How To Make It Big With Your Real Estate Business In Los Angeles

August 4, 2020

Perhaps you are a resident of Los Angeles who strongly considers a career in real estate? If so, you’ve found the right article for you. With an average base salary of $97,484, now is a great time to roll up the sleeves and begin your career as a real estate agent in one of the world’s most robust real estate markets. Sure, it will take some time to obtain a real estate license, join the National Association of Realtors (NAR), and find your rhythm and place on the market, but once you figure this part out – you are ready to swim with the big fish and make it big time! You must first complete a real estate course before taking the final exam and obtaining the license. Nowadays, there are easier ways for it, like online training courses. As a Los Angeles resident interested in becoming a real estate agent, you can enroll in a California real estate pre-licensing course.

Still, nothing in life comes easy. With so many realtors in the greater Los Angeles area, sometimes it may seem pretty much impossible to crush them to a client and grow your real estate business. Don’t fall in despair, though. Your real estate business’s growth potential lies well within your hands, and there are a variety of actions and strategies you can actively pursue to separate yourself from the realtors’ pack. Getting more leads, reaching out to potential clients, and making more sales should be the number one, two, and three priorities. In the following paragraphs of this article, we’ll offer proven tips and acute strategies to make it big with your real estate business in Los Angeles.

Surround Yourself With The Right People

In order to grow your business and generate sales all year round, you need to have a targeted approach to find the right people at various networking events and surround yourself with them. Don’t hesitate to connect with people who can help you out, whether someone to share advice or two, or a person who can deliver financial help to your business.

As there are hundreds of active real estate networking groups in Los Angeles, do your homework and attend whenever you can. Occupy your thoughts by meeting and building a diverse group of professionals and surround yourself with those who can help you reach your exceptional business goals. As your center of influence will grow through time, make sure there is no shortage of contacts with people you will interact with during a sales transaction like buyers, sellers, appraisers, investors, inspectors, and others.

Don’t forget to hold a highly respected and enterprising Los Angeles mortgage broker close by your side, as mortgage brokers and loan officers are continually meeting real estate buyers in person. They can certainly refer you to a realtor friend, so keep them close. Stay committed to your purpose, and as these meaningful relationships grow, see how some of the people around you are more valuable in expanding your business. In contrast, others would better serve you as trusted mentors.

Make Use Of Modern Technology And The Internet

Regardless of what some of the old-school real estate agents may tell you, you need to embrace modern technologies and the Internet to succeed in today’s real estate world, let alone in a tech-savvy city like Los Angeles. Make use of your website, and engage in social media networking to get a foothold with today’s sellers and buyers. Set a reasonable budget aside to establish a decent web presence for your business and watch how the Internet can generate a crazy amount of leads for the properties you are trying to sell.

Make use of the popular social media platforms, and use as many tech tools as possible to promote your business and your brand. At the bare minimum, your real estate business must have a profile on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter, Google Maps, Apple Maps, and perhaps even on YouTube and Pinterest. On Instagram, there are many programs and apps to help you grow. Instagram tools are there to help, so please use them. Utilize these platforms to share original content as well as written articles which are often picked up quicker by search engines than blog content from your business’s website.

In addition, here are a few creative ways to make the most out of social media as a growth tool for your real estate business:

Perform live video tours of newly available properties on the market.
Congratulate new homeowners on Instagram, as it allows you to share how you’re changing people’s lives for the better.
Promote your listing posts on Facebook and Instagram to reach a broader audience in the greater Los Angeles area. Sometimes, even $10-15 can go a long way!

Ask For Referrals

Since 39% of sellers who used a real estate agent found their agents through a referral by family or friends, and up to 70% of a real estate agent’s work is coming from referrals and word of mouth, focus on driving referrals with both past and current clients. There are numerous ways to make use of this profound marketing technique, including:

Offer referral gifts
Request referrals on your website and social media accounts
Give thoughtful client gifts
Provide branded materials to make it easy to be referred

Improve Your Time Management Skills

If you spend most of your workdays trying to reach the end of your to-do list, it’s almost impossible to grow your business and make it big. Rather than focusing on what can elevate your business to the next level, you are just playing catch-up.

Distraction is one of the biggest causes of lack of time management skills, and that’s nothing new in the world of busy real estate agents. Start using a simple time management tool to organize your day and complete specific tasks within a set amount of time. The next time a random phone call comes in, try to wrap it up in no more than ten minutes and stay on track with your daily business-oriented objectives.

Employ An Assistant

As you progress in your real estate adventure, there will come a time when you won’t be able to manage everything on your own. When the time comes, hire some help, even if it’s just an assistant. This will undoubtedly give you a breathing room between meeting clients, making it in time for meetings since Los Angeles is enormous and you’ll be stuck in traffic every now and then, and finding some spare time to maintain your sanity.

In case you can’t afford a full-time in-person assistant, you can hire a virtual one instead. The virtual assistant can also take the office calls for you, manage leads, and whatnot, despite being far away.

Final Words

Building a successful real estate business in Los Angeles can be undoubtedly an emotionally and financially rewarding process. Learn from the top people in the industry, master the market using our tips and real estate strategies, and it’s only a matter of time before you make it big in the 213!

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Tips On Investing In Gold as a Market Hedge

August 4, 2020

The market is still unpredictable due to the recent Covid-19 crisis. While the stock market continues to fluctuate, investors are seeking ways to reduce their risks. One of the best ways to minimize investment risk is by putting your money aside for other assets. You can rely on gold investment to mitigate your risk.

