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Tax Audit Defense: Why You Should Include It In Your Growth Plan

Tax Audit Defense

Filing taxes is a tough ground that every business has to step on, but doesn’t really wish to. The involved paperwork, formalities, and legalities are quite confusing at times. And, therefore, most business owners outsource taxation tasks to professionals.

When your business is sustainably thriving through the tough market, it might seem inadequate to look into tax matters. However, this could invite IRS audits to your doorstep. And believe us when we say- IRS audits are the scariest of all the business hurdles.

So, it is rather worthy to have an audit defense plan in place.

What is Audit Defense?

Even with thorough rechecking and careful filing of your taxes, there are chances for discrepancies. And notably, this could invite a state or an IRS tax audit.

The auditing officer would require you to respond to the legal notice and produce the necessary documents. This is when having an audit defense plan in place can prove to be helpful.

In short, the defense plan helps protect you and your business from hard penalties against any discrepancies.

More Reasons to put a Defense Plan in place

Here are a few more reasons to get your business a solid tax audit defense plan.

You can avoid penalties altogether

The first and the foremost reason is- even if you are faced with a tax audit, it is not necessary that you’ll have to pay a penalty. Yes, you read that right. As per the experts at Silver Tax Group, wrong formatting or any system fault can invite an IRS audit. However, they also suggest that these issues are the easiest to resolve.

Having a defense plan would mean that you have all the documents ready to prove that you filed the taxes correctly. And the only thing that matters, in the end, is that you’ve paid what you owe in taxes.

It’s better to be educated about legalities

Even if you have filed your taxes correctly, there are chances that the impending tax laws may reverse the situation for your business. It needs no mention that tax laws are a complex area, and the IRS keeps introducing new decrees and amendments to the existing infrastructure.

It is surely not possible for you to handle your business and stay updated with the tax laws at the same time. And this is when your audit defense could help you.

The discrepancies could reduce

Most importantly, with all the right knowledge and tools in hand, your defense plan also guarantees that mistakes are reduced beforehand. Including checks and rechecks of the tax-documents are integral to the audit defense system.

More so, the right plan would also ensure that any mistakes do not pass on to the IRS’s database. And this could potentially avoid any audits right from the start.

As a small business owner, you already have so much to handle in your own trade. Being involved in taxation decrees is something that should be prioritized, but does not necessarily mean that you should do it yourself. The better and wiser way to handle tax matters is to involve tax attorneys or professionals in the process.

Instagram Tips: How to Find and Grow Your Target Audience?

Instagram Tips

Whatever social platform you may choose for growth, the ground for your success is the quality of your audience. To achieve the goals you set for your Instagram profile, you have to nurture a loyal community that will be eager to engage with your content. For many reasons, users prefer growing the number of followers as they buy Instagram likes or subscribers on buytoplikes.com, but your work with the public is not done even with the purchase. For good results, you have to maintain a high interest in your persona.

What is target audience and why is it important

Target audience is a set of qualities and features that characterize the most suitable public for your content. There are different criterias that you should have in mind when you are settling your campaigns:

  • Age
  • Gender
  • Profession/occupation
  • Average time spent online
  • Average daily schedule
  • Preferred type of content, etc.

But the most crucial factor that should concern you as a creator is how your content resonates with the audience you define as your target.

Understanding which category of users will be clicking with your content best is vital for your success.

If you try to impress with your posts a random choice of people, you may experience unnecessary negativism and lower results, wrong prospects. But if your materials are visible to the right audience that is actually expected to be interested in your content, the chance for success is increasing gradually.

In this article are gathered the most typical ways to find your target audience, and also you will find out the sufficient tactics for high-rate growth of your following base.

Embrace popular niche

One of the most effective ways to gain your audience’s quantity is to stick with industries and topics that are already proven to be popular. Users on Instagram are subscribing to similar accounts often because they want to see more specific content in their feeds. And they like having choices. So, you should decide if you can contribute something original to one of the following niches:

  • Fitness/nutrition/health. This topic requires total awareness and constant education, as you will influence such vibrant matters as human health. But becoming an Insta-trainer is a very profitable industry. By providing services and programs, you can have a nice revenue.
  • Food/cooking. This position is suitable for bloggers who like to put less effort into writing texts. The food industry will never suffer from a lack of viewers. Even when people don’t cook, they enjoy watching how food is made. So, improve your shooting skills and go on!
  • Travels. It is one of the most popular industries to occupy because it is always possible to cover well-known places from another angle. But with the current state of the COVID-19 pandemic in the world, this niche can be hard to maintain.
  • Beauty/fashion. Instagram is a great place to present your skills as an MUA or stylist. New trends are easy to follow, the audience range is wide, and plenty of possibilities to get sponsorship and collaboration deals.
  • Probably the most accessible industry to run due to the wide range of target audiences. People are very different, but the love for cute animals unites a huge society! Besides, animals usually need no special skills to be interesting – they are fine as they do their usual stuff!

