SSDI Recipients Denied Pandemic Unemployment Assistance

During the coronavirus pandemic, over 44.2 million Americans have filed for unemployment. This unemployment is widespread across every state in the United States; every single industry has been affected by COVID-19, which has killed hundreds of thousands of individuals worldwide.

The CARES Act assists those who have hit economic hardship due to the pandemic, with tiered payment amounts differing according to reported income levels. ***The CARES Act helps those who have been economically impacted by coronavirus, who are not eligible for, or not currently receiving, other benefits from the state. More information about eligibility and payment amounts is available on the treasury website. 

What About SSDI Recipients?

SSDI, which is an acronym for Social Security Disability Insurance, is a benefit that is paid to those who are unable to work due to severe disability or prolonged illness. It is only available to those who have previously worked and paid social security but have since been made unable to  earn enough money to support themselves due to their conditions. SSDI is a necessary form of income to many citizens.

In 2013, Republican legislature in Wisconsin determined that those who receive SSDI to supplement their income were no longer able to also receive unemployment insurance. Additionally, the CARES Act did not contain direct wording specifying whether SSDI recipients would also receive a stimulus payment.

Due to these factors, during the coronavirus pandemic, those who receive SSDI were denied access to the emergency funding they needed to support themselves through the pandemic period. Of course, this has had a devastating effect on the quality of life of those who have become unemployed due to COVID-19 who also rely on SSDI benefits to supplement additional income.

Why Wisconsin?

Most states take applications case-by-case, rather than implementing blanket bans on individuals accessing both types of benefits at once. Wisconsin has some laws which are stricter than other states’ when it comes to state funding.

State officials have been heavily criticized over this denial of help to thousands of Wisconsin residents during this unprecedented period. Due to the 2013 law that was passed, the state has been forced to deny up to 175,000 Wisconsin residents the emergency funding they applied for. 

What Can I Do About This?

Those who are denied funding at this time are eligible to appeal these denials. If you are one of these people, you can attend a hearing, many of which are currently being conducted via Zoom or another telephone conference platform due to pandemic-induced court closures. It is recommended that you hire a Social Security disability insurance lawyer to represent you and your interests at the hearing.

Other witnesses, such as doctors, can be called to testify about the necessity of these funds and the eligibility of those receiving SSDI benefits. Being well-represented is important in these cases, as it is not always easy to get across the severity of your situation over video conferencing. Being assisted by a legal professional who specializes in social security hearings will give you stability and peace of mind when proceeding with an SSDI hearing.

from Feedster https://www.feedster.com/at-work/ssdi-recipients-denied-pandemic-unemployment-assistance/

Starting Your Own Print on Demand Business

What is Print on Demand?

Businesses are evolving as time goes by, a lot of services have moved online and it has made our lives more efficient and more convenient. But that’s from the consumer perspective, how about the producers?

The idea of print on demand services lessened the risk and capital for businesses that are only starting to build their empire.

Print on demand gives you the freedom to design your products without worrying about the inventory cost and high capital. Basically, you will partner up with a supplier to print your design on their white-label items to sell it under your own brand.

Usually, it is a per order basis so you do not need to buy bulk and stock it into your inventory and worry about how long it will take for those items to get sold.

You will only need to pay for the products once it is sold. Sound good, right?

What Items Can Be Sold and How Do I Design It?

The type of items depends on what your supplier can offer. It can be t-shirts, tote bags, mugs, baseball caps, blankets, sweaters, and even books. Depending on your brand, it is best to research and request a proposal from different suppliers to get the best rate and the best quality.

If you are talented in the creative field, you can design your own prints using editing tools such as Photoshop. You can inquire with the supplier, they often offer design services as well.

Other than that, you can always check freelance platforms, designers offer their services through those. Just make sure to mention that the design is for print on demand items so that they can design it with the correct number of pixels in mind.

Is It Worth to Try Starting a Print on Demand Business?

While it is tempting to go and jump on a print on demand business right away, there are many factors you need to consider before putting your savings into this business.

I will list down the good things, first, the capital needed is lower than the traditional buy-bulk-then-sell business. As mentioned, inventory will not cost you a lot since the printing and shipping is the supplier’s concern.

Second, less time is needed from your side since after the customer placed and paid his order, the responsibility to print and ship is then passed to the supplier. Lastly, after you have the design, you can put it on sale on your website within minutes.

It’s not all rainbows and butterflies, there are also cons to when it comes to this type of business. Since the printing and shipping are out of your hands, this might be a downside for you if you want to make your customer’s unboxing experience more unique.

Also, the purchase from the supplier is no longer by bulk which means the price per piece might be higher than if purchased by bulk.

So, is it worth to try starting your own print on demand business? It can be a yes or a no, it depends on your target market. It’s important to create a business plan to research your target customer’s preferences and calculate the risk, then you can start your own business more confidently.

from Feedster https://www.feedster.com/business/starting-your-own-print-on-demand-business/

Good Tenants Protect Your Investment Rental

What is the number one way to protect your investment rental property? More than anything else, the number one way to protect your investment is to seek out good tenants from the beginning.

Yes, it helps to have the proper kinds of insurance, vendors, and maintenance contacts lined up but your number one defense against problems that may crop up is finding the right people before you ever draw up a tenant contract.

Simply creating an entity such as an LLC to shield you from liability is easy to do, with plenty of online resources to help, but this may not be sufficient in the increasingly hazardous landlord-tenant legal environment.

So how do you find good tenants? And what qualifies an applicant as a “good” tenant?

You initially want to select from applicants who:

1. Have verifiable employment
2. Have a good credit history
3. Have paid rent on time and without reminders
4. Don’t have eviction in their past
5. Can pass a serious background check

The three most important elements when screening potential tenants are income consistency, credit history, and rental history. These are the three factors you should look at when trying to find good tenants for your property.

What is income consistency? It’s when a person makes a consistent amount of income every month that is enough to pay the rent. (Rent should ideally be around 30 percent or less of a person’s monthly income.)

If you know someone’s monthly income, their past rental history, and their recent credit history, this should help you make a financially sound decision when it comes to offering a lease agreement.

Obviously you can do the legwork yourself when it comes to screening each applicant, but beware of falling afoul of the various federal laws that protect against discrimination, and check your own state laws too.

You should definitely consider using a professional tenant screening service if you are really serious about protecting your rental investment. These companies exist to check people’s backgrounds, past rental histories, credit histories, and more.

You can even investigate a person’s background beyond the typical credit check to find out if there have been any evictions in multiple states.

The full employment history of the applicant, national criminal reports, court records, and the like. How shallow or deep you look at each applicant is up to you.

Some prospective tenants not only lie about their history, but they also take on a false identity to carry the lie through.

Be aware of synthetic fraud, which involves using merging false personal data with real data – a stolen Social Security number from a child or of a deceased person.

For example, mixed with real information may pass a superficial check. This type of fraud is on the increase, and since the shutdown of the American economy in 2020, with the numerous evictions that will probably result from this, we can expect to see a rise in fraudulent applications.

Even a good tenant who will pay the rent may have come in on a lie if their true identity was not rent-worthy. Sooner or later, this may bite you.

In addition to the background checks, be sure to call each applicant’s references to verify they are all reasonable and valid. What is a legitimate reference?

Legitimate references will be the applicant’s apartment building, single-family home, or other living spaces that are professionally run and operated by a company or business owner.

If all you have is a list of friends and family who will vouch for the applicant, this may not be enough information to determine whether they are a good financial risk.

Friends and family will not have a vested interest in your business and will say only positive things about their loved one—you need to speak with the actual apartment managers, landlords, or office staff to verify that the applicant has a legitimate rental history.

Again, a professional tenant screening service can obtain and provide this information for you.

Once you do find good tenants, it is now time for you to figure out how to keep them happy, so that they become long-term tenants. This is the easiest way to protect your rental properties!

If you know someone is reliable and responsible, do your best to keep them in your rental unit for as long as possible. How do you do this? First, always communicate your expectations with your tenants from the beginning.

These are things that need to be addressed in your rental agreement, such as your policy on pets, smoking, number of roommates or family members, when the rent is due, and anything else you want to spell out in writing.

Another essential way to keep good tenants is to be responsive to any maintenance requests and get them fixed as soon as possible – and be transparent about your efforts.

