Starting an E-Commerce Business

8/26/2021

SEO Keywords and Phrases

How do I start an e-commerce business?

Starting an e-commerce business

new e-commerce business

how to sell products or services online

small business

e-commerce platform

e-commerce website

 

Starting an e-commerce business

So, you’re wondering how do I start an e-commerce business. Like the vast majority of entrepreneurs in the 21st century, you understand that moving a business online isn’t optional anymore – it’s essential. Luckily, you’ve come along at just the right time. Starting and e-commerce business has never been easier and startup costs have never been lower.  A slew of technologies and websites have popped up in recent years that allow one to get an e-commerce website and business off the ground quickly and painlessly.

Before we get into the tech side of things, it’s important to think of what your goals are so you can better plan how you want to get there. When people ask how do I start an e-commerce business there isn’t a quick answer. There are innumerable types of online business but let’s say you’ve been printing designs on t-shirts and you’ve become quite good at it. Now you’d like to see if you can sell them.

Setting Up Shop

While the option exists to sell your product through another vendor, you probably would like to maximize the amount of money you can earn from your efforts. This will involve creating your own website as a type of virtual store where people can find, browse and purchase items quickly and easily.

In the past, most people left the task of building a website to the experts but today it is easy enough most people can do it themselves. Sites like WordPress.com and Squarespace have streamlined the process of website building. No knowledge of coding is required. You simply choose from a number of predesigned options and templates ensuring that your website looks sleek, professional and functional.

In addition to a website, you will need a webhost and domain name. Think of a webhost as where you will put your website and think of the domain name as the directions to get there. This enables potential customers to easily find and access your website on the internet. Many companies like Go Daddy and e-commerce platforms like Shopify offer these and additional services so that you won’t have to deal with multiple companies.

Getting customers

So, you have your product your website and webhost. Now you need customers. The e-commerce platform you are creating isn’t just a place where people can buy things. It’s a member of a vast community of individuals and business that are communicating and sharing resources. You will want to use social media channels like Facebook, and Instagram to advertise and email campaigns to keep customers informed. A study conducted by Forbes magazine found about two thirds of shoppers today use social media as part of their shopping 1  But it’s also important to form partnerships with other companies, perhaps your shirt brand could partner with a band of hats. This is known as cross promotion and it will help your company, and theirs, reach a larger group of people with little risk of lost sales.

Protecting your new e-commerce business.

Whether you’re a small business or large business you will need to protect yourself against risk. These days a new e-commerce business is faced with traditional risks from fire, flood and theft as well as new risks from cybercrime and COVID 19, also knowns as the Corona Virus. Tragically, the Delta variant of the virus has diminished the prosect that we would see a swift end to the pandemic. The Wall Street Journal reported “Thirty-nine percent of small business owners expect economic conditions in the U.S. to improve in the next 12 months, down from 50% in July and 67% in March, according to a survey of more than 560 small businesses for The Wall Street Journal by Vistage Worldwide Inc” 2

These days knowing how to sell products or services online is more important than ever but even if your new e-commerce business is primarily run from an online platform, you may also need warehouse or storage space for inventory. Even if you mostly run the e-commerce website yourself, you may have employees or partnerships with other companies. The virtual world will never be able to escape risks and crises that happen in the real world. Having a good insurance plan for your e-commerce business will help you overcome many of the obstacles faced in such uncertain times. Companies like B2Z insurance can help your problem solve an answer many of your questions about this process.

But don’t let the challenges that come with beginning an e-commerce business, stop you. Consumers are still shopping and business are still needed to provide shirts and other items. With a bit of perseverance, you may find that times of uncertainty have also created lot of new opportunities. There are always new ways of how to sell products or services online.

 

Social Media Do’s and Don’ts

10/15/2021

SEO Keywords and Phrases

social media marketing

social media etiquette

social media and small business marketing 

social media dos

importance of social media

 

 The importance of social media in growing a small business is undeniable. More people than ever before are using social media platforms, apps and websites to shop and make purchases. Understanding the role that the social media tools play in commerce can translate directly into profits. But maybe you ask “how do I learn about social media marketing.” Luckily, it is a broad topic that can be reduced to a few simple guidelines. Basically, it comes down to social media presentation and social media etiquette. In this article I will discuss a few of these dos and don’ts of social media and small business marketing that will help you in growing an online presence.

 

Dos

Know your audience – Understanding the different social media sites will allow you to target different demographics or segments of the market. For instance, a site like Facebook may have a large number of users and expansive reach but it’s gaining a reputation as a site for old people. The Guardian reported that many younger Facebook users are using other sites. “In 2018, 2.2 million 12- to 17-year-olds and 4.5 million 18- to 24-year-olds will regularly use Facebook in the UK, 700,000 fewer than in 2017” Likewise, Twitter has a broad reach but you may be looking for a more professional platform like LinkedIn to present content. So, keep your target audience in mind when planning a marketing strategy. Also, don’t forget, there are hundreds of smaller social media sites that cater to groups ranging from chess players to health care professionals. The more specific your audience the better engagements you will have.