Narrow down your audience

Whatever niche you choose, the primary description of the target audience will be too broad for successful targeting. So it would help if you redefined your public to reach the most accurate category. Of course, as your growth goes on, the amount of less interested audience joins your profile and eventually becomes your fans, but this is not the point. To attract occasional users, you have to nurture a solid and loyal fanbase, which, logically, consists of fewer people.

Practical help here would be creating a buyer persona. It means that you should characterize an average consumer of your content, imply different types of materials, and various approaches to the marketing strategy.

Check out the competition

When you start your blog from scratch, it would be helpful to examine the audience of existing influencers in the chosen niche. Find bloggers who you like and consider their content useful, engaging, and authentic. Then look after their activity and interaction with the public. Your goal is to understand how users react and perceive different materials, what tone and manners they like, and other stuff like that.

Also, pay attention to the schedule of chosen influencers – this should be your goal to reach.

You can get valuable insights into the general behavior of users and learn to run your profile without minor mistakes. So follow the most enthusiastic fans of other bloggers and see what their other activity on Instagram is:

  • What other industries are attractive to them
  • Do they follow many influencers from one niche
  • Are they active on different pages.

Such research looks like stalking, but you must understand that this is needed for your successful performance.

Don’t be afraid to reach out to other bloggers for help in promotions too. This may be hard, and not all bloggers are eager to share their knowledge, but in the end, you can obtain priceless ideas and advice.

After we have revealed the primary sources for finding your target audience, we have come closer to another important point – how to retain these viewers and increase numbers of likes. Generally speaking, the approach is too individual, but there are still some versatile techniques to try out.

1. Use Reels

Reels is a new sort of content on Instagram. To attract the audience’s attention, it is worth trying to introduce and exploit this new kind of content. Just make sure you understand how to use it right.

2. Make series of content

Another good hook to retain the viewers is to create a series. IGTV or Stories can serve this purpose. By doing so, you will make users expect new episodes, and thus, they will begin following you so as not to miss new pieces coming out, and as result you will also get more likes.

3. Play games and interact a lot

Well, enough said. Being proactive with the existing fan base motivates newcomers to subscribe as well. Make spontaneous events if you see that the activity is dropping down.

4. Use memes as your attractive weapon

Entertainment and laughs are some of the main reasons why Instagram and other social networks are so popular. Memes give your profile lightness and put the audience into a comfortable position to communicate with you and engage with the content. Just make it resonate with your topic and the interests of your followers.

5. Create filters for Stories

Create filters for Stories

A suitable method for creative people. Stories filters are a fast-spreading promotion for your profile on Instagram. Whether it’s funny or esthetic, you can be sure that it will drive interest to your blog and will gain organic likes as well.

6. Talk with your followers

Your ultimate goal here is to make as many close connections as possible and comfortable for you. Creating a bond with your audience increases their loyalty and makes your content more shareable, hence – better visibility on the platform.

7. Work on making your content impeccable

The key to the love and appreciation from your followers is doing something original and exciting. Content is the king of any social platform given. And all other tips can only work if you make something unique and outstanding.

The conclusion

Instagram is a network where popularity is built on your relationship with the audience. The importance of targeting is that when you lay your content to the interested crowd, it will give you an immediate and thriving success. So, do your research, experiment, and find the niche that is interesting for yourself. Good luck!

How Homeowners Can Become Debt-Free

Debt-Free

Owning a home offers several benefits to homeowners at any age in every city — from rising property values and earning equity to raising families and hosting significant celebrations. While there are many reasons to enjoy owning a home, the reality is that the financial aspect can often take its toll.

Homeowners struggling with debt have the added pressure of paying down their debts on top of managing a household and balancing a budget. The good news is that there is hope for homeowners across the country. Becoming debt-free is attainable with a few simple, pragmatic steps.

Build a Better Budget

The key to climbing out of debt may simply lie in your current budget. Budgeting is a challenging skill to perfect, especially when you’re juggling all of the expenses that come with owning a home. Before you look for external help, it may be worthwhile to break-down your finances and layout every expense against your current income.

If you’re unsure where to begin, it may be helpful to utilize one of several budget apps currently available. These apps are meant to act as an organizational tool, a way to examine where your money is now being spent and find ways to free-up extra funds, which you can then use to make larger debt payments and clear your balance much faster.