This upfront investment in repairs, replacements, and regular maintenance is money well spent in the long run if it keeps your tenants in your property month after month.

The bottom line is that a good tenant will always protect your investment when you take the time to find the right ones for your property.

Finding good people who will pay their rent on time, care for the property as their own, and avoid any major damage is the best investment you can make as a property owner.

from Feedster https://www.feedster.com/real-estate/good-tenants-protect-your-investment-rental/

What Marketing Tricks Can Online Gaming Sites Use to Stand Out?

The online casino industry is thriving. While this is a good thing, it can also present a unique challenge for those operating in the industry. An abundance of customers brings with it an abundance of competitors.

Some sites may miss out through their marketing as competitors are’ able to attract and retain more customers. So, what can online casino businesses do to try to stand out from their competitors?

Special Offers

One of the oldest tricks in the marketing playbook is to present customers with a special offer. This could be 10% off the first order, as many clothes retailers do, or could be free shipping if a certain amount is spent. These offers could be regular, or they could be a one-off.

The online casino industry is known for its welcome bonuses and promotions for new customers. Some sites offer free spins on their slot games, knowing that that will likely draw customers in.

Others offer cashback on their sportsbook, focusing on that element of where their best aspects lie. A welcome offer has become expected, so sites must find a way to present it to customers that stands out from the crowd.

Loyalty Schemes

Hand-in-hand with a special offer is a loyalty scheme. Starbucks have one, supermarkets have one, even cosmetologists have them to reward repeat custom.

Loyalty schemes work by offering something upfront and then continue to offer at intervals in exchange for a customer using the site. This benefits those who know they will occupy a site a lot. It also cultivates a good relationship between customers and brands.

For example, LeoVegas offers personalized promotions for those who repeatedly play, tailored to the customer. Some casino loyalty schemes focus on weekly deals only available for their most loyal customers.

Others offer free gifts on a customer’s birthday and refresh the deals regularly. Loyalty schemes work by incentivizing repeat custom. So, the offer that will eventually be given to the customer needs to be worth it.

Source: Pexels

Create a Relationship

The final marketing trick to help online casino sites appeal to customers goes beyond mere marketing and into building relationships with customers.

Customer support is an offshoot of the marketing function as it can help influence changes and analyze what customers might respond well to.

Relationships with a site come from how you speak to those who sign up. They also focus on how you communicate off the site via email and social media.

Plus, what you do if there is an issue to deal with. Engage with a customer as though they are the only one. They will be more likely to invest time in the site and become loyal.

Marketing tricks can be useful for online casino sites because they don’t rely on creating any new gaming content or having an overhaul of the site. They work by finding ways to allow customers to see the benefits of joining up.

Whether this is through special offers, loyalty schemes, or by creating a relationship, there are many ways that sites can stand out from their competitors.

from Feedster https://www.feedster.com/entertainment/what-marketing-tricks-can-online-gaming-sites-use-to-stand-out/

Smart Ways to Cut Costs for Your Small Business

In many ways, small businesses can be considered the “lifeblood” of economies all over the world. While large corporations certainly are integral to the global economy, the truth is small businesses are extremely important in terms of job creation and overall innovation. Of course, they also don’t have the resources to weather economic downturns the same way large corporations do. Many entrepreneurs want to know more about what they can “trim” in terms of their small business, without truly understanding what they can do without.

It can be tough to think about cutting costs, especially during a time when it seems like the odds are stacked against you. Your business might already be operating on a low profit margin or have some tough competition to consider. However, there’s always a way to improve your bottom line. Here are some smart ways you can cut costs for your small business.

Outsource Your IT

There’s no question: cybersecurity is extremely important for businesses of all kinds. It’s absolutely vital to consider cybersecurity if you are dealing with sensitive consumer data, or valuable intellectual property. However, you might find that your in-house IT team is costing your company too much for it to even survive, much less thrive.

You may want to consider outsourcing your IT to a firm like Mustard IT, which in turn can give you significantly more time to focus on other aspects of your business. If all goes well, you may find that your IT issues are still addressed in a timely fashion and your small business has more cash to invest in other areas.

Reconsider Your Office Space

If your small business is successful, it can be tempting to move into a luxurious new building with plenty of office space. However, the rent might eventually affect your bottom line more than you previously thought, especially if you aren’t signing enough new clients to keep up with expenses. Given this, you might want to reconsider the way you use your office space or move into a space that’s more cost-effective, even if it isn’t as impressive.

Let’s say you’re hiring more people than ever before, and your company is expanding. While it might not sound like the most attractive solution, you may want to consider using spaces for more than one reason. While it might be a momentary inconvenience, you may find it encourages collaboration and transparency. Either way, rent can be a huge drain on any small business, and you should always be wary of spending too much money on office space.

Cut Down on Marketing Costs

Small businesses must get the word out to the consumer to let them know they exist, but there are innovative ways businesses can market now without breaking the bank. Let’s say you’re a business that has relied on an expensive ad agency for years, and they have been producing results. Have you ever considered that you might be able to revamp your marketing campaigns and save money? You might also want to consider pivoting more to social media marketing, as well.

Ultimately, marketing is an important part of any business. If your marketing efforts are central to your business model, this might not be optimal. Of course, this is not to suggest that you ditch your world-class marketer for a local freelancer with no experience. However, there are steps you can take that can be extremely effective and aren’t costly. For example, you may find that repurposing old content for more traffic, or using new free marketing tools, can be extremely productive with respect to finding new customers.

Focus More Than Ever

If you own a small business, there’s a good chance you understand that it isn’t smart to always accept every project. You might think it’s an incredible opportunity to work with a certain client, only to find it’s a complete nightmare that’s draining all your resources. If you’re serious about cutting costs, you should consider focusing your skillset on your “bread and butter” clients, rather than trying to diversify.

For small businesses constantly trying to grow, it can be tough to decline a client that will bring you a significant amount of money. You should take the extra time to make sure this customer or client knows exactly what they want, so your employees can deliver. If it seems like this is unclear, you should turn back to what your small business is known for and deliver better than ever if you’re serious about cutting costs. You might find that a nightmare client can destroy employee morale, which is the last thing you want to do during a time when you should be saving money and improving employee productivity.

Conclusion

Your small business should always be growing, but that doesn’t mean it needs to spend more money. Entrepreneurs often want to spend money on aspects of their business that aren’t central to their success – whether it’s a plush new office at an address that suggests “status”, hiring an award-winning ad agency that doesn’t truly understand what their company has to offer, or the customer they should be targeting. Even large corporations make massive marketing mistakes, and this is a mistake many small businesses simply cannot afford.

Entrepreneurs and business owners should take the time and effort to understand where exactly they should trim the fat, and why. It might take significant research to figure out where money can be saved, but it just might be the reason your business survives when the competition doesn’t.

from Feedster https://www.feedster.com/small-business/smart-ways-to-cut-costs-for-your-small-business/

6 Tips for Content Marketing

Digital marketing has changed the game for the majority of businesses. There are over four billion internet users, and more than 3 billion of them use social media. Don’t you see this as an opportunity to interact with an audience? As a result, content marketing is growing since it lays a foundation for every marketing campaign. It focuses on creating, publishing, and distributing relevant content to reach the target audience.

 Thus, you would be missing out on potential leads if you fail to leverage content marketing. Some marketers limit their strategy to tweets, webpages, and blogs without recognizing the importance of quality content, social reach, and branding. Hence, it is essential to develop a clear understanding of content marketing strategy before calling the shots.

If you are trying to make some progress, look at these useful tips for content marketing.

1. Establish Goals 

At times, marketers go with the flow. They keep creating blogs and social media posts without establishing any goals or strategies. It is essential to identify the purpose of creating content and whether it helps you achieve business goals. For instance, you might want to boost your social outreach, with this goal in mind, you can develop a more competent content strategy. Therefore, before jumping into new horizons, establish goals.  

2. Focus on Gated Content 

After generating unique content, marketers wonder how to present it to the audience. Usually, it depends on your marketing goals and what you are trying to achieve from the campaign. If you are looking forward to building email lists, gated content can do wonders for your business. You have to offer valuable content in exchange for the audience’s email address or contact information. Are you wondering how this works? Here are some gated content examples, helping you understand better.  