Despite the economic uncertainty, the price of gold is still following an upward trend. Experts believe that it will not slow down anytime sooner. Gold has maintained a high value throughout history, and it will continue to maintain its value. However, you can’t expect to grab a decent profit from your investment if you don’t know what you’re doing.

Tips On Investing In Gold

If you’re still thinking of whether gold is a good bet or not, you can check this article going in-depth about why invest in gold. In case you’ve made your mind to invest in gold, here are tips to help you get more out of your gold investment:

1. Conduct Your Research

If you want to grab the maximum possible profit from your gold investment, keep yourself updated with the latest news. If you enter the world of investment without any information about the market, you won’t know the value of the gold you’d want to pay for. The upside of being aware of the market trend is that you won’t overspend on investing.

2. Know Your Dealers In Advance

Buying and selling gold isn’t like trading some other low-value commodities. When buying gold, always make sure to know your dealers in advance Also, you need to compare the price offerings of various dealers. Make sure you don’t pay more than 5% of the spot price to dealers. If you purchase and sell your gold at an optimum price, you’re more likely to bag a decent profit on your investment.

3. Negotiate With More Than One Dealer

Doing business with only a single dealer will not help you find the best deal. If you want to purchase the commodity at a fair price, you should consider dealing with more than one dealer. By dealing doing so, you can get an idea about the current market price. You can also compare and use the information for negotiation.

With proper information and negotiation, you can acquire the asset at a price. Plus, you’ll get the maximum profit.

4. Buy With Your Savings

Many people try to purchase gold on credit. There are a lot of credit options today, and it could be tempting for individuals to take credit and take advantage of the price fluctuations. However, it’s not a good strategy to purchase gold on credit. You’ll have to pay the interest on your loan. Also, you can never predict what’s going to happen in the market.

It’s wise to use your savings to purchase gold. It’ll allow you to minimize your risks while taking less stress.

5. Purchase Gold Bars If You Want To Invest A Lump Sum Of Money

Buying gold bars can be profitable if you’re thinking of investing a considerable sum of money. Storage won’t be much of a problem as you can avail of gold dealers’ storage services. Furthermore, it’s more preferable to buy a considerable number of gold bars instead of buying too many gold coins. However, you might not want to get your hands on gold bars if you’re thinking of selling a part of your investment shortly.

6. Get Your Hands In Highly Circulated Gold Coins For Flexibility

In case you’re trying to invest only a few thousands of dollars, you can opt for gold coins. Choose highly circulated gold coins, instead of rare coins. Rare coins are difficult to evaluate, which will make it challenging to sell those coins for a reasonable price. You can quickly sell a part of your investment if you purchase gold coins.

7. Invest In Gold Exchange Traded Fund

If you want to diversify your investment in gold further, you can consider Exchange Traded Fund (ETF). When you buy an ETF, you’re purchasing gold indirectly. This means you’re buying shares of ownership of gold. Experts manage these funds, and there are some fees to it. Note that you also need to pay tax on your profit.

8. Focus On Long-term

Everyone wants to make a quick buck on their investment. But it must not be your strategy. Think about the long-term if you’re going to get into a gold market. The price of gold fluctuates on a short-term basis. Investors are likely to get a 5% return on investment in the long-term. Also, see to it that you won’t be needing the money you invest in gold too soon. This way, you’ll be able to keep your investment on the long-term.

Final Thoughts

Gold is a great investment option as it can help you hedge against inflation and market volatility. When investing in gold, always conduct research and know you dealers. Buy gold with your savings instead of purchasing it on credit. Know when to purchase gold bars and gold coins. Invest on ETFs. Lastly, there’s a good chance you’ll get decent value out of your investment if you aim for the long-term.

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Personal loans, online payday loans for bad credit, and other alternatives to consider

August 4, 2020

Due to the Coronavirus wreaking havoc worldwide, most countries are now in lockdowns with strict laws. It’s sad to say that a lot of people are infected with the virus. The healthcare system is swamped, people are staying indoors more often, and the economy is having a hard time. Speaking of being indoors, quarantine details often encourage people to stay home because of the virus. Staying home prevents the spread of the virus.

Because of those quarantine rules, a lot of typical aspects of our daily lives are changing. For one, small businesses are closing, and a lot of people are losing jobs. It’s safe to assume that many of us are barely getting by with the problems we’re facing today.

Understandably, we need to make every bit of what we have count. However, what do you do when sources of sustenance begin to dwindle? A good thing to do would be to opt for a loan. However, what if you have a bad credit history? What if you have trouble borrowing? Here are some options you can consider:

Payday Loans

If you’re one of the few lucky people who still have a job during the pandemic, you’re in luck. Even with the circumstances against you, you can opt online payday loans for bad credit.

Payday loans don’t require credit checks, making it ideal for people who have a bad credit history.

These types of loans are unsecured, which means that you don’t need collateral to get approved. You can learn on online payday loans for bad credit by visiting reliable sources online.

Although payday loans are unsecured loans, you still need to pay it back. Payday loans are named payday loans because once your next paycheck arrives, you’ll be able to pay back the loan. If you need quick cash, then you can opt for payday loans as the next best option.

