By: Rebecca Clark

We’re almost halfway into 2018, and businesses across the world are checking in to see if they’ve been meeting their goals for the new year.

Building, expanding, increasing profit…these are all great goals to work towards in 2018, but there’s something important you may have forgotten about: your customers.

Without the people who purchase your products or services, you would have no business. That’s why it’s critical to have a dedicated team of customer support staff to ensure your company is meeting your customers’ expectations. Whether it be answering questions, providing insight, or working through an issue, it’s imperative your customer service team knows who to respond to and how to interact with customers.

Here are five ways to take your customer service to the next level this year:

• Meet your customers where they are. Elderly folks looking for a retirement home probably aren’t going to hop on Snapchat to get in contact with potential places—they’re going to comb through Google search results for a phone number. A millennial looking for artwork to hang in their new Brooklyn apartment isn’t going to scour LinkedIn; they’re going to check out Instagram. Know your business, your customers, and what platform(s) they use most frequently.

• Get accessible. 2016 marked the first year mobile internet usage overtook computer internet usage. As smartphones continue to become more and more ubiquitous, it’s critical that you have mobile-friendly ways to get in touch with your customers. Consider a business texting app like TextRequest, or a chat software like Chatbox. You can also utilize bots from providers such as Flow XO to automatically reply to simple questions on your website or Facebook page. Which leads me to my next point…

• Be human. Bots are a great tool to assist with your customer service strategy, but shouldn’t be the sole focus. For as much as we rely on technology, people crave meaningful, intentional, one-on-one conversations. Inject humanity into your bots where you can, but make sure your company is prioritizing human-to-human customer service. If possible, it’s not a bad idea to hire someone solely to interact with customers online and over the phone. Your customers are intelligent—they can tell when your communication with them follows a formula or template. Be personable, and most importantly, customize your conversation to that specific customer and their needs.

• Carve out time. Consistency is key when it comes to communicating with your customers. Promptly replying to Facebook messages puts a badge on your company’s page indicating that you’re very responsive, encouraging current or prospective customers to shoot you a message. Dedicate a chunk of your day to answering emails, interacting with folks on social media, and continuing to develop customer-centric business strategies.

• Establish authority. You should be an expert in whatever goods you sell or services your provide; that’s a given. What’s not necessarily a given is that you should prove it. Attend and/or present at workshops, seminars, or conferences. Write a blog or submit articles to other websites/blogs. Display your credentials and/or your employees’ expertise on your website. Whether it be giving input on what kinds of windows can withstand certain climate conditions or simply answering a question about what time your window shop opens, the goal of customer service is to provide your customers with knowledge they didn’t know before they came to you.

There you have it—five simple ways to step up your customer service expertise. By providing a team of accessible, knowledgeable folks dedicated to building and fostering relationships with current and potential customers, you can increase your company’s return on investment and earn the reputation of a trustworthy business.

The post Ways to Improve Customer Service in 2018 appeared first on Home Business Magazine.

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If you’re the proud owner of a new Ford truck, SUV, crossover, or car in Canada, congratulations! You’re sure to love your car and enjoy driving it for years to come.

But you’re not done outfitting your car just because you drove it out of the showroom, and brought it back home! With genuine Ford accessories in Canada, you can add quite a bit of functionality and style to your car.

How? In this article, we’ll take a look at just a few of the most useful genuine Ford accessories in Canada! Let’s get started.

1. Weatherproof Floor Liners And Mats

If you’re a Canadian, you know how harsh the winter can be in the great North – especially on your cars. If you don’t take the time to purchase weatherproof, rubberized floor liners and mats, your car is going to take a lot of abuse – and salt, dirt, mud, and other debris could end up staining your interior.

Genuine Ford rubberized, all-weather mats are a great way to avoid this. Water will pool in the mats as it collects, and evaporate over time. You can also remove the mats easily, without spilling water on the interior, and clean them to ensure that the inside of your new Ford vehicle remains in great shape.

2. Truck Bed Liners Or Cargo Protectors

Why just protect the front of your car from the weather? Ford offers a number of truck bed liners for the F-150 and other trucks, which can help protect the metal of your truck bed from scratches and dents, and also makes it easier to clean.

And if you have a passenger car like the Ford Edge or any other model, you can invest in cargo protectors and liners for the trunk. These allow you to toss in wet or snowy gear, such as snowboards, boots, skis, and other such items, without worrying about the moisture soaking into the interior, or damaging your vehicle.

3. Wheel Locks

Locking wheel lugnuts are a great way to ensure that your car does not have its wheels and tires stolen. While this is quite rare, it’s still an incredibly difficult problem to deal with – and by spending under $50 for a set of wheel locks, you can be sure that you never have to worry about your wheels being stolen when you park in a bad part of town.

4. Vehicle Covers

If you can park your vehicle inside a garage in the winter, count yourself as a lucky Canadian. Garage parking helps eliminate a lot of the inconveniences of winter driving. So, what should you do if you don’t have a garage, and you’re going on a long trip? Use a car cover! Vehicle covers help protect your car from the elements and keep it in great shape. Car covers can also be used to prevent snow from building up and sticking to your vehicle. After it snows, you can just pull the cover off of your car – and it will be totally clean and free of ice!

5. Block Heater Kits

If you live in Winnipeg, or anywhere else in Canada where temperatures regularly drop to below freezing for months at a time, you may want to purchase a block heater kit, if your car did not come with one.

A block heater plugs into a power outlet, and keeps your oil and other engine components warm, even during extremely cold temperatures. This helps keep your engine and vehicle in better shape and avoids problems like premature wear and ignition issues in cold weather.

Purchase These Genuine Ford Accessories In Canada Today!

If you’re a Ford customer in Canada, you have dozens of options for genuine Ford accessories. These are just a few of our suggestions! So head to Ford’s website or your local Ford dealer to shop accessories now, and keep your new Ford in great condition!

The post 5 Genuine Ford Accessories You Shouldn’t Live Without in Canada! appeared first on Home Business Magazine.

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For most business owners, their top priority is keeping their business running. Professional development may seem like a challenge and certainly you’re going to be learning on the job. However, there are significant benefits for continuing education. In fact, it’s vital for your business that you continue to learn and grow throughout your career. Here are a few ways that business owners can benefit from continuing education.

Innovation in Your Industry

No matter the area of your business, you’re going to need to grow and develop to stay competitive. Continuing education has been a baseline need for business owners. Not only do you need this in order to stay up-to-date with the basics of running a business, you can take your training a step further and use it as an example for further advancement.

Maybe you have a small business that’s less than 10 employees. Have you ever thought about turning your small business into a large company or even a chain of companies? If you’re invested in your continuing education, you can learn what you need to know in order to bring your business concept to its full potential.

Trends in Your Industry

Not only do you need to grow as a business in general, you also need to grow specifically in your industry. You should look for training that’s specific to your type of business or the needs of your company.

You can also enjoy continuing education as a way to find out more about the business trends in your geographical location. The needs and growth of a business in California are going to be different than the needs of one in rural Iowa. If you attend business training in California, you’ll probably learn a great deal more about how to run a business successfully in that area. If that is your case, you can find business training on findcourses.com and other online resources that will be flexible and tailored to your needs. Browse through the trainings available to find the specific courses in your area.