• Many companies use eBooks to reach out to individual customers since this form of gated content delivers enormous value to visitors. 
• With the popularity of webinars, businesses are using it as a tool to win the audience’s sign-ups. 
• A majority of the online audience drools over video content. As a result, marketers ask users to sign up for accessing the video. 

Thus, if you want your content marketing strategy to rise and shine, incorporate gated content. 

3. Back-Up Information with Stats

In today’s digital world, brands find it challenging to establish trust with customers. You can utilize your content marketing strategy to flaunt your business’s credibility. Support your information with stats and data from credible sources because users are unlikely to believe bogus claims. So, if you are making a point like 26% of marketers don’t have content marketing goals, give citations of a credible website. This thing will strengthen your content while developing a positive image of your business.  

4. Target Specific Keywords

When promoting in the kingdom of Google, you have to be very particular about search engine optimization (SEO) for your content strategy. So, if you were thinking of stuffing the content with keywords, Google crawlers can detect this in seconds. Hence, you have to adopt smarter tactics – focus on specific keywords and squeeze them in your content naturally.

Think about the keywords you want to rank and those that can allow people to find your brand readily. After this, come up with topics for your blog posts and create content as per SEO’s instructions. Remember, don’t place more than three keywords in a single blog post, and instead divert your focus on enriching the audience with useful content. 

5. Reflect Your Brand’s Voice

Content marketing gives your brand a voice, allowing you to deliver your message to the audience. For this, you have to continually review editorial standards, ensuring quality and a consistent tone throughout. Ask yourself whether the content reflects your company’s value? Does it deliver any brand message? Is it educating the audience?

All these questions allow you to refine your brand’s voice and provide the audience with a more cohesive experience. Many marketers find it challenging to build a brand voice through content, but there is no harm in giving it a try. 

6. Evaluate your Campaign 

In content marketing, your job doesn’t end after hitting the publish button. Smart content marketers focus on results after producing excellent content to see whether customers like it or not. You can use content metrics and analytics that will dictate even the tiniest detail of your published content. It will give insights into retweets, shares, likes, dislikes, comments, lead generation, time spend on a webpage, and much more.  

However, you can’t make success calls solely by these factors because even if your content gets shared, it still may fail to generate leads.  Therefore, evaluate the campaign by taking every element into account and be consistent with it. Regularly check progress to identify areas where your content is doing well, and which areas need improvement. 

Final Word

Content marketing is a creative field. Hence, before anything else, you need to have a fresh mindset blooming with ideas and a clear vision of your goals. It will allow you to tweak the content strategies by aligning it with your marketing goals. Equip yourself with some useful tips and get the knack of the latest tools to kick off an incredible content marketing campaign.

from Feedster https://www.feedster.com/content-marketing/6-tips-for-content-marketing/

How to Protect Your Primary Income

If you’re like most people, you rely on a primary source of revenue to handle your living expenses, and fund your way of life. This may be a full-time job, a stream of revenue from a business, or some other major source. In any case, a single disruption could interrupt or end that flow of revenue—leaving you practically unable to meet your expenses. For example, if you’re fired, or if you become permanently disabled, you may no longer be able to work, and your income may dry up.

Fortunately, there are many strategies you can use to protect your primary income, both to decrease your chances of living without it and to establish a backup plan in case something bad happens to you.

Emergency Savings

One of the best things you can do to start is gather funds for emergency savings. Accumulating a few thousand dollars as a financial cushion can help you pay your bills long enough for you to figure out what to do next. For most people, it’s ideal to have enough money to cover three to six months’ worth of expenses.

If you’re struggling to accumulate these funds, focus on setting aside a bit of extra money each month. It doesn’t have to be much; over time, even small contributions can eventually add up to serve your needs. To allow for this “extra” money, you may have to cut expenses, increase your income, or both. Cutting expenses could mean minimizing your unnecessary costs, like entertainment-related expenses, or something more drastic like moving to a less expensive neighborhood. As for increasing your income, you could seek a raise or promotion in your current line of work, or you could develop multiple streams of income (which is a useful strategy of its own for income protection).

Long-Term Disability Insurance

Next, make sure you have a long-term disability insurance policy. Long-term disability insurance kicks in if you’re ever injured or if you suffer a condition that prohibits you from working the way you once did. Depending on the terms of the policy, you’ll likely be covered for any type of accident or disease that renders you unable to work.

Many employers offer a long-term disability insurance policy to their employees as an employee benefit. If you don’t have this option through your employer, you can seek an independent policy of your own.

Multiple Streams of Income

One of the most popular ways to protect your income stream is to diversify your sources of income. If you own a business, you can do this within the business by creating new ways for the business to make money; for example, in addition to serving food in a restaurant setting, you could live stream entertainment and sell merchandise.

If you’re a full-time employee or if you’ve already diversified your business’s income streams, you can establish new streams of revenue in other ways. For example:

• Pick up a side gig. You could start a side gig to make extra income, assuming you have the time to manage it. This could be something simple, like selling one of your favorite crafts online, or something more robust, like launching your own side business as a consultant in your area of expertise.
• Buy rental property. Purchasing rental property allows you to collect rent from tenants, hopefully in excess of your ongoing expenses. This results in a steady stream of revenue (and profitability) each month, assuming you choose the right investments from the beginning.
• Invest in dividend-paying companies. Many publicly traded companies offer dividends to their shareholders. These (typically quarterly) distributions of profit grant you a steady stream of income while also enjoying the benefits of a healthy stock that tends to rise in price over time. If you’re not sure how to choose the right companies, you could also invest in a variety of dividend-paying stocks via an exchange traded fund (ETF).

Additional Skills and Experience

You never know when you might lose your job due to changes in demand, the limitations of the business, or other factors. Because of this, it never hurts to have a backup plan in place. Consider protecting your income in the future by learning a variety of different skills, and gaining different experiences you can use to pursue different careers in the future. Think about what interests you, personally, as well as what might be a reliable way to make money in the years to come.

These are just a few of the ways you can protect your income and make sure you maintain a stream of revenue even if your primary job is no longer available. Even baby steps, like setting aside a small amount of money each month, can make a positive difference.

from Feedster https://www.feedster.com/cash-flow/how-to-protect-your-primary-income/

10 Aspects to Consider When Choosing a Real Estate Agent to Sell your Home

If you have decided to relocate and are about to put your home on the market, your choice of real estate agent is critical, as it could be the difference between a quick sale and months of inactivity. As you would expect, there are many real estate agents in Australia, and some are, of course, better than others.

Here are a few aspects of real estate agents to take into account when looking to sell your property.

1. Market Leader – Obviously, you want your house listed on the most popular platform by an agent that has a great track record for making the sale, and you could make good use of a local agent-finding service that can be found online. This free service gives you information on all real estate agents that are registered with the provider, including the average number of days a property is on the market, which is a vital aspect of the process.
2. Professional Presentation – You should expect a professional property photographer to visit, and his images would go with the copy written by an in-house content writer, and the way a property is presented has a lot to do with the number of viewings. Like any other asset, your property needs to look its best, and don’t be surprised if the agent makes a few suggestions on how to brighten up the front elevation.
3. Maximise Exposure – Of course, everything is online and your agent should be part of a national network, which means your property details will be listed on every website within the network, thus maximising your chances of finding a buyer. Go to https://www.localagentfinder.com.au/ and you can quickly receive a free list of recommended real estate agents that cover your region, which helps you to make an informed decision. Once on the site, you have important information about all registered agents at hand, things like the number of properties currently listed, the total number of units sold this year, plus the average number of days before a unit is sold.
4. Commission – Of course, all real estate agents charge a commission and a local agent-finding service would tell you each agent’s rate of commission. It isn’t always best to go with the agent who charges the least, as agent performance must be considered, and using a free online agent-finding service certainly does make sense. The agent-finder lists the national commission average alongside any agent’s rate of commission, allowing you to instantly compare, and should you feel it too high, simply scroll down the list of agents until you find one that seems to fit the bill. Here is some more information on how real estate agents price their services, which is recommended reading.
5. Responsive – With so much competition, every real estate agent would be on the ball regarding communication, and from the moment you make that initial enquiry, you can expect rapid response whenever you send a message. You should be kept informed at all times and hopefully, people will be booking viewings.
6. Testimonials – Of course, hearing from others who were very happy with their agents is reassuring, so do make a point of reading testimonials on agent websites, aside from the obvious ability to sell real estate, you want to deal with pleasant and efficient people, and you can check this aspect easily by reading client testimonials. Click here for more information about the benefits of testimonials, which makes for an interesting read.
7. Comprehensive Service – Ideally, you want an agent that can assist you with taxes and stamp duty, if applicable, which is something to enquire about. Most established agents would have a very efficient system in place, taking care of everything for their clients, and with so much competition, a lack of service would be the end of a real estate agent.
8. Type of Property – Some real estate agents focus on apartments, while others tend to concentrate on furnished rental properties, and by searching for an agent that features your type of property, you are increasing your chances of a quick sale.
9. Location – It is important that the agent’s offices are nearby, and if you use a local agent-finding service, location would be one aspect when searching for suitable agents to sell your home. A local agent would have in-depth knowledge of the area, and are never far away.
10. Timing – It is important that you are sure that now is a good time to sell your property, and if you would rather not, you could search for suitable tenants until the property market stabilises. In many cases, the relocation demands the sale of the house, and in such cases, the sooner you find a buyer, the quicker you can occupy your new dwelling.