The Snowball Method

The snowball method is designed to speed up the payment process — the first step involves listing each of your debts from the smallest to the most significant balance. All of your remaining income should go towards the smaller debts while still making the minimum payments on the more substantial debts.

In time, the smaller balances should be taken care of, which will free up more money that you can then put towards your more significant debts.

Finding the Right Lender

Finding your way out of debt isn’t an easy feat, which is why it’s essential to know where your lending options are in your hometown. Traditional lenders are a standard option, though their extensive interviews and strict credit standings can negatively impact many homeowners from accessing the money they need quickly and without any inconvenience.

Debt doesn’t wait until you have enough money to pay off the entire loan. Your collectors expect monthly payments to avoid their interest rates. That’s why the experts at Flexmoney.ca offer an entirely automated, efficient lending experience. They understand homeowners don’t often have the time to wait for a loan to handle their outstanding balances.

Earn Extra Income

While second jobs may bring on additional workloads and stress, they could be a vital tool to paying down your debt and building healthier savings. Depending on how much debt you’ve accumulated, the time you’ll need to commit to this job will vary. If you’re able to buckle down and pay off your debts swiftly, you can go back to focusing on your primary job and building a healthier long-term budget.

Additionally, supplementary income can come from you directly rather than going out and looking for a second employer. If you have a skill set that you can utilize — whether it’s tech-based knowledge, sewing, or photography, among others — that could be the best way to earn extra capital. You have the freedom to create your schedule and decide on your rates.

Reasons To Use Cannabis As A Substitute For Prescription Drugs

Cannabis As A Substitute For Prescription Drugs

Think back to the last time you saw a commercial for prescription medication. Often, it seems as if the list of side effects is far worse than the condition the drug treats. In the face of the potential issues a medicine might cause, it’s tempting to look for alternate treatments.

However, it’s not about every country. Canadian law, for example, permits the buying and use of cannabis for both medical and recreational purposes, allowing easy access to this beneficial yet natural treatment. People can buy weed in Canada easily and without restrictions, ( only if they meet the legal age set by the province) and use it as an anti-inflammatory for physical pain, a sleep aid for those suffering from insomnia, or a mood stabilizer for mental health issues such as depression or anxiety.

Recent studies have suggested that cannabis might serve as a substitute for prescription drugs used to treat various health problems, including chronic pain and anxiety. If you want to start your natural healing journey, you can do so with a medical marijuana card. West Virginia residents can get a medicinal cannabis card online or in person. If you’re not using cannabis in place of prescription drugs, here’s why you might want to talk to your doctor about starting.

Quicker Results

Quicker Results

If you have a prescription for a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) or a similar medication, you know how frustrating it can be to wait for it to work. In most cases, you might find yourself waiting two to four weeks to see the medication’s benefit. When you’re desperately looking for relief from your anxiety, that kind of lag is unacceptable.

You don’t want to wait weeks for your medication to start to work. You definitely don’t want to spend months suffering through prescription and dosage changes until you finally find something that provides the relief you’re looking for. That’s where cannabis comes in.

cannabis dispensary halifax is one of the most promising potential medical uses of cannabis. Not only do many people report relief from their symptoms, but it can start to work within half an hour of taking it.

Fewer Side Effects

Fewer Side Effects

Earlier, we mentioned drug commercials. Have you ever been half-heartedly paying attention to one only for the word “death” to catch your attention?

Severe adverse reactions to prescriptions are rare, but they do occur. Even mild to moderate side effects are unpleasant and inconvenient, meaning many people are reluctant to take prescription medications that might improve their overall quality of life.

CBD is very safe to take, even in large amounts like the ones from happyseedbank.com. Most side effects occur because of an interaction with another medication you’re taking, not the CBD itself. If you experience any side effects, they’re likely to include dizziness, diarrhea, or fatigue. Weight loss and changes in appetite have also occurred.

THC, which is the compound that usually comes to mind when someone thinks about cannabis, is also reasonably safe. Red eyes and dry mouth are among the most well-known side effects of THC, but they’re not the only ones. Memory problems, poor coordination, anxiety, an increased heart rate, and slower reaction times might also occur.

Everyone reacts to drugs differently, whether they’re over-the-counter, prescription, or recreational. Exercise caution if you’re taking multiple medications, as many side effects result from drug interactions. Ask your doctor if you’re unsure about anything. When it comes to your health, it’s better to be cautious.

Generally Not Habit Forming

Generally Not Habit Forming

CBD isn’t habit-forming. Scientists are rarely willing to give a definitive answer without a caveat about more research being necessary, but this is one of those times. Even the World Health Organization agrees. There are enough high-quality studies in existence that it’s safe to say CBD isn’t addictive. No one has found evidence that it has the potential to create dependence.

