Top 3 Accounting and Finance Business Trends Driving The Industry Growth In 2021

March 28, 2021

2020 has not been a year to confidently rely on market trends and draw inferences from them. What portion of a trend is driven by the pandemic and what is based on solid data, there’s no way to tell for sure. However, in the financial services market, we have enough data moving in certain directions to see some definitive patterns.

Big Tech and financial services partnerships, innovation at the banking level, a renewed appreciation for consumer intelligence, robust AI helping in detecting fraud and other forms of cybersecurity, and an increasingly cashless economy are some of the most prominent financial business trends for 2021.

If you are planning to launch, modify, or expand your financial business in the next year, continue reading to find out which way will the market go during the next 12 months.

1. The Meteoric Pace of Digital Growth

The financial sector has, finally, fully realized the need to become digital. The efficiency and convenience that come with digital banking solutions already made a compelling case for it, but it is due to the current health pandemic that we have all seen how critical it is for a financial institution to have a robust digital presence.

As more people and businesses opted for online payments, we saw an unprecedented surge of incoming traffic on different digital banking channels. This trend is expected to be mirrored at the corporate banking level, too. As companies become more technology-reliant, they will look for financial solutions that are more flexible and agile.

To ride this wave of digital growth, invest in the digitization of your financial service more proactively. Hire people who bring a technology skill subset to the table, allocate a separate portion of the budget to ensure efficient digital advancement, and invest in robust data and analytics. Without the last leg to stand on, your digital growth strategy will remain severely lacking.

To distinguish your digital finance platform from the rest of your business operations, consider launching it as a separate brand with a unique accounting and CPA logo design and all. The move will help your customers look at the brand with more favor and as a niche and focused service.

2. New and Emerging Fin-tech

With the full might of technology at its disposal, the fin-tech industry is enjoying its day in the sun. And the sunny day seems to be going on forever, which is good news for all of us. As the delivery of financial services becomes more tailored and intuitive, we all benefit. Taking advantage of emerging technologies such as blockchain, cryptocurrencies, and big data, the fin-tech industry is enthusiastic in its commitment to provide insightful, flexible, and convenient financial products with simplicity and reliability.

If you are a finance service startup, your chances of getting funding may be brighter if your focus is technologies like blockchain. Investors are also looking at entrepreneurs who have a vision of moving from retail and consumer banking to larger financial sectors.

The great thing about a fin-tech startup is you do not need to offer solutions to every banking/financial problem. Think of a specific issue that you can address creatively and create your fin-tech around it.

3. Cyber Security & Big Data

We keep talking about the role of technology in providing proactive and creative solutions to different financial and banking needs. But without a robust cybersecurity system in place, this can all go down in flames.

As reliance on technology becomes a norm for the financial sector, security will play a key role in determining which platform has the larger market share, the more loyal customers, and the market trust to innovate big. Sophisticated cybersecurity systems in place will also ensure an improved customer experience as well as a more flexible digital banking infrastructure.

Additionally, data and analytics are also going to be dominant topics for 2021 and beyond. The more a financial institution drives to incorporate change, the more data it’ll need to make informed decisions. Professionals with data and analytics skills who can manage their company’s market analysis needs will be in high demand, and will need to have their finger on the market pulse at all times. Actionable insights will drive growth for any financial services organization.

Some Parting Thoughts

Technology is the singular trend underlining the major ways the finance industry is changing. Whether you are a technology firm exploring financial waters or a finance service navigating the foreign jungle of tech, one thing is certain: finance and tech can’t do without each other. Tech needs fast and smart monetary products to keep up with its pace and finance needs tech to keep delivering to its consumers.

No matter which side of the field you belong to, you can make some really smart business moves by merging these two sectors of the market and offering something innovative to the public in 2021.

Go to top

Vietnam: No country of a comparable size has seen such an increase in economic freedom over the last 25 years

March 28, 2021

By Rainer Zitelmann

The Heritage Foundation publishes the annual Index of Economic Freedom to assess the levels of economic freedom in 178 countries. Since the survey began in 1995, no other country of a comparable size has seen such rapid gains in economic freedom as Vietnam.

The index uses 12 criteria to measure each of the 178 countries’ economic freedom. The countries that rank at the top of the Index include Singapore, New Zealand, Australia and Switzerland, while Cuba, Venezuela and North Korea occupy the last few places. The highest score for any country is 89.7 (Singapore) and the lowest is 5.2 (North Korea). The most recent index score for Vietnam is 61.7, which represents a gain of 2.9 points over the previous year. This puts Vietnam in the category of “moderately free” countries for the first time in the index’s history.