Unsecured Personal Loans

Another unsecured loan you can opt for is a personal loan. Just like small-figure loans, personal loans don’t need collateral to get approved. Since it’s unsecured and easy to get, personal loans are often capped at small amounts, sometimes up to $300.

Getting a personal loan is quite easy. You just need to find a legit lender to process your request. After finding a lender, prepare your identification such as government IDs, proof of employment, contact number, current working and living address, email, etc. Once you get approved, you’ll get a copy of a contract.

Review that contract for any details and always ask before signing it. After reviewing every aspect and signing the contract, your lender will then process the transfer. It usually takes 1-2 business days for the money to get transferred to your account.

PayPal

Believe it or not, PayPal has a lending program if you’re a small business owner. PayPal’s working capital loans can help provide assistance to you when you want to start or improve your business. Just like personal loans, PayPal doesn’t require a hard or soft credit check on your credit history.

All you need to have is a working, active PayPal account that’s at least three months old. You also have to go through the usual registration process. Once you get approved, the funds will get transferred to your PayPal account.

BlueVine’s Invoice Factoring

If you’re working with a group or part of a group that owns a business, then you can go for BlueVine’s Invoice Factoring. Invoice factoring is a loan type that helps fill the gap of your cash flow specifically for your business. Be warned though, although BlueVine doesn’t perform a hard credit check, they may require a soft check on your history.

Don’t worry, though. Soft credit checks don’t have a significant impact on your credit rating than a hard credit inquiry. Once you and your group get approved, you’ll have additional funds that you can allocate elsewhere. These funds can be used for other equipment, payroll, or even expansion fees needed by your business.

Ask Assistance From a Family or Friends

If all else fails, then you can always rely on your friends and family for help. The good thing about borrowing from a family member is the flexibility. For example, if you’re short a few hundred dollars, then you can politely ask for an extension from paying back your relative. Friends and family that have the finances will help you in times of need.

The only thing at stake here is your relationship. Most of the time, there have been people who abuse the “closeness” fostered between relationships. Some of them borrow more without repaying. This behavior often results in strained relations. Some have even filed complaints on relatives that don’t pay debt.

Takeaway

Financially speaking, everyone has a hard time because of the pandemic. Businesses have closed down, and a lot of people are losing their jobs. It’s not difficult to understand that people need money. The options above are perfect for those who want to borrow without having to undergo credit checks.

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Gaining Enterprise Network Skills and Certification with Cisco 300-420 Exam Is Link to Enjoying Great Benefits

August 3, 2020

IT specialists are essential in enabling organizations to achieve their business objectives. This is through such ways as upgrading, designing, configuring, and upgrading their network infrastructures. The Cisco 200-201 CBROPS Certification Practice Dumps Questions – Certbolt prepares you to become agile in these enterprise networking technologies. We shall cover the benefits that accrue to individuals who pass this test. A few details of the assessment will help start us off.

Cisco Exam 300-420 Details

The creators of this assessment grasp the importance of having specialists who can work with organizations in realizing their potential. In particular, Download From This Page Link Click Here was designed to teach you how to become skillful in enterprise design. Candidates for this accreditation will be subjected to 90 minutes of answering questions in the English or Japanese languages. It will cost them $300 to take this test. To know more, 300-420 exam comes second after 350-401 core assessment, both of which are necessary for gaining the CCNP Enterprise credential. You can also gain another credential, namely, the Cisco Certified Specialist-Enterprise Design which can be earned through passing 300-420 only. Now that you know all essential facts about the Cisco Certification CCNP 300-425 ENWLSD Practice Test Exam Dumps , let’s move onto the benefits you enjoy with passing this exam.

Benefits of Acing Test 300-420

Many organizations are now investing more in complex enterprise networking technologies. Some of the focal points for the Cisco CCNA Certification Practice Test Exam Questions – Certbolt are advanced networks and SDA (Software-Defined Access). Learning them and the other technologies for this assessment will contribute to bringing success to your business or organization. You’ll be helping them to migrate to new networks or to upgrade the existing ones. This way, you and your company will derive benefits. For you to be accepted by an organization as their employee, you need to show that you can perform the tasks they require. Thus, you need validation that comes through a popular certification. And since test 300-420 is associated with the Cisco CCNA 200-301 Certification Practice Test Questions , doing well in this exam automatically facilitates earning this certification. This badge will back you up and help you successfully sail through the job interview process. And once you’re employed, there’s a high chance that you’re going to be paid highly. Job roles that fit your expertise include a network engineer, network administrator, and enterprise network engineer. On average, network engineers get $73,976 yearly as PayScale.com outlines. When you display a high level of expertise and the ability to oversee projects to successful completion, it becomes more probable for you to achieve promotion. Organizations opt to promote those employees who prove themselves reliable in their work. They’re most likely to be added more responsibilities to supervise other employees. And this is what assessment 300-420 exactly does for you!

Conclusion

The benefits of being keen on technology are countless. There’s no doubt that enterprise networks form a critical aspect of every organization that desires success. And as a specialist yearning to work for such establishments, you shouldn’t let yourself down. You need to purpose to pass the Download From Certbolt.com and earn its related CCNP Enterprise certification to realize this. And unless you begin this journey today, you might find yourself failing to reach what you’re desiring. Give yourself a chance to enjoy the benefits by acing this test!