Know your audience’s schedule – Many social media platforms allow its users access to analytics. This data can help you better understand people’s schedules and habits. You want a post to reach as many people as possible. Are you targeting an older audience who may have full-time jobs? Then it’s better to post or share in the evening after they’ve gotten off work. You certainly want to avoid posting hot new content at 3:00 AM when everyone is sleeping.

Remember appearance Counts –

When someone clicks on a website, one of the first things they ask themselves is “is this site legitimate.” If your social media page has a façade that looks hastily constructed, people will assume you are just another fly-by-night operation. However, if your site has a well-crafted design and a wealth of regularly updated content, people will be more likely to trust you with their time and money. This also illustrates the importance of paying attention to the small details like spelling and grammar. You want your whole operation to look rock solid.

Don’ts

Avoid a confusing social media site – If people can’t find what they are looking for on your site they will get frustrated. Ideally, your page is clear, concise and easy to navigate. It’s also good to avoid unnecessary clutter. In the world of social media marketing, people often run into trouble if they are trying to do too many things with the one website. If you have an automotive repair business you want your webpage to be about cars. Don’t try to also sell homemade brownies or vintage guitars. Put unrelated content at a different address.

Don’t annoy people – With any business, brick-and-mortar or digital, being overly aggressive can rub people the wrong way. In terms of social media marketing, this means do share too much. Whether it is promotional offers or pics of the office goldfish, too much of it will cause people to unfollow or block your content. The same could be said for emails. Don’t flood inboxes. This isn’t to say don’t ever engage anyone; Just be mindful of how much people may want to hear from you.

Don’t offend people – These days, people have some pretty strong opinions. So, when you post, try to avoid potentially controversial or sensitive topics. While it is true that someone may agree with your position, there’s a good chance that someone else won’t and you may be losing a really good customer or partner unnecessarily. Social media and small business marketing is about inclusivity - not exclusivity.

There is a lot to consider with social media marketing. What is good social media marketing etiquette? How do I find and keep an audience for my posts? When is a good time to post? Undoubtedly, there are many facets to social media marketing but it all can be reduced to one concept: professionalism. If you don’t look and act serious, you will scare people off and never reach your full potential in small business marketing. On the other hand, if you are respectful of your audience and take pride in the presentation of your site, you will have maximized your social media brand’s success.

 

Five Ideas for Starting a Small Business in Michigan

10/27/2021

SEO Keywords and Phrases

Michigan small business

starting a small business in Michigan

best business to start in Michigan

 

Economists have long recognized that business and industry go through a predictable trajectory of growth and decline. They refer to these stages as sunrise industries, which are growing and sunset industries, which are contracting. But this isn’t an unfamiliar concept in Michigan. Detroit was once the poster child for sunset industries because of their ongoing loss of manufactures. But talk of Michigan’s demise may have been hasty. Because of upheavals caused by the COVID pandemic, traditional industries like manufacturing are surging. Likewise, many new niches for small business have been created, putting a refurbished shine on a region that had once been written off. This article will go through five areas of the economy that will help generate ideas and identify the best business to start in Michigan.

Electric Vehicles

 Many experts predict the growth of the electric and hybrid vehicle markets could reverse the decline seen in Midwestern auto manufacturing. Currently congress is poised to pass sweeping legislation and funding that will allocate billions of dollars of investment the auto industry’s way. This could be a boon to Detroit small business and Michigan small business on the periphery of the industry: mechanics, engineering consulting firms training programs, etc. But vehicles are just part of the manufacturing resurgence. According to the Detroit Free Press, “driven by booming growth in the manufacturing, construction, warehousing and transportation sectors, employment in Detroit's blue-collar industries are forecast to be 11% above its pre-pandemic level by the end of 2021, 20% higher by late 2023 and 23% higher in 2026.” 

Higher Education

A University of Michigan report predicts the higher-education service sectors will benefit from a new campus planned by Ford in Detroit. But this is only the tip of the iceberg. Because technology evolves so quickly, there is ongoing need for training and retraining of employees at every level. Nobody is ever finished with school if tech is part of the job. Another reason for optimism in the education sector is the trend toward virtual classes, which have opened up opportunities for more people to go to school, regardless of geography or lack of transportation. A school or private classes could be one of the best business ideas in Michigan. Of course, you may ask, how do I start a school when I’m not even an educator? Remember, a business owner doesn’t need to be able to know every thing about starting a school, they just need to be able to find the person who does.

Hunting and Fishing

Because hunting and fishing are exclusively outdoor activities, they were unfazed by many of the problems that befell other businesses through the pandemic. According to huntingworksformi.com over 500,000 people hunt every year which could ultimately bring in 3.9 billion dollars in revenue annually. Likewise, Michigan is a fisherman’s paradise with more freshwater coastline than any other state in the United States. There will be an ongoing demand for hunting and fishing guides, store owners and outfitters to help clients gear up for outings. There are numerous opportunities for entrepreneurs starting a small business in Michigan.