Networking in Your Area

As most business owners know, growing as a business also means constant networking. Although your primary goal with continuing education will likely be the education itself, you should also see this as an opportunity to network with other business owners. Whether you attend a single class, a conference, or any other type of training, you’ll probably be taking the education course with other people in your field. They may be your competition, or they may simply be your partners in the business owners field.

You can also learn a great deal from the networking opportunities at continuing education courses and events. Forming partnerships and learning what other businesses do for success is an area of education that you can experience through these opportunities. You may be surprised how much you learn from the people sitting next to you at your program. With the expertise that all of you gain, you can build better businesses together.

Inspiring Your Employees

Although your employees will also benefit from your growth and the growth of the business, they may also be inspired by your dedication to learning. Employees are more engaged when they feel that they’re working for a company that is dedicated to growth and development. As a business owner, you may want to try and send your employees to continuing education opportunities as well.

Your employees will appreciate that you take the time to learn and grow in your field. A business owner who doesn’t grow or seems interested in doing things in the same way will quickly lose the respect of his or her employees. When your employees see that you are growing in your business skills, they will also be inspired to work harder and be more engaged in the business.

Learning to Apply Knowledge

Throughout your career as a business owner, you’re going to learn new skills and learn what’s happening in your industry. However, knowledge and action may not always go hand-in-hand. If you feel as though you’re not taking enough steps to be competitive in your field, then continuing education can help with this as well. Continuing education is less like an intellectual-only course and tends to have practical applications which are fleshed out in the courses.

Make sure that you only sign up for classes where you will learn concepts or ideas that can be implemented for your business. Although it may be fun to take classes that seem interesting, you’re going to get the most out of courses that have a practical side to them. Maybe you can learn how to improve employee scheduling or a better way of managing payroll. Many times, you already have the basic knowledge but need some assistance to know how to best apply that knowledge to your business.

Avoid or Treat Burnout

When it comes to running your own business, you often have to struggle with burnout. If you’ve been running on empty for a while, then continuing education may actually help you in this area. Burnout doesn’t always mean that you’re tired of working. Sometimes it simply means that you’re not feeling as though you’re doing anything interesting or exciting with your life. You’d be surprised at how often business owners get stuck in this mindset and seem to struggle with getting excited about making any changes in their field.

Continuing education doesn’t change your business, but it can offer you a fresh take or perspective on your workload. You may find that you look forward to these courses, workshops, and seminars. Often, you’ll find that you feel rejuvenated with just a few hours a week. Burnout can happen to anyone at any stage of their career. If you feel complacent or tired on a regular basis, then continuing education opportunities may be the right choice for you. If the idea of them seems overwhelming, start off with just one course and see how you feel after taking on this learning opportunity.

Flexible Learning Environments

Education that meets your needs is beneficial and continuing education can and should be tailored to meet your scheduling needs. There are a variety of ways that you can take advantage of these opportunities. Although there are seminars, conferences, and in-person classes, you may find that you simply don’t have the time to attend these in-person events. The good news is that there are also online education courses offered.

The advantage of online learning is that you can take the courses when you have the time. This often means learning in the evenings or whenever you find a spare hour or two. You can even consider taking continuing education that isn’t on a set schedule. This means that you can either learn slowly or more quickly to get through what you need to know. No matter what your learning style, chances are you can find that as a small business owner.

Learning throughout your career is not only a good idea. It’s essential to the health and growth of your company. These are a few of the primary advantages that you can experience by taking part in online courses. You will gain skills, potentially attain a degree and expand your knowledge. Find courses or training in your field and continue growing.

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Finding a job after transitioning from the military can be extremely challenging for veterans. As such, it’s no wonder that many veer away from the traditional employment path and opt to become their own bosses. Opening a business presents its own set of challenges, ranging from understanding business basics to finding customers.

Before taking the plunge, do some research about opening a veteran-owned business, starting with the information provided below.

Loan Options

When you are a veteran, there are various loan options that can, directly and indirectly, help your business. For example, va home loan rates make homeownership affordable, so you can direct your finances toward making your business grow. There are also business-specific loans that can give you the capital you need to get your business off the ground.

Before considering a loan, be sure to have a business plan drafted to outline how much money you need. Take only what you need to get started with the intention of scaling your business as you grow. Responsible borrowing, whether from veteran-specific programs or not, starts with you.

Educational Resources

As mentioned before, knowing how to run a business at a functional level is crucial before diving into entrepreneurship. Fortunately, there is a lot of information online about how to complete daily tasks and what to consider when creating a business and marketing plan. However, taking a course targeted toward entrepreneurs and small business owners is an even better way to understand business basics.

There are numerous educational resources for both veterans and their spouses to be able to start a business. For example, Boots to Business is one of many resources available through the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) that includes two days of in-classroom discussion followed by eight weeks of an online follow-up course. This program—and others like it—help ensure a transitioning veteran has the business savvy they need to be successful.

To Claim Vet Status, or Not to Claim?

If you wish to do so, you can become a certified veteran-owned business. As long as 51% of shares in a business are owned by a veteran, the business is eligible. This grants you access to government contracts that are dog-eared to go to veteran-owned businesses. The application process can be long and arduous, which deters many from applying, especially if they have no interest in government contracts; at the end of the day, they recognize their service with or without a label.

Other veterans forgo announcing themselves as a veteran-owned business because they want to start fresh and have the focus be on the business itself. This is ultimately a personal choice that depends on the wants and needs of the business owner. It is worth noting that a significant number of people would rather do business with a veteran-owned organization rather than a civilian-owned business to show their support and gratitude.

Working with a Mentor

Many great business owners become successful because they work with a mentor or coach. Even the best coaches have coaches. Having someone who can guide you through the nuances of business ownership, help you set goals and direct your business, and hold you accountable can be exceptionally helpful. As a veteran, you may want to consider reaching out to a fellow vet for guidance.

Rather than working one-on-one with a coach or mentor, you may decide that you’d rather use general business resources. Your local Chamber of Commerce is a great starting point. Look for other resources specific to your situation, such as Centers for Women in Business and small business development organizations.

Running a veteran-owned business is just like running a civilian-owned business. The differences are the experiences you bring to the table as an entrepreneur and the values you hold as a veteran that are integrated into your business’s products or services. Use the available resources and enjoy your success.

The post How to Open a Veteran-Owned Business appeared first on Home Business Magazine.

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Mobile internet use has risen astronomically over the past decade and you probably don’t even need us to tell you this if you own a mobile phone! People absolutely love the convenience, ease of use and quickness that they get from using their mobile and that is why it is now more important than ever to ensure that your business has a mobile app. Here, we are taking you through the top reasons why your business needs a mobile app and all of the amazing benefits that you will experience from it.

Stay Visible

There have been many studies carried out regarding the use of mobile apps and whether or not they are beneficial for businesses. One thing that most statistics can agree on is that no matter where you are in the world, people are increasingly spending more and more time on their mobile phones. For example, latest statistics show that America, the average person will spend around two hours of their day on a mobile device. Of course, depending on what type of business you have, you may not get the same attraction to your website as other apps such as social media applications. However, what you will get if you are a small to medium sized business is constant visibility. When scrolling through their phone, users will subconsciously be seeing your brand all the time and this is a great way to stay connected to your audience and add value to your brand.

