Wednesday, October 31, 2018

5 Reasons To Make Management Software Your Next Investment

Growing a business that’s profitable and thrives through cycle after cycle isn’t just a tough task…it can be unnervingly difficult, and at times overwhelming. Business leaders are confronted with paying attention to mission statements, strategic positions, making competitive maneuvers, the bottom line, and day-to-day operations. Not to mention, if business begins to grow, increased layers of complexity form on top of what already seemed insurmountable.

In order to get the most of a business, those behind the wheel need more efficient solutions to handle operational assets. Maybe the sales team needs more insight into customer data to optimize marketing campaigns. Let’s say a financial account has to input a variety of accounting information, creating an array of spreadsheets that require hours of perusal. This costs time and even more money, draining the business of available capital resources.

Have sales dropped off in the past month, and you need to know which leads are buying and which leads have gone cold? Keeping up with lead generation equals additional strain on your sales team.

There has to be a better way, right? Perhaps it’s time to look into business management software; or applications that can improve business performance, save time, and free up resources that can then be redistributed to more vital tasks. A customer relationship system like campground management software can add serious value to venture. Let’s take a closer look at how the appropriate program can complement your venture.

How Business Management Software Helps You Sell More Efficiently

At first, business is smaller and more concentrated. Employees can communicate easier, exchange information on the fly, and all the moving pieces flow as they should, at least for the moment. But as your company attempts to scale up, you need help in keeping departments connected. Across a wide spectrum of industries, lack of proper project leadership is one common that leads to falling employee engagement, and disconnected workforce. Management software that streamlines necessary business functions can create more transparency and visibility in your operation, giving you more control over every facet of the organization. Here are 5 reasons why you should make management software your next investment:

1. Access to vital information in and out of the office

When customer information is situated in a central location, having access on the web or on a mobile application increases productivity, especially for busy or remote teams. Software acts as a CRM or conduit for capturing leads, tracking job history, project scheduling, and photographic project history.

2. Connects customer relation with job scheduling and dispatching

Whether you have 5 or 50 employees, matching client request times for service with the proper team member can be a roll of the dice without a system in place. With the proper software, timetables can be assessed from a number of angles, and clarity takes the place of confusion. Suddenly, being able to send an agent, technician or service provider to a particular site becomes less of a hassle.

3. Customers enjoy a more positive service experience

Having a complete understanding of the project mission along with customer-specific aspects makes the service provider more productive, proficient, and capable of completing the job, assuring customers of your swift professionalism. Better reviews mean more business.

4. Keeps employees accountable

When a particular agent arrives at the job site, they are able to check-in, clock-in, and provide a timestamp that’s then sent back to the home office. This way, punctuality and professionalism are confirmed.

5. Important administrative tasks can be handled on-site

Developing estimates and invoices, for instance, can be created on-demand, and on location by informed, connected employees/agents. They’re also able to collect necessary on-site data to include in the customer’s project file such as item repositories, photographs, add-on service or material bundles.

Implementing management software in your business adds several points of value, yet simplifies the more tedious factors involved in keeping employees on track, satisfying high customer expectations, and taking care of finances, all while pushing the business forward. Integrating management technologies into your venture isn’t just encouraged…it’s highly recommended going into the future.

What’s the difference between a contractor and a freelancer?

While these are not legally distinct roles in terms of taxation or registration, there are some fundamental differences. 

Tuesday, October 30, 2018

Monday, October 29, 2018

Friday, October 26, 2018

Wednesday, October 24, 2018

The Aluminum Environment

What is Aluminum?

Aluminum is a metal that makes up 8% of the planet’s crust in a compound called alum or potassium aluminum sulfate. Aluminum is not a pure metal that you can just dig up. It is a combination of other natural elements that are combined to make more of an aluminum compound.

Aluminum is vastly used to provide tools and equipment like those manufactured in friction-stir welding productions and more. Aluminum is one of the oldest metal used in U.S. manufacturing industries and more.

Aluminum within the earth’s core is an ore called bauxite that is refined to produce aluminum alloys or oxide and common aluminum products that we use daily. Aluminum alloy is a chemical compound consisting of other elements to increase its strength and durability. The main elements that create aluminum alloy products are:

  • bauxite (alumina)
  • copper
  • iron
  • magnesium
  • manganese
  • silicon
  • zinc

Aluminum is also a sulfate mineral which is why in its near natural state is the 13th element on the periodic table. Next to oxygen, aluminum is the most common chemical element. Aluminum’s kissing cousins are natural crystalized gems like sapphire, ruby, emerald, and aquamarine. Sulfates are used to purify our drinking water, in certain medical prescriptions, in much of our cosmetics, and much more.

Aluminum Alloys

Aluminum alloy elements are enhanced through a heating and cold production treatments. The aluminum composite heating system ends with a rapid cooling that freezes the atoms that make up the alloy elements and keeps them in place. An aluminum alloy cold treatment begins with freezing and then going through a fabrication method to make it stronger for certain aluminum productions.

