● Laura Thornberry ● Lifestyle Blogger ● London Based ●: money

AD| Are you looking at earning some extra money? Have you considered researching passive income strategies?

Passive income simply refers to another source of income that requires little effort to earn and maintain. Adding sources of passive income into your daily life can benefit you in many ways, including more freedom and flexibility in your daily routine, and hopefully, more money, leading to financial security.

The most typical way of generating your passive income is to utilise your own money to buy and invest in assets that will grow over time. There are a variety of ways that you can begin creating your passive income streams today, including to earn high yields from Crypto, selling e-books and digital products, renting, trading and much, much more. If this is something you're interested in, keep reading to find out some simple strategy ideas for creating a passive income stream today.

Renting Properties

If you're looking at getting on the property ladder, then purchasing and renting out your space is a good way to earn a passive income. Rental income has long been a form of passive income for many individuals. However, the upfront costs of this can be expensive, and it also requires a lot of time and effort to begin with. You may begin this process by upgrading and renovating your property in order to add value and make it more liveable. The way this works is simply through finding a tenant to rent out your property, and wait for the money to come in each month.

Use Cashback Websites

Nowadays, there are numerous cashback reward sites available to use online that can help you earn money on your online purchases. Many of us shop online every day, so this is definitely something worth looking into. Websites such as My Money Pocket and Top Cashback allow individuals to earn a small percentage back of the amount you spend online once you complete your purchase through a tracked link. Cashback websites can seem like a waste of time, and it may seem like a small amount of money to get back if each store only offers 1 or 2% cashback, but over time, this can add up, and you could soon be rewarded with 100s of pounds for simply choosing to shop online.

Starting A Blog

Starting your own blog can be a challenging and frustrating journey, but once all your hard work starts to fall into place, it can become a successful passive income stream. This type of passive income can be created by anyone, regardless of your age, location, or ability – all you need is access to the internet and a blogging platform to get started. It can take months, even years, to build a blog that is recognised by others. The secret to becoming a successful blogger is by creating good quality content, being consistent, and ensuring you are promoting your articles via your social platforms to build an audience. There are a number of ways bloggers can make money online, and use this as a source of passive income. A few examples being;

— Selling affiliate products and using affiliate links

— Creating sponsored content for brands

— Sharing ads on your blog through Google AdSense

Affiliate Marketing

Affiliate marketing simply involves recommending a product or service to your chosen audience. Once you have set up your affiliate links, it’s a great source of passive income, as you are able to earn commission through users clicking on your referral link to buy the recommended advertised product or service.

In summary, these are just a few ways you can create a passive income stream today. The benefits of passive income are pretty rewarding, as long as you take the right steps to set things up beforehand. Now only does passive income give you an extra source of money, but it can also lead to having more spare time, having a more flexible schedule, and gives you financial stability for the future. So why wouldn't you start today?

Do you currently use any streams of passive income? How are you currently earning an extra stream of income?

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AD| Do you currently run a business or are you self-employed? Do you currently have public liability insurance to help protect you from damages?

If you are in contact with members of the public, or any other visitors entering your own business premises or company space, it’s advisable and more than likely you’ll choose to get public liability insurance. Public liability insurance can cover your business against any compensation claims, such as injury or damages, and it can protect you if you are brought to court by a customer, client or other individuals you may interact with. Having the right insurance measures in place can help you manage those situations without any stress.

You may decide to get yourself public liability insurance if your business comes into contact with third party individuals. A few examples of this being; customers visit your workplace, working on client sites or even if you are working in public areas. This type of insurance typically covers issues such as damage to property, causing illness, falls and disrepair. Ultimately, the choice is up to you whether your business requires the public liability insurance, but here are 3 reasons your business needs public liability insurance that may change your mind.

Protects Against Compensation Costs

You should consider public liability insurance if your business works with members of the public in any way. If your business is open to the public, e.g., customers, contractors and other visitors etc, small accidents can occur in your workplace, and you would be liable for any of these damages, and public liability insurance can usually help cover this. Public liability insurance for subcontractors, tradesmen, salon owners, shopkeepers and many other businesses is frequently a popular and essential protection document to have, and keep it up-to-date.

Saves You Money

Public liability insurance can help in a number of ways that could be extremely beneficial to your company. For example, this type of business insurance can help to pay for legal fees, medical bills and compensation claims that may be against your business. As a business, if you do not have public liability insurance, without cover, unexpected legal costs from small incidents could cost you hundreds of thousands of pounds in damages, and could be potentially bankrupting you.