The Future’s Online

Michigan has long been known as a very affordable state to live. Home prices and cost of living have traditionally been very low.  This creates a great opportunity to maximize profits. Because Zoom and similar apps have arrived on the scene, Michigan small business owners and entrepreneurs can now create a company with a Michigan address and a national presence. This could include a social media marketing company, a graphic design firm, or even computer related tech support. Any company or business operating out of Michigan is going to have an advantage over a pricy state like New York or California. An online business could be one of the best businesses to start in Michigan.

 

The Other Green Industry (Cannabis)

In 2019, after passing an initiative to legalize cannabis, Michigan officially began its foray into the world of recreational cannabis. While the drug still remains controversial, its economic impact is undeniable. There might not be a better opportunity for starting a small business in Michigan. According to a University of Michigan report “the level of retail sales once it becomes widely available is approximately $3 billion with a total economic impact in excess of $7.8 billion.” An infusion of money this size should translate into direct and indirect opportunities for small business owners who want to start a business in Michigan.

 

The prospect of starting a small business in Michigan, or anywhere in the United States, can seem daunting. People have a lot of questions like how do I find a location for my business. how do I find the right employees for my small business, how do I pay business taxes? These are all worthwhile questions but before any of them can be answered, one must first decide what type of business they would like to start. Without a clear goal, a clear plan is impossible.

Holiday Marketing Ideas

10/15/2021

SEO Keywords and Phrases

Holiday Promotion Ideas

Marketing Ideas

Holiday marketing

 

 

The holidays are a time for friends and family but for business the holidays are an important time to generate revenue and grow customer bases. People are shopping more, spending more, and often purchasing items they wouldn’t ordinarily purchase.  It’s a bonanza and to help you capitalize on it, this article will discuss some holiday promotion ideas, as well as other marketing ideas to ensure that your small business has a happy holiday season.

Don’t reinvent the wheel every year – create reusable content.

In the same way we put holiday decorations in storage every year, seasonal media content can be repurposed and reused. Perhaps your company’s holiday marketing strategy includes holiday themed photos, videos and artwork. Much of this media can be derived from past holidays. Likewise, any new content you create this year could be reused next year and they year after that. Just remember to update relevant SEO keywords, category title tags (HTML objects and links), meta descriptions so search engines won’t regard your content as old information.

Cast a wider holiday marketing Net

During the holidays a whole category of shoppers arises: grandparents shopping for kids and grandkids. “Since 2001, the number of grandparents has grown by 24 percent from 56 million to 70 million, according to AARP research. This illuminates the need to broaden your target audience for social media content during the holiday. Perhaps, combine a video of store items with famous tune from the 1970s. It might more impactful than a more modern tune. And don’t forget gift cards. Because grandparents and other family members are often unsure about what to buy someone, gift cards are essential item for your business to have.

Give shoppers looking for specific holiday deals what they are looking for

During the holidays, many shoppers are looking specifically for deals and sales. In fact, they may only be looking for holiday deals and sales. So, make your holiday promotions distinct, easy to find and accessible. This could involve creating a social media page that is specifically oriented to holiday sales and promotions. There are many holiday marketing ideas that could be implemented but it could also mean just uncluttering a web page so that it is easier to navigate for new visitors.

Get Found by a Search Engine During the Holidays.

Search engine optimization or SEO is the process of changing your social media site or website so that it gets more traffic. This involves using words that are likely to be searched for within your text. For instance, using phrases like “holiday gifts for men” or “Black Friday deals” on your website will improve your chances of appearing in a google search. But it doesn’t end with text. Uploading media, be it photos or video can also improve your chances of being found by a search engine.

The Showroom is Online.

It’s no secret that shoppers are going online. According to the Wall Street Journal “A whopping 16 hours a day are now being spent with digital media by the average U.S. adult, up from an already unfathomable 12 hours a day pre-pandemic.” It’s a trend that will not be reversed anytime soon. In response, a new trend has emerged known as webrooming, wherein shoppers and vendors can converse and interact in format that resembles a digital showroom. Webrooming could be a valuable option to have for customers who are concerned with the risks and hassles of shopping in person.

Tis the Season for Sharing (content)

Photographs are as synonymous with the holidays as ugly sweaters. Whether it’s photos of a dog in a Santa hat or a family gathered around a banquet of food, photos are an ingrained part of the holidays. And there’s no reason your business – brick and mortar or virtual – shouldn’t take part in the festivities. This is a great time to take some pictures and video from around your workplace. Introduce and reintroduce yourself to the public. It could pay dividends thought the year. In 2021, photos and video are one of the most important marketing ideas a business can implement.