Improve Your Customer Experience

One of the great things about having an app for your business is that you can massively increase your customers’ user experience. If your app can make it easier for people to buy your services or goods, this will then generate more traffic to your business and conversions! An app that provides a smart and rewarding user experience is sure to become extremely popular amongst its target audience.

Use It for Free Promotion

Once your mobile app is built, it can be used as an amazing promotional tool. After your initial investment, you can then essentially start promoting your business free of charge! What’s more, if you want to offset the initial costs, you can always take web development courses to help you understand the process of building an app. These types of courses are offered by Red Academy and are taught by experienced industry professionals who will prepare you to code websites plus build web and mobile applications!

Go Global

One of the biggest benefits of a mobile app is that you can take your small, local business global! If you think your business could sell its goods or products worldwide then a mobile app is the perfect way to expand your market without having to make any major investments. Mobile apps and the web have provided a platform that allows small businesses to become a global success overnight. For example, if you have a local shop that produces handcrafted goods, you can then have these products reach people all around the world through the mobile app.

Integrate All Your Business Channels

An app can quickly become synonymous with its digital identity and after it starts to gain traction and engagement from customers it can then become a hassle-free way to interact and buy from your business. An app can easily become the main business channel and it can work as the main hub for all your channels. This can provide your business with amazing branding, better business processes and a customer-centric marketing campaign. Furthermore, with a mobile app you will have total control over every channel internally.

Make More Sales with an App

For many small businesses, the initial investment in an app, whether this is time building it yourself or paying a professional, is deemed not to be worth it. This is also usually despite all research pointing towards apps creating growth in businesses and driving sales. However, if you are just looking to start off by creating a simple app, this does not have to cost you a fortune. You can have an app built on a very competitive budget that provides an easy-to-use interface and quick engagement.

Beat Out Your Competitors

Last, but certainly not least, is that for many small businesses you can gain a huge lead over your competitors by providing a mobile app. Whilst your app will be up and running and making lots of big sales, your competitors are most likely still going to be debating whether or not an app is a good idea for their business. Having an app gives you an instant edge over your competitors, giving you the competitive lead.

The post Why Your Business Needs a Mobile App appeared first on Home Business Magazine.

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Success in retail business depends a lot on how well a merchant can create personalized shopping experiences. In this regard, accurate segmentation and handy technologies are key to providing relevant value propositions to different customer groups in a web-store, be it on Magento 2, WooCommerce, or any other platform.

To stay relevant and competitive, merchants should acknowledge trends in customer behavior so as to timely improve their targeting strategy. A recent Global Consumer Insights Survey by PwC revealed some interesting changes in customers’ shopping preferences.

For those who are short on time to read a full report (though we highly recommend it), we came up with 5 important takeaways that can influence e-commerce customer segmentation in 2018.

1. Customers seek experience

PwC asked consumers about their spending on experience and products and got the following results:

Over the past 12 months, 28% spent more money on experiences and 27% increased their spending on products. 46% of respondents said that they spent the same amount of money on experiences and 54% of them neither increased nor decreased spending on products.

Overall, PwC found out that people become more confident about their ability to afford extra products and experiences and plan to increase their purchases in the future. This is definitely a positive sign for merchants. At the same time, customers begin to value experience more and savvy retailers can exploit this trend. How?

Merchants can create stories and offer not just particular products but entire stories instead. For example, the Spearmint Love succeeded with it when they created a photo-story showcasing a complete outfit instead of featuring just a photo of a shirt or shoes. Mothers, their target customers, came back to the web-store and bought everything that was in the picture. That sounds promising, doesn’t it?

2. Customers go mobile but still value physical experience

PwC analyzed changes in the preferences for buying channels from 2013 to 2018. Though with a decline in 2014-2015, physical shopping is now gaining popularity. Customers consider shopping a pleasant sensory and social experience rather than just a reasonable act of buying something they need. At the same time, shopping via PC declined from 27% to 20%, tablet buying rose slightly, from 8% to 12%, and mobile-based buying more than doubled, from 7% to 17%. In the report, PwC predicts that the mobile channel will soon surpass personal computers.

Taking into account these shifts, merchants can start paying more attention to customers’ preferred communication channels and adjust their online activity accordingly. So, retailers can test their web-store and marketing emails once again to make sure they are equally convenient for browsing on mobile devices and PCs. They should consider the size and UI of messages and pages as well as users’ average connection speed and viewing environment to deliver an optimal shopping experience via both channels.

3. Customers prefer trusted brands and their trust depends on SNs

PwC states that trust in the brand is the third factor after price and stock availability that influences customers’ purchase decisions. However, even though trust matters a lot, customers rely more on other people’s opinions than on branded messages. 37% of respondents named social networks as the source that motivates them to buy particular products. At the same time, individual retailer websites and price comparison websites ranked second and third, while emails from brands per se got only 14% of votes.

This means that opinions on social media, which are beyond merchants’ control (unlike ads and promos), considerably influence customers’ purchase decisions. While retailers start communicating with customers via SNs, they should keep in mind that shoppers trust social media only when they feel the authenticity of opinions.

Putting consumers’ interests first is the only winning strategy in this regard. For example, the Patagonia brand did it perfectly by showing their eco-friendly and family-oriented values through marketing campaigns on social media.

So, analyzing core values of customers, participating in or even creating social communities around relevant topics will help retailers build trust and brand awareness much better than branded emails or ads on websites.

4. Customers want relevance and disapprove of spying

PwC found out that 40% of customers are fine with retailers tracking their data, shopping patterns, and purchase history. Even more, customers expect that merchants will use this information to deliver relevant offerings. Yet, the study also says that customers feel less comfortable when retailers track their location as well. Only 34% agreed that they don’t object to retailers knowing their physical locations and communicating with them via mobile when they pass by.

So, while geolocation may seem an excessive measure for some customers, merchants can concentrate on psychographics-based segmentation that includes personality traits, values, opinions, interests and so on. The golden rule is to get to know customers but not surveil them.

5. Customers are ready to pay for fast delivery

Good news for delivery partners. The Global Consumer Insights Survey shows that more than 40% of online customers will pay more for same-day delivery and 24% of respondents will accept an extra charge for getting their order within one or two hours.

Also, PwC discovered that customers over 65 prefer a delivery at a specific time slot.

So, our takeaway is to reconsider delivery as a service and offer more convenient delivery time options for customers to choose. Customers understand that fast shipping requires extra logistics effort and will accept higher prices for that.

Conclusion

Penetration of technologies in people’s lives, for sure influences customers’ preferences and shopping habits. Customers begin to value experience more than tangible products. They appreciate their time more than ever and thus are ready to pay extra for a quick delivery and provide their data to get relevant offerings.

Though the wisdom of the crowd stays as important as it was dozens of years ago, it has also undergone a digital transformation. Today customers go to social networks to check what other people think of particular brands and products. This way, SNs offer merchants an opportunity to add a human touch to their communication with customers and build trust in their brand.

A stable popularity of brick-and-mortar shops shows that digital shopping channels can only complement a pleasant physical experience that customers get in stores but can’t replace them completely.

To sum it up, only the merchants that are ready to adapt to shifts in customer behavior and focus on customers’ experience will survive in a competitive environment.

The post 5 Takeaways from PwC’s Global Consumer Insights Survey 2018 appeared first on Home Business Magazine.