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The Financial Effects of COVID 19

August 1, 2020

The world is fighting an invisible enemy who is threatening the economic activities of various nations. The source of strength to many people lies in the advanced financial systems that boost small and large businesses. There is a growing concern over credit losses and market volatility. The good news is that central banks, governments, and international institutions are taking preventative measures to escape financial fallout and economic collapse.

The big question is, will the set policies preserve financial stability? It is every stakeholder’s prayer that the world overcomes the COVID 19 pandemic and registers some economic growth. Well, finding this magic formula is what is leading many financial strategists are looking for. Many countries in Europe are still battling with this enemy to ensure that they overcome the consequences that the virus brought to the economy’s smooth running.

One of the severest outbreaks in Europe is job cuts and unemployment. Some institutions have begun to operate on a reduced workforce while other companies have forced employees to go on leave. For those who lost employment, they are at risk of losing financial stability. There are restrictions of movements due to a lockdown in various regions, this has caused manufacturing companies to experience a slow movement of goods and services. As a result, many companies record fewer sales hence a reduction in profit.

The airlines have also not been spared. Many nations in Europe have imposed travel restrictions to both local and international airlines. Only cargo planes that carry essentials can move from one destination to the next. Passenger planes have been hit the hardest, hence their income reduced by a considerable margin.

Since the coronavirus burst into the scene, many land-based casinos were closed down. Most gamblers turned to online games. But with the cancellation of many sporting events like soccer, bettors have very limited opportunities to place their bets.

Fortunately, most European countries, the US, Canada and Asia are easing restrictions, several sports leagues are resuming, hence catching the gamblers’ attention. As long as the league is operational, sports betting will prevail. To the far end, online gambling is still growing in nations like Canada. Annually, the online gaming industry in Canada generates roughly 31 billion dollars. And both new and well-established casino operators, such as Dreamz, BetWay and Casumo to name a couple, now have a focus on the Canadian market. And this year, the industry will thrive further as a result of a flexible gambling rules and the technology advancement experienced in Canada. The new development in technology brings convenience and easy access to online casinos.

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How to Effectively Manage and Support Remote Teams During the Pandemic

July 31, 2020

The coronavirus pandemic has had a significant impact on the landscape of most businesses. Forced to temporarily close their doors to preserve the lives of millions, organizations deemed non-essential have had to find an alternative way to provide products and services to their customers. For many businesses, changes included going virtual and creating remote workforces.

Though it’s been several months since these changes were implemented, many employees report that adjusting is still a struggle. From balancing the needs of their family with their responsibilities at work to keeping up morale and effectively collaborating with colleagues, the everyday stresses continue to mount resulting in low morale and productivity.

While much of what’s going on the world cannot be controlled, business owners, managers, and/or team leaders, are strongly encouraged to find efficient ways to both manage and support their remote teams during these uncertain times. Below are some solutions.

Be Honest and Transparent With Communication

At the end of the day, everyone has been negatively impacted in some way by the pandemic. These sudden changes to their personal lives can often weigh heavily on their ability to think or function professionally. Now, more than ever, your employees need to know that you understand and care about what they’re going through. You may utilise the function of Microsoft Teams to smoothly respond to chats and conversations, and join meetings.

To effectively manage and support remote workers during the pandemic, leaders are encouraged to have transparent and honest communication frequently. You can have weekly virtual meetings where you check in with your employees and discuss your feelings and current news. You can have employees complete surveys as it relates to their emotions or even conduct team activities to encourage communication and boost morale. Some businesses even send out weekly newsletters to teams discussing current events, how it impacts the industry, and other inspirational messages or tips to help them through these crazy times.

If someone is on their own, or is a lone parent, they might appreciate a voice call more often. Be careful not to be seen as prying, but you could offer a daily call to help someone avoid a sense of isolation.”, says David Rowland, the head of marketing Engage EHS.

Provide Effective Tools and Resources

You cannot expect your team to put their best foot forward if they don’t have the proper tools, equipment, and resources to perform their jobs. If you haven’t done so already, begin looking into the various tools and resources your team needs.

Investing in tools for remote workers like team messenger apps, video conferencing software, project management applications, file sharing, and note-taking and task management software can be instrumental in helping remote teams to work together more efficiently.

You can also provide your team with a list of resources ranging from online support groups, to forums for employees, to business blogs explaining how to boost productivity with better note taking or how to master work-life balance. These resources give employees reputable reference points to further adjust to a remote workforce in the midst of a pandemic.

Show Your Team You Trust Them

While managing a remote team can come with its own set of struggles, now is not the time to become a micromanager. The very last thing your team needs is someone riding their backs all day long. This can add to their stress and frustration and further lower morale and productivity. Right now, your team needs to see that you trust them to perform their jobs.

After you’ve provided clear instructions on company processes and goals, addressed employee concerns, delegated tasks based on skill set, and provided your team with the resources they need to collaborate and perform accordingly, you need to sit back and trust that they will get things done.

Obviously, you can’t go off the grid altogether, but checking in on a weekly basis, following up with periodic emails, or utilizing platforms like project management software and work hubs can essentially help you stay up to date on team progress so you can make changes as necessary. Your willingness to trust can also help to boost confidence, reduce stress, and, therefore, generate better results.

Even with the best of contingency plans in place, most businesses were not prepared for a national pandemic and how it would impact the world. As you and your team continue to adjust, remember to keep advice such as that provided above to help effectively manage and support your team.