Vietnam has been extraordinarily successful

The fact that Vietnam ranks 90th of 178 countries may not in and of itself seem so sensational. But when assessing a country’s economic outlook, it is not so important where the country currently stands in the ranking, but how its ranking has developed over time – whether its level of economic freedom has increased or decreased. And in this respect, Vietnam has been extraordinarily successful. Back when the Heritage Foundation published its first index in 1995, Vietnam scored 41.7 points. By 2005, this had risen to 48.1, and in 2010 it climbed further to 49.8. What is remarkable is the huge increase in economic freedom since 2015, when Vietnam was awarded a score of 51.7. Since then, Vietnam has added another 10 points to reach 61.7 today – an increase of 20 points since 1995!

In comparison, the United States scored 76.7 in 1995 and had slipped back slightly to 74.8 by 2021. Italy and France made virtually no progress on economic freedom in 25 years, scoring 61.2 and 64.4 respectively in 1995 and 64.9 and 65.7 today.

There are only five countries in the world – all of them much smaller and not directly comparable – that have managed to match or even beat Vietnam’s economic freedom gains over the last 25 years. These five are Moldova, Bulgaria, Belarus, Romania and Angola.

Venezuela as a counter-example

While an increase in economic freedom equates to economic growth and a higher standard of living – as the example of Vietnam confirms – a decrease in economic freedom represents declining quality of life.

This is illustrated by the counter-example of Venezuela. While Vietnam is progressively evolving from a state-run economy into a market economy, Venezuela has moved in the opposite direction – from a market economy to a state-run economy. In 1995, the Index of Economic Freedom awarded Venezuela a score of 59.8. Shortly afterward, in 1999, Hugo Chavéz came to power and launched his “Socialism of the 21st Century.” He embarked on a programme of nationalisations and price controls, etc. and increasingly curtailed economic freedom. The result? In the 2021 Heritage Foundation ranking, Venezuela scores a paltry 24.7.

This means that over the same period that Vietnam’s score rose by 20 points, Venezuela’s fell by almost 36 points! And while the standard of living in Vietnam has improved dramatically over the last 25 years, it has fallen just as dramatically for the people of Venezuela, where the inflation rate is higher than anywhere else in the world, huge numbers of people are suffering from hunger and more than ten percent of the population have already fled.

Vietnam’s economic ascent began in 1986 with the launch of the so-called “Đổi Mới” reforms, which shifted Vietnam from a centrally planned economy to a more market oriented one. Vietnam’s GDP grew by an average of 6.7 percent per year between 1995 and 2020. The ratio of government expenditure to GDP is also very positive – and significantly lower than in most Western countries. In the United States, for example, government expenditure amounted to 35.7 percent of GDP in 2019, compared to just 29.1 percent in Vietnam in the same year.

Time to strengthen rule of law

The Index of Economic Freedom is based on a total of 12 criteria across four categories. Vietnam scores particularly highly for “Government Spending,” “Fiscal Health,” “Tax Burden,” “Trade Freedom” and “Monetary Freedom.” Modern Vietnam is distinguished by its low taxes, healthy public finances and moderate government spending. In contrast, its scores for “Government Integrity,” “Judicial Effectiveness” and “Investment Freedom” remain comparatively very low. Corruption in particular remains a problem.

The lessons for Vietnam are clear: It needs to stay the course on the path toward more market freedom and less state intervention, while at the same time fighting corruption and strengthening the rule of law.

Go to top

About the Author

Rainer Zitelmann is a historian and the author of The Power of Capitalism. https://the-power-of-capitalism.com/

CBD As Your New Gym Partner

March 27, 2021

Natural therapy involves the use of herbal remedies and extracts to enhance vital functions. If you’re looking forward to improving your lifestyle, you might want to switch to herbal treatment. Also, the supplements may help you achieve the fitness goals faster. For all the fitness enthusiasts out there, CBD can be a promising aid in developing muscles. It interacts with the brain receptors and can foster better neuromuscular coordination. Along with this, the anti-inflammatory effects of the chemical may ease out the workout process.

Here are the top ways in which CBD enhances your workout results and helps soothe exercise-induced pain.

What Is CBD?

Cannabidiol is a phytocannabinoid present in the cannabis plant that possesses a variety of medicinal properties. It regulates the activity of the brain receptors like the anandamide and cannabinoid receptors. Also, the chemical can curb oxidative damage by reducing the accumulation of free radicals in your body. You can use CBD extracts in the form of holistic supplements. Some practical ways to use CBD are pills, oils, and tinctures. Apart from the physical effects, it also controls anxiety, restlessness, and mood issues. Long-term CBD supplements or CBDfx tincture can induce wholesome wellness and prevent common ailments.