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Altcoins Like DasCoin, and the Search for the Ideal Cryptocurrency

The cryptocurrency market is experiencing a mini gold rush of sorts in recent months, with buyers sifting through the quickly growing number of publicly trading cryptocurrency options on the market in search for the ideal investment. The days where Bitcoin was the first and last word in terms of options are long gone, with solid alternatives popping up in the form of altcoins like DasCoin and others.

Searching for the ideal altcoin may seem a difficult task, but nothing could be farther from the truth. With the internet and active cryptocurrency communities at your disposal, it is now easier than ever to find the information you need to make educated decisions and sound investments when choosing your ideal altcoin.

Below are some of the salient points to consider in your search for the ideal altcoin, and why the application of such will lead to better choices when selecting the cryptocurrency that works the best to accommodate your needs.

Altcoin Shopping: Finding Options like DasCoin with Promising Trends

The first thing to look for when searching for the ideal altcoin is relevant data. You will want to look for trends in value and user base that span at least two years, ideally more. What this data will show you is how the altcoin you’re looking at is faring over time, whether its price fluctuates heavily, whether it spikes in one direction or the other, and most importantly, whether other people are interested in it.

Regardless of value, a solid user base can be seen as a more important factor when considering a good Altcoin like DasCoin. High value but a lack of users can be a sign of inflation or a lack of supply, or even mismanagement in terms of managing circulation or supply of the cryptocurrency, which can be a bad omen in the future. Overall, you’re looking for a lot of users, and a steady trend of increasing value over time.

Active Developers and Solid Innovation

Another thing to look out for in your search for the ideal altcoin is how active the developers or management are in the industry. Many altcoins out there can be shell currencies, holding value and still in active circulation, but without any new developments or new batches of currency circulating, meaning that a finite amount exists, pushing value up, but without any hope of future growth of new developments to address any issues that might come up. An active development team with community management is a sign of both stability and trust, key things to look out for in your search.

Using Data to Your Advantage

Overall, your search for ideal altcoin finds such as DasCoin are dependent almost entirely on your gathering and interpretation of data. Finding accurate sources is key to making any final decisions. As for what to look for, the criteria is quite intuitive, in that you want an altcoin that increases in value over time, and has an active community and developer base to address any concerns, and to guarantee that management is sound and continuing. If you keep all this in mind, and with but a little patience and sound decision-making that perfect altcoin is just over the horizon!

The post Ways to Spot a Good Altcoin like DasCoin appeared first on Home Business Magazine.

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From client proposals to employee reports and licensing agreements, there are so many important documents that home business owners need to keep safe and secure. For all entrepreneurs looking for a new cabinet for their home office, Poppin’s classy and design-forward Slim Stow 3-Drawer File Cabinet will keep files safe while adding a dash of contemporary elegance to the workspace.

The perfect size for narrow 47″ desks, this classy cabinet features a powder-coated steel construction with a matching painted steel interior to keep files safe. All three drawers are painted on the inside and outside and can be secured with just one lock to give entrepreneurs peace of mind in knowing the contents inside are private. It is equipped with two handy utility drawers and adjustable drawer dividers to keep everything organized.

This sleek cabinet will add a modern, minimalist aesthetic to any home office. Entrepreneurs will also appreciate that it comes with two keys in case one goes missing. For business owners who can’t have any distractions, the cabinet comes fully assembled (even the handles!) so there is no need to take time out of a busy workday to set it up. Available in White, Light Gray, and Black, it retails for $239.99 at poppin.com.

Contact: shannahch@gmail.com

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Walmart is one of the most popular and largest retailers in the world. Although Walmart is well-known as a successful retailer, it is also recognized for controversial business practices. For many reasons, Walmart has risen and fallen over the past several years.

Walmart’s Background

Walmart was founded by Sam Walton in a small town in Arkansas in 1962. In the 1960s, consumers shopped at department and chain stores (Friedricks, 1995). With much success over the years after the first store opening, Walton began opening numerous Walmart stores from then on out. Walmart then became a very successful retail company best known for a low-cost and customer satisfaction strategy to win against other competitors. Walmart became an overnight success.

Walmart’s Controversy

Over time, Walmart has grown tremendously in success and has also made major mistakes along the way. Many of the allegations against Walmart caused outrage throughout communities and with the public. There has been major controversy over the number of allegations from Walmart’s employees. Lawsuits have been filed everywhere from working employees overtime and denying adequate pay and healthcare benefits (Basker, 2007). Troubles began when the employees were working seven days a week straight for a month with no days off, denied pay for overtime hours, received underpaid wages and denied healthcare benefits.

According to an article, a total of 269 stores closed and around 154 closed in the U.S. over lost revenue. (24/7 Wall St.: In Walmart Store Closings, Texas Loses Out Far Worse Than California, 2016). As many as thousands of workers lost their jobs, which affected their families and the communities. The public is outraged over hearing of unfair, unjust and unethical practices that Walmart has in place for its workers.

Coming up with the strategy of having the best low costs has given Walmart an advantage over all the other competitors in retail. Although Walmart is the most successful top retailer worldwide, it still doesn’t make the company the best in business. Enforcing good ethical standards and procedures is important for companies to do. This sets an example of fairness and righteous behavior towards workers, and encourages them to behave in the same manner. All businesses should have a good reputation to show workers and consumers that they are not just in it for the profit but are doing business in an ethical manner. The most successful businesses stay in business when they run their business in an ethical way.

Rebuilding and Improving

Walmart has really a long ways to go when it comes to rebuilding and improving their reputation. Just recently, Walmart worked on improving their reputation by giving back to communities and helping families by donating millions of dollars. As far as wages and benefits go, there definitely is room for improvement. Also, Walmart is working to improve ethical standards of doing business towards workers and consumers. Walmart has been faced with a lot of bad rep on how their unethical practices can potentially destroy livelihoods. Walmart should mainly focus on working hard to show that a business is socially responsible for conducting business in an ethical manner.

The many concerns of denying employees healthcare benefits raised questions on how Walmart conducts business. Walmart has a social responsibility to ensure employees get healthcare benefits for their well-being. Not having benefits poses a major impact on families. Even though the cost of healthcare benefits has increased, Walmart should still find a way for employees to afford them. Since Walmart is one of the world’s largest retailers, that brings in billions of dollars a year off of their employees, they should be able to give all their employees adequate benefits.

Conclusion

Walmart has developed a bad reputation for unethical business practices and has numerous lawsuits filed by employees. One of the most important key factors for demonstrating good ethical business practice is by building a good reputation. Walmart has a social responsibility to their workers, families, and the communities to improve and rebuild their reputation by practicing good ethical behavior. The standard practice of ethics proves that by having a set standard of morals, values, and beliefs, it has a positive effect on the business and its employees. Walmart still has much room for improvement and still needs to understand the importance of business ethics when conducting business.

The post Highlighting a Controversial Business: Walmart appeared first on Home Business Magazine.

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We are living in a time where the advancement in technology is moving faster than ever before. The advancement the last couple of years in various branches within fintech will, and have already, change the world in many ways. Artificial intelligence, virtual reality, augmented reality, enhancement in 3D technology – the list goes on.

Looking back a few years on the online casino industry, we see how the games evolved from basic fruit machines to high-tech games with visuals and in-game features which take you close to modern PC-games; now there are even games in 3D.

These new game features and amazing graphics not only attract the ones who are in it to win some extra cash; They also attract people who simply play for the actual game, for the entertainment it provides.