Finding the right real estate agent to sell your home is no longer the challenge it once was, thanks to agent-finding services that are free to the Australian property owner.

from Feedster https://www.feedster.com/real-estate/10-aspects-to-consider-when-choosing-a-real-estate-agent-to-sell-your-home/

Medical Credentialing: Choosing Between Hiring a Specialist or Outsourcing

As a healthcare practice, you want your service to be as efficient as possible. Usually, this means upgrading your technology and hiring the best staff.

Practices and professionals can also choose between outsourcing or keeping services in-house. Tasks like coding, transcribing, and medical billing can be done by a third-party company instead of a staff member.

Medical credentialing is one of the essential tasks that improve patient trust and revenue, it also reduces the risk of medical errors. It might make sense to outsource medical credentialing, but it might be better to hire a credentialing specialist exclusive to your healthcare practice.

Outsourcing and hiring in-house both have their benefits and limitations. Knowing what’s in store with each option helps decide what’s best for your healthcare practice.

What is Medical Credentialing?

Medical credentialing involves objectively assessing a medical provider’s license, experience, and the ability to provide a specific service.

Your practice must complete a credentialing process based on the standards by the National Committee for Quality Assurance. Once you pass the credentialing, you’re qualified to provide healthcare.

A medical credentialing usually follows this process:

1. Information gathering. A credential specialist gathers the required data from the healthcare practice.
2. Primary source verification (PSV). The specialist obtains credential and licensing information directly from the agencies that granted the licenses. They may also gather data from a secondary source qualified to provide the information.
3. Privileging process. The specialist sends the vetted application to the committees of a healthcare practice, who will authorize the process or physician. Depending on the size of the facility, the process might go from a department up to the board of directors.

Passing a medical credential improves a patient’s trust in your healthcare practice. When they know their provider’s qualifications, they’re more likely to open up and disclose information to enhance the quality of your service.

Medical credentials are also essential for insurance reimbursement. States and insurance providers use the credentialing process to see if a medical provider meets their requirements.

Hiring a Credentialing Specialist

If you choose to keep your credentialing in-house, you need to hire a medical credentialing specialist.

Their job is to verify that your healthcare professionals’ certifications, licenses, and the training is updated and compliant with state and federal regulations. They also make sure that your services and facilities meet the required standards set by government agencies.

Their daily responsibilities include:

• Conducting background checks
• Contacting licensing boards
• Maintaining databases
• Processing relevant paperwork
• Requesting education details and interview references
• Reviewing license applications

Credentialing specialists may also assist with hiring new staff to ensure that the applicants meet the necessary credential requirements.

Although your staff can do a credentialing specialist’s daily responsibilities, these can be time-consuming. Hiring someone to address your credentialing needs helps your current staff focus on their own specific roles.

A medical credentialing specialist has the industry knowledge and expertise to make sure your healthcare practice stays compliant. However, they can be expensive to hire.

According to Salary.com, the average annual salary of a credentialing specialist in the US is $40,677. If you have a small healthcare facility and can’t afford to hire and pay the benefits of a specialist, this option isn’t for you.

Outsourcing Medical Credentialing

Several healthcare practices that don’t have a dedicated specialist usually hire a third-party company for their medical credentialing requirements. These third parties typically use high-tech solutions that automate the entire process.

Outsourcing your medical staff credentialing leads to these benefits:

1. Fewer human errors

Outsourced services lead to a more consistent basis of healthcare activities. With state-of-the-art, cloud-based solutions, you can quickly check for errors and perform real-time background checks.

Credentialing verification organizations also ensure equal and fair treatment of medical professionals in your healthcare practice. Using automated solutions, you can provide a non-biased approach to gathering, reporting, and monitoring credentials.

2. Cost savings

Moving from a paper-based credential system to a cloud-based solution may seem like an expensive cost. However, it can save you money since it reduces costs associated with file storage. With the money you save from automation, you can direct your budget to other efforts.

3. Improved efficiency

Outsourced credential specialists have the experience to provide a high level of focus to their work. They also have the software and processes that ensure every medical professional in your practice receives the highest credentialing standards.

Having all your data in the cloud helps you avoid lengthy set-up times. Manual credentialing processes take days to credential a physician. With automated processes, physicians attend to their patients more quickly.

Although outsourcing has its advantages, it may not be cost-efficient for some practices. Hiring a third-party credential specialist requires a monthly subscription fee, so make sure you have the budget to outsource.

Choosing an outsourced credential specialist means you have to take extensive background checks on potential companies to ensure you’ll get the most out of your money.

Running a healthcare practice means making sure that your processes and medical professionals are authorized to perform their tasks. This is why medical credentialing is essential.

Whether you choose to hire a specialist or outsource your credentialing tasks, make sure you know its advantages and limitations to decide on the best solution for your facility.

from Feedster https://www.feedster.com/health-and-wellness/medical-credentialing-choosing-between-hiring-a-specialist-or-outsourcing/

Pay To Play: How New Payment Technology is Revolutionizing Online Gaming

The way in which we pay for things has altered rapidly over the past several years, with technology creating myriad new ways to pay without the need for cash.

Brand new business propositions such as new secure payment systems, mobile banking, online investment platforms, peer-to-peer lending, cryptocurrencies, and crowdfunding are revolutionizing the entire financial services industry, with a knock-on effect to almost any business that trades online.

Today’s consumer can do almost anything, including do the weekly grocery shop, play online games or trade stocks and shares online, using payment methods that just a few years ago did not exist.

The gaming industry particularly has enjoyed a huge surge in popularity as new payment systems make it easier and safer than ever before to play online.

Digital Adoption in the Gaming Industry

The gaming industry has seen rapid expansion as more providers begin to offer digital channels for play. The ability to access favourite games from anywhere and at any time holds great appeal to a lot of people, with mobile gaming and other online channels increasing in popularity.

Whether you want to play online bingo or casino games online, the gambling industry has made sure they stay on trend with technological advancements to suit the needs of their customers.

The online gambling industry alone is expected to reach a revenue value more than £1 trillion by 2021, according to research by Juniper. Within that same time frame, it is predicted that we will see an increase of around 800% for gamers using new virtual reality technologies.

Not only are consumers being drawn in by the choice of games and ease of access – they are also satisfying their gaming urges using new digital payment methods that expand that choice and make the process more convenient.

Research shows that as much as 86% of the population expect to increase their use of technologies such as mobile wallets over the coming two years. There are multiple payment systems already in place that offer more choice than ever before.

People are now able to play online gambling games at their own convenience with a variety of mobile friendly apps.

EWallets and Mobile Wallets

EWallets and mobile wallets are fast and easy to sign up for and facilitate online transactions securely from any device, with a streamlined service that only requires customers to enter their details once.

The personal funds and data of the customer are stored securely within the wallets, enabling one-click purchases from any online stores or gaming sites. Funds can be transferred instantly between wallets to provide 24/7 access.

Cashless Payments

Cashless payments are nothing new – the first credit cards were introduced back in the 1950s. What is new is the displacement of more traditional currencies such as cash or cheques with cashless payments.

As early as 2012, cashless payments had overtaken cash, with 68% of all transactions by value in the US accounted for electronically. Since 2012, there have been numerous advances that have streamlined cashless services and made them more convenient than ever.

