also means your problems and the way you sort through them are going to be unique as well.

When working with a single provider for all your ecommerce needs, you can develop a strong, committed partner who is dedicated to creating the ecommerce solutions your company needs.

What a One-Stop Provider Can Offer 

Though you can certainly work with a number of different providers for your ecommerce business solutions, combining all of your services and needs into one provider can ultimately be beneficial for your business. Here’s why:

Cross-Functional Collabs to Help You Grow 

Working with one company to help you orchestrate all of your ecommerce solutions means that you’ll be working with a company who handles issues and solutions across the entire ecommerce board. That means, the company you choose to work with will handle your ecommerce platform, handle your online order fulfillment, your warehouse integrations and logistics, your product photography, email, and creative design.

Having a partner that’s able to handle all of these facets of your ecommerce solutions means that you’re able to maintain consistent branding and consistent support, leaving room for your company to grow in an effective, productive way, and leaving you with the freedom to do what you’re meant to — running your ecommerce empire.

Integrated Marketing Implementation 

Having a company that works with you throughout your entire ecommerce process doesn’t mean they’ll just be there to launch your site and move on. Instead, this means that they’ll stick with you throughout the process. Not only will they help you manage your business, they’ll continuously analyze and experiment with ways to market your ecommerce shop, solve your ecommerce problems, and create solutions that help grow your ecommerce business. With a one-stop ecommerce provider, you can count on the leading digital marketing strategies, online-paid plans, and unique, industry-leading solutions that will be integrated into your marketing plan.

A Complete Partner From Start to Finish 

Maintaining a solid partnership with one company that offers you one-stop-shopping can solve most of your ecommerce problems and offer you plenty of ecommerce solutions. A one-stop shop will be there for you from start to finish, helping you launch and manage your comprehensive ecommerce solutions, providing acquisition and distribution channels for your brands, and leveraging their best-in-class technologies to help your business realize its full potential.

One- stop Ecommerce Business Solutions: They Can Benefit You 

Working with one company can provide your business with the ecommerce solutions you’re searching for. Not only will you harbor consistency and customer retention, but the unique, creative solutions that are implemented throughout the entirety of your ecommerce practices will leave your business continued room for growth.

Why 8 out of 10 businesses fail - Entrepreneur Podcast Network – EPN

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Ben Fewtrell, Managing Partner at MaxMyProfit and author of the Business Exceleration™ Blueprint who is a sought-after business advisor and coach, keynote speaker and trainer joins Enterprise Radio to discuss why 8 out of 10 businesses fail.

This episode of Enterprise Radio is working in association with the Author Channel.

Listen to host Eric Dye & guest Ben Fewtrell discuss the following:

  1. Why do most businesses fail?
  2. In your opinion, what are the factors that contribute towards businesses failing?
  3. Tell us a little bit about what you can do to help businesses succeed? What is the Business Exceleration Blueprint?
  4. Do you believe any entrepreneur can succeed?
  5. What do your Excelerators offer to businesses to help them succeed?
  6. What is the most important advice you can give a business owner?

Ben Fewtrell, Co-Founder and Managing Partner at MaxMyProfit and author of the Business Exceleration™ Blueprint, is a sought-after advisor, keynote speaker and trainer. He has been featured in ‘Secrets of Top Business Builders Exposed’, Virgins in-flight magazine, Sky Business and many more. Ben is also the host of the popular Business Brain Food Podcast show where he interviews leading experts on anything and everything you need to know to help you build the business you imagined.

Having built several businesses from scratch, Ben knows a thing or two about getting a business off the ground. Ben’s presentations are always fun and educational, and his Programs have helped many Business Owners help build the business they imagined.

Ben started his first business at the age of 18, he built it to be a multi-millions dollar business with 64 trucks on the road in just 4 years. As impressive as it sounds, Ben was working ridiculous long hours and not making any money! By the age of 28 he was over it, and just knew there had to be a better way.

After selling his transport company, Ben decided to pursue his passion for business and spent many years and tens of thousands of dollars learning what it takes to build a successful business. This led Ben to personally mentoring and coaching hundreds of business owners in dozens of industries, building his own multi-million dollar business in the process.

Website: www.maxmyprofit.com.au

Social Media Links:
Company Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/maxmyprofit
Company Twitter Page: https://twitter.com/MaxmyprofitAU

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6 Potentially Lucrative Side Businesses That Let You Keep Your Day Job - Entrepreneur Podcast Network – EPN

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Unhappy with your current cash flow situation?