CBD & Fitness

Fitness goals require regular workout and dietary aid that promotes muscle growth. You can incorporate CBD supplements in your workout nutrition to boost the gains. Also, the cannabidiol extracts can limit inflammation and promote the healing pathways of your muscles. With better healing, the rate of muscle replication and regeneration increases. Hence, you are likely to undergo muscular hypertrophy faster than usual. Apart from the muscular system, CBD may help with your psychological issues as well. CBD can limit long-term stress and enhance your mood up to a great extent.

1. Anti-Inflammatory Effects

Inflammation is inevitable during intense workout sessions and may hinder performance. While performing the strenuous workouts, your muscle cells undergo extensive fragmentation. Further, it results in the initiation of the inflammatory processes that hamper the exercise routine. In such cases, you can take refuge in CBD supplements to curb mild to moderate inflammation. It regulates the activity of the cannabinoid receptors and may prevent the signs of inflammation. Cannabidiol prevents the accumulation of free radicals in your muscle cells and may reduce oxidative damage. So, all these factors ensure an inflammation-free state and allow you to perform regular exercises.

2. Enhances Muscle Recovery

The physiology of muscle development is a bit different from the other vital organs. During the exercise sessions, your muscle fibers undergo injuries. As the healing pathways set in, the muscle fibers grow to become stronger than before. But, some environmental and nutritional factors may curb the recovery processes. CBD supplements can ensure a smooth and regular muscle recovery process. Also, it accelerates the rate of healing and leads to a faster rate of muscular hypertrophy. Try to add CBD extracts in your workout nutrition for long-term muscle development and recovery.

3. Improves Sleep

There’s no doubt that sleep plays a crucial role in your recovery pathways. Sleep is a physiological phenomenon that takes care of regeneration and healing of the previous damage. Also, lack of sleep may disturb the natural healing mechanisms and slow down muscle growth. If you’re suffering from sleep disturbances, you might want to follow a CBD regime. Cannabidiol stimulates the sleep center, i.e., the pineal gland.

Further, it may enhance the hormone levels and promote the release of melatonin. Such factors lead to a refreshing sleep and improve muscle development. Make sure to include CBD supplements in your wellness routine to encourage the sleep cycle.

4. Curbs Stress & Anxiety

Specific psychological issues may hinder your fitness goals up to a great extent. Stress and anxiety reduce muscle gains and degrade your confidence levels. Also, it releases the hormones like cortisol that induce catabolic effects on the muscular system. It breaks down the muscle fibers and slows down the rate of protein synthesis. Hence, long-term stress can reduce the rate of muscle development and ensure stable growth. To reduce stress, you can try out CBD supplements. It acts on the serotonergic receptors and increases the levels of serotonin. An increase in the serotonin level makes you feel content, calm, and happy.

How To Use CBD?

If you’re all set to use CBD for your fitness regime, then you might want to research the suitable ways beforehand. You can add a few drops of CBD tinctures to your protein shakes. Or, maybe prepare a CBD-infused smoothie to energize your body and mind for the workout session. Other than this, the direct consumption of CBD extracts and pills may also help in muscle growth. Don’t forget to opt for the correct dosage as per your body composition for maximum gains and minimum side effects.

Final Verdict

Fitness revolves around the kind of diet and the supplements you include in your workout nutrition. For all the people who wish to gain more muscle, CBD supplements may be of great help. Cannabidiol acts on the receptors like anandamide and cannabinoid that ensure anti-inflammatory effects. Also, it may control the delayed onset muscle soreness due to strenuous workout sessions. You can use the cannabidiol supplements in the form of tinctures, pills, and herbal extracts. Try to stick to CBD therapy for faster muscle development, stress management, and pain control. It allows you to follow the workout routine without any hindrance and achieve fitness goals faster.

Go to top

How to Automate Business Operations with GPS

March 27, 2021

One of the advantages of automating your business operations with a GPS system is that it leads to increased productivity. According to research from the Aberdeen Group, when fleet companies implement GPS tracking systems for equipment, they often realize:

A 25.4% increase in revenue
13.2% reduction in fuel costs
Savings on labor costs. A recent Motorola study concluded that organizations save an average of $5,484 per employee per year by leveraging GPS technology.

That said, GPS technology is quite indispensable, especially if you’re in the logistics and transportation industry.

But how do you automate your business operations with GPS?

Whether you’re in the manufacturing sector, healthcare, or even rare industries like fishing, there is a section of your business that can be automated with GPS. In this article, we’ll explore the various ways you can automate your business with GPS technology.

1. Track Employee Performance with GPS-Based Apps

Businesses can increase the productivity and efficiency of all employees by monitoring them and holding them accountable.

While there are many ways to monitor employee behavior, GPS tracking is the most advanced option. With GPS tracking, managers can determine where an employee is, how long they stayed at a specific place, and how frequently they moved out. Most especially if you’re running a freight, cargo, or courier business, you can minimize the travelling salesman problem.

