COVID-19: Protecting Staff, Protecting Patients

March 26, 2020

Physicians and nurses contend with infectious diseases on a daily basis. The COVID-19 pandemic is putting a spotlight on this issue in part because this virus is so communicable, and also because so much about the illness it causes is unknown. There is a heightened need to protect the people providing care while at the same time optimizing patient throughput.

Without effective communication, patients cannot be moved through a hospital. And yet with a highly infectious virus, the simple act of communicating using conventional tools can put care providers at risk. If physicians or nurses get sick or exposed and are subsequently quarantined, they’re not going to be available to care for patients.

Vocera can help.

Caregivers Shouldn’t Risk Contamination for Communication

Patients being treated for an infectious disease are subject to various transmission-based precautions: droplet, airborne, contact, etc. As a nurse wearing personal protective equipment (PPE), if you’re with a patient behind closed doors and you have an urgent need to contact someone, you’re in a tough position.

The room might have an intercom – but if your hands are busy with the patient, you have to interrupt your workflow to communicate. If the room doesn’t have an intercom, you need to leave the patient’s bedside, go to the anteroom between the patient room and the hallway, remove your PPE, then go out and ask for help or pick up a phone.

Every time you take on and off your PPE, there’s a chance you’re going to contaminate yourself; the less you have to do that, the better off you are.

If you have access to a clear, secure communication channel hands-free underneath the PPE, then you are truly safer; and in turn, the quality of patient care is enhanced. That’s where a Vocera Smartbadge or Badge worn under PPE becomes so valuable, whether you’re working in a triage tent, in the ICU, or in an isolation room in any other part of the hospital.

Whenever you’re in a situation where your hands are occupied or you’ve donned protective gear and you need to communicate, our wearable devices are ideal. You can reach people instantly without needing to know names, numbers, or who’s on call.

Optimizing Throughput and Capacity

Effective communication is essential for optimizing throughput and capacity, which are key to managing the patient surges anticipated from a pandemic of this scale. A hospital must be able to move patients through the continuum of care.

The number of isolation rooms is limited, and when those rooms are occupied, a bottleneck forms. That’s why, whether a patient tests positive or negative for COVID-19, it’s equally important that the assigned nurse and the infection prevention specialist are notified immediately. A patient who tests negative can be moved out of isolation to make the room available for another patient.

A hospital that doesn’t have its communication and clinical systems integrated faces the challenge of test results being routed to the electronic health record (EHR) and stagnating there. The nurse and the infection prevention specialist must repeatedly pour over the electronic records or query the lab to see if results are available. This is a barrier to throughput and it creates an unnecessary burden for care team members.

With the Vocera Platform, filtered, prioritized notifications such as an alert about a patient’s COVID-19 test results can be pushed from the EHR to the right care team member’s mobile device – whether it’s a hands-free wearable, or a smartphone running the Vocera app. Intelligently pushing notifications is another way Vocera technology helps reduce the toil and stress for care teams.

We’re Here for You

Our Vocera support teams are located around the globe and working 24×7 to help our customers through this crisis by providing remote and onsite services. We are here to take care of you as you continue to take care of your staff and patients; find contact information at our support portal. I encourage you to visit our COVID-19 resource page for resources and information such as guidance for cleaning the Badge and Smartbadge to avoid damaging the devices while following infection control best practices.

As a hospital IT or clinical leader, what are you experiencing? How can we help you prepare for and manage through this pandemic, and protect and empower your teams? I welcome you to reach out to me on LinkedIn.

Go to top

About the Author

Benjamin Kanter, MD, FCCP, joined Vocera as Chief Medical Information Officer (CMIO) in January 2017. Prior to joining Vocera, Dr. Kanter worked as an industry consultant and thought leader with innovative healthcare IT companies, including Extension Healthcare, where he was most recently the CMIO. He previously served as Chief Medical Officer of Sotera® Wireless. Prior to that, he was the CMIO at Palomar Health in San Diego, where he spent seven years on the executive management team.

He is a published author and frequent speaker on how to seamlessly and securely integrate technology with medical practice.

Vocera (NYSE: VCRA) is publicly traded with the resources and fortitude to help ensure your success with our solutions over the long term.

This article by Dr. Ben Kanter was first published on the Vocera View blog.

How to Benefit from Nearshore Software Development in 2020

March 26, 2020

Over the last two decades, nearshore software development companies have been providing sustained, end-to-end value for countless U.S. organizations, resulting in strong partnerships that support innovation and technological excellence.

Now, with the 2010s in the rear-view mirror and a global pandemic on our hands, the opportunity to benefit from nearshore partnerships is greater than ever, presenting the best chance to capitalize on the solid foundations the industry has been building for years.