Industries Using Aluminum

Aluminum is vastly used in varied industries, and this is where MegaStir friction-stir welding is so important. Some of the industries where aluminum is used includes:

  • Aerospace
  • Aluminum foil products and packaging
  • Automotive
  • Construction
  • Electrical advancements like aluminum air-batteries and translucent aluminum development
  • Electronic appliances
  • Manufacturing of aluminum cans
  • Consumer Goods (Ex. Furniture accessories, food, and beverages)
  • Others (production of advanced scientific technology like solar and nanotechnology).

Aluminum Characteristics

Aluminum alloys are manufactured in category series depending on the type of industry usage. Each series identified below can be used in cross-industry applications. The aluminum characteristics include:

1xxx: the purest form of aluminum that is used in electrical productions, chemical equipment, and telecommunications as in our cellphones. This series does not ever corrode and retains a high conductivity ratio.

2xxx: this series is a wide-range temperature alloy. Aluminum alloys are used in aerospace and aircraft industries for welding.

3xxx: this is a medium strength alloy that is used in manufacturing cooking utensils, office equipment, building trims, and heat exchangers like car radiators, furnaces or home radiators.

5xxx: this aluminum alloy series works in any industry where welding is performed, like space, a marine environment, the railway industry, construction, the automotive industry, and general machinery businesses.

6xxx: this series is a great commercial aluminum alloy that is used in the aerospace industry and the military for machinery parts. It is made of a high and medium strength alloys. It is also used in varied metal shop building industries.

7xxx: this aluminum/zinc series contains the highest strength in alloys, yet it is a lightweight alloy. It is mainly used in the aerospace industry, making bridges, and sporting equipment and construction.

Aluminum Productions

America produces less aluminum than many other nations. The largest supplier of varied aluminum and aluminum alloy is China. Aluminum markets and their off-shoot resources are also growing in Brazil, India, Africa, Russia, and South East Asia.

The U.S. Commerce Department reports that 90% of our aluminum is imported. American companies making aluminum goes where manufacturing electricity is cheaper, like Iceland. Older aluminum companies like Alcoa is seeing resurgence through friendly tariffs. Indiana manufacturing companies are firing up their smelting plants.

Properties and Future of Aluminum

The properties of aluminum make it one of the more popular elements. Aluminum is very popular because of the following:

  • Conductivity
  • Corrosion-free
  • Durable
  • Lightweight
  • Non-flammable with no release of gases
  • Odor-free
  • Pliable
  • Recyclable – aluminum is called the ‘green’ metal
  • Strong

Aluminum is the material of choice for modern road vehicles. Using aluminum as the body for today’s cars and trucks promotes safety, fuel economy, and produces eco-friendly emissions. The use of aluminum is here to stay and it is proven that its use is improving our lives. Aluminum compounds like powder and salt are also used in medicine to treat ulcers, kidney infections, and in various vaccines.

Closing a company -- due to IR35 or not

Part one of two on the tricky business of weighing up winding-up, and how to do it.

Budget 2018: what contractors can expect

Hammond raiding PSCs looks likely, on top of the rash but realistic option of him reforming IR35.

Monday, October 22, 2018

Thursday, October 18, 2018

How To Find The Right Tenants For Your Rental

Like any other business, finding the right tenants, who are the clients in this case, can be very overwhelming. It may be your home that you want to rent, or houses that you have built specifically to rent out. There are both good and bad tenants and, worse, there are those who come with more risk if they have a plan to carry out illegal activities in your building. For these and more reasons, you must be very vigilant when choosing tenants for your rentals. Below are a few tips that would help you get the right tenants who will pay on time, are easy to work with, and above all are willing to take care of your property.

1. Know Your Laws Well

There are several states and federal laws that monitor landlords and tenants and you, as a landlord, must do research on them all to avoid finding yourself on the wrong side of the law. For example, The Fair Housing Act prohibits landlords from discriminating qualified tenants based on their religion, race, age, gender, family status, a nation of origin, or disability. You also need to understand your rights as a landlord and rights of your tenants to ensure they are respected accordingly. If you have your own real estate company, you may need to refer to your Real Estate LLC Operating Agreement and know what you will need to add in your agreement with your tenants. If you are a beginner in this business, you can seek advice from a consultancy firm that deals with real estate’s planning so as to secure your property.

2. Carry Out Background Checks

After understanding the laws concerning rentals, it will be a good time to check if your potential tenant is a criminal or not. The good thing is that criminal data is available in public records and you can access it in different courthouses. One thing you need to know when carrying out a background check is that you must have the actual name and date of birth of the tenant. This is because any person who has a criminal record can try to falsify this information. You must, therefore, obtain a valid ID to carry out the background checks.