For example, if you have employees in the field and need accurate hourly data for billing purposes, GPS can come in handy. With GPS tracking, you’ll be able to see exactly how long an employee was working with a client and bill them accordingly. And if you have a time clock apps with GPS, you can enable geo-fencing for even more accuracy.

Actively tracking your employees during work hours can lead to a more productive workforce. However, it can also raise privacy concerns.

2. Track Your Assets with GPS & IoT Devices

For logistics businesses, tracking delivery vehicles is as important as tracking the assets they are carrying. GPS trackers provide real-time tracking data on the whereabouts of your assets.

With the help of GPS, IoT devices, and sensors installed on mobile assets, logistics companies can monitor their vehicles and assets in real-time. In the event of theft, these devices can also help reduce vandalism and damages since you or the police will recover your assets quickly before major damage is done.

Advanced GPS tracking devices, like Samsara trackers, offer more than just asset tracking. Using Samsara’s technology, these devices can help you get the most out of your time with preventative maintenance. Samsara trackers will send you timely maintenance alerts, over-the-air vehicle diagnostics, and prompt fault code alerts.

3. Avoid Hours of Service Violations with an All-in-One-GPS Tracker

The US Department of transportation FMCSA requires some businesses to electronically track Hours of Service (HOS). Rather than scouring the internet for a time tracking app, why not implement a GPS solution that tracks Hours of Service.

With an ELD solution like Samsara’s real-time Hours of Service tracking, you’ll be able to know how many hours your drivers have been on the road, the number of hours remaining in their driving period, and the time until their next break.

Combined with real-time GPS data, dispatch managers can use HOS data to make decisions that will increase the drivers’ productivity. Plus, you’ll also ensure compliance with the ELD mandate.

4. Make Informed Decisions with Data-Driven Insights

A good GPS tracker should provide you with data and periodic reports that your business needs. GPS data and reports can help you make informed business decisions.

For instance, fuel usage reports can help you make decisions that will ensure maximum utilization of the available resources.

If trucks in a fleet are consuming more on route A, the fleet manager will learn about it through data from the usage stats. Using this data, fleet managers can reroute all trucks to route A, which is more fuel-efficient.

Wrapping Up

GPS technology can help you to automate all the aspects of your business that requires monitoring. This technology has been proven to increase productivity and profitability, all while streamlining business operations.

Go to top

Why Pursuing an MBA Degree Is a Good Option

March 27, 2021

If you have been pondering exactly what master’s degree you should pursue, an MBA degree is a very solid option. Not only does it make sense if you have already attained a bachelor’s degree in business administration, but it also stacks well on top of innumerable other bachelor’s degrees as well. Here are a few other reasons why pursuing an MBA makes sense.

Advanced Skills

When you enter into an MBA program, you are developing advanced skills to elevate you in the business world. Most applicants in any MBA program already have, on average, two years of actual professional experience. The skills that you develop are specifically designed so that any company you are working for has the best chance of success.

Specializations

Because of their wide global appeal, many schools have developed a variety of MBA programs from which to choose, each with its own speciality. These may include, but are not limited to, financial management, marketing, management, entrepreneurship, as well as a host of others.

Easy to Pay For

Graduate school is just as easy to pay for as undergraduate programs. You can pay for your entire tuition, as well as other expenses, with a private student loan. These types of loans are generally more flexible during the repayment phase because you can renegotiate terms if need be. They are also considered an excellent way to invest in yourself and up your market value.

Networking

When you enter an MBA program, you are giving yourself access to a variety of excellent networking opportunities. Whether these contacts include professionals, professors, or even simply fellow students, you will gain much more insight and knowledge of the inner workings of certain aspects of the business world than you would have if you had never entered into the program at all.

Better Salaries

While there are never guarantees about what you can make in any career, on average, those who earn their MBA can expect to enjoy access to lucrative positions. In fact, consulting positions, which are the main focus of many MBA programs, are some of the highest-paying jobs on the market.

Become an Entrepreneur

Many people mistakenly believe that becoming an entrepreneur is quite easy. You just come up with a great idea and the world embraces it and then you are instantly rich. However, there is so much more to it than that. You need to know not only how to cultivate your ideas, but exactly how to market them as well. You need to know how to develop a business plan and how to sell the idea to investors who will then spend their money helping your plans come to fruition.

Available Worldwide

MBAs are not the types of degrees that are only usable in certain parts of the world. In fact, they are widely endorsed and encouraged in every country on the globe. You can literally live anywhere in the world and make use of your degree. This is of great benefit to those who do not want to stick to one country their entire lives.