Makes Your Business More Reputable

Public liability insurance isn’t typically required or compulsory by law. However, many companies and business owners decide that they need this type of insurance to help protect themselves from any potentially damaging compensation costs, and also to satisfy potential clients. Nowadays, many clients and customers will choose to work with/buy from companies or businesses that have all their insurance documents up-to-date, and have the best practices in place. Failure to have the correct public liability insurance for your business when you require it the most could have seriously consequences, and could really damage your business’ reputation and financial status.

Have you heard of public liability insurance? Does your business have this insurance type in place?

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AD-GIFTED | Do you currently use a laptop for work, school or just general internet browsing? Are you taking extra precautions to look after your device and keep it in a good working order?

Many of us use a laptop on a day-to-day basis, as there are so many advantages of using laptops. They are extremely lightweight and easy to carry, easy to power up, and the perfect device for keeping in touch with others whilst travelling or commuting. Purchasing a new laptop is quite a big investment. It's important that you take appropriate steps to ensure it continues to work correctly and to protect it from any potential damages. Listed below are 3 easy ways to take care of your laptop today.

Don't Overcharge The Battery

Laptop batteries will eventually die no matter how well you look after them, but, there are a few things you can do to help protect it. Leaving your laptop constantly plugged in after the battery has charged completely will ultimately reduce the overall life span of the battery. Any contact with heat can cause them to degrade even faster, especially if kept in direct sunlight, on your lap or even on pillows. These are all positions that should be avoided. Also, if your laptop has the battery and power saver mode feature, you’ll be able to turn this on in order to help extend the battery life of your laptop until you can plug in a charger.

Use A Storage Bag When Travelling

Laptop bags are an essential accessory for those who are always on-the-go, as they will help reduce the chance of accidental damage to your laptop. Laptops are fragile items that can be easily damaged if they are being carried around without any protection. Make sure your laptop bag is spacious and padded enough to fit your laptop but still remain compact. You will also want to ensure the fabric of the bag is durable, waterproof, and the zip works with no issues. Also, you will need to decide what style of laptop bag will best suit your requirements – whether it's a backpack style, a simple tote, or a smart messenger bag, there are bag options for everyone's personal preferences.

For me, my go-to has been the Lars black laptop bag from Trendhim - perfect for laptops up to 15,4”. This bag is extremely sleek, made with durable fabric with luxury faux-leather highlights for a stylish finish. The laptop bag is built with a spacious, padded compartment for extra protection whilst travelling or commuting. I also really like the two zipped secure front pockets, which are perfect to help carry and organise your chargers, cables, and other accessories. It also features a removable shoulder strap, allowing you to carry by the handles comfortably.

Clean Regularly

By simply using a few minutes each day or week to clean your laptop of any debris, including dust and grime, will make a difference in the lifespan of your laptop. Making sure to regularly check the condition of your laptops screen, keyboard, and vents will help keep your laptop in a good working order. You should also ensure your hands are clean and dry before use, to avoid making your laptop screen or keyboard sticky and dirty. As well as this, you will need to ensure you are being very careful when eating or drinking next to your laptop, as any food crumbs or liquids can cause problems for your device.

How do you care for your laptop?

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AD| Managing your business' offices well is a vital role in the overall success of your team. This is because it can help manage your time more efficiently, increase your employees' productivity levels, and enhance the quality of work that is created on a daily basis. Using helpful office management tips and techniques can also help your business to develop and maintain administrative skills, create a constructive working environment and boost your employees overall morale.

Decluttering and Organising Your Office Workspace for Better Productivity

For good office management, you need to ensure all equipment, work spaces and furniture in the office are arranged correctly for maximum productivity, efficiency, and safety. An unorganised, chaotic work space can have a huge effect upon the productivity of your team, and can upset the vibe of the whole office space. As well as this, it can portray the wrong message to your visitors, customers, and clients.

A few ways you can declutter and organise your office are as follows;

— Go wireless where possible

— invest in storage solutions

— Ensure paperwork is filed immediately

— Keep your desk minimal and clutter-free

Create Easy To Follow Routines for Office Management

Using daily or weekly routines in the office are vital for a productive working environment. By simply scheduling out your week for yourself and your employees can help your business stay on track, stay focused and keep motivation levels high. Office routines could involve filing away paperwork, sending invoices and responding to emails on a daily basis to avoid falling behind your work schedule.