Cyber insurance is essential

There is no shortage of holiday promotion ideas. And undoubtedly, there is a tremendous upside to sharing, marketing and handling transactions online. The downside is that the more platforms a company uses, the more at risk they are to cyberattack, which may leave their customers at risk to cyberattacks. Therefore, it’s essential that any business today has insurance as well as cyber insurance to help them recoup damages that may occur during this hectic time of year. Otherwise, all your well-planned holiday marketing will be all for naught.

Should I Outsource Web Development to Another Country?

 

1/6/2022 

SEO Keywords and Phrases

 International Team

Web development outsourcing

Outsourcing employees

Multicultural team

Remote web developers

 

Pros and Cons of Outsourcing Web Development to Another Country

Doing business has never been easy but entrepreneurs and business people today face a number of unique and unprecedented challenges. Technology is changing faster than it has in the past. Surviving in the 21st century mean that a company must not only stay informed on changes in the tech landscape they must be flexible enough to respond to those changes. There is no other field where this is more evident in web development and IT (Information Technology).

This is work involving the conceptualization, construction and design of web pages, e-commerce platforms, social media and other content for the internet. In short, it is the creation of the digital world that we’ve all come to depend on. It is a huge industry and growing larger by the day and the recent events surrounding the COVID 19 pandemic have only accelerated its growth.

For a company to thrive today, it is necessary to throw out the old rule book. You don’t need to advertise within local markets like you did in the past because customers today are shopping online and having their purchases delivered. Likewise, web development companies need to abandon the notion that their workforce should be constrained by geography. To build the right team an employer doesn’t need to hire people who can travel to the office by car or public transportation. An entire company including coding, product design, creative work, marketing, customer service and accounting can be done by an international team, working remotely.

This revolution in business presents a staggering number of new possibilities. But, of course, with it come risks. In this article, I will describe what some of the pros and cons, or the upsides and downsides of outsourcing web development. So that you can be successful building an international team of remote web developers.

When talking about the pros and cons or the upsides and downsides of outsourcing your team, it’s important to understand there are no clear-cut choices. Every business decision comes with tradeoffs. And web development outsourcing is no exception. So, what has motivated American companies to move production overseas?  According to Panos Mourdoukoutas writing for Forbes ”Economists will tell you it is because of outsourcing. That’s a strategy that helps American corporations cut production costs to stay competitive in a global market.”

So, the gains are there to be had. But it’s important for companies to step with caution. Mourdoukaoutas adds “provided that the leaders of the companies who make the outsourcing decisions know what they are doing: they have a clear vision of where they’re steering the corporate ship, and a sound plan to effectively redeploy the funds they save from outsourcing—to create new jobs that replace those lost in outsourcing.”

Therein lies one of the central dilemmas of outsourcing. What happens to domestic markets when jobs go overseas? Luckily it is a mutually beneficial process if multiple countries are actively participating in outsourcing. In essence, if country “A” is outsourcing employees from country “B” and country “B” is outsourcing employees from country “A” at then neither will undergo and uptick in unemployment. They have merely created a larger employment pool for each other.

Recently, because of labor shortages brought about by the pandemic, expanding your pool of talent has become essential. Much of the work a web development company is helping existing customers with customer support. According to the article Go-to-Market ”90% of customers ranked an Immediate response as “very important” when they have a customer service question.” Having a team in a different time zone lets your company be more responsive with customer service and customer questions.

  

What is a good country to outsource from?

 

 The traditional answer to this question was always India, Philippians, China or some other South East Asian country. But times have changed and new players have emerged. Latin America has become a hot spot for IT talent. According to Forbes magazine “Latin Americans often learn English, and now Peru, Chile, Ecuador, Mexico and Brazil have all surpassed China in English proficiency.” The author continues “I was excited to see that my native Argentina was home to the most proficient English speakers in Latin America.” If you are a company or firm that is wary of language barriers at work, consider looking at Argentina.

 

In terms of English fluency, Argentina has become one of the highest ranked countries in the world. According to the World Economic forum is the most English fluent country in Latin America and the only country in Latin America with a rating of “very fluent.” According to the World Atlas, Argentina is not only the most fluent country in Argentina, they are one of the most fluent countries in the world and number 19 on the list.

 

Fluency isn’t the only benefit of Argentina. Their time zone, which is 5 hours ahead of Los Angeles, makes them an ideal location. This is because their work hours overlap with those of the United States allowing communication between U.S. and Argentine locations. Furthermore, Argentina is also slightly ahead of the U.S. which can potentially give a U.S. company an opportunity for a 24-hour customer support option.

 

Having a team ready to explain things helps a company keep its existing customers and clients. This is when different geographies help you rather than hurt you. It can be very challenging to offer 24-hour customer assistance but if you have a team in a different time zone they can be on the clock at a reasonable hour.

Of course, when evaluating potential locations to outsource from, costs have to be considered. Forbes reports “ a significant shift to Latin American outsourcing in the last decade, beginning with the most apparent reason for outsourcing: Companies want to save money.” The article goes on to cite the 2018 Guide to Global Software Outsourcing Rates, which listed the costs of various technical positions across the globe. “Compared to North America, the prices in Latin America are significantly lower.”