Of course, there are several reasons why one can see such an increase in interest in online gambling over the last decade. It’s not all thanks to tech advancement, but it’s certainly an important part of this puzzle of success.

What casino sites need to prepare for

Much is happening in the world of online gambling at the moment. There are new gambling laws and regulations that online casinos must prepare for and act in accordance to. It’s also become harder to get a casino license because the Gambling Commission has implemented much stricter guidelines.

Besides those factors, as technology advances and people get comfortable with new solutions to every little problem they may have, casino sites have to adjust and follow the trends, as users won’t expect anything less from their casino site. This means that gambling sites that want to survive this modern technology revolution will have to adjust and keep up in order to keep customers interested in their product.

Here we have two different categories of online casino sites that can benefit from this. When things move fast, you have to be light-footed and be able to maneuver and follow all new trends that modern technology will provide.

The well-established

The large and well-established brands, such as bet365 and Unibet.com for instance, have both an upside and a downside when it comes to this. The positive thing is that they most likely have quite large bank accounts so they are able to act on new trends and with market regulations and can afford new tax laws. The downside for most companies of this proportion, in whatever market, is that they usually work slowly from decision to action. Light-footed is not a word you usually relate to gigantic companies.

New online casino sites

As a newcomer in this difficult industry, in terms of competition, it can be tough and terrify the bravest. Especially if we take a look at the online casino market in the UK. However, as a newly licensed online casino site, such as Dreamz.com, Casumo and PlayOjo, you can develop a site over time that suits the customers’ demands in terms of modern features and design, and at the same adheres to all laws and regulations. You will also have a smaller team, which will make it easier to implement any changes that will appear in the near future.

What is next?

The online casino industry is undergoing a lot of changes and it will be truly interesting to see what impact all new laws and the progressions in technology will have for the market in totality. Home-based business owners can tap into this revolution by becoming an affiliate for an online casino.

There’s always winners and losers when big changes shake market foundations. Let’s see which casino site can stand tall in the coming years ahead.

The post Technology Paved the Way for the Online Casino Business appeared first on Home Business Magazine.

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Businesses often require the services of lawyers to handle legal situations that arise in the workplace. They’re not the only ones who need representation. Recent research conducted with attorneys in the United States showed that approximately 6 percent of lawyers face some sort of professional liability allegation in any given year. In fact, claims against attorneys have been increasing at a steady rate in the past two decades, and the study shows that this trend is only set to grow in the near future.

What Is Liability Insurance?

Let’s be honest – dealing with a claim against professional liability can be both time-consuming and expensive. One way to cover yourself and deal with such claims professionally is to opt for liability insurance. Liability insurance helps to share the monetary risk arising from such claims by timely defending and responding to all of the claims made.

Professional liability insurance can also protect lawyers against significant losses – not just monetarily but also regarding their reputation in the market and their future client base. It also helps lawyers in professionally meeting their obligations and in protecting the interests of their clients as well. For more details, you can check errors and omissions (E&O) insurance options for attorneys.

What Does Liability Insurance Cover?

Any typical liability insurance is generally designed to cover for claims that may arise from any unintended wrongful doing that may occur from rendering legal services as a lawyer. Liability insurance covers acts such as services provided as a notary public, as a title agency or agent, as a trustee, executor or a representation of a client or as an officer of a legal institution. It provides ample coverage for claims expense and indemnification, of course, subject to any particular endorsements and deductibles.

What Are the Exclusions Under Liability Insurance?

For things that may not be necessarily covered by professional liability insurance, there can be some omissions and errors that are either not covered legally or are beyond an insurer’s interest. All of these items will be termed as exclusions in the liability insurance policy and can include any criminal, fraudulent, malicious or dishonest act.

When the need arises, it is not just a lawyer that needs protection against such claims but also all employees of a law firm in question. While in some disputes, an individual lawyer becomes sued, in others a full law firm becomes sued, and all the employees of that law firm need liability insurance to protect themselves. So, a professional liability insurance policy is often designed to cover lawyers, all employees of a law firm, its heirs, administrators, executors and anybody who interferes in the legal matters of the clients on behalf of the law firm.

Final Words

One of the other important questions you’d like to ask at the end is whether such liability insurance is expensive or not. The pricing for such insurance along with its premium and the policy term depends on some factors, just like the case is in any other type of insurance.

Generally, there is a base rate that can change based on the state in which one practices and the number of years one has been practicing. To top it up, other factors such as any past claims, infrastructure factors, risk management, etc. come into play as well to determine the final pricing for liability insurance. So do your research and understand what it is along with all its logistics before signing up for one.

The post Lawyers Need Protection Too appeared first on Home Business Magazine.

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If you’ve already launched a business, chances are you’re no slouch in the brain department.

But staying mentally agile isn’t guaranteed and the anxiety of being your own boss can sometimes clog those cognitive cogs.

If you want to keep those little grey cells in good working order, here are five ways to stay sharp as an entrepreneur.

Cognitive games

Most of us spend a lot of time online, but it’s questionable how much is intellectually stimulating.

However, cognitive games from Lumosity (lumosity.com) can be accessed any time from your phone and have been developed by scientists and computer games designers to enhance mental focus and problem-solving skills.

The company also claims that their digital puzzles are even more effective than traditional tests like crosswords.

Mindfulness apps

Mindfulness is a secular meditation technique based on Buddhist meditation that’s become extremely popular in recent years.

Mindfulness app Calm trains users to control anxiety through breathing exercises, dispel stress through meditation — and spend more time ‘in the moment’ rather than worrying about the past or future.

There are several mindfulness apps available, but Calm’s accessible and easy to integrate into your lifestyle.

Distance learning

You might be an expert in your entrepreneurial field — without necessarily having the business nous to keep your new enterprise afloat.

But studying with Anglia Ruskin Distance Learning in your own time allows you to earn a qualification like an MBA that’ll give you a firm foundation in finance, project management and entrepreneurial action.

It’s possible to fit online learning around work and family commitments and formal learning can bolster your leadership capabilities.

Concentrated learning

If you’re committed to lifelong corporate learning but simply don’t have the time to take in every crucial book and TED Talk, bite-sized insights from Blinkist could be the solution.

Blinkist members can read or listen to the key ideas from thousands of bestselling and influential non-fiction books concentrated into convenient 15-minute packages.

If you find a summarised book particularly appealing, you might choose to read the full version — otherwise this tool allows you to absorb and adopt the latest thought leadership amazingly quickly.

Exercise

The ‘healthy body, healthy mind’ adage is a saving grace for many entrepreneurs — keeping on top of physical health and fitness ensures you’re in tip-top condition in the corporate arena.

If you prefer to work out on your own, there are many home workout routines that you can follow; simply search on YouTube.

And if you can encourage your workmates to follow suit, your entire team can outperform the competition.

Work-run clubs from Let’s Get Running (letsgetrunning.co.uk) are an excellent way to get the entire team outdoors during lunchbreaks, it boosts team spirit and is more cost-effective than a gym membership.

Experienced coaches work with each team member to develop training regimes suitable to their fitness levels, while still instilling a vital sense of teamwork.

Adopt any one of these five ways to stay sharp as an entrepreneur and you’ll be fit for the future of your business and every other aspect of your life.

What’s your favourite training activity? Share your thoughts in the comments section.