Practice a Cleaner, Safer and More Hygienic Working Environment

Keeping your office clean and tidy will not only help productivity levels, but it will also help to keep your working environment safer and healthier for your employees. It has become more important for businesses to maintain good air quality in their offices, and to provide a healthy environment for their employees and reduce the risk of contamination and fire. Using professional services, such as duct cleaning services, can offer assistance for cleaning jobs such as ventilation, extraction, and a general deep clean, to ensure your office space disinfected and ready to work in.

Eliminate Any Unwanted Distractions

Whilst at work, there are distractions absolutely everywhere. Another colleague, your email inbox, your social media accounts, there's simply no escape. However, in order to have a productive working environment, it's essential that you completely eliminate these distractions from your work space. By doing this, you can remain focused on your tasks, improve your time management skills, and ensure you meet all your deadlines.

A few ways you can eliminate distractions include;

— Turning off your mobile phone during working hours to ensure you are not tempted to browse.

— Keep your desk clutter-free.

— If you work in your own office, try to keep your door closed to avoid hearing any noises from others.

— Set yourself goals and time deadlines throughout the day to help you manage your workload.

How do you stay productive at work? What other office management tips help you reach your goals and deadlines?

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AD| Have you recently had a wardrobe clear-out, and have found yourself with bags full of unwanted clothes? If the answer is yes, you may not know exactly what to do with these, but have you considered selling them online?

Our home, wardrobes, clothing rails and drawers are sometimes filled with clothing items that we are hanging on to and simple cannot to throw out. However, sometimes, it's a good option to declutter your home and sell your unwanted items online. You could also consider giving the clothing to charity, with items that no longer fit, doesn't fit your fashion style, or hasn’t been worn for a long period of time. If this is something you are currently considering, then here are 5 top tips for selling your unwanted clothing online.

When you are looking to sell your unwanted clothing online, the first thing you need to consider is what website you wish to use and feature your items on. There are such a variety of websites and apps designed to help you upload your items in seconds, and get selling with a few clicks. Websites such as Depop, eBay and Vinted are just a number of places that can help you sell your unwanted belongings, and start earning some money from this.

Making sure to have an in-depth description of the items that you are selling will ensure all the important details are in place for your potential customers. You will probably need to include details such as price, brand, size, condition, and measurements. This will help your customers completely understand exactly what they’re buying and will end up reducing the amount of questions asked you may be asked about the items for sale.

Another vital part of selling your unwanted clothes online and securing that final sale is by ensuring your photographs are clear and appropriate for the item in the listing. Consider using good, natural lighting to show off the item exactly how it is, without any filters. Also, ensure the background of your photographs is neat and tidy, consider using a plain background that clearly highlights your sale items.

When selling your unwanted items online, you may need to answer any queries or questions that your potential customers may have. It's significant that your customer service is both professional and friendly, and always aim for the quickest response times possible. This can often help you build a trustworthy and reputable relationship with your customers, and can help you secure repeat business.

When you've finally secured a sale, it's time to get your item prepped for shipping. This is where you will need to consider your use of packaging. When opting for packaging to use, it's a good option to select something more sustainable and eco-friendly to avoid having a damaging impact on the environment. You'll want to make sure your packaging choices are durable and strong, to ensure they arrive with the customer in the best condition possible. There are a wide selection of bespoke packaging options to choose from that can help you reduce your plastic use, minimise postal costs and give your customers a fabulous first impression of your products.

Have you sold any of your unwanted clothes online? What are your favourite websites and apps to use?

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AD| Are you looking at starting your own business, but unsure on what to do or where to start?

New businesses and start-up companies are popping up all the time, and it's probably taken them weeks, months, or even years to get to their launch date. It doesn't usually happen overnight! Starting your own business isn't always easy, as there are so many things to consider, that it can become extremely exhausting, confusing, and overwhelming.

However, don't get disheartened if things go wrong slightly, you just need to stay calm and think, in order to get things back on track. Absolutely anyone can start a business. You don't need to have a super impressive degree, qualifications, or a bank account with endless zeros. In fact, what you will need to begin with is a clear and simple structured plan, with realistic time frames, some funds to kickstart your business and plenty of research into your chosen path. If you're thinking about launching your own business in the near future, here are a list of 4 essential things to do before starting your new business that may just come in handy.