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Nurturing Fintech Start-Ups: In Pursuit of Global Hub Status for Tokyo

July 31, 2020

Interview with Ms. Chie Ito, FINOLAB Inc. CEO and Finovators Co-Founder

FINOLAB, Inc. was set up with the goals of supporting fintech start-ups in Japan, stimulating innovation in a co-working environment, and promoting Tokyo as a global fintech hub. Here, their CEO, Ms. Chie Ito, describes the motives for setting up the organisation, gives her insights on the effects on the current health crisis on the finance industry, and describes her hopes and aspirations for the future.

Hello, Ms. Ito. Thank you for sparing us a little of your time. It’s a great pleasure to have the opportunity of talking to you. To begin with, could we talk about what constitutes a typical workday for you? What might we find you doing during the course of a normal day?

The most interesting part of working in this area is that there is no “typical” day. One day, I would be having discussions with my staff to arrange meet-ups, interviewing several start-ups, and having a brainstorming session with intrapreneurs. Maybe the next day, I would be busy preparing a board meeting, shooting videos for promotion, and making presentations to release a new service of FINOLAB. A lot of different things happen every workday and I enjoy my work.

You’re CEO of FINOLAB. Could you give us a little background on the history and the idea behind the founding of the company?

FINOLAB was created in February 2016 to support fintech start-ups and to promote open innovation as a co-working space and fintech community in the financial district of central Tokyo, with the support of Dentsu Group, the biggest advertising group in Japan, and Mitsubishi Estate, the biggest real estate company. And in July 2019, it became FINOLAB, Inc., with full legal status as an independent company, to make its initiatives sustainable on a long-term basis to support start-up and corporate members to promote the fintech ecosystem in Tokyo.

You’re also a co-founder of the mentor group FINOVATORS. Could you tell us a little about that?

In addition to physical support like providing an office space, we thought it was important to give professional advice to members, and at the launch of FINOLAB in 2016, we formed a pro bono mentor group called FINOVATORS, which consisted of experts in finance, such as lawyers, bankers, venture capitalists, ex-government officials and technology experts.

Members of the mentor group called FINOVATORS launched in 2016

In your view, what are the most significant challenges facing digital start-ups and what would your advice be in order for them to attain a higher rate of success? Do you think the government could do more to facilitate things in that regard?

We are often asked for an advice from start-ups in three major areas, such as fund raising (introduction to venture fund), human resources (recruitment of engineers), and business development (connecting to corporate partners), but over and above these factors, we feel that the fundamental business idea, collaboration for execution, and continuous learning from the market are critical to succeed. Government can give support in fund raising by providing subsidy or public loans for start-ups, but we feel it is not sufficient at this point, especially in difficult times like the present.

We are trying to support both Japanese start-ups to expand into the global market and non-Japanese fintech players to come into the Japanese market to drive healthy competition.

FINOLAB aims to make Japan a leading centre of digital innovation. How do you prepare your organisation and the start-up companies that you support in reaching this goal? Do you have any specific short- and long-term goals?

We are trying to support both Japanese start-ups to expand into the global market and non-Japanese fintech players to come into the Japanese market to drive healthy competition. When FINOLAB, Inc. was established, we created a Global Advisory Panel with well-known fintech experts, such as Brett King, Chris Skinner, Ghela Boskovich and Melissa Guzy, to obtain advice for our international expansion. As a short-term goal, we are making significant efforts to improve FINOLAB’s visibility among global fintech players by expanding our network with other fintech offices around the world and by presenting at industry events, such as Finovate and Money20/20. And for the long-term goal, we would like to see the global status of Tokyo as a global fintech hub improve in the years to come.

What do you think are the most important digital trends to watch out for in the coming years, in particular, in the world of finance?

In the world of finance, we are emphasising the importance of digital trends in “ABCDE”; namely, Artificial Intelligence replacing the human workforce, Blockchain creating new infrastructure, Cashless payment becoming dominant, Data becoming the main business driver for financial services, and the Extended network, such as 5G, having a strong impact on the customer interface.

The repercussions of the current worldwide health crisis are still to be fully understood, but it seems clear that the future will see fewer face-to-face interactions between individuals, leading presumably to a greater number of electronic transactions. Do you see implications ahead for the fintech industry as a result of the effects of COVID-19?

We have been observing a big shift among existing financial institutions from conventional physical channels, like branch offices, to online and mobile channels to create new relationships with customers, and start-ups will have big business opportunities to meet these needs, by creating apps, digital marketing tools and digital payment solutions.

The economic impact of coronavirus globally is also likely to be formidable. How do you view the role of the fintech industry in helping to deal with the economic issues in Japan, and in the world at large?

Since many small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are struggling to secure working capital to continue their business during the semi-lock-down period in Japan, the role of online lending and crowd funding have become very important to support SMEs with quick credit decisions and matching processes in place.

Turning to your own background, it’s clear that you have had a very successful career journey, including your involvement in the development of a foreign exchange trading system and, of course, your work at FINOLAB. Would you tell us which aspects of your career so far have given you the most satisfaction? And what do you look forward to in the future?

I started my career as an IT engineer working for capital markets divisions of banks. I worked with many traders and they always gave me quick and direct feedback for IT systems. I felt that the power of technology worked for finance, and I was excited and thrilled, though there were no women in dealing rooms and IT divisions at banks in those times. Now I have been working in the fintech ecosystem for more than five years, I believe in the power of fintech and hope it will make the world a better place. I would like to contribute not only to the financial industry, but also to all other industries by supporting entrepreneurs and intrapreneurs.