Leveraging technologies such as connectivity and mobile has resulted in a world where few people carry cash and almost everyone has other methods of payment to hand at all times.

Digital Currencies

Digital currencies, or cryptocurrencies, are now recognised as legal forms of tender by organisations such as the Financial Conduct Authority.

Currencies such as Bitcoin are more widely used for services such as online gambling or gaming. In Great Britain, regulations state that any gambling business that wishes to add cryptocurrencies to its payment services must be in possession of a valid operating licence.

Many gaming and gambling sites have opted away from using cryptocurrency as a payment method and instead use the traditional payment methods of bank card and/or PayPal.

PayPal

PayPal is one of the largest platforms in the world for making secure online payments. PayPal allows for online gambling deposits in many countries, although there are restrictions in others, including the US.

Depositing money with PayPal is a fast, simple experience for the user. The limits will vary depending on the gaming site, but the process is almost always quick and easy to complete.

Payments will usually clear instantly once they have been approved, allowing gamers to start playing straight away once they have made their initial deposit.

Apple Pay

Apple Pay allows owners of an iPhone to make payments via tier mobile using a simple touch confirmation. This effectively means consumers can use their fingerprints to pay for almost anything, so long as the merchant has Apple Pay facilities.

This technology is relatively widely used among the younger generation, who are typically the most avid online gamers.

Apple Pay is a new popular payment method amongst millennials, this method uses an iPhone in replace of a bank card in order to make payments

Local Payment Systems

Many online gaming websites are beginning to increase their reach by offering a range of popular local payment systems.

Adding systems such as Alipay, WeChat Pay, Yandex or Qiwi opens the market into new territories, making it easier for gamers in countries such as China or Russia to enter and play.

Many of these services also offer cash-based deposit methods, which expands the demographic even further to include young people and people who do not have access to a bank account.

Financial Regulations

Integrating new payment systems within the online gaming industry is not always easy for the merchants. Regulations are often stringent, and they can vary drastically across borders, requiring careful planning for sites that can be accessed internationally.

However, increased consumer adoption suggests that taking the time to implement the correct systems and offer consumers a wider choice of online payment methods for gaming will pay off in the long-term.

The online gaming industry is expanding, and more people are discovering the joys of playing online every day.

As the audience grows, we can expect to see a wider bank of options for making payments that hold cross-generational appeal, using new and older technologies to ensure payments can be made quickly and securely with complete peace of mind.

from Feedster https://www.feedster.com/entertainment/pay-to-play-how-new-payment-technology-is-revolutionizing-online-gaming/

All About Kratom’s Origins: Who First Discovered It?

Kratom enthusiasts define kratom to be an effective relaxant and pain reliever. Many prefer it to coffee and most prescription drugs. Therapeutic as it is, kratom is gradually gaining popularity day by day worldwide.

Hindrance, to some extent, maybe the arising controversies and the political disagreements concerning its use and legality despite the alleged benefits verified.

That’s nothing abnormal since persons may have divided opinions and beliefs. And it should not kill your love for kratom. 

But where was kratom first discovered? Who first saw its benefits? How did it come into existence? As a kratom lover, these questions at one point might have popped up in your witty brain.

Like many things, kratom dates to a particular origin. We can never wake up one day and boom, something exists in a split-second. More to say, kratom having a publicized history justifies its good and existence. 

Well, information is always with us! And better, this article brings it closer to you in a comprehensive, precise, and self-explanatory manner. History also still has a way of redefining itself. You need not be curious anymore.

You might as well be the person to quench your friend’s thirst for knowledge. So, sit, relax, and take your time to read consistently on all about the origin of kratom! 

Where did kratom originate from?

Botanically known as Mitragyna Speciosa, kratom has a partially undefined origin. In other words, the origin is yet to be fully known to date. But this does not mean there is ultimately nothing on the same.

Kratom is an indigenous plant of Southeast Asia since time immemorial- precisely, Thailand, Philippines, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, and Indonesia.

For thousands of years, the drug has been very significant to its natives way before it made to the western countries in the 20th century. It grew as wild plants in the forest jungles.

While we call it kratom, in Thailand, it is referred to as “krathom” and “ketum” in Malaysia.

Thought to be discovered by the Dutch settlers in Thailand in the 1800s, the locals knew it earlier and its efficacy. To this point, we are conversant with the pioneer discoverers.  

In the ancient days, the native peasants, laborers, and field workers used kratom as a stimulant or a sedative as they worked under the sun. Once they discovered kratom, the use of opiates such as marijuana declined.

They brewed its tea, chewed, or smoked its leaves to re-energize themselves, increase appetite, and general body strength in order to cope with the hard, strenuous tasks. With that, they could work all day.

In the Southeast region, it was a must-have in the socio-religious events where it was more of refreshment- a drink taken for enjoyment. In Thailand, it was considered effective medicine for persons with morphine addiction.

All these exhibits that the Asians unearthed kratom benefits prior to scientific discoveries. It has been there in the past- now resurfaced and about to take the world by storm.

Historical background of kratom

While we are familiar with the origin of kratom, we are yet to unravel its entire history. Details are important too. The renowned Dutch botanist Pieter Willem Korthals was the first person to officially describe kratom in the western literature in the 19th century.

That’s when the Westerners started identifying with kratom. A few years later, H. Ridley documented kratom being an excellent substitute for opiates that could help struggling opium addicts, which was an escalating problem at hand.

L. Wray, in 1907, went ahead and described the main methods of ingesting kratom like making its tea, chewing, and smoking its leaves.

He then picked samples of the Mitragyna parvifolia and the Mitragyna speciosa and sent them to the University of Edinburg. He did that intending to want the active chemical compound to be discovered for future medical aid.

Fortunately, Fray isolated the alkaloid Mitragynine from Mitragyna speciosa and Mitraversine from Mitragyna parvifolia.

More Scientific projects subsequently followed, and tests were carried out on more species of Mitragyna in South East Asia and Africa. Three more kratom alkaloids were confirmed to exist and more and more discovered till present.

By 1940, the Southeast Asian countries were starting to gain independence from colonialism. But they commenced formulating legislation to control the use of the drug.

Eventually, Thailand became the first native to illegalize kratom after noticing an alarming decrease in opium taxes as well as growing cases of kratom addictions.

In 1943, the Kratom Act, which prohibited kratom cultivation and selling, formally began fully functional. As of today, however, medicinal kratom is legal in Thailand, the same as Indonesia.

Don’t get a false idea that kratom is legal in all nations. It is still illegal in the UK, Malaysia, Denmark, Finland, some states in the US, and several others.

RELATED LINKS:

1.   https://www.kratomnews.org/mixing-kratom-alcohol/

2.   https://www.webmd.com/mental-health/addiction/kratom-facts

3.   https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/kratom-tea

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from Feedster https://www.feedster.com/health-and-wellness/all-about-kratoms-origins-who-first-discovered-it/

How Have Phone Apps Changed Throughout the Years?

It is no secret that the internet has changed significantly during the past few decades and this has led to the rise of mobile phone apps as well. Today, lives revolve around mobile applications. They are used to help people navigate routes, keep in touch with others, browse the internet, and even wake up in the morning. Apps have made nearly everything just a click away, giving rise to an industry that revolves entirely around phone apps. Now, it is time to take a look at how we got here. It is time to take a look back at how mobile applications have evolved during the past few decades, changing people’s lives in more ways than one.

Now, the first time phone apps reached the open market, they weren’t even called apps! It was referred to as a “feature” for a “mobile office” that had its own section on the phone. This app had more than ten different features, one of which included an alarm clock. While most phones today come with a clock on it that can be used as a timer, stopwatch, and alarm clock, this first phone app was used to add an alarm clock to a phone, among other features. At this time, apps were not fancy, but they did a lot. This phone app reached the market in 1994 and, during the next few years, apps evolved tremendously.

Over the next few years, mobile phones changed. The first QWERTY keypad arrived when the BlackBerry was launched in 2002. At that time, there were a few more apps that had arrived. For example, these apps could be used to add arcade games to the phones, change ringtones, install calculators, and even included a to-do list. These are a few of the most important ancestors of the apps we know today. Now, while these apps weren’t fancy and the graphics pale in comparison to what they are today, those apps still served as an important stepping stone as engineers were looking for ways to improve the capabilities of mobile phones. They knew that these phones were here to stay.