 

In the world of web development outsourcing, misunderstandings can be costly. Mishearing a few numbers can lead to cost over runs, delays and a lot of frustration. Therefore, it is important to choose wisely when deciding on a company to outsource from. The key here is understanding what the scope of your relationship is with a web development team. Does a project require constant interactions or will the interactions be few and far between?

If a lot of a meetings and conversations are necessary it will be good if you are working with an international team that has good fluency. Remember, however, that you don’t necessarily need to communicate with every member of an international team. Generally, a few individuals can act as the communicators or liaison between teams and pass information and instructions on to others. So, when searching for firms look for managers and team leaders that are fluent themselves so that you don’t need to relay information to them through an intermediary or indirectly. But it doesn’t hurt if the entire team has some level of English competency because English is used in much of the world of coding.

When one imagines working with a team of remote web developers it’s easy to focus on the potential language barriers at work. But remember that you are working with a multicultural team that can help you navigate challenges on the ground like local government and local business practices.

In the article 1M+ Unfilled Tech Roles - It's Time to Move Nearshore Amanda Byrd explains “Each country that you hire talent from will have their own unique mandatory employment laws, guidelines, and overall employment offerings. Recruiting strategies must be adaptive of each countries work culture, with many differing largely from a neighboring country in which they share a border. Ignorance of all these things can lead to fines the agencies can incur from country governments, possible abolishment of business within that country for that vendor, and even repercussion of susceptible fines to the very engineers they've placed at your company.”

 Insider knowledge from your multicultural team will be invaluable. It can save you from potential pitfalls. Yet, this is just the tip of the iceberg. Your international multicultural team can even give you insider knowledge that is useful in penetrating a new market, be it in South America, Europe, South East Asia or anywhere else in the world.

Cyber Insurance Trends For 2022

2/18/2022 

SEO keywords and phrases

cyber insurance coverage

ransomware claims

cyber liability claims

cyber insurance policy

 

In 2020, the world was turned upside down by the outbreak of the COVID virus. Amid the uncertainty and chaos, internet scammers were able to take advantage of  a country that was dependent on the internet and flush with cash from stimulus payments. In this time, the Federal Bureau of Investigation was dealing with a spate of internet scams. According to Paul Abbate Deputy Director of the FBI, their complaint center, The IC3 “received a record number of complaints from the American public in 2020: 791,790, with reported losses exceeding $4.1 billion. Thisrepresents a 69% increase in total complaints from 2019”

 

 The size and rapidity the jump suggest that we have entered a new world of crime -  but not just for individuals. One of the largest causes of the increase was the growing number of scams that target businesses via compromised email accounts. In response many business owner have sought some form of protection against the risk that their businesses and livelihoods could be threated by an internet hack or scam.

 

One emerging response to threats posed by hackers is cyber insurance or cyber liability as it’s also known. The Washington Post reports,“companies are increasingly opting to buy cyber insurance — large insurance broker Marsh McLennan told the agency that 47 percent of its eligible clients decided to get the coverage last year, compared with 26 percent in 2016.”

 

While cyber insurance coverage is similar in many ways to traditional insurance it is specifically designed to offer protection against threats that are encountered on the internet. This may include data breaches: stolen credit card information, social security numbers and taxpayer identification numbers. Or, it could include coverage for legal fees incurred if a customer or client sues because the business has let sensitive information fall into the wrong hands.

 

One of the biggest reasons that business owners are turning to cyber insurance is the growing number of ransomware attacks. Ransomware is an umbrella term for software that allows hackers to gain control of a computer and lock out the originals owner. Often the owner is given a period of time to pay using cryptocurrency or face losing their computers permanently. In short, it is extortion and apart from the costs of paying off hackers a business could suffer tremendous losses as a result of the interruption to business and inability to serve their customers. It’s no surprise that ransomware claims are growing; it can be devesting to a business if customers, clients or even employees lose confidence in its brand.

 

Following a data breach, there may also be issues with data restoration. Data breach coverage will help pay for costs suffered as a result of lost or stolen information as well as the costs of replacing or repairing electronic data. Following a hack, a company can be affected in a dizzying number of ways.

 

Even though cyber insurance coverage is becoming an essential form of protection for a company, questions remain. As more and more cyber attacks happen cyber insurance companies are often bearing the costs. Some insiders suspect that cyber insurance carriers will one day have to reevaluate how much coverage the can afford  to offer. Likewise, they will have to assess how much they need to charge clients. However, because cyber insurance companies are bearing the costs of a growing number of claims, the value that come from a cyber insurance plan may be at an all-time high.

 

While pricing remains a debate in the world of cyber insurance, one thing that isn’t debatable is the growing threat posed by hackers. Recent years have shown us that no computer or network is completely safe. Major corporations have all been compromised by hackers including Microsoft, Yahoo, The New York Times, Solar Winds and Mimecast. Even governmental entities like the Department of Motor Vehicles have suffered breaches. Cyber liability claims and Ransomware claims are skyrocketing. Cyber insurance coverage is here to stay.