THC can become addictive in some circumstances. Research suggests that around four million people in the United States have some level of a marijuana use disorder. It’s important to note that this number includes people who use cannabis recreationally, even in states where it’s still considered an illegal substance.

Genetics, age, and environment are all thought to play a role in the likelihood of someone developing THC dependence. Some people are genetically predisposed to a marijuana use disorder. People who begin using marijuana before the age of 18 are also more likely to develop a disorder. Someone who lacks a support system or feels trapped by their circumstances is also at an increased chance of developing a marijuana use disorder. Your doctor will be able to tell you if medical THC is safe for you.

Cannabis for pain relief is particularly exciting in the face of the ongoing opioid crisis. Opioids are, without a shadow of a doubt, incredibly addictive. Some situations make addiction more likely, but anyone who uses them is at risk for developing an addiction.

Opioids are generally best used for three days or less to limit the risk of developing a dependence. Chronic pain has forced many people to choose between a lack of relief and the possibility of a life-threatening addiction.

Now, cannabis is offering another option. The Food and Drug Administration has yet to approve CBD as a treatment for chronic pain, but many people report it is effective for them. Given that CBD is safe and readily available in most places, you may want to talk to your doctor about trying it to relieve your chronic pain.

While the results of recent studies involving cannabis are promising, a medical professional can help you decide whether it’s the right choice for you. Always consult your doctor before stopping or starting a medication.

Links:

Are Vertical Farms The Future Of Food?

farm

Vertical Farming — a sustainable ag-tech solution?

With more mouths to feed and the climate crisis destroying crops across the world, could tomorrow’s dinners come from crops grown inside 18m-high grow chambers?

The world’s population is expected to reach 9 billion by 2042. One of the biggest challenges facing agriculture is working out how to feed this extra 1.5bn or so mouths. To accommodate this growth, it’s clear that the sector will need to adapt and innovate our food systems. Vertical farming could be part of this solution. By developing crops vertically in stacked layers and by using connected precise systems, vertical farms can grow produce at hundreds of times the efficiency of soil-based agriculture.

Infarm has become a leader in vertical farming in recent years. The company has shipped ‘farms’ to shops and chefs across Europe, and even to the US. The units might look like large vending machines but inside they grow fresh greens and herbs in rows of trays.  The produce is fed by nutrient-rich water and is lit by banks of tiny LEDs, ten times brighter than regular household bulbs. The shopper can then pick the plants straight from the shelf where they are growing.

Berlin, where Infarm is headquartered, is home to 18m-high grow chambers, which are controlled by software and robots. These represent the next generation of vertical farms. Not only are they fully automated, but they also each use 95% less water, 99% less space and 75% less fertiliser than conventional land-based farming. This then means that they generate higher yields, fresher produce, and have a smaller carbon footprint than traditional methods.

Vertical farms also offer a beacon of hope to farmers in the developing world, where extreme and unpredictable weather caused by the climate crisis is blighting crops. With over two-thirds (70%) of the world’s population predicted to live in cities by 2050, vertical farms suitability in urban environments (they can be grown anywhere from skyscrapers to shipping containers) offers possibilities for food to be grown, harvested and delivered locally – which keeps carbon, transport usage and water levels low.

There are however criticisms of vertical farming — the units have been described as ‘towering lunchboxes for late capitalism’ focusing on providing garnishes for the rich, when the problem is filing the plates of those on lower incomes. Infarm seeks to combat these criticisms through its focus on modular design, which means that each component is compatible and scalable, making it possible to install Infarm units anywhere in the world in a matter of weeks, no matter the size. This in turn means that Infarm does not need physical shops and can sell produce via its remote units.

I am extremely interested in innovation within agriculture and have invested in companies that are reimagining food production. JUST Egg, for example, is a plant-based egg substitute offering a sustainable, healthier alternative to chicken eggs. It uses 98% less water and emits 93% less greenhouse gases than the agricultural methods used for conventional eggs. 

To continue feeding the planet, it’s paramount that we secure the sustainability of our food systems. Vertical farming, along with companies such as Infarm, offer an innovative and exciting way of achieving this.

Vertical Farming — a sustainable ag-tech solution? Are vertical farms the future of food?

Countryside

By Nicole Junkermann

With more mouths to feed and the climate crisis destroying crops across the world, could tomorrow’ s dinners come from crops grown inside 18m-high grow chambers?

The world’s population is expected to reach 9 billion by 2042. One of the biggest challenges facing agriculture is working out how to feed this extra 1.5bn or so mouths. To accommodate this growth, it’s clear that the sector will need to adapt and innovate our food systems. Vertical farming could be part of this solution. By developing crops vertically in stacked layers and by using connected precise systems, vertical farms can grow produce at hundreds of times the efficiency of soil-based agriculture.

