How to Make Sure Your Startup Doesn’t Fail

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June 2, 2020

We all have an entrepreneur that lives inside us. Many people follow this entrepreneurial spirit and start developing goals and dreams to achieve. All of those who convert their ideas into reality need to be cautious of how rocky the road might be. Those who follow their inner entrepreneur often start following their passion for their first startup business. Unfortunately, it may surprise you, but 90% of startups fail.

For your inner entrepreneur, here are tips to consider to help you make sure you become part of the 10% successful startups.

Set Your Mind Straight

Living through your entrepreneurial journey is certainly going to be a thrilling experience. However, you need to be resolute. Just like any other decision you make, you need to set your mind straight before taking any action. For your startup business to have a solid foundation, you have to figure out what the essentials are. Moreover, you need to be doing something you are passionate about because if your heart isn’t in it, then it’s not worth it. If you think about it, any startup will require more than 40 hours of work per week, and this is why it must be something that you’re passionate about so that you are able and willing to spend that much time committed to it.

Develop an Efficient Marketing Plan

Marketing is one of the important elements in any startup business that should not be taken lightly at all. As a matter of fact, you need to focus on its efficiency and on how to develop it. An efficient marketing plan is one that suits the trending environment. Many startups nowadays use the aid of influencers and bloggers for marketing their business. As mentioned on https://alfredlondon.com/, influencers help startups resonate with their target audience due to their vast yet specific reach. Ultimately, you will find it very efficient to target your clients through bloggers or influencers. The bottom line is, you need to keep up with what’s good and new to attract potential clients that your startup needs.

Always Keep Your Market Research Up to Date

Doing your research is key. Before you make any decisions for your startup, you need to weigh out the pros and cons to determine if it’s worth it or not. Your market research can aid you with this decision-making dilemma. Researching the market will let you identify your competitors and know what clients like and dislike about certain products and services. Knowing what your competitors present and what your clients need will give you the chance to work for the best output. Good market research keeps you informed with all of the updates that will help you improve your startup. Up-to-date market research will prepare you against your competitors and give you an idea of what you will be going through.

Entrepreneurs are looking for the best way to establish a business, and LLCs are one of the most popular business forms due to all of the benefits they provide. To establish an LLC in a state like California, six easy steps need to be followed. Once everything is set and done, the business can immediately begin operations and it could potentially start to grow. Read more about LLC formations in California to get a better understanding.

lncorporation Vs Sole Proprietorship

You may wonder what’s the difference between an LLC and a sole proprietorship. According to experts at Goodlawyer.ca An LLC, or limited liability company, is a legal structure that provides business owners with limited personal liability for business debts and liabilities. A sole proprietorship is an unincorporated business that is owned and operated by one individual.

There are a few key differences between LLCs and sole proprietorships. First, LLCs offer their owners limited liability protection. This means that if the business owes money or is sued, the owners’ personal assets are protected. Sole proprietorships do not offer this same level of protection. If the business owes money or is sued, the owner’s personal assets are at risk.

Another key difference is how the businesses are taxed. LLCs can choose to be taxed as a corporation, partnership, or sole proprietorship. This flexibility is not available to sole proprietorships, which are taxed as sole proprietorships.

Finally, LLCs are typically more expensive to set up and maintain than sole proprietorships. This is because LLCs must file paperwork with the state and often have to pay annual fees. Sole proprietorships do not have these same requirements.

Overall, they offer business owners liability protection and flexibility when it comes to taxes. However, they are typically more expensive to set up and maintain than sole proprietorships. You’ll need to weigh the pros and cons of each option to decide which is right for your business.

Stabilize Your Finances

An efficient financial plan is one of the keys to your startup’s success; after all, it’s all about cash flow. Make sure you set yourself a strict budget to stick to while also having some emergency funds on the side. Many driven entrepreneurs put all their funds in the startup and completely forget about having any backup. You need to allocate your funds properly and have some set on the side for when your startup goes through any hard times. If you feel lost trying to set up your finances, hire someone experienced in startups to manage them.

Stay Dedicated but Give Yourself a Break

Your startup is not going to be a 9 to 5 job; at least not at the beginning! That’s why you need to figure out how to adjust your life around it. Being committed and dedicated to your startup is one of the reasons it will succeed. Working hard through it all will pay off when you see your startup becoming more successful. However, you must not lose yourself in it. It is very important that you remember to take a break and rest to be able to gather your thoughts and ideas. In fact, if you fail to find yourself some time to recuperate, you will inevitably suffer from burnout, which will negatively affect your startup.

So, you need to keep in mind that it is totally fine to have a heavy workload as long as you also make sure to find time to unwind. You can find more tips and information about business plans and ideas from persons who are already successful. Gary Ng is one of them and it is worth seeing what he has to say about this.

Create an Online Network

Social media is becoming more powerful with each passing and this is something that you can take advantage of for your startup business. An online network will help you in different ways. First of all, it will make it easier for you to connect with potential clients. Creating a developed online network will give your clients a sense of reliability and attract them to your product or service. It does not only connect you with clients, but it also connects you with your target employees, partners, providers, and anyone who can promote your business.

Surround Yourself with Supportive People

The right people are those who benefit your startup and act as their support system. The more of those people you have around you, the more likely your startup is to succeed. Make sure that you surround yourself with the right choice of people. In addition, never underestimate someone’s potential and good intentions toward you and your startup. However, do not confuse support with blind ‘yes men.’

Startups are not smooth sailing journeys. Things may seem perfect and then start going south. However, that fact does not mean you should not keep on trying until you make it. As long as people can have successful startups, then so can you. With all the ups and downs you may face, get back up again, and keep trying. You owe this level of hard work, dedication, and commitment to the entrepreneur that lives within you. Nothing worth having comes easy and obstacles are inevitable. But remember, if you’re not willing to go too far in life you will never go far enough. Stay focused, persevere, and success will surely follow.