 

Of course a company or individual can take cautionary actions to bolster security. Some companies have actually begun hiring hackers to intentionally breach their systems. Also known as “white hat hackers,” they have become an essential tool if a company wants to prevent sophisticated hacks. Another strategy a company can use is system hardening whereby a company removes non-essential services that could be vulnerable. While this reduces weakness or “attack surfaces” as they are also known, the extra security can inhibit a company’s ability to do business. Not all security measures have to be large in scope. The simple act of logging off after using a computer or restricting who has access to passwords can also add another level of security. As Benjamin Franklin put it, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” And never were these words more true than in computing.

How to Prevent Point of Sale Fraud

 

3/19/2022

SEO Keywords and Phrases

 identity theft protection

identity fraud

stolen identity

retail identity theft

 

Point of sale theft

It’s happened to many of us. Your credit card doesn’t work so you call the bank and find out that it has been inactivated due to suspicious charges. To make matters worse these types of identity fraud often happen very inopportune moments of our lives; perhaps you are traveling or perhaps you are in the middle of a timely financial transaction. Furthermore, interruptions like these can cause more harm than whatever amount was charged on your card. If you are operating a business, the interruption can be twofold. 

 

How do fraudsters manage to swindle so many of us? Well, there are a number of ways that an account or system can be breached. Sometimes it is as simple as a stolen wallet or purse. Sometimes it is a more elaborate scam - maybe the security breach happened at the business itself. Indeed, the ongoing digitization of commerce has ushered in an age of online hacks. It’s a trend that has only been hastened by the COVID 19 pandemic. But plenty of thieves are still using non-digital, brick and mortar, in-person workplaces as their portal into your system.  

 

Point of Sale Fraud

 

It’s a type of crime that has come to be known as retail identity theft, retail fraud, point of sale theft and point of sale fraud (POS fraud). In broad terms,  A POS system is the device that a clerk will use to ring up customers. In the old days we would’ve called it a cash register but these businesses use a point of sale system which is similar to a computerized cash register but it also handles inventory, accounting , sales statistics, clock ins and clock outs and consumer information. Unfortunately, these systems have come to be exploited in a number of ways. 

One tactic involves planting malware or other types of code within it and recording the sensitive information from the cards that get swiped. There’s hope though; safeguards exist. You could hire a security service provider that could monitor for breaches by collecting and analyzing transaction logs. Likewise business owners and employees should stay updated about the many ways that a POS system could be compromised. For example, inserting a credit card or debit card’s chip is safer than swiping the card’s magnetic strip. 

 

Occupational Fraud

 POS systems are a common avenue for retail fraud but it’s not always the purported customer defrauding a business. Sometimes employees themselves are the culprits. According to the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners, The ACFE, “occupational fraud is fraud committed by an employee on an employer in the course of their employment. They are more common and cause more financial loss to businesses than frauds committed by third parties.” The article goes on to mention “employees may steal money as it passes to or from a customer (through a sale or a return of goods by the customer).” Another common scam is switching the barcodes of expensive and cheap store items then purchasing them at a dramatically reduced price. Some safeguards include looking for increases in recorded returns or refunds as well as looking for unexplained reductions in stock. 

 

Identity Theft

 Staying proactive can also reduce incidences of stolen identity or identity theft. Identity theft involves the acquisition and/or use of a person’s personal information like credit card information or a social security number. If you are a business, you take on the responsibility to guard against retail identity theft and to implement identity theft protection. The Federal Trade Commission, The FTC,  recommends. keeping your devices updated. According to their website, “criminals look for weak points to exploit before the software companies can fix them. But updating your software regularly - as soon as possible when a newer version comes out - helps make sure you have critical patches and protections against security threats.” Unfortunately, identity theft protection can be a full-time job. 

 

But businesses also have to make sure that a customer isn’t using a stolen identity. The identity fraud road runs both ways. Some common and effective strategies against these types of threats is to check the pictures on identification cards and reporting incidents of identity fraud as they occur. Also, as a standard practice, a business should not let a person use another person’s credit card, even if they claim to have permission to use it. Finally, it is advisable that an employer keeps their employees informed about the latest safety precautions as well as the ever-evolving types of fraud and theft they may faceYes, you can usually move the toolbar to another location depending on the software you are using. Look for options such as "View," "Toolbar," or "Customize" in the menu, where you may find settings to reposition it. In some programs, you can click and drag the toolbar to a preferred spot on the screen. If these options are not available, consult the software’s help section for specific instructions.