Before you even think about launching your new business, it's important to get a full understanding of your target audience. Your target audience is the specific group of people that you would expect to purchase your products or services, and this would be the group you would aim and focus your brand marketing efforts at. This is typically the key to the success of your business. Identifying your target audience can take a lot of time and research, but it is probably one of the most significant steps to creating your business.

One of the most vital and potentially difficult steps of starting a new business is choosing your business name. Selecting a business name can be a lengthy process, and you may go back and forth with ideas, but don't worry, it can take time. Ultimately, your business name will be what people remember, so you want to make sure it's memorable, catchy, and related to your products/services. Why not have a brainstorming session to help generate name ideas. Simply begin by writing down words or phrases that are associated with your business, and play around with the formation of these. You can also ask your friends and family, for feedback regarding your potential name choices before you take the plunge and register the name. Before you finally decide on your business name, it's essential to check to make sure it's available and not in use by someone else.

Another essential part of starting your own business is getting to grips with the financial aspect of it. This area of your new business can be extremely confusing, especially if you have no idea about accounts, finances, and numbers. It may be worth researching online and looking at getting yourself an accountant/financial advisors to help manage your finances, accounts, and taxes. There are plenty of companies available online, giving you all the advice you need with accounting for startups and new businesses. It may also be help to set up a business bank account and business insurance to ensure any business orders or transactions are kept separate from your personal account, and to allow you to keep your business accounting records organised for future reference.

Once all the plans have been made, and the financial side of your business has been accounted for, it's time to create your website and social media accounts. Your online website is typically what spreads the word about your brand/product, so it's important to have it designed and working exceptionally well. Having your own website for your business gives easy accessibility to customers, helps boost your credibility, increases your visibility to others, and makes you look incredibly professional. You could also design your own business cards for your company, in order to spread the word to your friends, family and potential customers about your new ventures.

Are you looking at launching your own small business? What other essential things should you consider before starting?

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AD| University life is often like nothing students have experienced before – with a newfound freedom, managing finances, and a list of responsibilities to contend with, it can quickly feel overwhelming. While there’s no blueprint on making the most of university life, we’re on hand with some of our top tips to help you get the most out of your experience. So, if enjoying a fulfilling, rewarding and fun university experience is on the agenda, read on.

Embrace Freshers

University doesn’t have to be all work and no play – it’s all about finding a balance. When you’re first settling in, socializing is essential. Freshers’ week activities offer an excellent opportunity to immerse yourself into university life and make new friends. Ensure you pick out some freshers’ week opportunities to attend, either solo or with your roommates so that you can get used to student life without the pressure of your studies.

Get Your Priorities In Order

Once you’ve had some fun with freshers week, it’s time to find the balance we mentioned. When you’re juggling an intense study schedule, socializing, working, cooking, cleaning, and so much more, it can be easy to drop the ball. To get the most of the university life, understanding your priorities is essential. Take the time to consider what is and isn’t important to you. Whether it’s regular trips home, a part-time job or extracurricular activities, be clear on your non-negotiables.

Establish a Routine

It can be easy to fall into late nights and sleeping in, particularly during freshers’ week. However, establishing a routine that works for you early on can make a world of difference. Rather than falling into unhealthy habits, stick to a routine that enriches your experience. Whether it is regular trips to the library and gym or cooking meals in bulk and an early morning walk to start your day, a routine is a must. Even if your current schedule doesn’t require a strict routine, you’ll be glad that you have already found your groove when your workload increases.

Get To Know Your Tutors

Your tutors will likely offer open hours when you can lean on them for support. Whether you need advice, book recommendations or a private chat, your tutors are at your disposal. So, take the time to get to know your tutors and lean on them should you need the support.

Find Your Tribe

Whether you team up with fellow students from your course, join a club or start your own society, finding your tribe at university will undoubtedly contribute to your experience. To find out more about societies and clubs at your university, check out your student union's website or join online forums. Trust us; there are some seriously weird and wonderful options to choose from!

Explore Your Local Area

They say the best way to discover a new place is to get lost, and we recommend doing precisely that. If you’re new to the area, you’ll want to explore. So, find a friend or two and explore your new home. From local bars and restaurants to attractions and shops, taking the time to discover all the facilities at your fingertips is a great way to settle in and meet new people along the way.