What is Nearshore Software Development?

The term ‘software development outsourcing’ has long been associated with large-scale offshore markets like India and China, which traditionally offer low-cost development services at scale. Still, these destinations are not without their drawbacks.

Countries on that side of the world lack a vital cultural alignment with the U.S. market, leading to misunderstandings, communication difficulties, and delays — the disparate time zones are not ideal either, especially when projects demand an agile, collaborative approach.

For organizations in the United States, nearshore software development is about avoiding those drawbacks by working with partners in Latin America and the Caribbean. The region boasts convenient geographical proximity to the U.S. and has deep cultural ties with North America, while also offering cost-effective services in comparison to domestic providers.

So that explains what nearshoring is, but what makes 2020 the right time for organizations to work with nearshore partners?

The Changing Landscape in 2020

In North America, software developers are expensive to hire and difficult to retain, often jumping between tech companies in pursuit of higher salaries and attractive perks. Simultaneously, organizations are under increasing pressure to deliver on customer demands, which include better experiences, better software, and instantaneous results.

Nearshore partnerships are a viable answer, both to this sense of urgency and the challenges associated with domestic talent. Nearshore companies hire and train the best graduates from top regional universities, which provide world-class computer science and software development programs — Colombia alone graduates over 13,000 IT specialists every year.

With the right provider, nearshore software outsourcing can help mitigate risks associated with compliance, security, and cost overruns. Long-established companies are always up-to-date with global regulatory standards and build risk management considerations into their contracts, protecting their partners’ projects in the event of a crisis.

In short, as businesses deal with increasing uncertainty, nearshore software development providers are there to support, enhance, and grow an organization’s technology ambitions and help them reach business objectives.

Choosing the Right Nearshore Partner

Today’s nearshore software developers are champions of innovation and bring a wealth of knowledge, experience, and cultural perspective to the table. When exploring nearshore for these benefits, organizations should seek partners that can align with their business objectives and collaborate seamlessly with internal teams.

While many nearshore partners have the capacity to oversee entire software development projects, others simply provide qualified engineers to augment and support existing teams, so it’s best to understand those needs upfront to prevent choosing the wrong provider. Additionally, look for companies with the right balance of long-term market presence, experience in several industries, sufficient human talent, and existing nearshore clients.

Nothing beats getting to know your potential partner face-to-face, so, if possible, take a visit to their premises, tour their facilities, and meet the engineers. At the very least, schedule some video meetings and video tours so you can visualize how the company operates (with the current pandemic crisis sweeping the planet, this is perhaps the only approach right now). When you find a prospective partner, go deep and ask technical questions. Find out what they learned from past projects and how they can apply that knowledge to yours.

Don’t go for price alone when selecting a partner. The long-term value associated with high-quality software should be a higher priority than the asking price. If price is important, factor in the company’s technical capabilities along with its ability to overcome roadblocks, which will result in savings later down the line.

Finally, ask to speak with the company’s existing nearshore clients to learn about their experiences. You can ask third parties about the results and issues they’ve experienced so far, along with the partner’s ability to overcome challenges. It’s also a chance to learn from their decision-making process and why they ultimately settled on the partner in question.

Final Thoughts

As the year 2020 brings new challenges to the business world, U.S. organizations should not overlook the skills, talent, and experience available in the nearshore software outsourcing industry. With its cost-competitive, high-value, and culturally aligned benefits, the market has been steadily emerging as the first choice for hundreds of North American companies looking to accelerate their digital innovation and technology initiatives. What’s stopping your business from joining their ranks?

Go to top

About the Author

PSL Corp, a nearshore software development organization, operates at the intersection of drive, quality and innovation. Our goal is to help you achieve your technology vision by embodying a delivery-focused mindset supported by over 30 years of proven experience and nearshore proximity. Contact us at www.pslcorp.com.

What Makes You an Effective Leader in Crisis Situations?

March 25, 2020

By David De Cremer

For many organizational leaders and entrepreneurs, the coronavirus crisis represents a very challenging environment to lead and motivate their teams.

What do you tell them to ensure the company keeps going and that there can be light seen at the end of the tunnel? What should your people be doing while the health crisis paralyses society and the business world?

I list four principles leaders should stick to in leading their team members to keep their company relevant to the outside world.

1. Stay in touch with your customers

Relationships, like humans, need to be fed else they cease to exist. Even though you cannot deliver tangible value to them, it is worthwhile to keep your customers and other stakeholders informed about where your company is at. Crisis situations can bond people, so, in a similar vein, staying connected with your primary stakeholders can strengthen relationships.