Go to top

The 6 Cryptocurrencies Worth Knowing About

March 26, 2021

It’s hard to be oblivious to cryptocurrency nowadays. It’s talked about too often to be something that flies under your radar.

However, while you may well be familiar with it, that doesn’t mean you know about all the different cryptocurrencies out there. After all, there are now over 4,000 in circulation.

While you don’t need to be intimately aware of each one, there are a fair few that you shouldn’t overlook. Knowing about them can prove hugely beneficial because these are the most profitable and successful online currencies available. If you’re going to start buying, mining, trading, etc., these are the six currencies you’ll probably want to focus your attention on.

Bitcoin (BTC)

When it comes to cryptocurrencies, none are as popular as Bitcoin. Created in 2009, it was the first of its kind, which likely explains why it’s the go-to for anyone dealing with these digital assets.

Currently considered an acceptable form of payment with over 15,000 businesses, Bitcoin is cryptocurrency’s best chance of breaking into the mainstream. It helps that it keeps soaring to new heights, with its value rising to over $60,000 (£43,500) in March. Obviously, these peaks aren’t always consistent, with the currency also recording some devastating lows over the last decade. However, it’s always bounced back and continued to soar ever higher.

With Bitcoin being the most popular of all cryptocurrencies, you might think it would be difficult to get hold of. After all, there are already over 18.5 million tokens out there, with the capped limit set at 21 million. Plus, given how high its price has risen in the past, it’s not the most affordable currency online.

However, through communities like Traders Of Crypto, you can actually find a lot of free Bitcoins. Their guide has all the information you need to start building up a portfolio without having to break the bank, which is great for any newbies out there. Although getting free cryptocurrency just from playing games or signing up for something might seem too good to be true, it’s a very real way to get you started with Bitcoin.

Ethereum (ETH)

Ethereum is another relatively well-known cryptocurrency, but unlike Bitcoin, its purpose is a little different. Rather than being designed to use as a digital currency, it’s more focused on decentralising applications. Essentially, it wants to give power back to app creators by cutting out the middleman in the way that blockchain technology does so well.

Obviously, Ethereum does still work as a currency and can be used by people to make purchases. However, it stands out from the likes of Bitcoin by being programmable, meaning it serves far greater purposes than the standard cryptocurrency. Plus, the fact that it’s targeted at absolutely everyone, regardless of background, gives it an appeal that not all its competitors can provide.

Since its inception in 2015, its value has nearly risen as high as $1900 (£1,380), with the price increasing significantly towards the end of 2020. While that doesn’t quite make it equal with Bitcoin, not by a long shot, it’s still one of the more valuable cryptocurrencies available.

Litecoin (LTC)

Introduced as an alternative to Bitcoin, Litecoin has been steadily making its mark over the last decade. Since 2011, it’s established itself on almost every crypto exchange, with this currency available to use for pretty much all the same purposes.

In some ways, Litecoin and Bitcoin are the same. After all, the developer used Bitcoin’s core code to create Litecoin. That’s why they share similar properties, such as both utilising blockchain technology to ensure decentralisation.

However, Litecoin was developed as an alternative to Bitcoin, so there are differences between the two. That includes a faster block approval time, with the newer currency four times faster than its predecessor. This allows for more mining of Litecoin to be done, with the 21 million cap on Bitcoin quadrupled to 84 million for this other cryptocurrency.

While more Litecoin might be available to mine, though, its value is nowhere near the same. Its current peak stands just shy of $240 (£175), which it hit back in February. Whether it will exceed that price anytime soon is hard to say, especially given it suffered some devastating lows over the last few years.

Bitcoin Cash (BCH)

Those new to cryptocurrency might not realise that Bitcoin and Bitcoin Cash are two different currencies. However, that is absolutely the case, with the latter only coming about in 2017.

Bitcoin Cash was established following a dispute over the original currency. Developers and miners couldn’t reach a consensus, so the currency was split to try and please everyone. While Bitcoin remained the same, Bitcoin Cash was developed to enact the changes that couldn’t be agreed upon. This mainly entailed scaling up the size of blocks from 1 megabyte to 8 megabytes so that transactions would be quicker.

Unlike the currency it was built off of, Bitcoin Cash has yet to amass a five-figure value. Although it got off to a strong start, peaking with a value of around $2,350 (£1,700), it suffered a significant decline and has only recently started recovering. Evidently, its association with Bitcoin made it a hot commodity back in 2017, but it couldn’t sustain interest for very long.

Cardano (ADA)

Cardano is considered by some to be “Ethereum but better”, which is perhaps no surprise given that both cryptocurrencies share a founder. Charles Hoskinson was one of the people responsible for creating Ethereum, but when he disapproved of the direction things were going in there, he started a new project.