How to Start a Cleaning Business in North Carolina

6/17/2022

SEO Keywords and Phrases

starting a cleaning business in north carolina 
cleaning business license nc 
how to start a cleaning business in north carolina 
how to start a cleaning business in nc 

 

 

Starting a Cleaning Business in North Carolina 

 For many, the prospect of starting a business in North Carolina - or any other state - can seem daunting. In the past, the trepidation might have been warranted. But today, starting a business has never been easier. This is especially true if you are starting a cleaning business, which are known to be a convenient vehicle into entrepreneurship. One reason is startup costs. Cleaning businesses don’t have the overhead and liability of an airline, factory or even a grocery store. Another reason is scalability. Cleaning businesses can expand and contract gracefully as they gain and lose clientele. It’s also relatively simple to expand your cleaning team when you acquire too much business to handle on your own.

 

Write a Business Plan 

A business plan is not only a strategy for how you will set up and operate, it can also help you secure funding from investors. It’s best to write one early, before you think about naming your buiness or start registering. While the details of a good business plan are beyond the breadth of this article, one solid tip is to read a number of other business plans so that you can be confident in knowing what is involved in starting a cleaning business in North Carolina. Make a trip to the library or find a reputable source online, such as The SBA.

 

Naming a Cleaning Business in NC  

The details of your business plan should help you come up with some fitting name ideas. Don’t use a name that’s too generic or uninteresting. Choose one that is not already being used and that doesn’t use vulgar or hurtful language. Then, file it with the North Carolina Secretary of State. The website provides a useful guide to choosing a name, in case you need it.

 

Registering a Cleaning Business in NC

You will also use the Secretary of State website to register your business. As for the NC cleaning business license, your requirements will depend on the place of business and potentially other factors. The State of North Carolina recommends getting help from EDPNC Small Business Advisors. It is a free service for anyone seeking to get a license or start a business in North Carolina. They can provide free advice on obtaining a cleaning business license in NC, plus general information on how to start a cleaning business in North Carolina. 

 

Choosing A Business Structure

You’ll need to consider how you want your cleaning business to be taxed. This is one key factor in determining what kind of business structure to create. Perhaps you see yourself operating in a do-it-all role. With a sole proprietorship structure, one individual owns and operates the business. Profits are taxed as personal income. If you might want to have a business partner or multiple business partners, you could form a general partnership. One of the benefits of this business structure is that it is easier to set up than some other structures. However, like a sole proprietorship, profits will be taxed as personal income. 

 

Advertising and Website 

These days, a good chunk of advertising is done through the internet. Google, Youtube, Facebook, and Instagram all offer advertising platforms and can help you target a specific market or demographic. You will need a website where your target market can virtually visit you. You could hire a web designer or check out some of the numerous do-it-yourself website builders that have burst onto the scene in recent years. Examples are Squarespace, Wix, and Web.com to name a few. 

 

Insurance 

Every business eventually runs into misfortune: a machine breaks, a customer gets hurt, a deadline is missed, a computer is hacked. All manner of mishap can befall a company. The level of protection and insurance you invest in your cleaning business can be a big factor in your profitability in times of hardship. A good insurance company can provide an insurance plan to help you get through a host of different challenges. B2Z Insurance, an insurance company servicing North Carolina, offers multiple types of coverage for small businesses. For example, a Business Owner’s Policy (or BOP) bundles both property insurance and general liability insurance. With this combination, a business can get protection from customer injury claims as well as damage to personal property or machinery. You should also consider how much cyber liability coverage your company will need. This type of coverage can help a business get back on its feet after being hacked. 

 

Conclusion 

Now you have an idea of how to start a cleaning business in NC. However, it’s a process that should be specific to what every entrepreneur's own goals are. This article should only serve as a primer on how to start a cleaning business in NC. Most of the research and planning still awaits. But with time and hard work come the rewards. 

 

Three Non-Tech Skills Developers should have

9/8/2022

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As many of us are aware, our careers come with upkeep. A professional today has to stay up to date with trends and changes within their respective industries. We live in a rapidly changing world and its not enough to have studied a topic in school. Staying current may mean reading industry publications attending seminars, conferences and maybe even taking some classes at a community college. Yet our job skills are only a small subset of a much larger portfolio of skills that we need to maintain. The other skills are often known as life skills. Actually, one would be remiss to assume these don’t require upkeep as well. Within the world of web development, it’s well known that the path forward is through learning about coding. But what are the less obvious skills that can be worked on? This article will highlight three areas that a web developer can work on to improve their craft.

 

Become a lifelong learner

First things first, you’ve got to keep your mind in shape. As a web developer you are constantly engaged with new concepts and techniques related to your field. One might be content to passively learn a few concepts and refer to the internet for information. However, most web developers will eventually find that they actually need to memorize procedures in order to work as quickly as possible. And the best way to memorize a big pile of information: give it a narrative. Why is the world changing the way it is e.g., why are browsers like Firefox or Chrome evolving the way they are? Is there a larger narrative at play? Is this a recent trend or an ongoing trend? These are the type of questions that can make a slough of numbers and data come to life.