Take Care of Yourself

While university life is a lot of fun, it also comes with a lot of hard work and, at times, pressure. Therefore, taking care of both your physical and mental health is essential to getting the best out of your university years. If you’re struggling with anything at all, know what you’re not alone. Whether you lean on your peers, tutors, loved ones or a professional, don’t be afraid to ask for help when you need it. From ensuring you’re eating well and getting enough sleep to exercising and watching your alcohol intake, make your health a priority throughout your time at university, and you’ll reap the benefits.

Remember, there is no right or wrong way to experience university. Just work hard, have fun, and take care of yourself. It will be one hell of a journey, so enjoy the ride! Novel is home to quality student accommodation in Leicester with amazing facilities such as private bedrooms, social spaces, a gym, and a games' room in the heart of the city.

Did you go to university? How did you make the most out of your time there?

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AD| Compound interest occurs when interest gets added to the principal amount invested or borrowed. It's essentially interest on interest, which can in some cases work to your advantage as your savings and/or investments grow over a period of time. Compound interest plays an important financial role in both your savings, investments and any debts you might have. Understanding how this works could help you to make more money over time—or it could mean you pay more in interest if you're not careful with your planning.

The difficult thing about compound interest is that it can be both a good and a bad thing, depending on how you utilize it. For example, it’s great when interest compounds on an investment, allowing your contribution to grow. However, when compound interest is added to say a loan or debt on a credit card, it's not great because that's extra money you’ll have to pay back.

What’s The Difference Between Simple & Compound Interest?

Simple interest is the interest you earn or accrue on the amount you invest or borrow. For example, say you invest £100 and earn 10% interest on your investment in a year. The interest earned would be £10. This £10 is simple interest.

Compound interest is the extra interest you earn in addition to the simple interest you've already earned. For example, with compound interest, the extra interest is added to your initial amount. So that £10 of interest would be added to your total, meaning you now have £110. Year-on-year, this amount would keep increasing as your compound interest would keep adding to your total.

So How Does It Work?

Say for example you put £1,000 into a savings account that had a 10% interest rate that compounds annually. At the end of the first year, you'll have £1,100. The £1,000 you initially put in to it, plus the £100 in interest. Then, at the end of the second year, you'll have £1,210. The £1,100 from the previous year, plus the additional £110 in added interest.

Compounding interest works slightly differently as instead of calculating interest based only on the original amount you put into savings, compounding interest calculates your annual interest based on your original amount, plus any previous interest you earned the previous year. So by the end of the 10th year, you'll have £2,594 (based on the 10% interest rate). You’ll have doubled your initial savings, without having to add any more of your own money. This is all thanks to compound interest.

How Do You Calculate Compound Interest?

To be able to calculate compound interest, there are a few things you need to work out first.

1. The amount you plan to invest that will be eligible for compound interest.

2. The interest rate on this amount.

3. How often compounding will occur.

4. How long your interest will compound.

Once you have the answers tool of the above, you will be able to calculate compound interest for your investment. Here is a reliable compound interest calculator you can use.

Use Your Knowledge of Compounding Interest Wisely

Once you understand how compounding works, you can make better, more strategic financial decisions. For example, you could look for a savings account that offers daily compound interest, instead of yearly. This means you can then transfer your savings into the account as frequently as possible. The more money you have in there, the more interest you will get from it, meaning you’ll get more of a return.

Hopefully this article will help you when it comes to working out if compound interest is for you.

Are you aware of compound interest?

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AD| Nowadays, many businesses are looking at incorporating and using different forms of artificial intelligence into daily work life as an aid to boost business growth, productivity and success -one of these being machine vision technology.

Businesses will typically use machine vision systems in a number of ways to improve quality, efficiency and operations in order to meet specific goals and targets. Machine vision technology and systems have continued to grow in popularity and are continuously evolving day after day. A machine vision system requires a computer and specific software to control and operate effectively. Both software and hardware systems are combined to make machine vision technology possible with components such as robotics, cameras, sensors, lighting and algorithms.

So you may be wondering, how is machine vision used in business? Machine Vision is predominantly used for quality control purposes, but also, it is necessary in helping businesses and manufacturers with other important processes such as for identification, inspection, guidance and many more. Listed below are some incredibly useful advantages of using Machine Vision technology in businesses today.