Backed by extensive experimentation and research, Cardano has the potential to impact cryptocurrencies quite significantly. It’s still relatively new to the scene, with the blockchain platform only launched in 2017, so it’s not likely to start making waves quite yet. However, it’s already beaten Ethereum to the proof-of-stake consensus model and may well destroy its competitor in due time.

Right now, the cryptocurrency is on a relatively upward trajectory, having continually climbed over the last year without too many dips. Its value might not seem like much at the moment, given that it spent months below the $1 (73p) mark before rising above it in February. However, the rate at which it’s increased has definitely made Cardano one to watch, with the surge in popularity raising a lot of questions.

Stellar (XLM)

Whereas many popular cryptocurrencies are aimed at individuals, Stellar is more purpose-built for enterprises. It primarily exists to allow financial institutions to make significant transactions without wasting a lot of time, effort, and money. It also allows for transactions across borders, largely to help those in developing economies where access to banks and investment opportunities is more restricted.

Saying this, though, Stellar is still an open blockchain, so access to the cryptocurrency is available to everyone. However, with a value that struggles to exceed more than $1, it’s not something that a lot of people are necessarily taking an interest in yet.

Given that there are literally thousands of cryptocurrencies out there, it’s impossible to give you the lowdown on every single one of them. However, this guide has hopefully introduced you – if you weren’t familiar with them already – to some of the most important digital currencies available. If you’re going to put your money into cryptocurrency, these are the options that you’ll most likely want to consider.

Go to top

How to Spring Clean Your Finances

March 26, 2021

Spring is traditionally a time for rebirth as nature comes alive and we prepare ourselves for warmer weather. Part of this is the big spring clean, which means cleaning, decluttering and reorganising your home from top to bottom. But have you ever considered taking a similar approach with your finances?

Almost 13 million UK households have little or no savings – while many more will admit to being ‘bad with money’. If that sounds at all like you, now’s the perfect time to make positive changes for your financial future.

Read how to spring clean your finances below.

Dust off your budget

You may have created budgets in the past with the intention of sticking to them – but sometimes our situations change. A plan that made sense a year ago might no longer be fit for purpose. Now’s your chance to reassess and create a budget that’s more realistic.

Start by listing your current income and outgoings and categorise your spending into things like bills, food and fun. This way you’ll have a clear picture of your spending power – as well as any bad habits.

Throw out bad spending habits

As hinted above, creating a budget usually shines a light on areas that you can cut back on. The coffee that you buy before work everyday might seem less justifiable as a monthly cost for example, while unused subscriptions are another common flaw.

Review things like fitness and magazine commitments to see what you actually get value from. You could save lots of money by switching energy and insurance providers too.

Simplify your money

Do you find managing money frustrating? Maybe you keep it in several separate accounts that are difficult to access, or you have a hard time remembering to pay bills. Taking a little time to simplify everything will save you lots of effort in the long run.

Set up automatic payments for essential bills and organise mobile banking if you haven’t already. You might find things easier if you can see your money on your phone.

Plan your financial goals

Just like you might plant seeds in your garden for the year ahead, planning your short and long-term financial goals will help you reap rewards in future.

An immediate priority might be to borrow money for a new car, for example, while longer-term targets could be anything from a new home to a wedding or education fees. Having a clear vision in mind will also give you more motivation to save.

Are you planning to get your money in order in line with the change of seasons?

Go to top

Why Online Gambling Could Be The Next Big Investment Opportunity

March 26, 2021

If you were to look at the global online gambling market today without any previous knowledge of the industry, you would more than likely be surprised to learn that the first-ever real money online casinos was only launched back in 1996 and the first online sportsbook didn’t appear online until the early 2000s. So why would learning this likely surprise you? Well, it may prove to be a shock based on just how well the industry is doing today.

The online gambling market is growing year on year and is anticipated to be worth more than 92.9 billion dollars by the year 2023. There are a number of factors that have led to the online gambling market’s incredible growth over the last twenty five years, which has led to more and more investors sitting up and taking notice. This article has been put together in order to highlight some of the reasons why the popularity of online gambling is only going to increase as well as to outline why we think it could be the next big investment opportunity for potential investors.

Follow Or Lead, Or Either

As an investor, there is one question that should be at the core of all of your decisions making: is it worth my while? Luckily, when it comes to the world of online gambling and, online casinos in particular, the exploding popularity of the market means two things.

Firstly, it means that there are plenty of established online casinos that are looking for new investors to either help them to continue to grow or to turn things around. Secondly, as a booming industry, there is more than enough room for investors to start their own online casino from the ground up and/or join forces with like minded people in order to do so. So when it comes to online gambling from the perspective of an investor, you can follow or lead!