A web developer should have an ongoing and immanent curiosity about their world. Curious people, like your average Jeopardy contestant, don’t learning by looking at flash cards and memorizing lists. They don’t need to; they remember everything they read because they are interested. What’s more? Being a curious person can translate to your bank account. Curiosity is a state that helps us to not only survive in the world but thrive as well. It gives us the impetus to explore and find novel situations. It uproots us from old and stagnant environments where we’re not learning anything new. This translates to our bank accounts because a web developer’s ability to command a higher salary is dependent on their ability to provide a service that other people can’t provide. One might find themselves in a comfortable situation, but little do they know, they’re slowly falling behind. An employer hiring a web developer is going to ask you about what you’ve learned in your career but also what you plan on learning in the future. Be ready to have an answer.

 

Logical reasoning and problem solving

Nobody is born being a logical person. It is a skill that is developed over time with a lot of practice. Actually, “practice” might not be the best word. “Attitudinal” would be a better word to describe the process of learning to be logical. By having a questioning attitude about the world around us will not only make us more engaged, but we will pay attention to more facts and details. When you pay attention to more facts and details you are inadvertently practicing one of the great web development skills. Having a questioning attitude doesn’t just happen. You have to supply the fuel. Counterintuitively, our emotions play a big part in this. In a New Scientist article, author Caroline Williams notes “contrary to popular wisdom, emotions aren’t necessarily the enemy of rationality. People who have damage to the part of the prefrontal cortex that processes emotions struggle to make decisions at all.”

If you are looking for something more specific, there are also websites that will help you work on specific areas of your cognition. The website mentalup.co offers the opportunity to work on various mental abilities such as recalling information, increasing attention and visual skills, boosting math and calculation skills as well as activities that help improve language skills. Most importantly they have mental workouts that improve problem solving and thinking skills. Indeed, if you are a web developer, you revel in a nice problem-solving challenge.

If websites are not your flavor, there are other methods of honing your problem-solving skills. Chess is a great way to train your brain to think a few steps ahead. Playing Cards can improve one’s ability to calculate probabilities. Learning music is famous for being a way to stave off the early onset of dementia in elderly people but it is also a great way to keep your mind sharp. Songwriting itself, is a great way to practice organizing abstract concepts and structures.

 

Leaders have soft skills

Any company hiring a web developer will need someone to engage with the rest of the team. They will need to talk about project requirements and discuss what type of methodologies will be necessary for the project. And inevitably there will be disagreements about many things. A web developer with good interpersonal skills can potentially mitigate tension and anger within the group by handling situations the right way. Disagreements don’t have to become resentments. One specific skill applicable to this is the ability to listen. Indeed, experts agree listening is one of the most valuable assets an employee – especially a leader - can have. Not only do good listeners make others around them feel valuable, they have a much less biased view of the world around them. To listen is to forestall your own thoughts temporarily and put yourself in the mind of another person. It’s a skill that requires practice. When you listen to another person try to imagine what they are imagining and likewise try to understand any emotional and social context that may be motivating what they say. They may have valuable insights but occasionally you might need to read between the lines to understand them completely. Listening is how we learn and grow but this isn’t any new trick. Socrates once said “the only true wisdom is in knowing you know nothing.”

Perhaps you see yourself in a leadership role in the future. Invariably, there will be moments when you have to translate technical jargon to the layman, otherwise known as someone who’s not versed in technical jargon. This may be a client or another member of your company. Being able to relay technical information via understandable language will be a lot easier if you know your subject well. If one accepts the axiom that people who really understand their subject can explain complicated ideas in simple terms, they will be able to communicate with the laymen in their life a lot better. Don’t be afraid to use jargon or big fancy technical words. But be prepared to explain them as you go along. In fact, your listener might enjoy the insights into the process.

Being a good leader doesn’t come without having a good deal of cultural awareness. The website careeraddict.com which defines cultural awareness as “being aware of the many different cultures around you,” notes that cultural awareness is very important for leaders. “By leading with understanding and empathy, you’re creating a more homogenous, inclusive and cooperative environment, which may foster innovation and boost productivity levels.” Like everything in this article, there are no shortcuts to improvement. Gaining cultural awareness will come from a habit of intercultural curiosity. In other words, trying watching a movie or television series that was made by another culture. You might learn something really fun and new.

 

These are but a few of the many non-technical skills that could be utilized to become the best web development industry professional you can be. Anyone hiring a web developer would be happy to have a member of their team who is a good problem solver with great soft skills like cultural awareness. But the story doesn’t’ stop there. One of the best web development skills in learning your industry. You will also need to learn your industry so that you will be able to know how and where to apply your skills. You will  want to find the best fit possible. So, stay current on all the tech trends. What are the best web development trade journals and magazines? Who are the major players? Who are the minor players? How do you know who is hiring a web developer? Maybe it is you that’s hiring a web developer. Where do you find job candidates? But of course, as I’ve mentioned in this article, you won’t be able to become a web developer unless you have persistence and patience. None of these skills happen overnight. They will need to be honed over a long period of time.