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Every facility that deals with hazardous materials should be well-equipped and aware of the correct procedures to undergo if a spill were to happen. Spill management and spill response strategies should be included during the emergency planning, and every facility should have multiple (if not all) employees trained in the procedures. This way, a spill can be controlled, and the consequences will be limited to the minimum, regardless of whether the spill is major or minor.

That said, every facility should be equipped with spillage control equipment such as spill kits. There is no universal spill kit that is applicable in every spill. Most spill kits are specific, and the ones you get for your facility should be relevant for the type of chemical you deal with on a daily basis. Moreover, the spill kit should have a visible label, and it should be located in an easily accessible spot. All employees should know how to use the spill kit, and should be aware of their positions as well.

A typical spillage control kit will include a suitable absorbent for the spill, a barrier to help contain the spill, gloves that are appropriate for the chemicals used in the facility, warning signs, waste containers where the spilled materials and waste can be placed, specific PPE like face shields, dust masks or respirators, and neutralisation reagents like boric acid for alkalis or sodium bicarbonate for acids.

As briefly aforementioned, spills are classified as either minor or major. But how do you know whether a spill is minor or major? There are a few clear indicators that determine it. If the answer to any of the following questions is ‘yes’, then a spill is definitely major, and you should respond appropriately (we’ll discuss the respond methods shortly).

• Does the spill pose an immediate fire hazard?
• Does the quantity of the spill pose a danger?
• Is the spill uncontained and does it pose a danger to the environment?
• Is the material of high risk, such as mercury?

As a general rule, if the quantity of the spill is more than 100ml of highly hazardous or carcinogenic material or 1 litre of flammable or volatile solvent, corrosive or reactive base or acid liquid, then it’s considered a major spill. For some materials that pose an extremely high risk like mercury, the threshold is less than 100ml. Hazardous materials that can pose an instant threat to human or environmental safety and health, like uncontrolled gas leaks, are also considered major spills.

Major spills typically cannot be dealt with immediately, and usually result in immediate evacuation of the premises. Every employee should take the necessary precautions and protect themselves. The area of the spill should be isolated and its access should be highly controlled. An alarm should be raised, and spillage control experts should be called as soon as possible. First aid should be applied if necessary, and an ambulance should be called to get potentially hurt people into a hospital. With the help of experts’ assistance, the area should be decontaminated and the spread should be minimised and then cleanup procedures should take place. Once everything is properly cleaned up, the situation should be reviewed.

A minor spill, on the other hand, poses no immediate threat, but should still be dealt with accordingly. First and foremost, the employees dealing with it should wear proper protection gear like goggles, chemically resistant gloves, enclosed footwear, a half or full face respirator with the appropriate filters, and a specialised coat.

Next, other people in the area should be notified. Have someone stand in the busy pathways and corridors and alert passerby to ensure the area is kept safe and free of traffic. The chemicals then need to be identified, and a trained employee should judge the situation and respond accordingly. But regardless of the situation, it should always be approached with maximum care, simply because many harmful chemicals have no offensive odour or colour.

That being said, never assume a chemical is completely harmless and avoid breathing from its vapours. Contaminate it with a barrier and use an absorbent from a spill kit. After the area is decontaminated, clean it up promptly and neutralise any alkalis and acids. After you’ve disposed of the contaminants, review the area completely, and check the surroundings for damage or contamination.

But as is the case with everything else, it’s better to prevent than heal. Obviously, accidents and mishaps happen, but if you’re dealing with hazardous chemicals and materials, it’s always a good idea to use proper storage methods, transport and handling  of equipment, etc. For instance, store gas in specialised gas storage cages, aerosol in aerosol storage cages, flammable liquids in specialised cabinets, use safety cabinets for your corrosive goods, etc. These products not only increase the safety for every employee on-site, but they also increase their peace of mind, allowing them to work more efficiently and confidently.

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Local authorities need companies to register for a business license. It is important because it protects the individuals in the area that the business will operate in. It would be ghastly to open a factory that releases poisonous fumes in the environment. Further, it gives the company the authority and authenticity to operate in a given area.

While some authorities do not ask for a license to operate, it is vital that you have one, and is crucial to the registration process. In this article, we are going to highlight some personal documents to take with you to the registrar when applying for a license.

1. Tax Documents

Taxes help the government finance its numerous projects. Therefore, your business, whether small or large, should register for several types of taxes because the government will require that you file your returns on an annual or quarterly basis.

Some of the vital tax forms required include the income tax, self-employment tax, sales tax, and the Social Security tax. Ensure that you get a valid tax identification number as well.

2. Building Permits

Large businesses will prefer larger spaces that cater to all their organizational needs. Therefore, they will have to get a building permit. It is vital because the lack of one can get you fined, and more importantly, it ensures that the government feels that all the projects are safe for human beings and Earth.

Be assured that it will also protect the people who will take over the building should you choose to relocate. Realtors recommend it because it keeps your insurance valid and could have a possible effect on the value of a property when selling it.

3. Health Licenses and Permits

If your business is a restaurant or any company where the owner needs to be sensitive to people’s health, you need to acquire a health permit. It will deem your business safe for people who come to visit your premises.

Different states have various requirements. Therefore, you will have research everything that is necessary for attaining a valid one in your area.

4. Environmental Permits

Governments want businesses to foster economic development but also conserve the environment by all means possible. The purpose of an environmental permit is to ensure that organizations operate in a way that does not put human beings in danger.

Additionally, it regulates the products that you want to sell and makes sure that you follow all the waste removal requirements.

5. Birth Certificate/ Driver’s License/ Identification Number

Finally, you will need to have some form of identification for you as the owner. Local authorities will want to know that the one who is running the business has a good record and is not just someone that is a ‘ghost.’

You will need to provide your Social Security number so that they can track your earnings and the tax returns that you will be filing for years to come. If you do not have one, it is wise that you get one promptly to avoid delays.

If you want quick services when applying for a Social Security card, try using Application Filing services. You can receive documents without having to queue.

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What happens when you get behind the garage doors? Many rise from the garage to the top of Wall Street! It is quite ironic that some of the world’s largest companies have started in the same environment which seems to have a special creative spirit about it, the humble garage. Many people have used their garages for various purposes and have made millions of stunning pieces of work ranging across the spectrum of what is imaginable in the human mind.

Businesses have been started in various places ranging from coal sheds in which Henry Ford built his first prototype car to large rented ornate office buildings. But there seems to be something special to a business that starts off in one of the most humble places, the suburban garage, close to all the tools and equipment. It seems that there is something very special about it which allows people to be very innovative and creative.

Disney

This media conglomerate started off in a humble garage at 4651 Kingswell Ave, Los Angeles, California which belonged to Robert Disney, who was an uncle of Walt and Roy Disney. In the garage that was only big enough to accommodate one car, the brothers started their conglomerate. They changed the garage into a studio and filmed their now famous “Alice Comedies” as part of the Alice in Wonderland series, which was animation films. The Disney conglomerate is regarded globally as the media company which generates the highest gross income.

Microsoft

The world-famous Microsoft Company originated in an Albuquerque garage and was started off by now legendary Bill Gates and his college friend Paul Allen in 1975. They were more interested in programming and operating systems for computers than the development of computers. They decided that their focus should be on software development and not on the development of hardware. This enabled them to develop their first operating system which they sold for $80,000. This enabled them to continue and through sheer hard work and dedication, they were able to launch Windows.