Shortly after this, the first iPhone reached the open market. This came in June of 2007 and it changed the way people looked at mobile phones forever. Just take a second to think about all the iPhones that have come since then. Back then, the iPhone was revolutionary but it still felt like a brick. At that time, the iPhone already came with numerous default apps installed. At that time, even text messages were still considered an app. In addition to this, Apple installed other capabilities including a Maps feature, a Weather feature, and even a camera. Shortly after the iPhone was released, numerous third-party apps started to reach the market.

The App Store went live in July of 2008 and it contained more than 500 apps at the time. Now, developers can reach every Apple user through this store. Since that time, numerous apps have grabbed the attention of the world. Everything from an ESPN app to Angry Birds, Draw Something, and Words with Friends has found its way onto the App Store during the past few years. Engineers have consistently found ways to push the envelope as they have found ways to add more and more features to the countless apps that people have on their phones today. Most people have a few dozen on their phones by this point.

One of the most important apps that has reached the market recently is called the Spy Phone app. This is not a hidden app; however, it does give people the ability to track their phone, as well as the phone of others, in the event they need to. This could include children’s phones, staff phones, or other devices that might be shared with other people. This app is used to monitor GPS location as well as track contacts. It can even be used to find a lost phone or as a panic button. This app has become incredibly popular recently as people are looking for ways to increase their security. It will be interesting to see how this app paves the way for the future.

These are just a few of the numerous important ways that phone apps have changed people’s lives. They have given nearly everyone the ability to have countless tasks at their fingertips, making people far more efficient. It seems like every day a new phone app is coming out that has the ability to make one more task that much easier. Those who are looking for ways to stay ahead of the competition should do everything in their power to keep up with the latest phone apps. They can save a tremendous amount of time, which could make all the difference in the world.

from Feedster https://www.feedster.com/phones/how-have-phone-apps-changed-throughout-the-years/

A Beginner’s Guide to Starting Your Own Business

Figuring out how to start your own business can be overwhelming, even when you have a great idea. How do you figure out if people will buy your product? Where do you get funding? What do you need to know to register your business? Fortunately, a combination of research, planning and adaptability can help you get started. Here’s how: 

It all Begins with Research

When it comes to starting your own business, the first thing to do is research. That means figuring out if there’s a demand for your business—there’s no point in starting it if no one’s going to buy from you. Start by thinking about who your customers would be, what they need and how you solve that need. There are a lot of different ways you can do this – from Google searches to talking to people in your industry to reading up on industry news and magazines for insight. 

You’ll want to make sure you’re doing a market analysis, which means that you’re looking at the market size of interested customers, how much they pay for similar services, what their economic position is, where they live, and who your competitors are in the market. If you see a lot of competitors, don’t panic! That usually means there’s a demand for the good you’re supplying. Take a look at the competition and think about what makes you different from it – what do you supply to customers that they don’t? 

Plan, Plan, Plan

Okay, you’ve done your research and you’ve figured out what your customers want and what you can offer them. Now what? It’s time to plan! A strong business plan sets the foundation for your business, guiding you from the start-up phase to establishment and business growth.  Your business plan can be detailed, or it can be a summary, depending on who you’re preparing it for. If you’re trying to get funding from an investor or financial institution, you’ll need a traditional, detailed business plan. If you’re not looking for funding, a brief business plan can work just fine, providing you with the guidance you need to get started. In general, your business plan should include what you intend to name your business and what it will do, your marketing strategy, competitive analysis, how you’ll design and develop your product or service, how you plan to run the business on a day-to-day basis and how you intend to finance your business.

Let’s Talk Funding

You’ve done your research and you’ve built a strong business plan, now it’s time to tackle funding. At this point, you should have a clear idea of what your start-up costs are likely to be. These are the expenses that usually come with setting up a business, including licensing and permits, insurance, setting up the business space and purchasing equipment, utilities, setting up inventory, advertising and marketing costs, employee salaries, and hiring a lawyer and accountant. Calculating the start-up costs of your business lets you estimate profits and determine when the breakeven point is reached. It’s also important to have these costs prepared for attracting investors and securing loans, if needed. 

There are different ways you can fund your business. Funding your business yourself gives you independence but you run the risk of losing your personal finances. One option is to fund your business through loans–whether from family or friends or a bank loan.  You can also apply for a small-business grant or local angel investor groups or join a start-up incubator or accelerator. This can be a great way to get funding but keep in mind that when it comes to investing, you give up some control of the business to investors in exchange for funding.  If you’re eager to stay in full control of your business, you may want to explore crowdfunding. Crowdfunding allows you to ask many people who are interested in your product or service to place a small investment in the business in exchange for a gift of thanks. 

Get Registered

You’re ready to make your business real, which means registering it with the government. If you can, it’s a good idea to work with an attorney or CPA here to ensure you’re making the right decisions for your business. First things first – decide on the kind of business entity you are. Do you own the business by yourself? Then sole proprietorship might be the way to go. Alternatively, a partnership could be the right choice if you’ve got a business partner. If you want to separate your personal assets from potential liabilities, you’ll want to incorporate your business. The three choices you will have for that are S Corp, LLC, and C Corp—the best choice for you depends on your tax and liability needs. Once you’ve made that decision you should obtain any federal, state or local licenses or permits that you need to operate. 

Let’s Get Set Up

Okay you’ve done your research, written your plan, got your funding, handled the paperwork – now it’s time to get set up! This can vary depending on your needs – if you’re an online business, your focus is building a website but even if your business is not online based, it is still a good idea to get a website so local customers can find you online. If you are from Liverpool, check out Web Design Liverpool which creates amazing websites for clients.

 If you’re working out of an office or a storefront though, you’ll want to think carefully about the location –where can you afford to be? Are your customers likely to be there?  Where are your competitors located? How do you want to display your products or services? 

At this point you may also be hiring employees. Make sure to be clear in the goals you  set for your employees and the kind of company culture you want to build. This will heavily influence your brand.

Stay Flexible

Congratulations! You’ve set up shop and you’re ready to fly. As you launch your business, it’s important to stay flexible. Listen to your employees and customers and be prepared to make tweaks or even large changes as you learn what brings customers in and what keeps them away. Being flexible makes sure that you meet your customers’ needs and leads your business to success. 

from Feedster https://www.feedster.com/business/a-beginners-guide-to-starting-your-own-business/

Do’s and Don’ts of eBay Dropshipping

What is eBay?

eBay is a multinational e-commerce company based in California, USA, that implements a C2C (Consumer-to-Consumer) and B2C (Business-to-Consumer) model in its platform.

In 1995, it was founded by Pierre Omidyar and it grew to its currently approximately 14,000 employees and now offers a lot of services such as eBay dropshipping.

On eBay, a seller uploads an item with a photo, description, price, and shipping options. The customers can buy the item immediately using the “Buy Now” feature or bid on the item. Once the deal is closed, the buyer will pay and the seller will now ship the item to the buyer.

eBay Dropshipping

If done correctly, dropshipping can be a good way to earn money with less capital and overhead cost. It also helps you establish your brand without the need for a classy storefront; just a well-designed, and easy to use online store.

Dropshipping lets you sell items that you physically do not have. It lets you add an item into your online store without the need to maintain and pay for a warehouse for your inventory.

You can also customize the products by adding your logo and brand information on the packaging. These things should be discussed with the supplier before you come to an agreement.

Dropshipping suppliers allows customization on the packaging but it might be limited based on the materials they currently have.

Imagine having your own factory somewhere that does the manufacturing and shipping for you, hassle-free. That’s the charm of eBay dropshipping.

Tips for a Successful eBay Dropshipping

Like most businesses, there might be hiccups to be encountered while you’re in your eBay dropshipping venture.

Mistakes can be avoided or remedied by requesting customer feedback after the product has been received, it is also a way for you to establish your brand’s customer relations.

Through eBay Dropshipping, you won’t be able to test and inspect the items before shipment, it is important to gather comments from verified purchases. Other than that, it is also important to monitor stocks by communicating regularly with your suppliers.

Lastly, be prepared for returns. Due to the volume of shipments your supplier is fulfilling every day, there is a chance that an item shipped was defective.

In this case, your customer will leave negative feedback on your store and not on your supplier. It is important to prepare a plan on how to address situations as such.