Before you quit your job or spend years (and thousands of dollars) on credentials that might lead to greater earning power down the line, consider a less drastic alternative: starting a side business that produces real income without requiring you to quit your day job.

Once you’ve considered the considered the pros and cons of picking up a side gig and determined that this is in fact the right course of action for you, it’s time to settle on a business idea that fits your skills and schedule. These six are particularly attractive to part-time entrepreneurs with busy personal and professional lives.

  1. Consulting in Your Field (Sticking With What You Know)

Why mess up a good thing? If you’re not sick of your 9-to-5 job, consider applying the skills you use every day to an independent consulting business that doesn’t conflict with your current employer’s work. If you’ve signed a non-compete, this might be a no-go, though laws governing these contracts vary widely from state to state.

  1. Fundraising Distribution

If you love working from home and enjoy raising funds for worthy institutions and causes in your hometown, working as a fundraising distributor could be your ideal side gig. Many fundraising distributors work full-time, but there’s plenty of opportunity for part-timers as well.

According to ABC Fundraising, distributors can earn anywhere from $500 to $5,000 per month, depending on their natural selling ability and the amount of time they contribute. Part-timers are likely to earn toward the lower end of that range — but a few hundred extra bucks per month is nothing to sneeze at.

  1. Event Planning

If you’re organized and driven, event planning could be the side business for you. Start by helping your friends and one-degree-removed acquaintances plan complex events like weddings and family reunions, then hang out your digital shingle and cast a wider net for clients. You’ll probably do most of your work on weekends, so you won’t have to worry about conflicting with your day job.

  1. Landscaping and General Contracting

Why putter around in your own garden when you can make money digging up others’? Buy a secondhand pickup truck, rent some tools, and get to work beautifying your friends’ and neighbors properties. If you’re so inclined, this is an easy business to scale — lots of high school and college kids need the work.

  1. Private Meal Preparation and Catering

Know your way around the kitchen? Advertise your services as a private chef or caterer. Well-heeled clients are willing to pay top dollar for exceptional home-cooked meals that accommodate their dietary needs.

  1. Photography

If you’ve got an above-average eye for a great frame, consider contracting with wedding parties, private companies, and public institutions for one-off photography projects or retained work. Plenty of digital and legacy publications need freelance photographers too.

Side Gigs for All

Don’t see a side business idea that appeals to you here? No problem. There are plenty of alternatives. Depending on your preferences and talents, there’s a good chance you’ve already thought of a few.

Here’s to a more lucrative year ahead. You deserve it.

7 Awesome Benefits of Roman Shades - Entrepreneur Podcast Network – EPN

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Roman shades in Toronto are often considered to be a good choice if one is looking to ramp up the visuals of a space, be it an enclosed porch, sun room or living room. They have a timeless quality most other window coverings simply can’t compete with, they come in a variety of textures and colours and their typically large sections are a useful tool in creating proportional balance with other components of the decor. But they are more than just a way to enhance the aesthetics of a space. They also provide an array of practical benefits that often go overlooked.

The Many Oft-Overlooked Benefits of Roman Shades

Roman window shades are a type of fabric window covering that typically use a cord system of opening and closing and fold up into themselves in a “stack”. They’ve become increasingly popular in recent years for their outstanding aesthetic qualities but they also provide a variety of practical benefits as well. Here are 7:

  1. They Reduce Energy Costs – In the summertime radiant heat from the sun coming through windows puts a strain on your air conditioning system and increases energy consumption. This type of window shade does an excellent job of blocking sunlight and making the job of the air conditioner easier, which saves energy. Likewise in the winter Roman window shades help keep the heat you pay so dearly for inside where it belongs. Again, reducing energy consumption.
  1. They Require Very Little Maintenance – Unlike other window treatments Roman fabric shades require very little by way of maintenance. All you really need to do is give them a quick once over using the fabric brush on the vacuum cleaner a few times a year and they’re good to go. Compare that to heavy custom drapery or even Venetian blinds.
  1. They’re Extremely Versatile – Roman window shades aren’t just for the enclosed veranda or living room. Their simple elegance makes them an excellent choice for virtually any room in the house including the bathroom, dining area, kitchen and bedrooms where they add a light, airy quality that enhances the feeling of relaxation and rejuvenation.
  1. They Enhance Safety – Roman window shades are most often installed with a simple cord mechanism for opening and closing. But if you have young children you know that cords can represent a significant safety risk. Enter the cordless Roman shade. This type of shade does away with the cord altogether and uses a discreet and nearly silent motor to lift and lower the shade thereby removing the cord danger and making your entire home not only more beautiful and energy efficient, but safer for everyone.
  1. They’re Convenient – Whether your shades use a cord or a cordless opening mechanism they open in a snap with very little effort. With a corded opening the motion is silky smooth and ultra-reliable. Far more so than Venetian blinds or heavy, elaborate drapery that can be a chore to open and tie back. With cordless blinds things get even easier. Your Roman window shades are typically wired together to open as a group and the motion is even and controlled with each shade folding up perfectly and closing to its ideal location. No more trying to make the different shades even. They do it themselves.
  1. They Last a Long Time – Like the empire which gives them their name Roman window shades were built to last. Their timeless elegance means that they’ll not only last from a physical standpoint, they’ll also stand up to changing tastes and decor trends. The best way to ensure your shades will remain aesthetically relevant as the years pass is to choose a simple, elegant fabric. By opting for style over fashion in this way you’ll ensure the window shades you install today look just as good and just as up-to-date years from now. This will provide the added benefit of saving you the cost of having to replace them to stay current.
  1. They’ll Increase the Market Value of Your Home – This is particularly relevant if you plan to put your home on the market in the next few years. Potential homebuyers typically look at a lot of homes during their search. Anything you can do to make your home stand out in their minds in a positive way will help attract potential buyers and increase the likelihood of you receiving high quality offers. Roman window shades are a simple, often unexpected visual treat most potential homebuyers will remember long after they’ve made the tour of your home.

Roman shades make sense no matter what angle you consider them from. They’ll make your home more welcoming and comfortable, they’ll save you energy in both summer and winter, cordless shades add an air of modern sophistication as well as safety and you can install them in virtually any room of the house. Contact Sarit Arnesty Custom Drapery to learn more.

A Short Guide to VPNs and Protecting Yourself When In Public - Entrepreneur Podcast Network – EPN

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Until that glorious future day when blockchain technology is widely implemented, the internet will be an inherently insecure place. If you spend much time daily online, you might do so with a sense of creeping dread, aware that it’s not a matter of if you get hacked but when. The good news is that there is a relatively inexpensive way to secure your data to an extent far more than the average surfing slob. It’s called a Virtual Private Network (VPN). If you haven’t heard the advantages yet, consider this a public service to prevent your personal and financial identifying information from ending up for sale on the Dark Web.

What is a VPN?

Let’s not get bogged down in technical flimflam jargon. This is not a complicated concept, which should be good news to all you non-techies out there. You don’t have to be Albert Einstein’s secret love child in order to understand a VPN. Think of it as a personal cyber-tunnel between your computer or mobile device and a server operated by a VPN service. Data that travels in this tunnel is encrypted, which is beneficial in so many ways – we’ll discuss that later. Just like any other hosting service, you subscribe to a VPN plan for a monthly fee.

How a VPN Works

How does this cyber-tunnel make your life more secure? For starters, all internet data traffic related to your browsing – even when you stream music or movies – passes through the tunnel, which means it’s encrypted. Encryption refers to the process of scrambling data so that it can’t be viewed without the appropriate security key. If you weren’t aware, encrypted data is much more secure than the internet standard non-encrypted variety. To anyone trying to hack your information, it looks like junk. Meanwhile, your computer assumes the IP address of the VPN server, making you essentially invisible to prying eyes.

Public Wi-Fi is Risky Behavior

Unless you like having your personal and/or financial data stolen, don’t even think about using a public wi-fi without a VPN. Coffee shops. Airports. Millions of people every day take advantage of this “free” internet access. Like having unprotected sex with an icky stranger, public internet can screw up your life for a long time. That guy drinking coffee so innocently beside you could be scooping up your passwords, banking data, credit card numbers, and private emails.

While free VPN service does exist, it’s not a good idea to go down that path. There are seriously legitimate reasons to choose a company that charges a fee in return for allowing access to their server. You’re only going to spend $5 to $15 dollars monthly for a legitimate VPN service. That’s chump change for the peace of mind it buys.

The Bottom Line

Keep in mind that the security inherent in using a VPN is only as reliable as the company itself. Such businesses can and have in the past handed user data over to law enforcement officials. This means you need to scrutinize the Terms of Service and check forums for disgruntled customers before signing up. Also, some VPNs are squirrelly when it comes to allowing Netflix streams through. Once again, ask questions if that’s a concern. The internet is the bully that will punch you in the nose and take your lunch money if you let it. A VPN connection is the bodyguard you pay to keep that from happening.

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