This system impressed the world and today it is estimated to be used by more than 80% of all computers on the globe. This makes it one of the most recognised brand names worldwide and has earned billions of dollars in foreign earnings for the corporation and the USA. In fact, it is quite possible that more than 80% of all articles written worldwide are being done on computers using the Microsoft’s Windows operating system.

Apple

This famous Apple brand started off in 1976 in a California garage located at 2066 Crist Drive, Los Altos, California when three friends named Steve Jobs, Steve Wozniak and Ronald Wayne with an interest in computers built their first computer, the Apple I. They built 50 Apple I computers in 30 days which they sold to a store for $500, where these computers were sold as motherboards. They continued and created their Apple II computer. They were interested in computer hardware and software and later sold their Macintosh brand for millions. Today, Apple is famous around the world with their range of products which are regarded as the best by many. They have succeeded in being regarded as the leaders in the technical world with their Mac range of computers and with their personal devices such as iPhones, iPads and iPods being the preferred device of choice. They are also viewed as possibly the first company that will achieve a market value of more than a trillion dollars.

Google

If you are looking for information on the internet you will be told to go and Google it. It is another company which saw its first light in a garage in 1989. The founders Larry Page and Sergey Brin, after graduating from Stanford, decided to rent a garage in California from a friend named Susan Wojcicki. They had an idea and wanted a place from which they could work on it. Here they could work almost day and night to create a website on which information was organized and maintained. This would enable people from anywhere in the world to search on a single platform for information. They called their search engine “Google”. This is the most used search engine around the world and has led to the introduction of various applications and other websites like Gmail, Google Maps, Google Drive, etc. The name is recognized worldwide by young and old alike; if you don’t know, just Google it. They offered their project to a company for the amount of $1 million but they declined to buy. Google is currently worth billions of dollars.

Amazon

This is another one of the garage success stories created in 1994 by Jeff Bezos at Amazon.com. It was developed as a bookstore which would be available online. Bezos invested about $40,000 in the creation of the online bookstore. This enabled the ordering, selling and delivering of books to people in different countries across the world. He originally operated in 48 countries. The online store developed from a bookstore with its first book sold in 1995 to what is regarded today as the largest online shop in the world, Amazon.com.

It is a garage thing

There seems to be something in a garage that helps when you are thinking about technical innovations that can change the world and this kept on happening over a reasonable period of time in the creation of successful businesses. The owners’ passion and vision coupled with hard work led to success; it is not how you start the business that counts but how you finish that counts.

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It finally happened.

Business is booming and you’re finally ready to bring on some new talent to capitalize on your current trajectory.

While there’s obviously a lot that goes on between scouting potential talent and onboarding, there’s one factor of giving your team that much-needed boost that often goes undiscussed.

That is, the total disconnect between workers and their higher-ups.

Sure, just about any business can attract new blood; however, that doesn’t mean that your workers are going to be committed to you, your company or your cause. This rings true whether we’re talking about full-timers or contract employees, by the way.

So the question remains: what do you need to do to ensure that your team performs to the best of their ability and stays focused? For starters, zero in on the following elements of your workplace first and foremost.

Motivation

As noted, motivation can ultimately make or break your workers.

Some might be looking to hone their skills and further their careers. Others might have some big-picture motivators. For example, perhaps they’re providing remittance payments back home or are responsible for taking care of their family members as highlighted by the popularity of services such as Remitly.

Either way, understanding your employees’ motivations is key to understanding whether or not they’re a good long-term fit for your company. Ideally, you can hire people who are in it for the long haul versus just trying to collect a paycheck.

Identity

The concept of the office drone is certainly a depressing one, and certainly something your workers don’t aspire to be.

As such, it’s crucial to provide your workers with the opportunities to let their personalities shine and likewise acknowledge them as people. Whether that means letting them decorate their own workplace, frequent face-to-face chats or giving them a voice during meetings, don’t neglect the power of personalization.

Growth

The oft-cited statistic that 51% of employees are job hunting within their current roles is a rather telling one. Through upward movement and opportunities to expand their responsibilities, employees have fewer reasons to bounce and will likewise appreciate your confidence in them.

Trust

On a related note, trust is the cornerstone of any business relationship.

If you’re constantly hawking your employees and hovering over them, you can’t be surprised when they feel claustrophobic and overwhelmed. Ideally, you can hire people who can take the reigns without too much supervision: it’s a win-win for employers when workers don’t need to be micromanaged.

Empathy

There are tons of reasons why people have issues with their bosses, but a lack of empathy is definitely one of the most significant. No CEO has ever been lauded for bullying employees or working them to their breaking points, after all. Again, listening to the desires and hardships of your workers is essential to understanding what makes them tick.

The key is to find a balance between being warm and understanding without being a total pushover. Once you foster a sense of respect among your team, you might be surprised at just how much they’re willing to perform.

Getting the most out of your new hires can be difficult, especially if your business is growing rapidly. Make sure to hire emotionally intelligent people who are hardworking and reasonable to work with. Focusing on these elements will result in less turnover and fewer headaches as you build a team that’s loyal to your company and its mission.

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If you were asked to imagine what it takes to start a successful venture, you would probably visualize the owner spending sleepless nights thinking of the perfect idea. You could also think of the stress, strain and pure agony that a person must have gone through to get their business up and running. Indeed, this is usually the case for the majority of successful startups. It does not mean however that there were no startups that initially started as a mere joke but went on to become some remarkable brands. There are several ventures in the market today that started under the weirdest unimaginable circumstances but which are nevertheless impressive. Here are 4 of the most ridiculous startup ideas that became very successful.

1. Minecraft

Minecraft is a vastly popular game which is available across several platforms. This game was developed by Swedish game designer Markus Persson and launched through his company Majong in 2009. The game was created in an unconventional manner that was seen as only relevant to the older technologies of the early computer eras. This game was developed that way despite the fact that most of the popular games at the time featured the most advanced technologies. Minecraft was developed with a very small budget and it used graphics that were almost comical due to their age. Nevertheless, Minecraft became one of the most popular games of 2011. The otherwise odd startup became so successful that it was acquired by Microsoft for over 2 billion dollars.

2. Amazon

Amazon is another startup that began in very unlikely circumstances. In the 1990’s the internet was merely seen as a tool for sending messages from one end to the other. Not many people saw any huge potential in the platform back then. Jeff Bezos, the founder of Amazon, saw an opportunity that most other people did not see. He established the company as an online bookstore. The digital infrastructure at that time could barely support online enterprises let alone digital transactions. Amazon, however, became a leading bookstore and over the years, the name of the brand became quite entrenched in the web. The product line also evolved over the years as the store became bigger and bigger. Today, the company is the largest store and it is a great company to invest in according to Admiral markets. Amazon is publicly listed in NASDAQ, the American stock exchange market.

3. Paypal

Paypal is a leading online payments system that was started in 1999 as Confinity. When it started, the company was not a payments platform nor did it have ambitions to venture into the digital finance realm. In 2000, however, the company merged with Elon Musk’s x.com. X.com was itself an online banking company that did not have much clout at the time. The merger, however, paved the way for a clearer vision. By 2001, it had evolved into Paypal.com. The company became publicly listed in 2002 and continued to gain huge investment from the public. Later that year, the online payments company was acquired by eBay. The company grew tremendously under this arrangement. It acquired several other smaller startups along the way until it became a company of its own again in 2014. As of 2018, the company is still growing and it currently has a global reach.