Infarm has become a leader in vertical farming in recent years. The company has shipped ‘farms’ to shops and chefs across Europe, and even to the US. The units might look like large vending machines but inside they grow fresh greens and herbs in rows of trays. The produce is fed by nutrient-rich water and is lit by banks of tiny LEDs, ten times brighter than regular household bulbs. The shopper can then pick the plants straight from the shelf where they are growing.

Berlin, where Infarm is headquartered, is home to 18m-high grow chambers, which are controlled by software and robots. These represent the next generation of vertical farms. Not only are they fully automated, but they also each use 95% less water, 99% less space and 75% less fertiliser than conventional land-based farming. This then means that they generate higher yields, fresher produce, and have a smaller carbon footprint than traditional methods.

Vertical farms also offer a beacon of hope to farmers in the developing world, where extreme and unpredictable weather caused by the climate crisis is blighting crops. With over two-thirds (70%) of the world’s population predicted to live in cities by 2050, vertical farms suitability in urban environments (they can be grown anywhere from skyscrapers to shipping containers) offers possibilities for food to be grown, harvested and delivered locally – which keeps carbon, transport usage and water levels low.

There are however criticisms of vertical farming — the units have been described as ‘towering lunchboxes for late capitalism’ focusing on providing garnishes for the rich, when the problem is filing the plates of those on lower incomes. Infarm seeks to combat these criticisms through its focus on modular design, which means that each component is compatible and scalable, making it possible to install Infarm units anywhere in the world in a matter of weeks, no matter the size. This in turn means that Infarm does not need physical shops and can sell produce via its remote units.

I am extremely interested in innovation within agriculture and have invested in companies that are reimagining food production. JUST Egg, for example, is a plant-based egg substitute offering a sustainable, healthier alternative to chicken eggs. It uses 98% less water and emits 93% less greenhouse gases than the agricultural methods used for conventional eggs.

To continue feeding the planet, it’s paramount that we secure the sustainability of our food systems. Vertical farming, along with companies such as Infarm, offer an innovative and exciting way of achieving this…

About the Author

Nicole Junkermann

Nicole Junkermann is an international entrepreneur and investor, and the founder of NJF Holdings, an international investment company with interests in venture capital, private equity, and real estate. Through NJF’s venture capital arm (NJF Capital), Nicole oversees a portfolio similar in size to a small venture fund across Europe and the US, including in healthcare, fintech, and deep tech.

How Important Is Email Marketing? 7 Points to Justify

Email

Email marketing connects several leads from all over the world, and with crucial marketing strategies, it is nurturing and converting prospects into loyal customers. Just as other platforms have changed, email marketing too can be run without your direct involvement.

To know how to get the most from your email marketing budget, you need proper expertise. Let’s ponder on these 7 points to realize the importance of email marketing and how it plays a crucial role in your business- 

Everyone uses email because it’s easy to implement

Every commoner is actively connected with internet access and uses email addresses to sign up for social media sites, online banking, brand promotions, and several other personal things. The list is unending, and it is enough to convince you how email accounts are necessary for every other online work. Therefore, using email marketing can prove any growing business to an incredible opportunity to reach customers. You can create fantastic email marketing campaigns with discounts, newsletters, an announcement of new products, or promotions to share offers as much as possible.

Emails generate better results.

Emails help amplify other channels in your integrated marketing campaign; therefore, they can yield the highest return on investment and conversion rate in response to other marketing platforms. With every penny spent on email marketing, you can earn ten times more than social media and help acquire new customers. For that purpose, you can hire an email marketing expert to understand the value of email marketing and guide you in incorporating marketing tools to make it work for you.

Emails are perfect for promoting all types of information related to your brand as you can likely get better click-throughs and results with email performance optimization tools. Moreover, you can also place clickable social media icons on your newsletter’s footer or share social media posts through your emails to bolster your integrated marketing campaigns. 

Emails help with customer engagement and retention.

By sharing relevant emails with your customers, you can connect with them and make it your primary communication choice. You can get their feedbacks or educate your audience regarding your products and services and keep your customers engaged. If appropriately designed, not only these emails are perfect avenues for retaining your customers, but they can drive people to your website.

Without being too pushy or intrusive with your offers, you need to keep your content value-laden with interactive formats and be concise and straightforward to increase your open rates. Such relevant emails can overall attribute a lot to your business sales. 

Emails improve and increase brand awareness.