As the market grows, potential investors will be happy to hear that there is also an effort being made to educate adults on how to bet responsibly. An example of this comes in the form of howtobet.com, often referred to as ‘the betting wikipedia‘, which emphasizes the importance of responsible gambling, suggesting legal and reputable sports books and casinos and, offering expert advice on how to engage with the pastime.

The Legalisation of Online Sports Betting

We can present this very simply. If we look at the figures from the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement, we can see that the online sports wagering handle in New Jersey for January 2021 was $886.65 million compared to $471.14 million for the same month in 2020. This is a growth trend that can be seen in many other states across America, including Pennsylvania. As more and more states legalise online sports betting, it is highly likely that the numbers will be replicated there.

The Future of Online Gambling Is Now

If this isn’t enough to catch your attention, the exponential growth of technology, gamification and even the introduction of virtual reality are all set to revolutionise the online gambling industry once again, which is set to keep current players sticking around as well as attracting new ones.

So whether you are looking at the here and now or for a long-term investment, the online gambling industry could be your next big investment opportunity.

Go to top

ThreeD Capital (CNSX: IDK) Takes Stake in AI in Mining – Acquires Securities of Windfall Geotek

March 26, 2021

Across many industries, artificial intelligence (AI) and disruptive technologies are becoming commonplace.

This is especially true in the mining industry, where there is growing interest in integrating AI into mining facilities. These technologies aim to improve efficiency and productivity. Though relatively new, the possibilities for AI in mining are numerous.

That’s where ThreeD Capital comes in.

In February 2021, ThreeD acquired ownership and control of Windfall Geotek Inc., a company that focuses on revitalizing global mining through the application of advanced disruptive technologies, such as AI.

ThreeD Capital now owns an aggregate of 8.9 million common shares and 1 million common-share purchase warrants of the company.

“This investment in Windfall Geotek Inc. shows our commitment to developing disruptive technologies,” said ThreeD Founder, Chairman and CEO, Sheldon Inwentash, who has more than 30 years of experience investing in disruptive technologies, including AI technology in the mining industry.

Combining traditional miners with intelligent sensors will make mining safer, smarter and more efficient. AI collects data, allowing miners to process it much faster than in the past. AI technology can also help reduce the environmental impact of mining while increasing revenue.

Robots and drones can get to spaces impossible for humans to reach. Easier access would also mean an increase in production and the ability to keep up with the never-ending demand for certain metals. Worker safety has always been a concern in the mining industry. With AI it is possible to reduce accidents by testing out potentially dangerous situations with a robot.

With advancements in AI and disruptive technologies, it’s more important than ever to have companies willing to invest, Sheldon Inwentash said.

“We think the technologies at Windfall have immense potential, and we look forward to working with them,” he said.

ThreeD Capital is a publicly-traded, Canadian-based venture capital firm focused on opportunistic investments in companies in the junior resources and disruptive technologies sectors. ThreeD’s investment strategy is to invest in multiple private and public companies across a variety of sectors globally. The company seeks to invest in early stage companies, allowing it to become the lead investor.

As of February 26, ThreeD’s Subject Shares represented about 10 percent of all issued and outstanding common shares of Windfall.

The Subject Units were acquired through a series of transactions. About 1 million Subject Shares and 1,000,000 Subject Warrants were acquired in a private placement, not through the facilities of any stock exchange for aggregate consideration payable of $60,000.

The remaining Subject Shares were acquired in the open market through the facilities of the Canadian Securities Exchange for aggregate consideration payable of $1.9 million, or about $0.25 per Subject Share.

Before the recent transactions, ThreeD did not hold any securities of Windfall.

The holdings of securities of Windfall by ThreeD are managed for investment purposes, and ThreeD could increase or decrease their investments in Windfall at any time, or continue to maintain their current investment position, depending on market conditions or any other relevant factor.

“I’m looking forward to working more with Windfall, and seeing where this investment takes us,” said Inwentash.

Go to top

4 Ways You Can Use Online Tools to Expand Your Business

March 25, 2021

Moving aspects of your company online have likely been a gradual shift that’s been in-sync with the advancements of internet technology. As the internet has allowed itself to be utilized in an increasing number of ways, your business has naturally found an increasing number of uses for it. In many ways, this has likely been a great convenience to you thanks to the large, easily accessible audiences found on internet platforms, allowing you to increase your online presence and brand awareness.

However, the landscape of the internet is one of frequent change, where there are multiple avenues of success to explore. You might be very much familiar with this landscape after having a few years to get to grips with it, or you might be a relative newcomer, deciding now is the best time to make use of the wide array of tools at your disposal. In any event, it helps to know just what you’re working with and what options you have available to you in order to make your business flourish as much as it can.