3. Check For Tenant’s History With Other Landlords

Some tenants can be very problematic and unreliable, and it is your duty as a landlord to communicate with at least two landlords who worked with them before. However, you also need to know that some landlords will lie to you if they want a problematic tenant to leave their property. Therefore, speak to landlords who do not have any current tie with the potential tenant. For a first-time renter, you will be required to use other tips to verify their reliability. The questions you should ask include:

  • Was the tenant paying rent in time?
  • Why did they leave your premises?
  • Did the tenant take care of the rented property?
  • Did they give notice before vacating?
  • Did they relate well with neighbors?
  • Did they have unnecessary complaints?

4. Check The Tenant’s Credit Report

You must verify if your new tenant will be able to afford the rent by checking their credit score. The higher the score, the higher the chances they will not default on paying rent. Generally, a credit score that is above 650 is reliable. You can also gather the financial information of your tenant to know if they make payments in time or if they have numerous outstanding debts. If they do not pay other debts, there is a high chance they won’t be paying your rent in time either. The law allows a landlord to turn away future tenants who have a criminal history or a poor credit score.

5. Check The Stability Of Your Tenant

Some people keep frequently moving from one property to another, sometimes without any good reason. You can capture such information on the application form by asking for employment history and prior addresses. People who do not have consistent employment show that there is a possibility of them moving again, and also might not be able to pay the rent. Like any other business, you need a tenant that you can work collaboratively in the long run.

6. Trust Your Gut Instincts

While doing all this screening, your instincts might be telling you that this is not the right tenant for your rentals. Sometimes our instincts are known to have the best judge of character, and you should trust them to some extent, apart from doing your own thorough screening.

Contractors’ Questions: Can two end-of-year parties both be tax-free?

Expert reminds that £150 is the total, and it’s an exemption, not an allowance.

No more delay on MTD, VAT-contractors warned

Small business minister rules out a further hiatus for digital tax accounts.

Tuesday, October 16, 2018

Finding The Value Of Work

Finding the right way to manage time opens up many opportunities with your personal wealth, but you can’t get money without putting in the work necessary to earn it. That is where the value of work starts, although it doesn’t tell the complete story.

What Would You Do If You Didn’t Work?

There is an idea that if you did not have to work you could do what you really wanted. Hobbies, sports and even finding love. All of the things that you now have more time to do would finally be within your grasp. The dream of investing in multiple stocks and becoming a millionaire would be a reality. The reality is that you can have all of these things with the proper work ethic. Hard work doesn’t prevent you from doing the things you want. Instead, it provides you with the funds necessary to do all of the things you want. You exchange your time for money, and you then use that money to get the things you want.

This isn’t some weird ‘gotcha’ like microtransactions that give you a sense of accomplishment. The phrase “learning the value of a dollar” won’t make sense unless you spend time working towards something you want. A good example is investments, which can gain you a lot of money by being smart with your decision-making. Iraqi Currency has been brought up as an option for young investors that want to get into the game. It is one of many ways to extend the worth of your hard-earned money without investing more time into making it.

If you value your time, then you should invest it more wisely in working so that you can always have the things you want out of life. Shortcuts are optional, but everyone knows that work will always be the best way to make money.

Career Or Job?

But the question remains, why should you value hard work? Even if you don’t have any hobbies, sports or other activities, work is about more things than making money. It is a social activity that instantly connects you to billions of people worldwide. This is exactly why businesses have incorporated mandatory team activities into work schedules. It isn’t some grunt level punishment, and it happens at even the highest levels of business. The same cashier complaining about having to go to a work meeting is no different than the director of finance rolling his eyes at a quarterly meeting. Networking is a major part of why work is important to people. You find friends, associates, new jobs, careers and sometimes even life partners at work. For some people, work is the only thing that gets them out of the house.

The big divide on when work becomes important is always discussed when looking at the difference between a career and a job. A person with a career is more likely to appreciate work than a person with a job. This isn’t a guarantee, but it shows the major difference between giving your work purpose and working just to make money. The person that gives their work purpose gives priority to his or her time, thus managing it more effectively than everyone else. Think about that the next time you complain about work, and try to see if you’re talking about your position at work or your current work-related tasks.

There Is Value In Work

Not liking what you do is not a reason to find less value in work. But it is a reason to question if that particular job is the best use of your time. Work is about the social interaction, taking responsibility for your finances and of course contributing to society. The only way to be independent and make it on your own is by utilizing your time properly. Stay away from doing work as a temporary measure and instead find something that falls in line with your personal wants. In places like Qatar and Cambodia, job choice is limited. That means that working in countries like that is a waste of time for millions of people that prioritize their work-related wants. If you live in a place with work opportunities that align with your goals, take advantage of them so that you can learn the value of work. It is never too late to make a change that affects your life forever.

Your contractor CV: how ballsy should it be?

‘Knowing where to set the dial’ is one of four steps to getting ballsy-ness bang on.

HMRC wants to issue third-party data notices without having to ask

Taxman’s push to bypass ‘important’ safeguards on materials he’d like is being resisted.

Monday, October 15, 2018

Monday, October 8, 2018