The power of email marketing is tremendous, as this platform has the maximum capacity to increase a company’s brand awareness. Unlike other marketing platforms, email campaigns are not short-lived because they better grasp customers’ likeness. One can easily advocate their brands’ values, missions, and services through welcome emails or sending discounts and special offers.

Email marketing campaigns help a buyer get a better understanding of your brand and be consistent in your approach, and you can send a recall email to promote your business. With this, the brand always stays top of mind, and a prospect cannot ignore the emails. Moreover, email list building and data licensing can help increase brand awareness as well because by licensing data from a third-party provider, you can access a larger pool of potential customers.

Email campaigns are inexpensive.

While email marketing can increase your consumers’ interest level, the cost of creating these email campaigns is affordable. They are convenient to start from any platform, unlike paid advertising, and can present your products or services with faster deliverability. The entire workflow of email marketing is triggered by a specific action that reduces the need to do repetitive or mundane tasks. 

Comfortable to Measure and Gather feedback

Email marketing can track open rates and measure conversion rates. This tracking allows every business to gauge and look for improvements in their email campaigns. These resources prove vital to identify elements to tweak or which ones to get rid of altogether. Getting to know about critical metrics can provide direction to target the audiences in a better way. Even sending emails to collect feedback from your customers in the form of short surveys and questionnaires can help you gather information for your brand and make improvements in your promotion level.

Emails can bring loads of audience to your website.

Now let’s face it that with all such benefits, email marketing has the potential to attract your subscribers and force them to visit your website. With emails, you can remind your audience of your brand and show snippets of your content that could lead users to get engaged and take actions on your website. Ultimately this will generate leads, and the interested ones can increase your sales. Having such automated informative messages can further spark the customer’s interest and lead them to conversion.

Conclusion

All the stats and justifications mentioned above show that incredibly email marketing has proved to be an essential business growth tool. Best complemented with other channels, it’s a tried and tested method that can bring excellent results. Invest in email marketing and get the best returns for your marketing efforts.

The Easiest and Cheapest Way to Buy Shares

buy shares

Saving to invest

Setting aside a percentage of your hard-earned money is one of the smartest things you can do especially in the current economic times. While many people have no problem cultivating a saving culture, making the right decision on how to invest the accrued funds is usually the challenge.

This comes as no surprise because many people have become exceedingly untrusting of ‘investment firms’ that have unfortunately ended up being Ponzi schemes. Scores of unsuspecting investors have been duped repeatedly by companies that show up with unrealistic claims of multiplying their clients’ money, only to disappear without a trace once funds have been sent to them.

Taking control of your funds

Initially, the only role that investors played was availing their funds and sometimes letting the broker know if there were preferred stocks that should be purchased on their behalf. It has now become increasingly important to have direct control over your funds and ultimately, your investment vehicles. One of the easiest ways to achieve this outcome is to buy shares in different companies. Over the recent years, it has become easier than ever to buy shares because brokerage firms have finally given this power to the customers. All you need to do is access a broker’s website through the internet, open a trading account and verify your identity. Once your identity is successfully verified, then you can deposit real money and start buying shares.

Novice traders

Choosing the easiest and cheapest way to buy shares means that you first have to identify the deliverables that you need from the broker and the platform they offer. For example if you have just begun exploring the idea of investing for yourself, a platform such as Nutmeg would be a great place to start. 

This platform offers different investment packages that cater to different demographics and their emphasis is that they do not charge any set-up, transaction or exit fees. Their website illustrates a sliding matrix of weekly management fees that you will be charged depending on how much you deposit and your risk appetite. You can start investing with as little as £100. Between this and £100,000 the fees charges start at 0.75%. An encouraging fact for those who choose to invest using Nutmeg is that they are backed by the Financial  Services Compensation Scheme, so your investment to the tune of £85,000 is protected.

Wealthify, another platform provider, which is backed by Aviva would also be a good place to start if you would like automated control over your funds rather than having financial experts manually picking how to invest for you. They have a minimum investment of £500 but their fees at only 0.4% do give Nutmeg a run for their money.  

Experienced investors

If you have a good amount of knowledge and experience in buying stocks, then you will most probably want a platform that gives you as much more control over your funds. If this describes you, then you would want to first look at a platform like the Lang Cat which is renowned in carrying out due diligence on trading platforms. For £25 per month or £300 per year, the Lang Cat offers up-to-date research about platform costs and business performance. It is also wise to visit TradingGuide where you will get reliable advice that will help you find a good broker to invest with.