2. Look for creative ways to reflect the values and quality of your organisation and keep your stakeholders involved in this movement

How you act under situations of crisis says something about who you are. And, indeed, when the pressure is on, people believe that your real personality reveals itself. A crisis situation therefore in a sense helps to come to grips of what you really care about and what can be improved if needed. If there is a time that it is important to walk the talk, then it is now. How you act now will decide the credentials that you will receive from others.

3. It’s time to experiment and fail (!) and learn (!), because if not now, then when?

Crisis situations are extraordinary times and therefore standardized ways of working will usually not be effective anymore. With a crisis comes the challenge to get the creative juices going. It will be of essence to explore how to adapt to a changing context and be able to create value. Unfortunately, because a crisis situation increases uncertainty, the default of most leaders will be to shy away from the unknown. Hence, most companies will stick to the status quo and wait until the crisis is over. Such a response is always a missed opportunity. Indeed, when a crisis is over, many things will not be the same as before. As such, the old ways of working may not be sufficient anymore. If you have not experimented and learned from failures when the crisis was in place, you are not prepared to meet new demands from your stakeholders (induced by the mere fact there was a crisis) and miss out on new growth opportunities.

During the crisis situations, most customers will not spend, and, hence, you will not be able to make hard deals. Second, if you then not explore and experiment to prepare for business after the crisis is over, you run the risk to be an outdated and inflexible company.

4. Don’t make any hard deals as nothing can be guaranteed today (what worked in the past may not be the case anymore in the near future)

Because many leaders prefer to stick to the status quo when the crisis is at its peak, their focus remains on how to get deals. And, if that’s not possible, at least not change anything. Both ways of working are in a way a loss of time and effort. During the crisis situations, most customers will not spend, and, hence, you will not be able to make hard deals. Second, if you then not explore and experiment to prepare for business after the crisis is over, you run the risk to be an outdated and inflexible company that has not learned and moved on since the crisis happened. And, be aware, your customers will know.

Go to top

About the Author

David De Cremer is the Provost chair and professor in management and organizations at NUS Business School, National University of Singapore. He is the founder and director of the Center on AI Technology for Humankind at NUS Business school; which is a platform developing research and education promoting a human-centered approach to AI development. Before moving to NUS, he was the KPMG endowed chaired professor in management studies at Judge Business School, University of Cambridge. He is named one of the World’s top 30 management gurus and speakers in 2020 by the organization GlobalGurus and has published over more than 250 articles and book chapters. He is also a best-selling author with his book Huawei: Leadership, culture and connectivity” having sold more than one million copies. His newest book “Leadership by algorithm: Who leads and who follows in the AI era?” will be out in print in May 2020.

Should You Be Getting Your Own Rental Property?

March 25, 2020

More and more people are now becoming financially literate, which means that they are constantly looking for avenues to grow their money and eventually gain financial freedom. One of the investment avenues that they usually consider is the real estate industry wherein some opt to buy land properties because these don’t depreciate in value. Others prefer to invest in rental properties because these are often self-liquidating, making them a viable source of income. If you are interested in the latter,

Here are some of the things you need to reflect on to know whether you should be getting your own rental property:

Financial Sources

The first thing you need to think about in line with getting your own rental property is your financial sources. If you have ample funds to purchase a property in cash, then owning a rental property is a good decision for you. This is because the rent that tenants pay you afterwards, less the maintenance expenses, are all considered as your revenue from the property. Nevertheless, you also have the option of getting a mortgage and you can be profitable once the value of your property increases. This is because the initial payments you get from the rent that your tenants pay may largely be allocated to mortgage payments, as well as maintenance expenses.

Management Skills

You automatically become a landlord when you get your own rental property, and to be a successful landlord, great management skills are necessary. Just keep in mind that being a landlord is not for the faint of heart, even if you deem that you have the capability to manage the property yourself. Nevertheless, you always have the option of enlisting the services or property managers. According to a BricksandAgent maintenance manager, it is actually more beneficial to hire a maintenance manager for your property because they are the ones who will be able to handle time consuming tasks seamlessly. In addition to this, a professional maintenance manager will be able to ensure that the concerns of your tenants are addressed promptly.

Social Skills

If you like dealing with people, then you have a great chance of becoming a successful landlord. You can use your social skills to your advantage, particularly in the screening of tenants. Nevertheless, even if you deem that you have carefully screened the people that will stay in your property, you may still find it a challenge to deal with people of different personalities and values. This is where exceptional social skills is again necessary to ensure that your landlord and tenant relationship is not strained.