Mistakes to Avoid While Dropshipping

There are things you absolutely must avoid in your eBay listings. First is that you should not add links that redirect your customers to your supplier’s website or to any other websites.

Second, do not sell items that should not be on eBay, items that are strictly prohibited.

Moreover, do not sell items via eBay dropshipping that you have not tested, to avoid negative feedback from the customer if the product did not meet their expectations.

Last and the most important is to not violate eBay policies, copyrights, and trademarks. Violating a policy might lead to suspension of your account or in severe cases, you might get permanently banned.

These tips will help grow your eBay dropshipping business and prevent negative feedback.

from Feedster https://www.feedster.com/ecommerce/dos-and-donts-of-ebay-dropshipping/

Keep Your Workers Safe with an HSE Management System

HSE management essentially means that health, safety, and environment are components of an effective workplace management system. Each of these three areas have specific features and metrics that need to be monitored upon the implementation or the amendment of a new program. But, let’s break this down a little bit further as it pertains to the novel coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic and how an HSE management system can be amended to reflect changing safety regulations and priorities. 

Choosing the Right Technology

A basic HSE management system will incorporate HSE into every facet of an organization. Business as usual cannot be run if there are chinks in the system, and with changing regulations and safety measures as the COVID-19 pandemic persists in over 70 countries, many HSE systems need to be completely overhauled to reflect this. Some organizations have already made the move towards technology when it comes to their HSE management system, while others have not. This delay in adoption of new technology may be due to a number of reasons, but it can usually be boiled down to two very simply ones: cost and tradition. Some companies may feel that if a paper-based system worked fine in the past, it will continue to work fine in the future, and that it is not worth the cost and effort to upgrade. 

In the digital age, big organizations, especially those that have factories or workforces of 1000+ employees per location, have moved towards software and other technologies to manage their occupational health programs. Initially, it may not seem worth it to shell out for expensive software during a pandemic, but with health and safety more important than ever before, now might just be the ideal time to consider software for your HSE management system. So, how can HSE software aid in employee health, and curb the spread of COVID-19 through your organization?

HSE Software at Work

We have all heard the phrases “contact tracing” and “symptom checker” as these are the primary methods that organizations are collecting information on employees who may have contracted COVID-19. Some industries, such as those that work in agriculture or with production line factories, have a large number of workers still reporting for work each day. This means that they will come into contact with management, other coworkers, their families, and members of their communities. That is a lot of people that could potentially be carrying the novel coronavirus, and who have the potential to infect workers. With the help of software, an organization can create an employee profile which details all of the relevant health information. Each shift, with the help of an application associated with the software, an employee can quickly fill out a symptom checker form to see if they are healthy enough to work, and should they contract the virus, another form can be administered to perform a follow-up with them as their condition improves. To further this, any new safety regulations can be provided in daily bulletins to an employee’s account within the software, along with any new training modules created by the occupational health management staff. 
Essentially, HSE software can be used to monitor employee health both at work and at home, and if an outbreak should occur, contact tracing can easily be performed to curb the spread. It may just be time for your organization to make the leap, and invest in the software that will help keep your employees healthy and safe during these unprecedented times.

from Feedster https://www.feedster.com/human-resources/keep-your-workers-safe-with-an-hse-management-system/

What Is Kratom? Learn What’s All the Buzz About

When you mention the word drugs, what comes to most people’s minds are the likes of cocaine, heroin, morphine, cannabis, or prescribed medicine.

The reason being these kinds are commonly known worldwide. In some countries, they are deemed illegal; if not, strict measures have been set up to control the sale and cultivation. 

Well, kratom, too, belongs to the category of drugs yet unknown to several countrymen. In the US, however, it is widespread and legal in most states. To this point, you are aware that kratom is a drug, but another, do you know what it is in its entirety?

Needless to worry, this article gives an insight into a detailed description of kratom concisely and comprehensively. You feel intrigued and thirsty for knowledge. So, without any further chit-chat, let’s grant it a shot!

What is kratom?

Kratom primarily is the evergreen tree-like plant originating from Thailand and neighboring Southeast Asian countries centuries back. While some refer to it as kratom, some know it as either ketum, Biak, kakuam, ithang, or thom.

Its main active compound is mitragynine. At low doses, kratom is a stimulant and possesses euphoric effects at high doses. identified as Mitragyna speciosa as per the scientific naming of plants.

Regarding the scientific name, it belongs to the Mitragyna genus and speciosa category of species. When you dig deeper into scientific facts, kratom is associated with the Rubiaceae family, whose members are gardenia and coffee as well. 

Kratom tree itself has a rigid, sturdy stem branching out too dark green leaves and yellow flowers. The height ranges to about 15 meters, and the tree thickness reaches over 4.5 meters breadth.

Aside from the kratom leaves exhibiting a dark green pigment, their shape is ovate-acuminate and glossy in nature. 

Kratom growth

Kratom grows in the rainforest regions of Asia and swampy areas of Africa. Its deciduous condition is brought about by climatic changes. During the dry season, leaf fall is at its peak, more of shedding for renewal.

Then in the coming rainy season, growth occurs and the tree blossoms again with new evergreen leaves

So why does it grow only in tropics and sub-tropic regions? Kratom thrives best in native land where the soil is moist, fertile, and rich in humus. The soil pH lies between 5.5 to 6.5 for massive harvests.

Hot and humid conditions favor the growth of kratom plants. They neither do well in drought nor damp places. If watered with plentiful of water, the produce lessens- very drought-sensitive.

When not grown in the indigenous regions, kratom cannot blossom in the presence of frost-like conditions.

As much as kratom sprout in the homeland, kratom cultivation in other areas is possible. However, kratom plants pose difficulty in propagating. They are propagated with hard-to-find cuttings and 100% fresh seeds; positive outcomes are meager.

It’s subject to be unyielding, and that’s why it is advisable to grow the seeds in large groups. At least you increase the chances of fetching more than one seedling. 

Fungi inhibit the growth of kratom. Good thing human beings are innovative. To curb the propagation difficulties, embracing the following ways heightens the growth of kratom:

• Adding fungicides in small quantities to water to depopulate destructive fungi
• Refresh the water every day for lower rates of fungi growth

TYPES OF KRATOM

A better term for types of kratom is kratom strains. Kratom exists in a variety of strains, and the variation is drawn from different places of origin. Some originated from Thailand, while others Indonesia or Malaysia.

Like different strains of cannabis, the same applies to kratom strains in that they have different effects associated with the consumption. Though, none of the kratom effects are approved by clinical tests; they are based on anecdotal reviews from people.

Thai: Thai kratom is native to Thailand. It is available in green, red, and white vein kratom. The red vein thai kratom is reported to be an excellent analgesic in cases of chronic pain.

Green and white veins are attributed to be effective stimulants and can get you high to the extent of being in a euphoric state.

Indo: the name is suggestive of its origin, Indonesia. Presently existing in red, white, and green. Indo kratom strains are said to be less effective. Generally, they are ideal for calming the body, promoting health, reducing chronic pain, and treating anxiety disorders.

Maeng da: its place of origin dates to Thailand, but Maeng da strains from Indonesia and Malaysia can be found too. Colors available are green, red, or white, of which all are long-lasting and quality kratom. Many users attest it to be very stimulating, energizing, and pain-relieving.

Bali/red vein: this strain is of Indonesian origin. It is red in color. Bali kratom is said to be the most effective pain reliever and with much synonymity to opioids.

Malaysian: the green red and white Malaysian strains are equally sedating and stimulating. They are purportedly analgesic and tend to energize and increase focus.

A Malaysian strain different in color. It is dark green. Green malay is energizing and pain-relieving at low doses and sedative at high doses.

Wrapping Up

Despite the variation in names, these strains possess a common similarity. They exist in white, red, and green vein color. Therefore, classification can be in the form of the pigments such that there are white, green, and red kratom strains.

from Feedster https://www.feedster.com/health-and-wellness/what-is-kratom-learn-whats-all-the-buzz-about/

Factory Life: How Manufacturers are Dealing with Market Disruptions During the Pandemic

All of us, regardless of profession, industry or situation in life, have been affected by the coronavirus pandemic that has swept the globe. In the face of months of social distancing and quarantine, massive testing, with millions contracting the virus, all of us have been impacted in one way or another.

The world of manufacturing is no exception. For many manufacturers, they’ve had to cut down on operations, temporarily close, or in some extreme cases, close their doors permanently. 