- Increased Safety and Security-

In businesses today, different forms of artificial intelligence are being used in order to improve safety and security procedures for employees. Newer technology, machine vision and robots are being introduced into companies for more repetitive, time-consuming, dangerous and more mundane jobs. In terms of machine vision, sensors used for specific jobs can be harmful for human employees. These can be placed in out-of-bounds or dangerous locations in the workplace, out of reach from employees to ensure a safe, risk-free and secure working environment for all.

- Improves Productivity -

Machine vision technology improves productivity levels within businesses in many ways. Machine technology and automation produces quality products faster and more efficiently. Another way machine vision improves productivity is by eliminates human error and preventing any production halts. Multipx Imaging specialises in Machine Vision Imaging, using cutting-edge technology and components, which help to make business and manufacturing processes more efficient and more productive.

- Quality Control -

Increased quality control is one of the main advantages of using machine vision technology, especially for businesses in the manufacturing industry. Machine vision technology is extremely useful in finding, correcting and preventing any production line defects and errors. In addition to using machine vision technology to identify defective products and errors, machine vision can also be used to help determine where any problems are starting/found in a production line, so corrective action and prevention methods can be taken.

- Reliability -

With an increase of using robots, computers and cameras in business today, these forms of artificial intelligence can help increase and improve reliability of certain processes within a business - especially during manufacture. Machine vision systems are typically used and implemented on a production line of a business. These systems would be able to inspect hundreds of new parts within minutes and with high quality camera technology, they will be able to detect any errors - even the smallest which would be undetectable to the human eye. Machine vision technology can also eliminate employee fatigue, making end-products of better quality and higher standards.

What other advantages are there of using machine vision technology in businesses today?

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AD| While it's convenient to have a smartphone, it's better to use a laptop for work and school. It's easy to carry around with you as you travel to your next destination. You feel better when typing things down for a project instead of having a tiny phone screen. Here are some of the benefits of having a laptop.

Lightweight to Carry

You can have a laptop backpack for carrying your notebook around different places to help you keep everything in order. A personal computer stays in one spot. You have no access to your documents on your desktop unless you have a USB card, email them to you, or put them in an online folder.

Whether you're stuck at an airport for a few hours or dealing with a long commute to work on the train, you take your laptop and take advantage of the WiFi access to catch up with emails and finish editing your work. Also, it's easier on the back if you have to move somewhere for a short time and don't need extra space to lug a desktop computer.

Easier to Power Up

When you have a desktop computer, you need electricity to run it. You never know if you're working on something and the electricity will go out. If you have a power outage while working on a document, you may lose the file or have to recover it from the last time you saved it. However, a laptop with a fully charged battery can last you for a few hours. Not to mention, it doesn't require so many plugs and adapters to get it to work.

A personal computer requires separate adapters for your monitor, keyboard, hard drive, and speakers. It takes up a lot of space and outlets in your room. However, a laptop needs just one adapter to plug into the wall, and everything else is built-in.

Better for Staying In Touch

When you're doing business, it's better to have a laptop. You never know if you need to get on a quick video chat call or go back in forth through instant messaging. You might have an interview, and the employer requests a video call. Laptops come with built-in mics and webcams. For most desktop computers, you need to purchase a separate webcam as well as a clip to hook it onto your monitor.

Also, you can do teleconferencing from anywhere that has a quiet space with a reliable internet connection. Having a portable computer can make it much easier to move around and still handle business from anywhere.

What other advantages are there of using a laptop?

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AD| A complicated set of procedures is always at the core of any business. These processes are especially ubiquitous and crucial in the manufacturing industry. From product development and creation to quality assurance and employee safety, each manufacturing business has its own set of procedures in place with distinct phases that demand attention and accuracy.

With so many of these processes running at the same time, it's easy to overlook a key step somewhere along the way. When avoidable errors start to occur, manufacturers need to rethink how they measure and manage processes throughout their enterprises. Errors are significantly more likely to occur if the company does not use good business process management software, so this could be the right option for you. Here are some of the benefits of using software for your manufacturing business.

Better Organisation

Organizing the specifics of each operation in a manufacturing organization might seem to be an insurmountable task. Many businesses struggle to keep track of processes that vary greatly in size and breadth and need a wide range of personnel, time, and resources. With so many variables to consider, it might be tempting to use a variety of different tools rather than searching for a holistic solution to get the task done. After all, how could a single solution be adaptable enough to meet every individual requirement?

A single solution may be "one size fits all" using highly adaptable process management software for manufacturing businesses. The flexibility to tailor each workflow to accommodate a wide range of demands enables firms to manage all of their operations, big and small, in any one location. Eliminating unneeded tools reduces the confusion that results from spreading information too thin and allows management to view cross-organizational data more clearly.