Owning a rental property poses several benefits, but it cannot be denied that there are a few drawbacks too. Nevertheless, the advantages outweigh the downsides significantly, which can prompt you to get your own rental property. In terms of investing your money, you can never go wrong with getting your own rental property, but just keep in mind that in doing so, you should also be prepared for the responsibilities that go along with its management.

Go to top

Give Your Office a Professional Look With These Design Ideas

March 24, 2020

Many people spend most of their time in their offices at work. That is why being in a comfortable work environment is particularly essential in getting morale higher and keeping all employers energetic. The design of an office can have a huge impact on the productivity of the employers and the overall vibe they get from the place. If your office is looking and feeling dull, then it might be time for you to consider giving it a lift and changing up the overall design with a professional yet vibrant design makeover. If your office is only just taking its first steps into existence, then you should consider some design ideas to give your office a great professional look. And if you are considering to go with a virtual office instead, that has many benefits as well.

Present Your Mission And Credentials

The key design element in making an office look as professional as it could is by making it obvious what this office is used for. This can be done by simply hanging the Mission of the Office on the first wall people see when they walk in. You can invest in a large banner displaying the company’s name and mission, and play around with the font design and color so that it matches the space. You can also purchase a few professional-looking frames and hang your credentials and what makes you unique, and shows yours and your workers’ experience and professionalism by hanging diplomas and certificates and maybe even installing a shelf or two for awards. This will allow visitors to the office instantly see how professional the place is and the workers in it.

Invest In Practical Furniture

NPS Townsville Office Furniture reminds us that one of the main things that can change the way the office looks completely is how it is furnished. Investing in quality furniture that is also practical can make the place look way more professional and help the employers, as well as visitors to the office, feel more comfortable. According to Modern Digs, pieces of furniture like sideboards could be perfect in the professional workspace as it offers elegant designs as well as practicality. Sideboards come in different shapes and sizes and you can choose the design which looks most professional for your office and fitting for its needs. Different pieces of furniture can also be placed around the office according to where they would be needed by choosing designs that offer elegance and comfort to the workers and the visitors.

Add Vibrant Colours

Professional office space doesn’t always have to be boring. Adding catchy vibrant colors can still be professional as well as lively and it can completely transform the design of the office. Bold colors can look both professional and catchy if matched with the right designs in furniture and lighting. You can hire a professional to paint the walls and even customize some drawings on the walls for your office that are personalized with the theme of the place and make it look professional and fun at the same time.

Renovate Your Restrooms

When it comes to office design many will ignore one of the most important spaces, the restrooms. It’s very important that your restrooms always look new and clean as they will be used on a daily basis by your employees and potential business partners. There should be enough light, but avoid using bright neon lights, and instead use led lights with CRI 80 and above. This way the colors will appear as they are in natural sunlight. As it’s an office, definitely install partitions so that a couple of people can use the restroom at the same time. To make sure your restroom is designed perfectly consult with experts from https://onepointpartitions.com/.

Create Different Spaces

In order for an office to look and feel professional, there needs to be a variety of spaces in it that cater to different needs and purposes. You can get creative with the designs and try to create different spaces in the same office for different purposes. Try to have a space for visitors with a reception area or room where they can direct their queries and wait for them to be answered in a waiting area. You should also try to have space for employers to hang around during breaks or to have informal meetings like a lunch break room equipped with kitchen equipment.

Install Good Lighting

Some people may not be aware of this but lighting plays a huge part in impacting the design of an office and making it look professional. The light itself can help make the office more vibrant and energetic if bright lights are installed in certain areas where employers work and softer lights can be installed in areas where visitors sit so that they feel more comfortable and relaxed. You can also play around with the shapes of the light bulbs themselves to add a creative design element that would fit with each of the spaces in the office.

Designing a professional workspace takes some work but it is a great chance to get creative and personalize the office with some of yours and your employers’ ideas. You can try and take inspiration from different office designs by doing some research to choose the right colors and lighting for your space. Remember to invest in quality products that would last longer and give the office a professional outlook as well as practicality.

Go to top

Best Companies For Online Title Loans

March 24, 2020

Isn’t it convenient that most of the errands today can be run and achieved online? Even applying for a loan can already be instantly achieved through the internet. If you need quick cash in advance, you can check these top companies you can rely on for online title loans. They have joined the internet hub and they are ready to assist you in your needs.

To have fast advance cash can be achieved by loaning your valuables’ title in exchange for a loan, with only some requirements and terms. You get to pay this on a staggered monthly basis plus the interest, which is different for every company. In looking for companies to transact online, you have to take into consideration the best ones out there. To help you, here is a list of the best companies for online title loans:

Max Cash

This company is reputed as the best in the title loan industry. They have fast processing that promises same-day results, they operate 24 hours a day, and they have the best customer service based on customer satisfaction and an online app that is accessible too. You can find their stores in numerous states across the country. What makes them the best aside from their remarkable reputation is that their services are free.