9 Ways to Make Your Elders Happy

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Дмитра Врачарић

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June 2, 2020

Ways to Make Your Elders Happy — Source: pexels.com

Taking care of your elderly parents or grandparents can be quite challenging, especially if you’re trying to improve their quality of life. Giving them gift cards at holidays or visiting them for an hour or two on Christmas might not be enough, and you might need to spend some extra time so they can be happy. Many people don’t know what should be done to make their elderly parents or grandparents happy, which could sometimes be hard. That’s why we’ve collected 9 ways that will help you make your elders happy easily.

1. Ensuring Their Health Care Provider Covers Their Needs

Usually, the government provides good healthcare for the elderly, but sometimes the healthcare coverage doesn’t cover all medical expenses. That could cause stress to some elders as they know they won’t be able to afford some medicines or surgeries if needed, and they might not get the care they need because they simply cannot manage any more debts. To make your elders happy, you should ensure that all their healthcare wishes are met and ensure that they have all the medical services they need. Many Medicare supplement plans cover the parts that aren’t covered by standard Medicare. These plans help cover the expenses senior citizens can’t afford so they can get the necessary healthcare. They’re often issued by private insurance companies, so before doing so, check with your attorney to ensure that the contract covers all the expenses of healthcare needed without being in debt.

2. Spend Quality Time with Them

If you know an elderly person that is dear to you and is retired, has lost their spouse or their friends or has a health condition that forces them to stay at home, they’re probably feeling lonely and it’s affecting their overall mental and physical health. Untreated hearing loss in seniors increases the likelihood of social isolation, as well as of a reduction in quality of life. Blue Angels Hearing is one of the top companies that offer fully digital rechargeable hearing aids over the internet for a fraction of regular high street costs that can help seniors to listen better and get on with their life.

3. Outdoor Activities

It’s important for everyone to spend enough time in the sun every day, and this becomes even more essential as we get older. Take them outside in a garden or even in their backyard. If you can’t take them outside every day, you can grow a garden in their backyard or fill their house with plants so they can interact with nature. This will help enhance their mental health and will make them happy.

4. Schedule Visits

If your elderly parents or grandparents live far from you, schedule a weekly visit to spend the day with them. Don’t use your phone or laptop while you’re visiting them so they know that this time is dedicated to them. Visit them early in the morning, prepare breakfast, and plan some activities for the rest of the day.

5. Be Courteous

Our elders grow up in a time when respect and politeness were important and not respecting them or having manners is a huge deal for them. So, you need to be very polite while you’re talking and dealing with them. When they’re talking, listen and don’t interrupt until they’re done. If you disagree with anything they’re saying, you can address your point politely and after they make their point clear. If they raise their voice, stay calm and quiet. For elders, respect and manners are major parts of etiquette, and following their etiquette will make them calmer and happier.

6. Improve Their Financial Portfolio

Your elders’ financial portfolio should include all of their assets, cash, stocks, and bonds. It’s better to contact a professional financial planner to check your elderly parent’s portfolio and make sure that it’s well managed. If it doesn’t include everything, an expert financial planner will help you add all the missing points. A well-managed financial portfolio ensures that all their bill pay services are in order.

7. Eat with Your Elders

One of the most enjoyable things for elderly people is eating with their family. It’s considered a time to improve your bond as a family and have fun. If you live close to them, you can pass by every couple of days to have lunch or dinner with them. If they’re far from you, you can schedule a time when you can eat with them and catch up. You can also plan for a picnic or eat at their favorite restaurant.

8. Take Their Advice

Our elders are smarter and wiser than we all are. They’ve been through a lifetime of experience and most of the time they can provide good advice. However, you don’t necessarily need to take advice from elders because you need it but mainly because it will make them feel that you’re engaging them in your life and problems, which will make them happy.

9. Call Them

If there’s no possibility to visit your elders every week, then you should keep in contact. Call your elders every day to check up on them and have a small talk. You can call them to ensure that they’re okay and they don’t need anything, and you can call to keep them updated with your events. It’s one of the most efficient ways to make your elders happy because calling daily means you care and appreciate their existence.

Making your elders happy is not hard when you know what they need. They could be having a good life but they’re stressing because they can’t afford certain medical care, or because they don’t see you often. Family and respect matter to elders so you need to engage them in your life and make them a part of it. Taking them outside for a picnic and engaging in a lot of activities together will improve their mental health, enhance their mood, and will make them happy. If you’re busy and you can’t visit them regularly, then make sure that you call them daily to include them in your life.

How Do Businesses Get to File a Bankruptcy?

By

Дмитра Врачарић

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June 2, 2020

Bankruptcy is one of the most common ways businesses find relief when they run into financial trouble and are unable to pay their debts on time or at all. Filing for bankruptcy is a legal process, in which the federal court may help cushion the debtor against harassment from creditors as they pay back the borrowed money through a more favorable plan. The court may also decide whether the debt should be eliminated altogether. It can also protect debtors (businesses in this case) from other threats such as foreclosure, asset repossession, utility shut off, and evictions, just to name a few. While filing for bankruptcy can have a few disadvantages as well, it could be the only way for a business to resolve financial challenges as they seek to rebuild credit. But how exactly do businesses file bankruptcy? Below is a brief account of what it all entails.

1. Understanding Your Options

Before we get into detail about the bankruptcy filing process, it’s important to understand the various types of bankruptcy. Well, in a nutshell, the three main options include the following:

Chapter 7 bankruptcy

This one is also known as liquidation bankruptcy. Under chapter 7, all dischargeable debts can be eliminated as long as the debtor meets the eligibility criteria and abides by the set rules. It’s common for businesses who intend to close down or liquidate.