Save Money

It is difficult to detect whether a process isn't operating if faults aren't visible, and it may be tough for production managers to acquire an overview of the materials or resources they need to allocate properly. Manufacturing company software delivers a complete picture of administrative, operational, managerial, and inventory data throughout the organization, allowing you to effectively manage projects with real-time reporting. Your company will save money by saving time and resources attempting to obtain this information from numerous systems and by reducing waste, improving procedures, and profiting from happy consumers.

Streamlines Processes

In manufacturing organizations, inefficiency is a significant drain on productivity; struggling with clumsy procedures and manually contacting team members when they're required wastes valuable time and adds unnecessary weight to your firm. Inefficient procedures can cost businesses up to 30 percent of their income each year.

Accelerate things using software designed expressly for efficiency in manufacturing. A good process management system provides a plethora of automation possibilities, including the ability to start processes, pre-fill custom forms, remind co-workers to finish tasks as required, and more. With dozens of automatic checks, notifications, and updates ensuring that every step in the process is completed every time, increasing speed will never mean compromising quality.

What other benefits are there of using software in your business?

10:00 No comments

GUEST POST | If you’re on a low income, a zero hours contract or minimum wage, you might feel you’ll be laughed out of the bank if you go in there asking for a mortgage. So, how can you get on the property ladder with no money?

Average House Price in The UK

With the average house price in the UK being £264,000 and the average salary being £31,285, how is anyone supposed to get on the property ladder, never mind those on a low income (as an illustration, someone working 40 hours a week on minimum wage would be on a salary of £18,532.80)? All is not lost though. You might think you’re priced out of the housing market but there are ways to get on the property ladder with a low income and we’ll have a look at some of these ways below.

Look For Property in a Cheaper Area

If you’ve got your heart set on a townhouse in Notting Hill, setting your sights a bit lower will help you get on the property ladder. When I say ‘a bit’, I mean stop coveting those £6million penthouses on Rightmove and have a browse on estate agents in Essex websites instead. You’ll get far more for your money in slightly less-salubrious areas such as Barking, Basildon or Dagenham and, if you work from home, you can live wherever you like (and can afford), so you won’t be spending thousands a year on your commute.

Save a Bigger Deposit

Saving a bigger deposit is easier said than done, no one’s going to disagree with that. A rightful complaint from would-be property buyers is that they can easily afford a mortgage, as proved each month when they pay rent that’s more than their mortgage payment each month would be. If they didn’t have to pay so much in rent, they could save up for a bigger deposit with which to buy a house. It’s a Catch-22 situation for sure. There are ways to save though, even if you think you’re already financially stretched to your limit.

Cut Down On Essentials and Non-Luxuries

Go through your bank statements and online subscriptions and see what you can cut out. That daily coffee shop coffee? Get a travel mug and take your own coffee on your commute. Do you really need all your streaming services? There must be some you can cut out or downgrade to a cheaper plan. Do you have a gym membership but can’t actually remember where the gym is? Scroll through the apps on your phone. Are there apps you’re paying for but never use? If there’s stuff you really have to buy, here are some tips to help you save money online.

Put The Money in a Savings Account

When you’ve gone through your daily/weekly/monthly/yearly outgoings and cut out those services and non-essentials you can live without, put the money you would have spent into a savings account. This isn’t because you’ll make more money in interest (you get approximately bugger-all in interest these days) but because if you leave it in your bank account, it’ll get spent somehow. Put it in an account that doesn’t give you a bank card and you’ll soon see the money for a deposit build up.

Pay Your Debts Off

I know paying more money out seems to contradict the advice above about cutting down on your spending, but one thing a mortgage lender looks at is how many loans and debts a potential borrower already has. Paying off any debts such as a student loan (okay, that’s possibly a bit unreasonable), personal loans and credit cards will make you look better in a lender’s eyes.

Improve Your Credit Score

A low credit score isn’t going to do you any favours when it comes to getting a mortgage. If you think your credit score is going against you, you can check it for free at websites such as Experian. If your credit rating isn’t great, make sure you pay off any loans regularly and don’t miss any payments. On top of that, pay more than the minimum amount required to really improve your rating.