Because of their large range of scope, they work with a number of lenders you can choose from. They can help you get the best deal which includes the lowest interest rate and loan terms which work in your favor. All you need to do is secure the documents for your fully-paid car which should be relatively new and you can get the title loan you need as soon as possible.

Loan Center

Upon checking their website, you may find this company claiming to be a trusted lender for quick cash. True enough, you will be instantly greeted by a form that asks the details to assess the worth of your car and you could get this for free. Other lenders do this plus they make sure that your credit score, financial background and status, debts and your employment records are checked before getting into further business. Once all of these check out and you get approved, only then will you be loaned the money you need.

Car title loans are a bit simpler and easier to understand. It does not have a long process of assessment and you would only need to submit documents pertaining to your car. Once the value is assessed, you could get the money which is the equivalent of your car’s worth. This is faster and easier for you because it doesn’t look into your other statuses and assets. You can still use your car while you are paying your monthly due.

123FundMe

This online lender is claiming to give the lowest interest out there. This could be what you are searching for. The same with most companies, they are offering car title loans without a credit check.

They also have an easy process to get your cash right away. If you are confused with how to apply for an online title loan, you can easily check their website because they have 4 steps that could get you that advance fast.

The first thing you need, as with everything, is to apply by calling their office or filling in the form found on their website. After that, you just have to wait to get approved. It doesn’t take that long. Once approved, you have to submit the requirements and stamp your signature then you are done. Your cash is available at your disposal.

Finova Financial

Just because it’s a newbie does not mean it’s not as competitive and reliable. Finova Financial is making waves in the industry despite being new to the game because of its offer of lower rates as well. They offer a one year payback time which is plenty of time considering they also process fast and require no penalty for prepayment. Because it is relatively new compared to other companies, they only provide loans in a few states. If your state has them, you better take advantage of their services.

You can now apply even for title loans using just your gadgets. Additionally, it is a convenient way to shop around and look for the best offers. With a lot of options to try, you don’t have to delay. You can address your problems by making title loans instantly. You do not need to leave the house in order to look for the money that you need.

Exploring the Online Title Loan Process

If you’ve ever applied for a loan from a bank or other consumer lending agency, you’ve likely made an appointment to meet with the lender at their office. You bring the requested paperwork, and if they approve your loan, you leave with a check in-hand.

The online title loan process generally, looks like this:

Borrower submits loan application online.
Borrower sends requested documents, such as photo I.D. and proof of income.
Lender evaluates the borrower’s financial situation, including credit history and employment.
Lender approves the title loan.
Borrower receives loan money.

While each lender uses their own process and loan criteria, all online title loan lenders require the borrower to provide the vehicle’s original, clean title. It’s your collateral!

Even if you still owe on your vehicle, don’t let that discourage you. You may still qualify for a title loan. While it’s difficult to get a new title loan while you have another title loan which is not paid off, it’s still possible. In such cases,first, you would have to meet the basic requirements of the lending company which may include your current credit score, your ability to pay back your previous creditor, and your income.

How Long Do Online Title Loans Take?

Earlier, we mentioned the advantage of the process of online title loans. Another attractive benefit of this type of loan is the speed at which you can get approved and receive your funds.

Since everything takes place online, you usually won’t need a special appointment. You can fax, email, and often, even text your documents—another timesaver.

How does same-day cash sound? In most cases, you can access your cash within hours of applying! Fast access to your money is one of the most significant reasons online title loans are so popular.

Go to top

iGaming is Growing into a Gargantuan Global Industry

March 24, 2020

Despite places like Las Vegas in the United States and Macau in China being hailed as the gambling hubs of the world, neither jurisdictions have had a strong or even an existent iGaming scene.

In fact, in the home of roulette, it is Europe which has enabled this modern form of gambling to establish itself and thrive across the continent. With governing nations like the UK and Malta keeping everything in check, people have been able to gamble safely, have trust in the online offering, and help the iGaming industry to grow.

With its roots embedded in Europe, iGaming has started to branch out, with countries adapting what are now archaic internet rules to apply to the modern online space. With the United States getting on board piece by piece as well as other nations exploring the industry, the global online gambling market is projected to grow by 8.77 percent in CAGR through to 2024, according to Mordor Intelligence.

While the US is gradually coming around to iGaming, other countries and continents around the world are moving forward at a much more progressive rate.

New Zealand’s established market

New Zealand’s iGaming market continues to go from strength-to-strength, with more and more residents going online via their laptops and phones to play mobile games. According to SkyCity Online Casino, the one platform has hundreds of games from several top-class developers, including Red Tiger Gaming, Play’n Go, NetEnt, and Yggdrasil.