Chapter 11 bankruptcy

Also known as business reorganization bankruptcy, chapter 11 bankruptcy is common for large-stake businesses that intend to restructure their debts and remain in business. It allows flexibility but can be a bit costly for the debtor.

Chapter 13 bankruptcy

Basically, a chapter 13 bankruptcy will allow a debtor to protect their assets from creditors who might be seeking levy on them after facing financial difficulties. It allows debtors to restructure their debt repayment plan with their creditors to a more affordable one.

2. Find a Good Attorney

Well, as you can see from just the definition, filing bankruptcy can get really technical. Unless you’re a lawyer by profession, you may not even be able to tell or decide which bankruptcy chapter will best suit your business. Remember, filing bankruptcy is a legal process that involves court proceedings, beating deadlines, and fulfilling certain eligibility criteria. These are all the more reasons to find a good bankruptcy lawyer from the word “go”. As you check this page about the commonly asked questions regarding bankruptcy, you will realize how important it is to have a legal expert in your corner when filing for bankruptcy. A trusted and experienced bankruptcy attorney will guide you through the entire process, keep you informed, and ensure you take the necessary steps with your business’s best interests at heart. Once you do some research and choose a good attorney, the rest of the process should flow smoothly as follows below.

3. Conduct a Bankruptcy Counseling Session

As complex as it sounds, the bankruptcy filing can also be long and confusing. This is why credit counseling is recommended, at least before filing, and after dischargeable debts are forgiven. During the credit counseling session, you are advised about the pros and cons of filing bankruptcy, along with the possible turn of events and the effects of the process in the future. It is important to have someone who will be transparent and honest about the repercussions and outcomes.

An experienced professional may also help explore the various debt relief alternatives if any is available to you and your business. Basically, the pre-filing session will help you decide whether bankruptcy is the best debt relief solution for you while preparing you for what will follow after the process. After this counseling session, debtors are normally issued with a certificate of completion, which will be needed by the federal court when filing for your bankruptcy.

4. Filing for Bankruptcy With the Court

At this point, it is highly likely that your creditors are following you up with calls, messages, letters, and emails reminding you about the debt. Once you actually file for bankruptcy with the court, the court stops all the business and transactions you might be having with your creditors. Since then, your credit report reflects that you are bankrupt. The court also communicates to your creditors that they should stop harassing you or following you up until the case is over. On a lighter note, you literally become a no-go zone to the creditors.

5. Repayment or Liquidation

Needless to reiterate, the best option for you between chapters 7, 11, and 13 will largely depend on your business’s financial situation. If you choose chapter 7, the next step may involve liquidation where the assets are distributed among the creditors equally and the business closes down. Reorganization and debt restructuring are the other possible outcomes.

Liquidation: This is eligible for all types of businesses. Here, the company is closed and every member is dismissed. The creditor takes over the company and runs it until they recover the money owed.
Reorganization: The business can continue to operate as it sorts out its debts with protection from the bankruptcy court. This, however, is only applicable to companies that generate regular income.

6. Debt Discharge and Rebuilding Credit

If the debt is weighing you down heavily, the court might consider ruling in favor of debt discharge. However, it doesn’t end there. It’s important to understand that bankruptcy can affect your credit report for as much as 10 years. This means that it can affect your credit scores incredibly, both as an individual and as a business. Nonetheless, your credit score can get back to a good rating depending on how you manage to rebuild yourself after bankruptcy.

For various reasons, we all hit the rock when it comes to financial obligations. Many businesses find themselves unable to pay their creditors and depending on how difficult the tide hits, bankruptcy is often the ideal debt relief solution. Despite the few drawbacks, it presents, filing for bankruptcy can be a great way to rebuild and restore your credibility after financial hurdles in business. Hopefully, the above few pointers shone some light to you regarding filing for bankruptcy.

Top 5 Cartoon Character Battles We’d Love to See

By

Billy Voss

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June 2, 2020

The cartoon world is a safe world for its characters. Let’s face it, if Wile E. Coyote were a real living creature, he would have died 1,000 deaths by now. The fact that he’s only a cartoon allows him to look into the face of death and laugh. With that in mind, it might be interesting to see some of our favorite cartoon characters battle it out to the end. They’d all survive anyway.

Below are proposals for the top five cartoon character battles we’d love to see. Each one was inspired by a T-shirt design offered by Oakland-based Nerd Kung Fu. According to Nerd Kung Fu’s owners, cartoon characters sell very well on T-shirts. For some reason, we Americans seem to have an unhealthy obsession with them.

1. Archie vs. Wonder Woman

Do you remember the 1940s Archie and all his friends from Riverdale High? Archie was the typical, clean-cut high school student who always smiled and never had an impure thought. In fairness though, his creators eventually did give him a slightly dark edge. That’s why we would love to see the original Archie battle it out with Wonder Woman.

Imagine the clean-cut Archie fighting the world’s hottest superhero in a winner take all cage match. It is easy to visualize Wonder Woman putting a beat down on Archie while screaming at the top of her lungs, “I am woman, hear me roar!” Afterward, Archie would pull himself off the floor and stagger over to a waiting Veronica, pleading for the end of puberty to come quickly.

Fans of the CW are aware that Archie got a remake with his own TV show a few years ago. Make no mistake that the 2014 Archie is nothing like his 1940s counterpart. If we are going to see Archie battle it out with Wonder Woman, it has to be the original Archie.

2. Batman vs. Robin

Batman and Robin have been best pals since forever. You could make the case that they are the cartoon world’s version of Ralph Kramden and Ed Norton. Batman is to Ralph what Robin is to Ed. The big difference is that Robin actually has a brain. Be that as it may, a dueling Batman and Robin would be fun to see.

The thing about Batman is that he doesn’t have any genuine superpowers. He only succeeds in beating the bad guys because he has better technology. But everything Batman has access to Robin can get his hands on as well. Their battle would basically come down to who was better with the tech.