The first piece of advice that they give to investors is to open an Individual Saving Account (ISA), which is a smart way to reduce the amount of taxes and deductions that your money is subjected to. The rest of the parameters that would be important to consider include:

  • Transaction charges – A commission might be charged on every buy or sell order that is executed. If you are a high frequency trade, these costs could add up quite a bit so best be sure that they are not too inhibitive.
  • Spread – This is the price that the broker offers you for a stock, in comparison to the actual market price. If the discrepancy is too high, your trades will always need time or big moves to put you in the money.
  • Stamp duty – Taxes paid to the government for each transaction.
  • Forex charges – This especially applies to stocks that are domiciled in a different country so your broker would need to convert your capital into the required currency in order to buy those shares.

Some investors are very particular about transaction fees while for others, exorbitant fixed charges are a deal-breaker. Ultimately, the number of funds that you have set aside for investment, along with your trading style will determine the factors that attract you the most to a broker.

The Role of Educational Leaders in Promoting Social Justice in Education

lecture

Quality education isn’t a prize that people have to jump hoops to acquire. It is the democratic, moral, and social right of every human being on this planet. It also does wonders for our children’s general well-being and intellectual growth. These days, people are throwing around the phrase’ social justice’ like a beach ball at a football game. People started promoting social justice back in the 19th century. However, it was only a concept followed by a few. Social justice is all about the fair and equal distribution of opportunities to less privileged people living inside a particular community.

In the beginning social justice only dealt with equal distribution of wealth and property. Nowadays, the concept of social justice stretched above and beyond only property and wealth. It remains deeply planted inside our education system. Educational leaders are doing their best to promote it both on and off-campus.

One thing that provides us with big hope; today’s youths are more tolerant than their predecessors and care about social justice deeply. Thanks to the invention of social media, educational leaders and students alike can now know about our world’s issues with the click of a mouse. That said, listed below are a few ways educational leaders can promote social justice in the education system.

Incorporate Social Media

Now more than ever before, activist groups have a significant online presence. Educational leaders can utilize social media to educate students about the whole’ hashtag activism’ concept, its limitations, and benefits. For instance, teachers can assign their students tasks that require them to research various social justice groups through social media platforms.

What do these social justice groups do? How do they utilize social media to promote social justice? Are they able to leave a positive effect on society? And, most importantly, what is social justice in education according to them? Such activities can do wonders for students who want to become advocates of social justice. It promotes them as a platform to share their views and opinions.

Invite Guest Speakers To the Classroom

Sometimes, students would want to hear from someone other than their teacher. It might be an opportune time to invite a guest speaker. These guest speakers can either be artists, community organizers, or holocaust survivors. Anyone who devotes their entire life to social justice will be a good guest speaker.

Furthermore, thanks to technology, these guest speakers don’t even have to come into the classroom physically. They can stream their session through live video broadcasting software such as Zoom or Periscope. You could also hold a special keynote event and inspire innovation and change in your organization with visionary keynote speaker Chad Foster.

Encourage Collaboration Inside The Classroom

Educational leaders should always promote classroom collaboration first. It promotes team-based learning and teaches students the importance of relying on others. Instead of asking students to complete assessments on their own, they can work in groups. For example, teachers can assign groups of two to three students and research specific social justice issues.

Once they complete their research, the teachers can then ask them to present their findings and opinions in front of the entire classroom. Such a simple group-based exercise will expose students to various social injustice issues. It also allows them to work as teams to develop solutions, despite any disagreements and differences.

Always Lead By Example

Educational leaders have to lead by example, no matter what. If teachers are not promoting social justice themselves, it is useless to ask students to do the same. When the school year begins, educational leaders and teachers can set policies that value tolerance and inclusiveness. Educational leaders have to respect their students and honor their wishes. They should never make anybody feel inferior or belittle anyone in the classroom.

If comfortable, an educational leader can add a little personal touch to the classroom and educate students about social justice. Such a thing establishes your credibility as a socially just teacher. It lets your students know that you follow what you preach outside the classroom and inside it.

Engage Students In Video Lectures

it is equally vital for educational leaders to try various contemporary teaching methods and get their points across more clearly. One such teaching method is education through video lectures. Long movies such as Erin Brokovich inspired countless students. Simultaneously, more contemporary, short Youtube videos and Tedtalks do wonders for students with a short attention span.

Whatever type of teaching method you use to impart education to your students, always know that video lectures will engage students more than traditional lecturing techniques. There is nothing more impactful than visual content as it can tap into the viewer’s emotions.

Ensure Classroom Safety

Nothing screams social justice more than a classroom that welcomes students from all races, genders, backgrounds, and social stature. When a student knows that the education leader values their input, they will never even think about suppressing their beliefs. However, as these opinions teeter on the edge of social injustice, an educational leader steps in and does his or her best to provide every student a safe studying environment.