‘But I don’t even have a credit card. Why is my rating so low?’ is a common question. The reason your credit rating is low when you don’t even have a credit card is because there’s not actually anything to rank you on. No one will know if you’re good at paying back a debt if you’ve never had one. Yet another of those pesky Catch-22 situations.

Yet again, I’m going to contradict myself and say, if you’ve never had a credit card and your credit score is low - get a credit card. This sounds a crazy idea but getting a credit card and paying off the balance in full each month will improve your credit score. I’m not suggesting you get a Platinum Amex and max it out on shoes, handbags or cars each month, but buy your groceries and other regular essentials on your credit card and just remember to pay it off in full each month. You’ll be no worse off but your credit rating will improve.

The above advice isn’t a magic bullet for getting on the property ladder with no money, but a bit of cutting back, compromising and improving your credit rating will get you further towards your dreams of being a homeowner.

Are you on the property ladder? What are your tips and advice for first-time buyers?

10:00 No comments

AD| Taking your small businesses online can have its benefits, you can gain a wider audience, you can have your business seen from all over the world and you can gain a good income, but it can also increase the risks of cyber-crime, scams, data leaks and security threats from hackers.

Cyber-crime is something that is constantly on the rise, and many small businesses are extremely vulnerable if they aren't trained correctly or have ineffective cyber security installed. Having the correct cyber security training and processes in place is vital part of protecting businesses from online cyber crimes. Small to medium businesses are a prime target for cyber attacks, so it is essential that cyber security is up-to-date and used correctly. Let's take a look at 4 reasons cyber security is important and beneficial for online businesses.

- Protects Your Business -

Cyber security is important in this case as it protects any company data from being hacked into, stolen or damaged. Having the necessary cyber security programs and practices installed will protect your business and allow your companies web/network security to be up to date. Making sure to save and back-up any important data and ensure strong passwords are used for your networks are essential protection practices that should be in place. Installing reputable security software on your business computers and other devices will help prevent any infections and breaches. As well as this, as a business, you should probably invest funds in protection services such as firewalls, antivirus, anti-spam filters, and antispyware and keep up with the updates to ensure you are protected. Make sure to turn on automatic system updates for the devices used in your business - smartphones, computers and laptops etc.

- Allow Employees To Work Safely Online -

"Human error was the cause of 90% of data breaches in 2019" - once your businesses employees have been trained efficiently on the basics of cyber security and how to work safely, you'll be able to look and track what your employees do when they are working online. Making sure your companies network restricts the access to unnecessary websites will prevent any data leaks, and make sure no viruses, no harmful websites or scam emails are accessed.

To protect against any scams or hacking, make sure to be extremely careful and cautious when accessing any links sent to you within emails, or any other form of contact - social media, for example. When checking your emails, never open emails sent from people you don’t know, proof-read the email for spelling mistakes as usually spam/harmful emails may be worded incorrectly, and also, make sure you are aware of which links are safe to click on and which are not.

- Protect Your Business' Reputation -

To ensure there are no data breaches, it's vital to educate all employees in the business, and make them aware of the basics of cyber security and keep them up to date with all necessary procedures. It's important all staff are constantly being trained and updated on the best practices of cyber security training.

For those looking for online resources to help them find out more about cyber security, the TryHackMe blog is a great online platform. TryHackMe offers cyber security training to individuals and businesses, with over 700,000 users. There is also the "Advent of Cyber", which is a free series of training labs for 25 days, from December the 1st, which can be accessed via the website, and sets people up for lucrative careers, better business practices, and internet safety.

- Protects Personal Data -

Not only can cyber security protect your business, but it can also protect any company or personal data that is stored on your companies networks and files. By avoiding the use of public WIFI systems, it'll ensure any sensitive data is kept secure and safe, and prevent any unauthorised user access. Whether it’s names and addresses, credit card information or passwords, all company data should remain safe, private and protected.

Making sure to create and use strong passwords, as well as using Two-Factor Authentication, will protect your businesses important and personal data files, as this will ensure anyone outside the company cannot access important date or files. Having strong passwords are probably the important thing you can do to ensure any hackers are kept out of your sensitive and personal data! Ensure these passwords are now shared with anyone who is not authorized to access your networks and systems.

While data leaks, systems breaches and cyber attacks are on the rise, by implementing some of the security procedures listed above and ensuring your companies employees are trained efficiently, you can begin to improve your cyber security for your business and employees, and keep your businesses data and resources protected.

What other ways can cyber security help online businesses?

22:30 No comments

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