The Impact of Social Media Marketing

When discussing the wide range of audiences available on the internet, the most applicable area to draw your attention to is that of social media. You’re likely aware of the increasingly massive presence social media has in people’s everyday lives, both personally and professionally. It’s become an integral part of the modern world – which means it’s the perfect place to start marketing. The widespread usage of various social media platforms means there is a huge number of users for you to reach with your campaigns.

There are multiple different platforms available, each coming with a different audience. Therefore, you can investigate which audience your marketing will be geared towards and utilize the appropriate platform, or you can try to engage new customers by reaching out to those you might not have been able to market towards before. This also means that you can try your hand at different types of marketing, with certain platforms such as YouTube providing an opportunity for you to get creative and expand into video advertising if you haven’t already. While on Twitter you can gain an audience by posting engaging content. The content can include relatable tweets as well as short informative content that’ll attract a new audience. As Twitter is used by people of almost all ages and genders it can be a great place to reach a wider audience that has not been reached yet. Of course, the content posted has to be well written and business-appropriate. Depending on the time of the day the posts can gain different amounts of engagement. One thing that needs to be taken into account is the timing, which can be analyzed through analytical tools. There are many social media analytical tools, such as Sprout Social, that can give you the analytical answers you need to grow your brand. Once you figure out all the statistics you need to right tools to post on your Twitter account intelligently. This is where social media scheduling tools come in hand. One of the most affordable and easy-to-use tools is Hypefury. It can schedule and automate tweets and retweets to get extra engagement and growth on your business account. With a Gumroad integration, you can sell more by promoting your offers below your popular tweets, even before they become popular. These features and many more are why you need to invest in the right social media tools.

Renovate Your Website to Welcome New Audiences

While social media marketing will allow you to reach new audiences and strengthen your ties with existing customers, all of them will eventually find their way to your website in order to enlist your services. Having a website for your business isn’t a new concept; however, it might be the case where you had your website put up a while ago and haven’t given it much in the way of improvements since. This could end up damaging your reputation as visitors to your website might see the information as outdated and unreliable if they feel that way about the design.

Keeping your website up-to-date and following modern design trends can tell your audiences that you adapt to change, you’re on the ball, and that you’re reliable. This can also help the navigation; clearing up all your pages and streamlining your services to make your website more easily traversable can do a lot to make it more user-friendly. Additionally, linking your social media accounts to your website can present your online persona as a consistent one, regardless of how your potential customers decide to try and get in contact with you.

Looking at the Data to Improve Your Service

Feedback is always appreciated, and it’s also crucial to improvement. After all, you can’t be expected to know how to improve if you don’t know the problems in the first place. This also applies to conducting business online, regardless of whether that’s through social media, your website, or other channels. Conducting data science and analysis is crucial to understanding which aspects of your business need improving and which aren’t working, allowing you to streamline your service into the best it can possibly be, click here to see why.

Having this information available will allow you to evolve into a version of your company where all efforts are put to their best possible use, with focus redirected towards all aspects that work instead of time being wasted on endeavors that you learn to be less effective.

While these benefits to your business sound appealing, they are a result of the core benefit of data science – the ability to fully understand your consumers and what they want out of you as a business. This understanding will improve your customer-company relations, leading you to make these beneficial decisions more naturally as the needs and interests of the client become more deeply rooted in the services you provide.

Allowing a Smoother Workflow for Your Employees

Throughout recent times, the coronavirus pandemic has had a severe impact on several workplaces. As a result, working from home has become much more normal in several circumstances, which has brought with it a slew of changes to how employees conduct their work. While the degree to which your business has been affected by this may vary, it’s hard to ignore the discussion surrounding how working from home brings certain changes to the job. While not all of these changes are sustainable and have only been born of necessity, others have allowed for great quality of life improvements that also mean a smoother and more efficient workflow.

First of all, being able to conduct meetings virtually as not to disrupt the flow of an employee’s day-to-day activities is a change that could see a lot of versatility once the pandemic is less severe. Meetings that would previously require a physical presence and a large chunk of the day can now be distilled and merged with the rest of the standard working day.

Another change, while not strictly being one that was a result of the pandemic, is that of introducing a file-sharing system to your business. This allows for great ease of collaboration and communication between your staff, with documents being easily available to access and edit without it being a matter of chasing up employees to email it around.

Go to top

1...914915916...1,128 Page 915 of 1,128

FOLLOW US!

EDITOR'S PICK OF THE WEEK

CFO's new mandate. CFO explaining the presentation

The Performance and Transformation Orchestrator: The CFO’s New Mandate in the Age of AI

Anglea 0

By Terence Tse CFOs are evolving into AI-driven transformation orchestrators, balancing finance, technology, and strategy while upskilling teams, managing risks, and driving measurable business value. A key insight from this year’s AI for CFOs event, organized...