The smart money is on Robin. After all, he is a teenager. Batman is a middle-aged guy who probably doesn’t know how to program his thermostat.

3. Spiderman vs. Aquaman

Some of the stranger superheroes in the cartoon world are based on animals. Spiderman instantly comes to mind. This intrepid hero, whose birth name is Peter Parker, become Spiderman after being bitten by a radioactive spider. Just one bite and Shazaam! Mr. Parker could suddenly scale tall buildings with nothing but his bare hands and some homemade spider silk.

Aquaman is another strange one. He literally becomes a human fish by learning, at the hand of his father, how to survive under water. He is to the deep seas what Superman is to terra firma. He is the one to call if you ever need saving while you are searching for the lost city of Atlantis.

Watching Spiderman and Aquaman duke it out would be rather entertaining. For starters, your average spider isn’t a big fan of water. Likewise, your average fish won’t last long suspended in the air on a spider web. It would seem that the winner of this battle would be the one who could lure the other into his environment and keep him there for the better part of five minutes.

4. Garfield vs. Snoopy

Nerd Kung Fu says that Garfield and Snoopy T-shirts are not highly demanded these days. That’s a shame because both characters have a rich history in the cartoon world. We’d like to see them duke it out just for the fun of it. Of course, we don’t wish either of them any harm.

Garfield’s advantage would be his sly cunning. If you know anything about Garfield as a pet, you know he has very little respect for owner Jon Arbuckle. To him, Arbuckle is nothing more than a source of food. Garfield takes delight in besting his master at every turn. He also gets a strange thrill out of emptying the refrigerator every chance he gets.

As for Snoopy, he is truly a renaissance dog. He is capable of being everything to everyone at any time. He has a thing for Lucy, which might come in handy as a way to motivate him to battle it out with Garfield. Maybe they could fight for her affections. With any luck, you might even be able to pull Schroeder in.

5. Charlie Brown vs. Dennis The Menace

Finally, a battle between Charlie Brown and Dennis the Menace would be absolutely epic. As you know, Charlie Brown has about as much confidence as a small soap dish. He feels so bad about himself that he cannot see clear to getting through life without seeking everyone else’s approval. He is not unlike a lot of us.

On the other hand, Dennis is a walking tornado. He could visit a war zone and still make a mess. Imagine Dennis backing Charlie into a corner and taunting him with ugly comments about his lame Christmas tree and his inability to cook anything other than popcorn and toast.

All kidding aside, the cartoon world has been a source of joy for more than 100 years. People the world over have their favorite cartoon characters they love and adore. Said characters do not need to fight in order for us to enjoy them. Heck, most of us can find happiness wearing our favorite cartoon characters on our T-shirts.

4 Facts You Likely Didn’t Know About Board Games

By

Дмитра Врачарић

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June 2, 2020

It’s raining outside, and you and your family are stuck in the house conjuring up a plan to make your Saturday a little bit better. You can venture out because of the weather, and it seems silly to just sit around and watch television all day so there must be a better option. It’s days like this that the board game was created for. Great fun for all the family and depending on the game can last for hours and hours. Tournaments can be created, strategic plans hatched, and to top it all off, it brings everyone close together. But there’s a side to board games I’m sure you don’t know, here are some interesting facts you likely didn’t know.

Monopoly

If you’ve never heard of monopoly then where have you been hiding? This game is a classic that can take an age to complete, full of strategy and collusion, Monopoly is a game in which you try to dominate a real estate board by buying, selling, and building on properties to try and earn the most amount of money possible. Once you get going it’s great fun, there are a few house rules to follow but also many different versions you can follow. You can make it as fun, or as complicated as you like!

As for some fun facts, the longest monopoly game ever recorded was 70 days straight. Now that’s some serious gaming! Another fact is that during the second world war, special editions of the game were used to help prisoners of war escape by including maps, compasses and other items hidden amongst the game.

Scrabble

This is one mighty brain teaser! Such a fun game for everyone as long as you’re over a certain age, placing 3 letter words for the entire game isn’t going to get you many points. The main aim of this game is to place words you create from randomly picked letters, you have 7 in total and have to make the largest word every time. You can use other players’ words on the board as long as it makes sense. There are some other rules like no names and no places, but other than that the entire English dictionary is yours to play with! Some people struggle to begin with and find it difficult until their vocabulary has built up a little. There’s nothing wrong with learning so click here for a little help with any letters you may be struggling with. Once you’ve learned it you won’t have to use it again.

There are other online tools too. For example, Unscrambled Words is great for when you need a little extra assistance coming up with Scrabble words. All you have to do is enter the letters you have to work with and let the tool generate a list of words that start with, end with, or contain the letters depending on what you need. You can even select the appropriate dictionary so if you are playing in the UK or the US, you’ll get valid Scrabble words.

Scrabble wasn’t originally called scrabble, the first-ever name was Lexico, followed by criss-cross word before settling on Scrabble. It was invented by an unemployed architect and once upon a time was a television show.

Checkers

A great game of skill that requires concentration and foresight into what the other player might do. Checkers is a game that’s played on, you guess it, a checkedboard, and the objective for the two players is to ‘hop’ over the other person’s counters and capture them. It’s a great game to pass the time and some think it’s a simpler version of chess.

Little did you know, however, that there has been a checkers board dating back to 3000 BC, meaning it was most probably invented by ancient civilizations. Some other sources have traced its origins back to the Egyptians.

Pictionary

What a classic. The game involves a pen, some paper, a stack of cards containing objects to draw, a timer, and a group of people. You take it in turns by looking at a card and receiving an object to draw, then you set the timer and draw the object you have been given whilst all the other people in the group try and guess what is being drawn. The winner is the first to guess correctly. It’s a brilliant party game that gets better as the night goes on.