I believe in the power of fintech and hope it will make the world a better place.

The top echelons of business have traditionally been dominated by men in societies all around the world. As a successful business person in Japan, would you say that you have faced barriers in your career as a result of being a woman and, if so, how have you coped with this?

I do not think I’ve faced that kind of barrier. There were sometimes difficulties or uncomfortable things as a result of being a woman, but also many helpful things. For example, since there were only a few women in the company, customers or colleagues easily remembered me. I guess there would also be difficulties or uncomfortable things as a result of being a man. In my experience as a businesswoman, there are rather more good things than bad things. Maybe I was too busy to think about my gender, because I had a lot of things to learn as a businessperson. When things didn’t go well, the reason was obviously my lack of skills or experience.

How would you describe the current situation in Japan for women who choose to pursue a career in business? In particular, do you think women are fairly represented among CEOs and other business leaders in the country?

I have to admit female CEOs and business leaders are still few in Japan. However, it is increasing. The most important thing is not the number of women in high positions but the number of women who can go their own way.

Do you think it’s important that there be role models for women who aspire to reaching top levels of management in business? Do you have any advice for women who may just be starting out on their career in the world of business?

I hope that female business leaders become much more common in the future and, to make that happen, I think role models for women should not be limited to female business leaders. We can learn from many excellent business leaders in the world. Women are tough, vigorous and energetic by nature. We can do many things as businesspeople before thinking about gender issues.

What does success mean to you, personally?

Success for me is to be happy and, in the latter days of my life, to feel truly grateful for all the people I have known and worked with.

It is often said that the key to happiness is finding a suitable equilibrium between the professional and the personal aspects of our lives. Can you say what, for you personally, is an ideal work-life balance?

I would like to work anywhere and anytime I want, and there is no need to mentally separate work from life. That would be ideal for me.

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Executive Profile

Ms. Chie Ito is the Chief Executive Officer of FINOLAB Inc. After taking charge of building a money exchange trading system for a major bank, engaged in partner alliances with overseas solution vendors and launching new businesses. Since 2014, she has been in charge of new business development and partner alliances, in addition to working with FinTech startups such as Japan’s largest FinTech pitch contest “FIBC”.

The Antigua and Barbuda: A Tropical Gateway to the World

July 30, 2020

Apart from presenting the opportunity to live in a tropical paradise, citizenship of the beautiful islands of Antigua and Barbuda also brings the benefits of visa-free travel to a host of destinations worldwide. Citizenship can be yours in exchange for your investment in the country’s commerce, real estate or educational resources. Read on for more details!

The Antigua and Barbuda Citizenship by Investment Programme is ranked Number 1 in the Caribbean by the Global Residence and Citizenship Programme Report (GRCP) 2017–2018. This tropical utopia is home to almost 90,000 people and, with a straightforward, transparent application process and a fast turnaround, it’s no wonder that the number of submissions is steadily increasing. An Antigua and Barbuda passport is a coveted one for numerous reasons.

It provides exceptional global mobility, offering visa-free access to over 160 destinations, including the UK, Europe’s Schengen area, Singapore and Hong Kong. In 2009, the Antigua and Barbuda government signed a visa waiver agreement with the EU which allows an Antigua and Barbuda citizen to visit the Schengen countries without a visa for a period of three months within any six month period following the date of first entry into any EU country. There is a stable political environment and an attractive tax regime, with no capital gains or inheritance taxes. Personal income tax was abolished with effect from April 2016, and the corporate tax rate is 25 percent, with a generous 50-year exemption programme for IBCs. The Antigua and Barbuda government allows citizens to hold dual citizenship, and the acquisition of citizenship is not reported to other countries.

Foreign investment has contributed to the rapid development of the economy, resulting in Antigua and Barbuda having one of the highest GDPs per capita in the sub-region. The quickest way to gain citizenship is to invest in a business, a real estate project, or the National Development Fund (NDF) of Antigua and Barbuda. The Antigua and Barbuda Citizenship by Investment Act was passed in April 2013, giving jurisdiction to the Citizenship by Investment Unit and, by 2017, Henley & Partners, global leaders in residence and citizenship planning, ranked Antigua and Barbuda as the Caribbean’s best CIP destination.

Programme requirements:

There are four investment levels in applying for citizenship, and these investment possibilities give you a choice in how and where to invest.

Contribution to the NationalDevelopment Fund

For a single applicant, or a family of four or less: a US$100,000 contribution (processing fees: US$30,000).
For a family of five or more: a US$125,000 contribution (processing fees: US$15,000 for each additional dependant).

Investment in approved real estate

An applicant may make an investment in an approved property, valued at a minimum of US$400,000.
Two related parties can apply by making a joint investment, with each applicant investing a minimum of US$200,000 in order to qualify.
Two or more applicants who have executed a binding sale-and-purchase agreement may apply jointly for citizenship by investment, provided that each applicant contributes the minimum investment of US$400,000, plus the payment of government processing and due diligence fees.

Investment in an approved business

A minimum of US$1,500,000 for a single investor.
A minimum of two people making a joint investment in an approved business totalling at least US$5,000,000. Each person is required to contribute at least US$400,000 to the joint investment.

University of the West Indies Fund

A family of a minimum of six people: US$150,000 (inclusive of processing fees, increasing by US$15,000 per additional applicant).
After approval, one member of the family will be eligible for one year’s paid tuition.