On the other side, many factories that produce and manufacture certain high-demand items such as medical gear and PPE, sanitary products and more, production has ramped up two or three times higher than it was before, and they struggle to keep up while still providing a quality product. 

How Manufacturers Are Responding to Market Disruptions

Manufacturing companies are having to adapt to these new conditions, implementing new protocols and safety measures along the way. 

For the companies that have ramped up their production, they’ve also had to ramp up quality control. Naturally, when a company is manufacturing exponentially more than they were before, going faster and harder, the room for error grows. 

This is why many businesses are implementing systems that utilize Smart Manufacturing systems, systems that monitor production and manufacturing from an automated standpoint, pointing out problems before they arise and helping companies streamline their production practices. 

These Smart Manufacturing systems do more than just anticipate problems; they can reduce manufacturing costs, streamline processes and increase productivity. Using a visual system of lights, everyone on the production floor can easily see when systems are running smoothly, when potential problems arise, and when production must stop to fix an issue. This intuitive, forward-thinking system is a great way for any manufacturing company to stay on top of the production line. 

How Smart Technology Is Aiding Key Manufacturing Industries

Companies that produce medical supplies such as PPE, gloves, face masks, hand sanitizer and other much-needed, highly-sought after materials know that getting as much product out as they can is imperative to helping combat this virus around the world. They are working round the clock, with dedicated staff of essential workers to bring medical personnel, clinics, and patients the supplies that they need as quickly and safely as possible. 

For these industries, Smart Manufacturing systems are more important than ever. Manufacturers can’t waste time on small errors and mistakes on the production floor when time is of the essence. A Smart system can avoid all those issues and keep the line running safely and smoothly around the clock. These systems help employers keep up with demand even with short-staff, as employees spend less time on the floor and more time practicing social distancing, keeping everyone safer in the meantime.

As manufacturers strive to keep up with the growing demands and challenges of coronavirus-related market changes, Smart technology will be a key asset. Not only will these systems benefit key industries like medical manufacturers, but it will also help manufacturers who are adapting to an increasing need for other products such as household goods.

For more information on safe return-to-work practices, check out this handy guide. 

from Feedster https://www.feedster.com/news/factory-life-how-manufacturers-are-dealing-with-market-disruptions-during-the-pandemic/

Is It Worth to Start Shopify Stores in 2020?

In the past years, tech companies have showcased a lot of advancements in the current state of technology. Innovations are being born almost every day if you will check Kickstarter posts.

With these advancements, our lives have changed as well. We now do almost everything online using our desktops, laptops, and mobile phones.

Email addresses and social media accounts have become a necessity for us to be able to enjoy services online. But what about businesses? How were they impacted by technological advancements? The answer is Shopify stores.

Online Stores in 2020

As the technologies advance, more and more companies are competing to release products that will be of help to the consumers.

E-commerce platforms have started emerging years ago and now they are better than ever. You can now start your business using a laptop or even a mobile phone. It has become that easy!

E-commerce platforms such as Shopify stores have made it easy for businesses to establish their brand and sell products online. Shopify is one of the most used and well-known platforms for starting a website to sell your products.

You may have to pay for a subscription but that is just a minuscule amount compared to what the platform can offer.

You have the freedom to customize your website to your taste or choose from their wide variety of ready to use themes, some themes are paid, and some are free.

If you’re techy and know your way around coding, you can design and build your Shopify store on your own.

The most important thing is that Shopify stores provide a platform where transactions can be made, and the customer’s purchasing process is automated.

You’ll just be notified that you have received an order, you pack it, you change the order status, and then ship the product.

Your online inventory will be updated automatically as well, so customers will know if the item is sold out and will not be able to place an order for that item until you update the stock count.  Customers can even post feedback that can help or break your business.

Setting Up an Online Store

First, you will need to sign up for a Shopify account and subscribe to one of their plans. Read each plan carefully and assess which will benefit your business the most.

Shopify stores are worth the investment, but you would not want to pay for features you will not even use because you do not need to.

If you are well-versed in coding, you can customize even the smallest details on your Shopify store. But if not, you can always choose from their predesigned themes or hire a software developer to build your shop. Setting up an online store is kind of the easy part.

For your business to be successful, you need to promote your Shopify store as well. The good thing is that Shopify offers marketing services as well, but with a cost.

You can do it on your own by promoting your shop via social media channels. So, is Shopify worth the investment? The answer is yes!

from Feedster https://www.feedster.com/ecommerce/is-it-worth-to-start-shopify-stores-in-2020/

Business Budgeting Tips in 2020

No business owner likes being strapped for cash, but mismanaging cash flow happens. Nearly half (42%) of small business owners report that handling cash flow is challenging, especially in the wake of COVID-19. If you’re struggling to control your small business funds, check out the money management tips in this article which we compiled with the help of AC Waring.

Ensure impeccable bookkeeping and accounting

While both bookkeeping and accounting stand for pretty much the same thing, there is an essential distinction behind them: bookkeeping is about recording expenses, accounting is about interpreting and analyzing them. Both must be impeccable, to always be in touch with the financial state your business is in.

Similarly, expenses need to be categorized correctly. Let’s take the basic example of buying someone lunch. In one situation it’s your client, which you’ve taken out to discuss further proceedings. In another situation, you’ve invited your employees for dinner to celebrate a successful quarter. Despite both being similarly unrelated to business per se, they do have to be placed in different categories. The first one should be considered a sales expense, or even investment. The second should fall into your operations budget.

Proper categorization will allow you to have a better understanding of where costs can be cut, if necessary.

Adhere to a planning cycle

It’s always a great idea to follow a pattern when it comes to objectively assess your annual budget and performance. This will allow you to superpose yearly results, compare them, and find ideas for improvement wherever it’s possible. Create your own pattern that will better reflect the peculiarities of your niche or industry.

Here’s an example:

• Start by analyzing your current performance and comparing it to your previous year. Draw conclusions.
• Find the opportunities for improvement and find the issues that have caused your company to slow down its performance.
• Go through your most successful and least successful projects of the current year and draw conclusions.
• Analyze the necessary budget-related adjustments your company needs to make, in order to adapt to future projects.
• Establish the total resources you’ll need to cover maintenance or any other mandatory elements of a budget.
• Define the upcoming year’s KPI’s regarding profits, taking all the losses into consideration.
• Create a conclusion to your budget plan.
• Don’t forget to address the budget regularly, preferably every month. Your company can always enter an unexpected territory, which implies that the budget might need to be adjusted or modified. Return to it regularly and assess your decisions and possibly introduce new business ideas.
• Return to point 1 and repeat.

Focus on what matters most

It is every company’s freedom to establish what matters to them most, but we believe that it is every businesses responsibility to build a budget with its employees in mind. Your personnel should be one of the central figures in your budget. Never hesitate to allocate some extra resources to improve the quality of life of the people who work for you.

Do not hesitate to allocate a part of your budget for rewards. Each one of your workers have their own concerns, preferences, and interests, which makes it essential to remunerate them in accordance with their interests, when possible. Businesses take time to invest in their personnel’s interests as it guarantees greater percentages of employees’ retention, and normally attracts better professionals for a longer period.

Don’t forget what budgets are for

Budgets have a set of very precise functions and we often forget about them. Budgeting has become such a chore, we tend to automatically execute the plan, without giving it too much thought. However, since all businesses are different, the goals they pursue are different as well.

The common aims of a business’s budget are:

• having better control of the company’s finances
• a clear understanding of whether the company’s commitments can be met in the upcoming year
• “pinpoint” your position financially and give you a better understanding of what your company can and cannot afford

Make sure that there are sufficient resources for upcoming projects

However, it’s essential to establish what other things your company may be looking for when planning a budget.

Relieve your budget plans from ambiguity

It is quite a common case that businesses fail to write a clear budget plan, simply because they don’t have a clear separation of concepts. If not correctly worded a budget plan can become more of a burden, rather than an asset. Never hesitate to consult a professional paper writing service when it comes to writing such documents to eliminate any possible issues related to ambiguity and unclear language.

Budgeting is a demanding task, but it is imperative for the proper functioning of an aspiring business. Make sure you invest the necessary time and effort into your budget, to bring some extra stability to your company.

from Feedster https://www.feedster.com/budgeting/business-budgeting-tips-in-2020/