Pictionary doesn’t come from a party background, however, it actually was invented by a waiter who when bored would pick words from the dictionary and draw them for his coworkers to guess. It was around the same time that Trivial Pursuit became popular so he turned it into a game and made the first 1000 sets in his apartment.

There’s always more you can learn about things, it just takes a little time to research. Board games have an incredible history behind them and it’s worth taking a look from time to time. You never know you might find the secret to winning whilst taking a look!

Important Things to Consider When Hiring a Digital Marketing Agency

By

Дмитра Врачарић

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June 2, 2020

Digital Marketing Agency — Source: medium.com

The business landscape has changed dramatically since the dawn of the digital age. The current markets for most businesses are geared towards digitalization due to the sweeping trend of internet access and online activities by people across the globe. While businesses and companies can choose between an in-house marketing team or a digital marketing agency.

There are certain advantages that the latter can offer, and these can be included in some of the important things to consider when hiring one.

Consider an Agency’s Advantage over an In-House Team

Choosing one over the other can be considered as a company’s preference, but let’s focus on the advantage of hiring an agency here. While the main reason why companies choose to establish an in-house team is due to cost savings, a digital marketing agency offers cost efficiency, which means getting the most out of the money you spend. You can check out brandlume.com as part of your top choices when it comes to an agency with a wide variety of marketing services that are handled by experts and professionals. When the agency you are hiring consists of experts and experienced professionals in the marketing field, you can be assured of the quality of the project. This means you spend less time monitoring their progress and you can put your mind at ease while focusing on your company’s core functions.

Look Into the Certifications and Expertise

Whether you have an idea about marketing or not, it is important to look at the certifications and expertise of an agency. Keep in mind that you are entrusting one of the crucial determiners of your company’s success to this agency, so it is only right to check on their key competencies and the certifications they obtained. Check for the agency’s areas of expertise and how they equate to the areas of your business that need expert marketing touch.

Check for the Agency’s Reputation

The internet can be a reliable resource when it comes to checking for a reputable agency to hire. When checking for an agency’s background, check on the client and customer feedback about the agency. The agency itself should have a dedicated site page or space where the feedback information can be found. If you need an unbiased feedback source, there are third-party agency information sites you can check for such information. Reviews can also be reliable pieces of information you can check on a marketing agency’s reputation. The agency you are considering should be transparent about this and should have a page with links to these reviews. Again, third party agency review sites can offer great insights about agency-client relationships. Thus, keep an eye for these valuable pieces of information and avoid agencies that do not have this information.

Explore Options When it Comes to Cost

We’ll touch back on the cost side of things when it comes to hiring a marketing agency. Contrary to the common belief that hiring marketing agencies is expensive, these agencies actually offer flexible rates and methods of payment. Companies can choose from hourly rates, flat rate or resource allocation arrangement. This means that companies have the option to choose which best meets the allocated budget and suits their payment preferences. Choose an agency that is transparent about its costs and is open for negotiations regarding the cost, service and roles the agency will handle.

Assess the Agency’s Commitment

Contracts are an essential part of an agency-client agreement. Typical marketing agency contracts can be six months to twelve months. Contracts may have definite terms when it comes to honoring what is stipulated in them. However, these contracts often include an “out clause”, which means you can terminate the contract for a specified number of day’s notice. Most commonly, the contracts have a 30-day out clause, but this can be extended or reduced, depending on the agency. Choose an agency that has an optimal or extended out clause as such an agency tends to be more committed and invested in its clients.

Consider an Agency’s Awards and Recognitions

There are many awards and recognitions granted to marketing agencies, and when you are looking for an agency, you might as well include this criterion. There are numerous private and government institutions that conduct evaluations on various agencies. These evaluations may be based on case studies, client audit reports, customer satisfaction surveys and other means of assessments. If the agency you are considering has won several awards, it means that it has firmly established itself in this line of business and that you can be assured of its quality of work.

Study the Agency’s Client Base

The advantage of knowing the agency’s client base is it allows you to know the different industry lines that the agency has been catering to. It would be a big plus if an agency has had a successful transaction or project with other clients that are in the same line of the industry as your business. For example, if you’re a tech company, you’ll want to look for a tech marketing agency with experience. Also, knowing the business size of an agency’s typical client base can let you estimate or compare your own business size and see if they are capable of handling similar-sized clients. Agencies that are able to acquire high-profile clients reflect their high-profit margin and their capacity of producing top-tier talents and resources.

Look Into the Length of Service

This generally refers to the longevity of the marketing agency. You will need to ask questions like “How long has the agency been handling digital marketing?” or “Is the agency capable of growing along with my business?”. These are some of the key questions that can be determined through how long the agency has established its line of service. While it is ideal that you should choose an agency that has a considerable length of service, there is also much potential in a good agency that is just starting out and still on its way to making a mark on the industry. Having a long-term partnership with an agency through the different growth phases of your company allows the development of a strong client-agency relationship where your marketing agency can grow along with you.

Assess the Agency’s Software and Tools

While there is no need for you to delve deep into the technical stuff about the software and tools used by a marketing agency, it is still necessary to make a general assessment of them. The most important consideration is the communication tools that will be used. Both you and the agency will need to regularly keep in touch for updates, reports, revisions and other important matters to discuss. When it comes to software, having an idea on how the agency goes about with its projects, what part of their process is fully automated and how the tools they are using generally work can give a sense of reassurance that your projects will be done efficiently. It is also ideal if the agency can give a background about the tools or even provide training and access to use the tools and operate their software if necessary, with the latter depending on the coverage of your contract with the agency.

More businesses and companies are realizing the value of having a dedicated and capable agency to handle the marketing side of their operations. With a well-coordinated and managed marketing being aligned to your business operation, you are ensuring the success and sustainability of your business in the foreseeable future.