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The South American Way to Invest Abroad: Colombia Seeks Growth Through FDI

July 30, 2020

Interview with Ms. Flavia Santoro Trujillo, President of ProColombia

Attracting foreign investment is central to the government of Colombia’s strategy to stimulate the country’s diverse range of industries over and above mining and energy. Here, Flavia Santoro Trujillo, president of the country’s development agency ProColombia, outlines what sets Colombia apart from the crowd as a foreign-investment opportunity.

What would you say have been the defining trends in the Colombian economy in recent years? What does the road map for the future look like?

For the last 15 years, Colombia has been on a path of constant, stable growth. Colombian President Ivan Duque has called on us to work together to build an equitable country based on legality and entrepreneurship; this is the goal we are focused on.

The national government passed the Law of Economic Growth as a mechanism that led to reduced tax burdens for companies, incentives for direct foreign investment, and the promotion of policies that resulted in improved execution of large infrastructure projects.

Economic growth has been boosted by the arrival of foreign investment. In 2019, growth reached US$14.493 billion, which was the highest growth recorded since 2014, and 25.6 percent higher than the growth seen in 2018.

We can see that investors continue to show an increased interest in Colombia. According to the Central Bank’s balance of payments, direct foreign investment grew by six percent in the first quarter of 2020, with recorded capital income of US$3.589 billion. Of this total amount, 70 percent – or US$2.486 billion – was invested in non-mining and non-energy sectors, which is a 22.7 percent increase compared to investments seen in the same period in 2019.

The recovery of sectors such as construction and tourism and having inflation under control are just a couple of the key factors that, prior to the pandemic, led to the Colombian economy enjoying the greatest growth of all Latin American economies and being in the top five (in size) in the region, and demonstrated a positive trend for even higher growth.

Our road map for the future is marked by an economic reactivation strategy that seeks to achieve V-shaped growth. Our economy was growing but is now contracting as a result of coronavirus and we will have to get back on a path of recovery. This will be based on a reactivation strategy comprised of tools that facilitate not only investment, but also the relocation of large multinationals that may look to Colombia as both a platform from which to export to other countries and a site that is much closer to their production and consumer centres. Lastly, we will adopt strategic sectorial and regional measures.

International organisations such as the IMF and the World Bank agree that our economy will experience a “rebound” effect as it contracts in 2020 due to the pandemic, before moving to recovery and growth of from 3.6 to 4.0 percent in 2021.

Could you give us some background on what led to the setting up of ProColombia? What, essentially, is the organisation’s mission?

With the opening up of Colombia’s economy at the beginning of the nineties, ProColombia was created as the agency that would support the country’s internationalisation. Twenty-eight years later, we continue to work towards increasing non-mining energy exports, attracting direct foreign investment and growing international tourism in Colombia.

As an organisation, we promote the country’s development and our contributions are increasingly significant. As a point of reference, ProColombia currently provides support for 73 percent of the non-mining and non-energy investment that enters the country.

How would you say the investment climate in Colombia has developed in recent times?

Of all the countries in Latin American, Colombia has implemented the most reforms in favour of direct foreign investment. We have positioned ourselves as the third-largest recipient of investments. According to UNCTAD, only Brazil and Mexico are ahead of us and we are sure that we can become number one in the region.

A decade ago, the main investments that entered Colombia were derived from extractive activities. Now, more than 70 percent of investments received are non-mining and non-energy-based and this is extending throughout Colombia’s regions. This has generated a value cycle in which many new poles of development have been created in more than ten Colombian regions and, increasingly, more sectors are carrying out productive activities as a result of the arrival of FDI.

From the point of view of foreign investors, what are the advantages that Colombia offers? What particular strengths does the country have that might distinguish it from other potential investment opportunities?

Colombia is a friend to foreign investment and a nation that fosters and stimulates investment, while also offering guarantees, political and economic stability, and legal assurances for investment. According to the World Bank’s Doing Business index, Colombia is the country that offers the greatest protection to investors and the third-ranked market for ease of doing business.

We are the most recent member country of the OECD, which is a testament to our public policy reforms and standards that make Colombia an outstanding, responsible and committed nation with great influence in Latin America.

Additionally, Colombia has a prime strategic location that connects all markets on the continent with Europe and Asia. Thanks to the trade agreements in force, Colombia offers access to more than 1.6 billion consumers around the world.

Colombia offers qualified talent and tax incentives that are provided for in local legislation and also has an attractive regime of free trade zones. In fact, Colombia has the greatest number of industrial parks of this kind in Latin America.

Which of the country’s industries would you say are likely to be of particular interest to investors? What sort of help can ProColombia offer in order to assist those industries in their development?

Given Colombia’s agricultural vocation and the availability of land for productive activities, agribusiness is a sector that has great potential in terms of receiving investment. The FAO has identified Colombia as one of the countries that will be called upon as a food provider in the next 30 years. Another sector of interest is that of civil infrastructure development aimed at optimising road connectivity, as well as modernising ports and airports within the country.

We are also working to streamline manufacturing development progressively and to increase added value in the sector in order to be more competitive in the international market. Lastly, I could point to the software and IT sector, where we see our developers gaining more and more space as global vendors of solutions and digital start-ups.