He or she takes a more streamlined approach and never calls out a student individually. Yes, something such as this may end up creating a little discomfort for the students. However, nothing will show that you value all your students at the same level more than asking them to work in groups.

Conclusion

As we move towards globalization, students and educational teachers alike are aware of the problems that continue to plague the earth, from social injustice to infectious outbreaks to world hunger. You name it! Students will look at these problems from a broader perspective if educational leaders promote social justice more at school.

8 Skills You Need For An Intelligence Career

Career

What is the need of the moment for classified corporations these days? You guessed it right, intelligence. Business is essentially a rivalry where a spark of intelligence can offer an edge to firms. In light of this, occupations like Intelligence officers are soaring in popularity!

The job title of “Intelligence Officers” might conjure images of CIA and FBI agents. Although potential career paths for forthcoming analysts do include these proprietors, the field as a whole is broader than that. The intelligence analysis ground spans various career openings in different government branches, such as IT companies and the U.S. Army. It requires rigorous training and impeccable academic scores to pursue this profession.

The role of intelligence officers, also known as analysts, is to evaluate information to identify and alleviate security threats. Besides that, analysts must have stout research and analytical skills to simplify data and create action plans. 

An individual who’s keen on becoming an intelligence officer should develop the following skills while earning a degree and gaining pro-active experience in the field.

1. Data Preparation

You can’t entitle an individual to be an intelligence officer if he doesn’t know how to cope with data. Indeed, one of the requirements if you wonder how to become an intelligence officer.

As we’re all aware, data preparation is an integral part of any business. While gathering any insights from the information, the data needs to be composed, organized and cleaned uniformly. Various data preparation tools can collect data from multiple sources and then prepare it with the exact measurements and dimensions.

As an intelligence officer, you should be familiar with at least one or two of the latest data preparation tools, such as Improvado, Prep, and Alteryx.

2. Problem Solving

Intelligence officers should have commendable problem-solving skills. They should have the ability to identify intricate matters and gather data about the topic. Other than that, they should be able to address insinuations regarding new versus recurring and current issues.

Lastly, analyzing and evaluating information to determine potential resolutions is the most critical aspect of the problem-solving process.

3. Communication

In any profession, communication training for employees is vital. Somehow, it poses more value in the intelligence sector. Therefore, intelligence officers need to have nuanced and well-developed written and verbal communication skills. Having a proper grip on these topics is an integral aspect of the job.

Furthermore, these skills are not required to be successful at your job; they may help save lives and subsidize global strategy development.

4. Writing and Research

What’s an intelligence officer suitable for if he can’t even do simple research?

Intelligence analysts must have incredible research skills as well as report-writing skills. As per the FBI jobs site, “From collecting, assessing, and disseminating raw intelligence to creating real-time analytic judgments regarding evolving and specific threats, to classifying threats and trends, intelligence analysts are mandatory to the FBI’s ability act against embryonic issues.”

By the looks of this statement, the bar for becoming an intelligence officer is too high. Therefore, you must incorporate basic skills, such as research and writing.

5. Flexibility

Every intelligence analyst should be flexible when it comes to their routines, as their job often requires excessive traveling. They can conduct investigations in the field; or work in an office and international or local environments. Whatever it is, be prepared for it.

6. Decision Making

Intelligence analysts have to be the kind of people who don’t break a sweat, even under pressure. They must be self-starters, as some tasks might include creating real-time decisions that have international crimes and crises. They need to walk through large chunks of data and information, such as reports and statistics, and evaluate and use that information to make decisions. Another factor that contributes to this is knowing how to use analytic tools and databases. 

7. Descriptive Analysis

What’s descriptive analysis, you ask? It involves researching the data to understand any outliers, missing values, skewed or abnormal distributions. In essence, it is an aspect of understanding and getting to know the information before preparing it for the decision-making process. Various tools can help in descriptive analytics, such as data visualization charts or statistical methods used to learn the data such as box, whisker plots, histograms, and bar charts.

8. Business Knowledge

As an intelligence officer, you should have some corporate knowledge as well. You should be well-acquainted with your company’s business model and understand how to leverage the data so you can obtain maximum profits for the key performance indicators. Moreover, it would be best if you understood both the company’s long-term and short-term business goals. It will help to create a lucrative future with the help of data.

Conclusion

Now that you have a glimpse of the corporate intelligence world, you can cultivate these skills to acquire your dream job as an intelligence officer.

The nature of security and intelligence work means that you could remain in one role for years and years. However, you’ll be encouraged to switch between jobs to maintain intellectual stimulation, gain more experience, and overcome obstacles. Furthermore, since information tends to change from time to time, you may have to constantly adapt your working ethics to meet new threats and opportunities.

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