It speaks volumes to the quality available to players in New Zealand despite there still being discussions as to whether or not the country needs to self-regulate iGaming. The industry is already thriving, but if an official regulatory body was to be established, the vast number of players already enjoying the new-age entertainment medium would count towards the global market numbers, increasing them further.

Peru wants to be the Malta of LatAm

Peru has been looking to establish itself as a leading jurisdiction of the iGaming industry in Latin America. For a couple of years now, the nation’s government has been tinkering with a bill that would, by all accounts, make Peru the Malta of Latin America. This will, if all goes to plan, see Peru taking only a 12 percent tax on winnings, which is a very appealing rate to iGaming brands.

The tax rate will undoubtedly act as the gateway to immediately entice big-name brands to set-up shop in Peru. So, once the regulated space launches, players will immediately be able to enjoy some of the best games and platforms that the global industry has to offer. In turn, iGaming’s popularity will grow in the nation.

Rapid mobile adoption puts Africa in the market

Regardless of how gambling-savvy a population is, iGaming can’t grow an audience or even offer its services if the people don’t have means of accessing the content. For a long time, the cost of computers and high broadband rates have held back most countries in Africa, but now, cheap mobile phones have opened the gates to the world of online gaming.

Smartphone ownership across Africa is sharply on the rise, with Android phones that cost less than US$50 granting access to the internet, and therefore also to iGaming platforms. A study by GSMA expects Africa’s internet user-base to increase by 300 million within just five years. With more people online, the continent will undoubtedly grow its iGaming audience.

The gradual growth of iGaming may be catching the headlines, but the markets in Peru, New Zealand, and the developments in Africa could also have a significant impact on the global industry.

Go to top

How Much Money is Spent on Gambling in Finland Every Year?

March 24, 2020

A large number of people who live in Finland enjoy gambling. Statistics have shown that most Finns have either gambled by playing games of chance such as the lottery or gambled playing cash games. The gambling industry in Finland is more of an oligopoly than a monopoly. There are only three main companies. Each of these companies has a monopoly in their specific area. These include RAY, Fintoto, and Veikkaus. RAY is the ruling body for slot machines, Fintoto runs the country’s horse racing sector, and Veikkaus runs the lottery.

Although there are three main regulators, there are still a number of different platforms on which Finnish people can enjoy gambling. One of the most popular is Nopeampi. Nopeampi is an online casino that offers sports, baccarat, live dealer games, lottery, betting and much more. This site is the perfect choice for newbies and established gamblers alike.

Finland is Home to Some Bizarre Sports

Finland is home to some of the weirdest sports you’ve ever heard of. Anything from phone throwing to swamp soccer can be participated in. One of the weirdest of these has to be the wife carrying championships. The aim of this race is to carry your wife along an obstacle course in the quickest time possible. The winner will be given beer that is equivalent to his wife’s weight.

It seems that Finnish people enjoy betting as much as they enjoy throwing their phones. A recent study showed that they were in 4^th place for the amount of gambling losses per person. These stats show that Finland loses approximately £2.5 billion per year. The biggest losers on this list are Australia, who lose a whopping £20 billion.

Finnish baseball (Pesapollo) is one of the favourite sports in Finland. The Pesapollo world cup is played every three years in Finland. Online poker is another favourite gambling choice with revenues increasing year on year.

The Facts and Figures

On average, each year, Finns spend:

£350 on domestic gambling
£160 on games operated by RAY
£180 on games operated by Veikkaus
£11 on games operated by Fintoto

In 2012, £130 million was recorded as the profit of the gaming operators in Finland. The gambling industry in Finland has continued to grow at a rate of approximately 10% ever since 2016. The exact amount of money spent on gambling in Finland is unknown as some of the population choose to gamble on foreign websites – this information cannot be collected.

Gambling Laws in the EU

The gambling industry has become a huge part of the leisure industry in almost all EU countries. Not only does it play its role in boosting the economy, but it’s also a huge pastime for thousands of people around the world. The EU has tried for a number of years to put into place some legislation and regulations that would standardise gambling and betting in Europe. However, so far, they have not been successful with this. Most countries in the EU want to be able to control their own laws around gambling.

Licensees and the Official Licensing Body in Finland

The official licensing body in Finland is the Ministry of Interior. There are only three licensees existing before January 2017:

RAY
Fintoto
Veikkaus

Gambling Laws in Finland

Owned by the government, the gambling industry was separated into three parts. Each of these parts was looked after by a different company. On 1 January 2017, these three entities joined together to become a larger state monopoly called Veikkaus. This betting agency looks after online and land-based casinos in Finland.