Saving Time and Money with Mobile Auto Glass Services

By

Дмитра Врачарић

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June 1, 2020

Windshields play a huge role in ensuring the safety of drivers and their passengers. The windscreen keeps you protected from the wind as well as the harm that may be caused by flying debris such as dust particles, rocks, and insects while allowing clear vision on the road. Some windshields also come with a coating to protect your eyes from UV damage. But the unexpected does happen and from time to time, vehicle windscreens get shattered or broken. When this occurs, it renders your vehicle unusable since driving it in this condition can put you and other occupants in the vehicle in harm’s way.

This means that to get your car back up and spinning on the road, windshield repair is paramount. Needless to mention, new windshields need to be installed by a professional. When yours gets shattered, you can either get your car towed to the mechanic’s shop or call a reliable mobile auto glass service to your rescue. In most cases, the latter is more convenient for various reasons. This having been said, here are a few ways mobile auto glass services can help save time and money for you.

They Come To You

The best thing about mobile auto glass services is that the professionals come to the site or scene where the incident happened. Whether you need a shattered windshield replaced or you need a UV coating installed, you don’t have to drive to the garage or get your car towed there. As the auto glass repair pros at http://www.autoglasscentersusa.com/ reveal, this saves you both time and money. In addition to windshield repair and replacement, these professionals also handle side car window repairs and replacement on demand, saving you a lot of frustration. They address the problem quickly yet professional on the spot and before you know it, you’re back on the road in no time.

Save Money on Gas

These services are also beneficial in that they allow you to make cost savings on gas. For instance, if your car’s windshield just received impact and sustained a huge crack, you may be able to drive it effortlessly to the repair shop. But why waste money on gas when a mobile repairman can come to where you are? This is not to forget that as earlier mentioned, you may not have to spend money paying a tow truck if it’s just the windscreen that has been damaged. Even if it happened on the road, you can just park your vehicle on the side and dial an auto glass mobile service.

Use Auto Insurance

In some instances, car insurance may cover for the repair costs involved after windshield damage, partially or wholly. This is especially if it’s caused by harsh weather conditions like hail. However, most insurers insist on working with auto glass shops with negotiated rates. This means that drivers or car owners can make money savings by letting reputed mobile auto glass services handle the mess.

Research Prices

There are probably more than a few auto glass replacement services in your area or the area where your car’s windscreen/rear window gets shattered. The thing is, these service providers may have different prices for different services. Another great way to save money with mobile auto glass services is to perform quick research and compare prices. Some even provide attractive discounts that will spare you a few bucks but make sure you prioritize service quality over cost savings. Moreover, mobile service providers are often cheaper compared to brick and mortar auto repair shops.

Avoid Driving With a Shattered Windscreen

If your windshield gets damaged completely, driving the car can be a terrible mistake. For starters, it can impair your vision while driving, which puts you and other road users in danger. If you manage not to get into an accident, you can rest assured the cops will stop you and take action on you. As a driver, you don’t want to put yourself or others at risk, neither do you want to get in trouble with law enforcement. For this reason, getting a damaged windshield repaired as soon as possible can save you a lot of harm, time, and money in this respect.

On a parting shot, the benefits of having your windshield and car windows in good condition speak for themselves. They help ensure a smooth and comfortable driving experience at all times. If your car’s glass gets damaged, fixing it using mobile auto glass services can help save a lot of time and money while ensuring your safety is restored.

How to Choose the Best Material for Pool Resurfacing

By

Billy Voss

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June 1, 2020

The surface layer of your pool has become rough and worn out? Then, it’s definitely time to ‘change clothes’ and freshen up your favorite, cosy nook in the backyard. Insufficient information and inexperience impose the need to inquire about it better before the works start. Which material to choose and why – it’s an eternal dilemma. Your friends say one thing, your manufacturers persuade you to do something else, often only in order to convince you to buy their product.

In order to help yourself make a decision, you need to consider many factors and, above all, find out about the choice of materials that are generally used. Then, according to your possibilities and the existing conditions in the yard, you decide on what would suit you best. It’s basically all up to you – and you need to do it right if you want it to look smokin’ hot and be functional, too.

Let’s talk about some of the most popular and most commonly materials used in resurfacing first.

Plaster is one of the cheapest options for recovering, and for that reason, people usually choose it rather than other alternatives.

However, given the lowest price, it also provides the shortest lifespan and after a few years, you may have a problem as it will require rework… again.

As PoolResurfacingChandler.com states, you’ll know that it’s time to do so when you notice small cracks, stains or similar changes in your existing plaster The good thing is that repairing is easy – you just reapply it and paint it in the desired color.

Pebble stones are usually applied in combination with mortar. Resistance to unwanted dirt and stains is probably the major benefit that comes out of this option, which makes maintenance much easier.

Of course, it also makes it more popular, as nobody wants to bother much about this. For all those who want to have the impression of swimming somewhere in nature, for example on the river, this will do a marvellous job.

Concrete is generally considered a traditional choice in this situation. Longevity and quite a decent resistance to destruction are its basic features.

The aesthetic quality is negligible compared to the previously mentioned plaster and pebble, but at least you can choose the desired color of concrete.

Arranging the interior of the pool in such cases is often just one of the to-do points on your checklist. During resurfacing, its environment is usually remade as well and then brick, wood and various types of tiles can also be considered.

Non-slip and safe

This point should be considered first if the first thing you want to take care of is your health and wellbeing. We all know how fatal the injuries caused by slipping and falling might be – breaking body parts or hitting the head hard on the floor can even lead to death.

For that reason, just try to secure yourself in time with a non-slip rim around the pool. And especially if you have small children. Here, pebble stones would probably be most suitable due to their rough surface.

Flat, not rough, without bumps

Hiring a master to do this job is not a negligible item as the quality of the completed task will depend on their skills. The entire surface must be well leveled, without any protrusions that might bother you while swimming or just chilling in the pool.