ProColombia provides valuable information and competitive proposals to investors going through a decision-making process, in order to ensure that their choices are not only profitable, but also that they contribute to creating equity, growth and development in Colombia. Similarly, we offer assistance in developing personalised agendas and provide consultation services for all steps in the investment process and during expansion in our national territory.

Are there any industries that are notably on the rise in Colombia, or perhaps any that the government is especially interested in developing?

There are several industries and I can point to the creative industries, also known as the orange economy, as an example. The orange economy has total support from the government, which seeks to make the most of our greatest asset, our talent. Prominent here are the arts, start-ups, film, literature, and 4.0 industries, amongst others.

We also have the renewable-energies sector. Even now, when we have an optimal electricity grid that is fed by more than 70-percent hydraulic power, there is enormous potential to develop solar and wind farms to take advantage of the sunlight and wind that our land enjoys.

The whole world is, of course, currently preoccupied with the COVID-19 pandemic. What challenges has Colombia specifically had to face in this regard?

The Colombian government has enacted a swift response to COVID-19 and has kept the infection and death toll relatively low compared to that of other Latin American nations.

The country has one of the lowest rates of infection and deaths per million inhabitants, as compared to countries in Europe and Latin America.

Our nation took early isolation measures, which allowed us to strengthen the health system’s capacities by increasing the number of ICUs and buying emergency supplies and medical equipment. The social distancing implemented throughout the country was also key in slowing the virus infection rate.

However, these measures that aim to save lives have also had a great impact on our economy. The government has implemented relief initiatives to assist businesses from different sectors, which include tax waivers, payroll payment assistance, and forbearance on social security obligations. In addition, the government has extended lines of credit through government-controlled financial institutions and has reduced interest rates.

Colombia has attempted to find a balance between adequate distancing and economic activity by keeping open those sectors that are crucial to the economy and our supply chain. These sectors include food, agriculture, financial and essential services.

Construction and some manufacturing sectors have already resumed activities and, in the coming weeks, with the proper protocols, a wider portion of the economy will reopen. We are confident about the future. We believe that the measures we have taken to face the pandemic will help Colombia recover its economic and social growth path, once this has passed.

In terms of the future, how much of a strategy rethink has the coronavirus necessitated? Has ProColombia been able to identify any ways that the threats represented by the coronavirus could be converted into opportunities for the country’s industries?

We believe that the measures taken under the leadership of the national government will help Colombia to get back on its path to economic and social growth.

We seek to turn difficulties into opportunities, and that is how various industries have adapted and undergone transformations to fulfil the demands of the current situation.

As I mentioned previously, we believe that direct foreign investment is essential for our economic recovery. Accordingly, we will continue to focus our efforts on promoting Colombia as an ideal destination for business and for investment.

In this vein, we have been adjusting our strategy to take advantage of new opportunities, with investment incentives and the use of virtual tools and technology to promote and attract new investments.

The interest and confidence shown in Colombia has not diminished in recent months and we will continue to work closely with potential and current investors to ensure that their business ventures in our country are successful and profitable.

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Executive Profile

Flavia Santoro is the President of ProColombia. She is a lawyer of Javeriana University in Bogotá. She has a master’s degree in insurance law and has great experience in the development and management of institutional relations within the private sector, fortifying strategic and commercial alliances for fundraising.

Through her current role as President of ProColombia Mrs. Santoro is committed to promoting exports, foreign direct investment and tourism for Colombia, and strengthening international ties that bring Colombia closer to new business opportunities.

Why Contact a Car Accident Lawyer?

July 30, 2020

Without knowing it, or rather, without truly appreciating it, sitting behind the wheel of your car is perhaps the most dangerous thing you’re going to do today. From the school run to the work commute to heading out on errands, there’s almost no time of the day that’s truly safe to drive – in the daylight hours you have to contend with both the traffic and the human factor of people walking or cycling on or near to the roads, and at night you lose some degree of visibility.

Accidents happen. If you have been affected, call a lawyer. But for now, let’s look at some of the main reasons why people contact lawyers – because if you’re thinking of handling a claim alone, you should probably think again.

Don’t trust anybody

People have the interests of themselves and their family and friends at heart. In short, people look after number one. Charitable as they may seem, their actions and intentions may take a sharp turn when the chips are down. In the case of car accidents, the guilty party (usually an at-fault driver) may appeal to you for your understanding in handling the matter in private – especially if they were driving aggressively.

This could be for a number of reasons, such as a lack of vehicle insurance or existing issues with the law. In person, they may seem credible and honest. But as soon as they leave, why would they go out of their way to pay you any damages if they can get away with it? False contact details and a made-up alibi could slow the whole process down. Don’t risk it. Contact a lawyer.

Complete the claim

Lawyers don’t become lawyers by collecting five cereal packet coupons and entering a competition. There are years of law school. There’s on the job training. There is continuing study which involves attending seminars and writing white papers. Legal minds are sharp. For anyone to believe that they are capable of handling their own claim, completely out of the blue and with little more training than having seen a drama series about lawyers on Netflix, is absurd. But people are swayed by the bigger payout – the thinking is that if you don’t have to pay a lawyer for their services, any cash payout included in your reward will not have to be divided.

This type of thinking rarely works out. You wouldn’t charter a plane and cut corners on hiring a pilot to save on costs, thinking you can probably handle it yourself, so don’t try to handle your own legal claim. Every document has to be filed on time and in the appropriate way, or your claim will be dismissed. Legal fees are worth ensuring your case runs smoothly.

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