4. Facebook

Finally, Facebook.com is a company that has probably the most ridiculous background. Facebook was started as a program called “facemash” by Mark Zuckerberg when he was a sophomore at Harvard University in 2003. When he wrote the program, Zuckerberg did not envision a social media network that would be used for sharing media and information. Instead, he started the program as a tool that he used to ask for opinions about neighborhood photos. Because of its initial setup and non-compliance with local laws, the website landed Zuckerberg into trouble with the school administration. In 2004, however, the website went live again as thefacebook.com. The goals of the website also changed and by 2005, the website was accepting signups by people from around the country. The company has since evolved to be the largest social media website on the internet. Facebook is renowned as one of the first companies that heralded the social media phenomenon. In 2018, Facebook also owns several other companies on the web.

The post 4 of the Most Ridiculous Startup Ideas That Became Very Successful appeared first on Home Business Magazine.

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A Social Security card is important in every American’s life. It allows you to work and access financial services from banks such as credits. Social Security also benefits people living with a disability.

If you get involved in an accident and become disabled, meaning you lose your ability to work, you can claim Social Security benefits. Apart from requiring a Social Security number for work, there are other reasons every American citizen requires a Social Security card.

New US citizens, whether by birth or not, need a Social Security card. If your card is lost or destroyed, or you change your name, you can order a card replacement. Here are the top five things you need to know about Social Security cards:

1. Card Replacement

Card replacement is done at SSA if your card gets lost, destroyed or stolen. However, if you still know your Social Security number, it is not mandatory to apply for a card replacement. The question many people ask is: how long does it take to get a replacement social security card?

The amount of time required to process Social Security documents depends on each individual’s case and the state processing the replacement. However, the average time it takes is 2 weeks. You might even be surprised to get a replacement within 5 minutes, especially if you visit the office physically.

Replacing a Social Security card in the United States is free. All individuals, regardless of age, are only allowed to replace their cards thrice a year. Moreover, you can only replace your Social Security card not more than 10 times in your lifetime. However, unique circumstances like the changing of names are not limited.

2. Protecting Your Card from Theft and Fraud

Be informed of what to do when your card is stolen to prevent fraud and identity theft. First and foremost, call your local police to file a theft report immediately. Next, contact the SSA to alert them of the theft and to begin filing for card replacement.

Review all the information carefully. Beware of companies you do not know contacting you. In cases where accounts exists that you did not open, close them. Finally, report the theft to the Federal Trade Commission to investigate. Do not forget to print out your identity affidavit.

3. Correction of Card Information

Failing to correct card information can lead to adverse effects. Contact SSA and your employer regarding your change of details to avoid the wrong posting of income. Incorrect details can lead to your Social Security benefits reducing and you might end up owing SSA.

4. Applying for Your Baby

You should know when to apply for a Social Security card for your child. Apply at the time of giving information for the birth certificate. The process involves giving identification information about you and birth details of your child apart from the birth certificate.

5. Card Protection

Your card details are confidential and thus you should avoid giving it out unnecessarily. Good advice is to keep your card at home with other valuable documents locked away unless you are going to use it. Before you give out your card, ask why it is needed and under what law. It will help you make the right decisions and avoid fraudulent activities and protect your identity.

Look online to find out more about Social Security cards, why you need on and how to get one.

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Sometimes people will start a business with the intent of growing it into a multi-million-dollar company. Other times, people will start a business on the side to help themselves get rid of debt, or to supplement their income for a more comfortable lifestyle. In some cases, those who planned to have a nationally recognized brand never achieved their goals, while those who just wanted to supplement their income ended up making it big.

What’s the difference between a business that achieves wild success and one that never takes off? There are a few different factors, but one of the biggest is the idea behind the company. People will spend endless amounts of time reading eBooks on improving their business, but because their product or service doesn’t solve a problem, it may never make it as big as they hope. Innovative businesses aren’t necessarily new or never-heard-of ideas; they offer a solution to a problem.

One example of a product with a solution is eChecks. While paper checks are fine, the hassle of having to physically fill it out and then deliver or mail it has caused many people to turn to alternative payment methods. eChecks, though, take away the inconvenience by letting you fill out the check electronically and then email it to the recipient.

You might be surprised to learn that some of the biggest companies started at home and not all of them were founded with the intent of becoming a nationally recognized brand. Here are five innovative businesses that solved a problem that consumers faced and have grown into the companies they are today:

Groupon

Groupon was co-founded by Andrew Mason who, at the time, was a music major who was working on his graduate degree in public policy. In 2007, he launched a web platform called The Point which used social media to rally people around a certain goal or cause. At one point, a group of people decided that their goal was to save money, and eventually, the company shifted its focus to group buying and founded Groupon that offered its very first deal of two pizzas for the price of one at a local Chicago restaurant. After just a year and a half, the company grew and was valued at over $1 billion.

Under Armour

Kevin Plank—a former fullback at the University of Maryland—became frustrated with the heavy, unbreathable clothing he wore under his jersey. Getting fed up, he created clothing he could wear under his uniform that used moisture-wicking fabric. He found that it stayed dry and worked so well that after he graduated in 1996, he began manufacturing it out of his grandmother’s basement and drove up and down the East Coast selling it from the trunk of his car. He later branded it Under Armour, and since then, it has become an internationally recognized and loved brand.

Baby Einstein

Mothers always want what’s best for their children and often look for ways to provide their babies and kids with stimulating educational experiences. In 1996, stay-at-home mom Julie Aigner-Clark came up with the idea for the popular Baby Einstein videos, and she and her husband invested their savings to produce the first publication—a VHS tape featuring toys and other visuals with classical music playing in the background. In just two years, the company grew to $1 million in revenue, and as it continued to grow, it was eventually sold to The Walt Disney Company.

Shutterstock

In 2003, Jon Oringer decided to create his online marketplace with photos that people could download for professional or personal use. He used his camera and amateur photography skills to take over 100,000 photos which he then narrowed down to 30,000 and uploaded to the site, selling a subscription for unlimited downloads for only $49 a month. He named his photo marketplace Shutterstock, and the demand quickly exceeded what he could supply so he hired on contributors who have helped make the company what it is today. Shutterstock now offers videos, vectors, and even music for various uses.

Pinterest

Pinterest was founded in 2009 by Ben Silbermann who originally went to school to become a doctor like both of his parents and sisters. While in school, he realized he was more interested in business and entrepreneurship, so he changed his course of direction and entered into the business space. He eventually moved to California where he worked at Google but became frustrated that he was unable to build products. He left his job at Google, but right about that time the economy tanked, and he was left in a tight spot.

Eventually, he and his friend started a catalog that was on the phone, but they still ran into complications. After a while, they pivoted to Pinterest and began developing it into the platform we know and love today.

Final Thoughts

Not all big-name businesses were started by well-known and respected entrepreneurs. Like the five companies mentioned above, some of the biggest and best brands were started at home by someone nobody knew. As they grew, though, their companies solved problems and changed the lives of their consumers. Whether you want to start a business to make it big or want to supplement your income, starting a business from home could help you do exactly that.

What is your favorite business that was started in someone’s home?

The post 5 Innovative Businesses That Started at Home appeared first on Home Business Magazine.

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