You know that feeling when you grab the edge of the pool and it scratches your hands as the material seems to be too rough? Don’t let it happen! This is the opportunity to choose wisely and avoid such inconveniences.

Price

Think about how willing you are to invest in this – if you only want to renew the old and worn concrete base or you want to do it because you’re tired of its old ‘look’. You must answer this question first to know exactly what you’re looking for. And after that, consider your budget.

Be aware that the second option is usually more expensive, as there’s an aesthetic aspect which requires more funds. As we previously stated, some materials are cheaper than others, but if you want to decide well, take into account all pros and cons and guide your search according to that.

Color

The choice of color will undoubtedly affect the outcome since the whole aesthetic experience will be enhanced by this factor. The choice of the perfect color will rest your tired eyes – for example peacefully blue, enough to imagine yourself in the crystal clear sea at some exotic destination. Or gray, as a neutral shade.

Depending on the producers, you may come across a narrower or wider choice, but most of them include shades of these two colors – graphite and silver-grey, aquamarine, sapphire blue, etc.

Ability to reflect heat

Do you like to walk barefoot around the pool in the summer? Ouch, it burns! Yes, this is exactly the moment we want to draw your attention to – you don’t want to wait for this moment to come to find out that you’ve made a mistake.

Try to avoid this situation by getting a substrate made of heat-reflecting material. Sun absorption should be kept to a minimum and one of the ideas is to choose a darker color and keep the surface cooler on hot days. If you’re resistant to this and more durable, well, ignore this part of the text.

Consult experts

Don’t make decisions on your own at any cost. It’s always good to listen to different opinions – this proved to be a good recipe for perfect results: after talking to friends, seek advice in some other places.

Consult with experts who have many years of experience in this business. Nowadays various companies offer free consultations which can be very useful if you don’t know where to start. This definitely makes the activity of finding materials for this occasion less challenging and tiring.

Consider the resistance of the material to chemicals, mold, and weather

And lastly – ensuring the long life of the material after the restoration is a priority. Therefore, inquire about its durability and properties. You certainly don’t need something that will wear out quickly and cause you a new expense in a very short time.

Adequate maintenance is crucial – and it often includes almost inevitable use of chemicals. The substrate must be able to absorb a large amount without any consequences. Rarely does anyone decide to build an indoor pool and it’s often placed in a yard. In such cases, another must would be its resistance to frost.

8 Reasons Why You Should Buy a Car Insurance for Your Newly Purchased Car

By

Дмитра Врачарић

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June 1, 2020

Buying a new car is a big decision. You may do your research about the different types of models, its features, and its price and choose the best car that suits your needs. But, your research must also include selecting the right insurance policy for the vehicle. Read on to know more about why you must purchase insurance for your newly purchased car.

No matter the type of car you purchase, be it a standard vehicle or an SUV (Sports Utility Vehicle), it is paramount that you insure the car before driving it on the road. In India, as per the Motor Vehicles Act, all car owners must purchase an insurance policy; it is a legal requirement. Driving without valid insurance is illegal, and it can attract a hefty fine. Apart from complying with the law, you must purchase insurance for your new car to keep your asset protected from risks like accidents, natural calamities, theft, etc.

In India, most insurance companies offer two types of insurance policy – Third Party Insurance and Comprehensive Insurance. The former is a basic policy and mandated by law. Under the policy, the insurer is liable to compensate for the loss occurred to the third-party’s vehicle and physical injury resulting from an accident involving your insured vehicle. The comprehensive policy, on the other hand, offers a broader coverage and it protects against third-party liabilities as well as damages to your car.

Now that you are aware of the types of car insurance policies you can buy, you must know the benefits of purchasing insurance for your new car.

1. Protection against accidental damages

Depending on the type of insurance policy you hold, you get protection against damages caused by the accident. If you have third-party insurance, the insurer will compensate for the losses you may cause to the third-party’ vehicle. If you have comprehensive coverage, the insurer is liable to pay for the damages to the third-party as well as to your car.

2. Protection against theft or total damage

Car theft can cause immense emotional stress as well as financial strain. If you have a comprehensive car insurance plan, you shall receive compensation (equal to the IDV of the vehicle) from the insurer. Similarly, if your car gets damaged beyond repairs due to an accident, the insurer will compensate for the loss equal to the IDV. The IDV or the Insured Declared Value is the maximum amount the insurance company pays in the event of car theft, and it is determined at the time of purchasing the insurance.

3. Protection against natural calamities

Natural calamities like rain, storm, earthquake, floods are unpredictable and can occur at any time causing severe damage to life and property. If your car gets damaged due to any natural calamity, your car insurance policy will come in handy to fix the damage and get compensation for the repairs.

4. Add-on covers

When you buy a comprehensive car insurance policy, you have the liberty to purchase add-on cover, which is an additional coverage option that extends the scope of your regular policy. It also allows you to personalize your policy to suit your specific needs. Some of the popular add-on covers that people purchase include, zero depreciation cover, roadside assistance, engine protection cover, no claim bonus protection, return to invoice, key replacement cover, engine and gear box protector, downtime protection, etc.

5. NCB

No Claim Bonus is the reward offered by the insurers for not filing a claim during the policy year. The benefit offered is in terms of reduction in the premium amount or increase in the sum insured upon renewal of the policy. The NCB keeps increasing for every year of not filing a claim. So, if you do not file a claim for five years, then upon renewal of the policy, you may get a 50% discount on the premium.

6. Increases the resale value of the car

While purchasing a car insurance policy for your new car, you may not be thinking about resale. But, after a few years, when you wish to sell the car, you would surely want to get good value. And, one of the best ways to fetch a good price while trying to sell your car is to have a comprehensive insurance cover. A higher-IDV (Insured Declared Value), and a policy with add-on covers will signify to the buyer that you really care about your car and maintain it in top condition, and you can quote a higher price while selling your car.