There are two main land-based casinos in Finland. They are both located in Helsinki. Another casino is also under construction in Tampere.

Gambling websites that are recognised by the Finnish government are run by RAY and PAF, with the former looking after the Finnish mainland and the latter controlling gambling in the Aland Province. The government works with these companies to help make sure players’ data is protected.

In Finland, you must be over the age of 18 to gamble and you must have registered before you start. You must also have a bank account that is open in Finland, a Finnish security number and a permanent home address. All gamblers in Finland are also expected to set an amount that they are happy to lose. The maximum this amount can be is £460 for both table games and slot games.

Good to Know

The biggest ever win in the history of online casinos was paid out by a gambling site in Finland. The winner was a resident of Helsinki who was new to the world of online gambling. After playing online for just 30 minutes, he managed to win over £16.5 million!

Gambling is growing in popularity every year. We expect to see the gambling industry in Finland grow by approximately 10% over the next year. There is no way of telling how much money is actually spent on gambling in Finland every year, but we do know that it’s a lot.

Go to top

Coronavirus and a Price War-battered Oil Markets

March 23, 2020

While the Corona Virus effect is forcing many countries’ economies to dive globally, Iraq is not safe as well. The oil prices fell to $26 per barrel, which is the worst and lowest since 2003. The sharp fall is a result of a hit to global oil demand from the pandemic and price war involving major oil players, Russia and Saudi Arabia. The new development is not good news to Iraq, as the country heavily relies on oil revenues, which surpasses 90%.

According to the International Energy Agency head Mr. Fatih Birol, the economic pressure is expected to get worse in the coming weeks. The discouraging news is coming when the company owned by Barzani (Korek) top officials is accused of misappropriating funds and awaiting the outcome of the claim filed by France’s Orange and logistics firm Agility from Kuwait.

Prices of energy and gas going low may favor the consumer as the spending rate sounds friendly, but no clear whether they will go out to spend that money soon as a result of minimal movements.

Economic Impact

For this crisis to end, it will depend on the efforts put to control the outbreak effectively. The negative economic effects of the Corona pandemic, although weighty, will be temporary. The worst thing to happen is the closure of small businesses such as shops, restaurants, salons and others for lack of customer flow. If people do not go to the city, it means these businesses will either make no money or very little, which may severely affect them for the long-term experience.

While other countries are putting measures to boost the most affected businesses, the Iraq economy is already struggling. The oil prices experiencing a huge cut mean the country’s net income would drop 65% when compared to the previous year, incurring a monthly deficit of $4 billion just to cover the salaries alone and keep the government function running. The country is in crisis and not sure whether it is easy to break beyond $2.5 billion per month, according to Birol, when speaking to Iraqi officials during a moment to seek urgent solutions.

The Iraq government had hoped the oil price to hit $30 per barrel, but according to the current sharp dive, the situation is bullish. The country is moving from one problem to another, as the government was in a few weeks was dealing with ways to calm the constant protests. As a way to alleviate the situation, the government had to increase salaries from $36 billion to $47 billion after absorbing half a million new employees. So, the government is spending 75% of the money to take care of salaries, capital investments and other costs.

Normally, the Iraq government employs about 4 million people, pensions going to 3 million while social welfare is given to 1 million.

Government Plan

According to Iraq’s central bank governor Mr. Allaq, the country will be able to deal with salaries and external debt while focusing on how to trim services that economically inefficient and subsidies.

Also, the other option the government has is to recapture trillions of dinars stashed for years of surplus funds in state-owned bank accounts. They plan to issue bonds to the public and reschedule any internal debt. There is also ongoing consultation with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) though things may not be positive as no passed budget yet plus any formation of a new government.

After Corona is gone and oil prices stabilize, it will take time for Iraq to get back to normalcy.

Go to top

10 Reasons Why Millennials Need Health Insurance

March 23, 2020

Did someone mention to you that it is beneficial to get health insurance? You are thinking to yourself; I need anything but health insurance. You are not alone! The majority of millennials think the same way. It is the time of your life when you are too busy paying off the student loan, running a house, getting a car, etc. and health is your last priority. But, let us change your preferences a little because your health is the most important thing for you.

If you are healthy, all other things will matter; otherwise, no matter how wealthy you are, nothing in this world will fascinate you. We are sure, at this point, you are thinking “I am young, active and fit, what on earth could happen to me”? We all have been through the same situation, but when we say the measures you take for your health at this point in your life will yield productive results for you in the years to come.