7. Obliging with the law

In India, as per the Motor Vehicles Act, all car owners must mandatorily have at least a valid third-party insurance cover always. Driving without a license is an offence, and it can attract a hefty fine. So, when you purchase insurance for your new, you not only protect your car from damages but also comply with the law. While it is mandatory to purchase a third-party cover, experts recommend buying comprehensive insurance as it helps you get wider coverage. Although the premium for a comprehensive cover may be slightly higher, it is a worthy investment considering the amount you can save in the event of an unfortunate accident.

8. Peace of Mind

Lastly, when you have car insurance for your new vehicle, you can have peace of mind knowing that your priced asset is sufficiently protected against accidental risk.

A lot of insurance buyers in India think of car insurance as a compulsion, but you must consider it as an investment that provides you several benefits as mentioned above. So, if you have recently purchased a new car or if you are planning to buy one, make sure that you get an insurance cover at the earliest. There are many reputed insurance companies in India like HDFC Ergo that offers a wide range of plan to suit the various needs of the customers at a competitive premium. You can compare the various plans and choose the one that best suits your specific needs.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Sale and Leaseback Financing

By

Дмитра Врачарић

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June 1, 2020

The term sale and leaseback is a transaction where the owner sells their asset to a person or a company and then leases it back immediately from the company or the person that bought it entering a long-term lease agreement. Using sales and leaseback frees up cash for the business, and it will help you measure the cost of financing, acquiring, disposing, and maintaining your assets more effectively. This is a strong alternative to conventional financing, and many companies, such as Skydan Equity Partners, offer this program. It can be beneficial for both buyer and the seller. The seller receives a lump sum of cash quickly, and the buyer acquires a lower-than-market-value purchase price along with a long-term lease at an attractive yield. It this post we will discuss all of the possible pros and cons of a sale and leaseback.

What companies or properties are good candidates for sale and leaseback financing?

Properties with single tenants
Property types such as office, retail, medical, and industrial
Companies with a long and provable operating history as well as a healthy balance sheet
Companies willing to enter into leases of at least ten years at the current market rate
Companies willing to enter a triple net lease and agree that the tenant will be responsible for any and all operating expenses

The advantages and disadvantages of Sales and Leaseback

There are several advantages and disadvantages to sale and leaseback deals. Consider them carefully to ensure you are making the correct decision for your business and commercial property.

Some of the seller advantages:

Converting equity into cash – With sale and leaseback financing, the seller regains the use of capital that would otherwise be tied up in property ownership. At the same time, the seller will retain possession and the continued use of the property during the lease term. Sellers typically receive much more cash with a sales and leaseback option than with conventional mortgage financing programs. Sale and leaseback transactions yield up to 100% of the real estate fair market value, compared to just 60% to 80% when using a typical outright sale.

A sales and leaseback are most advantageous where the property is sold at a small gain or a loss because capital gains tax is reducing the cash from the sale.

The alternative to conventional financing – The seller can generally structure the initial lease term for a time that will meet its needs without the call provisions, the burden of balloon payments, refinancing, or some other issues of conventional financing. The seller would also avoid the substantial costs of traditional funding like the appraisal fees, points, and some legal fees. Also, the overall economic situation can restrict access to capital markets. This happened in the aftermath of the financial crisis where loans were issued more conservatively than before. It made sale and leaseback transactions a valuable alternative to the more expensive mezzanine financing due to not having a dilutive effect on the seller’s equity.

Improved credit standing and balance sheet – The seller replaces a fixed asset with a current asset. In case a lease is classified as operating, the seller’s rent obligation is typically disclosed in a footnote in the balance sheet. That will result in a seller’s current ratio increase, or the existing assets ratio to current liabilities. This usually serves as the indicator of a buyer’s ability to service his short-term debt obligations. The seller granted a lease will be able to amortize the proceeds from this transaction on their income statement boosting reported earnings, which can positively affect their financial ratios and margins as long as legal requirements and accounting practices concerning sale and leaseback transactions remain unchanged.

Premium pricing – Historical evidence shows that a real estate that is subject to sale and leaseback with a dependable rent rate can have up to 13% higher value compared to those that are not subjected to this transaction. This is due to the expected higher cash flow of such property because the long-term lease agreement works against the usual periodic vacancy due to tenant fluctuation, which is common in property markets.

Some of the buyer advantages:

A property tax structured sale and leaseback transaction will prove the buyer with plenty of benefits and advantages.

High return rate – The buyer will receive a higher return rate with sale and leaseback than with a conventional loan. Moreover, the buyer will have the ability to circumvent state usury laws that are limiting the interest rate charged with traditional financing.

Secure and predictable return rate – Long term net lease will enable the buyer to estimate the expected future return rate accurately. The extended term of the lease also provides the buyer with protection from downturns in an inflation hedge and the real estate market.

Avoiding usury problems – With this type of arrangement, the buyer will be able to prevent the state usury problems that are encountered by the lenders when money is tight. The seller and the buyer can establish any mutually agreed upon rent level.

The Disadvantages of Sale and Leaseback

One of the disadvantages is that you’re not the owner of an asset until you purchase it at the end of the lease. This is a minor and temporary disadvantage because you’ll still be having the benefit of using the asset.

A Sale and Leaseback can be a bit more complicated than a regular one. Depending on your situation, it may take a little bit more time to finalize the agreement. This is especially true if your bank has a General Security Agreement (GSA) over your company. That way, a sales and leaseback agreement will require a signed waiver from the bank.

In case you’re looking for a new source of cash, so you’re considering sales and leaseback financing options, it’s essential to take into account both advantages and disadvantages to determine whether it would work for your commercial property. It is also a good idea to examine other possible options, and avoid common pitfalls by consulting your commercial property agent and instructing the help of financial and legal advisors.