When we talk about making healthy lifestyle choices, most people only mention healthy eating, exercise, and a healthy routine, but hardly anyone says buying Health insurance at this age is one of the most vital elements of a healthy lifestyle. It is better to opt for Health insurance companies such as Cigna Health insurance, which has a specific plan to address such issues.

We are going to give you a list of 10 reasons why Millennials need health insurance.

1. Affordable Monthly Plans

Many Millennials think that adding the cost of the premium to their monthly expenditure is a bad idea; however, if you choose a plan wisely, it will save you from more significant expenses that may arise in case of any injury or accident and give you peace of mind. It suggested we take a look at some good plans available in the market.

2. Stay Protected From Viral Infections

We all fell prey to viral infections such as cold, cough, flu at our workplace, college while traveling on the bus, or visiting social gatherings/public places such as malls, libraries, etc. To save our money and time, we often go for self-medication, which can be harmful and make the problem much more severe if the condition does not treat properly. From doctor visits to prescribed medicines, from tests to x-rays, everything will be covered under the health insurance plan. With already so many expenses on your plate, you wouldn’t have to worry about medical bills. Especially the east coast is prone to flu season, like Jersey or the NY area. So if you don’t have a health plan yet, check out NY health insurance and get yourself sorted out.

3. Dealing With Different Diseases

To cope up with the fast-paced world these days, sometimes it seems impossible to balance work, relationships, and health. People hardly find time to prepare proper meals and end up grabbing fast-food for lunch and dinner. Job markets have become so competitive, and everyone is dealing with the constant struggle to upgrade his skill set. All these factors have increased the ratio of depression, obesity, and anxiety in society, especially Millennials.

Those individuals whose employers provide health insurance take mental health seriously and reach out to professionals. While those who are not entitled to these benefits. Tend to ignore their mental health and bear severe consequences.

Health insurance provides you easy and cheap access to mental health professionals and saves you from dreadful consequences. If you did not face any of these symptoms at this point doesn’t mean you can’t meet them later. So, it’s better to prepare beforehand because, with increasing responsibilities and pressures as you age, at that time, a point comes when you need the help of a professional. Therefore, we advise millennials to purchase health insurance timely to ensure better physical and mental health in the long run.

4. Welcoming A New-Born

Planning a baby is a significant milestone in our lives. While having a baby is very exciting, it can cause depression in some women. Pregnancy comes with all sorts of tests, ultrasounds, medicines, pre and postnatal care for mom and baby. Having a baby can cost you more in the form of medical bills, and we never want you to compromise on your or baby’s health before and after birth; therefore, we recommend buying health insurance to ensure a smooth pregnancy and postnatal care.

5. Injuries Associated To Sports And Gym

With changing trends in lifestyle, millennials like to take care of their health through regular exercise, and approximately 76% work out if not more, at least once a week. When you go to a gym or get involved in sports activities, you have a chance of injury. Health insurance plans will cover related damages and save you a lot of bucks in case of any misfortune.

6. Accidents

Accidents are inevitable. No matter how much care you exercise in your daily life, you are not invincible. Even if you drive carefully on the road or practice particular caution while working out, accidents can happen. In today’s world, when the cost of hospitalization is sky-rocketing, buying a health insurance plan will save you from spending hefty amounts on hospital expenses in case of any emergency or accident.

7. Eye Care

Our lives revolve around gadgets, and the importance of eye care in today’s world cannot neglect. Health insurance will guarantee you exceptional coverage for eye care in case you require a check-up or new pair of glasses. You can choose a different range of plans as per your requirements to be care-free when it comes to superior quality eye care.

8. Some Most Common Fatal Diseases

Today one can face different diseases like diabetes, alcoholism, and addiction to other drugs, high blood pressure, mental disorders, breast cancer, heart problem, etc. These diseases are common in this era, and it is essential to purchase a health insurance plan and get yourself assessed frequently for any symptoms. In case you already have a condition, the health insurance plan will save you from high medical bills.

9. Avoid Loans

From student loans to mortgage, credit card bills, car financing, we are all under so much debt that the addition of medical bills debt can be overwhelming for anyone. To save you from the hassle of significant expenses on the medical bills, recommended buying a health insurance plan, so you opt for the best medical services in your area without worrying about the bills, because like one says, “Health comes first.”

10. More Privacy

Many Millenials still registered at their parent’s insurance plan until the age of 26, but we all need some privacy. If you want to keep things like contraceptive method and any other tests for Sexually transmitted diseases which you might need, private from your parents, it is time to explore personal health insurance plan.

Conclusion

The millennial generation is very young and robust, and even they do not feel they need an insurance plan, it recommends that they should take this a vital part of their monthly or annual financial plan to save them from any disaster in the future.

Go to top