When Sam Mangel was remanded directly into American Bureau of Prisons (BOP) custody following sentencing for charges related to insurance fraud, he found himself in a truly unsavory position: not only was he going to federal prison, he was unprepared.

“Finding myself unprepared was an unfamiliar feeling, as I always had a plan,” shared Mangel, who had found a long and successful business career, “Suddenly, I had a lot to figure out.”

Mangel did just that. Despite a five-year sentence, Mangel served just two years at the minimum-security federal prison camp in Miami before returning home to his family.

It was a journey that demanded Mangel learn the intricacies of federal recidivism programming, navigate the unique bureaucratic processes of the BOP, and discover how to advocate for himself in an environment unlike any other. As Mangel says, it’s a journey he wouldn’t wish on anyone.

Mangel turned that painful experience into a new career as a federal prison consultant, helping high-profile American business leaders, medical professionals, politicians, and foreign nationals through some of their darkest and most challenging days.

“I remember how it felt to work through the justice system on my own. That experience informs my focus on delivering compassionate and personal advice,” says Mangel.

Mangel’s first-hand experience is something even the best criminal defense attorneys cannot offer, underscoring the need to add a federal prison consultant to your legal team if facing charges in the United States.

And according to Mangel, there is no reason to wait until sentencing day to find one.

“There is a lot of opportunity for a qualified federal prison consultant to make an impact pre-sentencing, before you know if you’ll need to serve time in prison,” says Mangel, “The earlier you engage in sentence mitigation techniques, the better.”

Not only can a federal prison consultant assist in curating personal character reference letters and building the personal narrative package that a judge uses to consider your personal characteristics, but can also help in a way that is invaluable to foreign nationals seeking to remain home and out of American prison: preparing a treaty transfer.

A treaty transfer, officially known as an international prisoner transfer, is a legal arrangement that allows foreign nationals convicted of a crime in one country to serve the remainder of their prison sentence in their home country. This process is facilitated through treaties between the country where the individual was convicted and their home country.

The primary goal of these transfers is to allow prisoners to serve their sentences in an environment that is closer to their families, which can significantly aid in their rehabilitation and reintegration into society once released. It is also a humanitarian benefit, allowing prisoners to serve out their sentence in their home country.

But despite all of the good a treaty transfer can represent for the incarcerated, and their family, it is not an easy process.

“By being proactive and initiating the treaty transfer process at the earliest stage possible, we can set the groundwork for smoother negotiations and transitions if incarceration becomes unavoidable,” Mangel explains.

This early intervention is crucial, especially for foreign nationals who might face challenges if incarcerated in the United States, such as limited English. A federal prison consultant like Mangel understands the intricacies of these international agreements and works diligently to ensure that all legal avenues are explored and utilized effectively.

“Each case is unique, and understanding the nuances of the journey can make a substantial difference in the outcome,” says Mangel.

For more information about Sam Mangel, go to https://sam-mangel.com.

Flooring Hut, a leading innovator in the UK e-commerce industry, is excited to announce its decision to soon integrate Bitcoin as a new payment option on its platform. This strategic move allows customers to make purchases of carpet and flooring using the popular cryptocurrency, Bitcoin, alongside traditional payment methods, providing a seamless and efficient shopping experience for users in the United Kingdom.

Bitcoin, a decentralised digital currency, has gained significant traction in recent years as a secure and efficient method of conducting transactions. By accepting Bitcoin, Flooring Hut aims to cater to the growing number of customers who prefer this modern payment option, ensuring they have a variety of choices when purchasing products and services from our platform.

Bitcoin has evolved significantly since its inception in 2009, and its use as a payment method is one of its primary applications. Here are key points about using Bitcoin for payments:

Advantages of Using Bitcoin as a Payment Method

Global Reach: Bitcoin is a decentralised currency, allowing for international transactions without the need for currency conversion or central banking systems.

Lower Transaction Fees: Compared to traditional payment methods like credit cards or wire transfers, Bitcoin transactions often have lower fees, especially for cross-border payments.

Speed: Bitcoin transactions can be faster than traditional banking systems, especially for international payments which can take several days through banks.

Security: Bitcoin transactions are secured by cryptographic algorithms and are recorded on a blockchain, making them difficult to alter or fake.

Privacy: Bitcoin transactions can provide a higher level of privacy than credit cards because they do not require personal information to be shared.

No Chargebacks: Once a Bitcoin transaction is confirmed, it cannot be reversed, which reduces the risk of fraud for merchants.

Disadvantages of Using Bitcoin as a Payment Method

Volatility: Bitcoin’s price can fluctuate widely, which can be a risk for both merchants and customers.

Adoption: While acceptance is growing, Bitcoin is not universally accepted as a payment method. Many businesses still do not accept Bitcoin.

Transaction Times: During periods of high demand, Bitcoin transactions can take longer to confirm and may incur higher fees to expedite processing.

Regulatory Concerns: Bitcoin is subject to varying regulations across different countries, which can affect its usability and acceptance.

Technical Knowledge: Using Bitcoin requires a certain level of technical understanding, which can be a barrier for some users.

Using Bitcoin as a payment method offers numerous benefits, especially in terms of lower fees and increased security. However, its volatility and limited acceptance remain significant challenges. As the ecosystem around Bitcoin continues to evolve, its usability and acceptance as a payment method are likely to grow.

“Our commitment to providing the best shopping experience for our customers is at the heart of this decision,” said Paul Brewster, CEO of Flooring Hut. “By accepting Bitcoin, we will empower our customers to transact securely and quickly, regardless of their geographic location, while also enjoying the advantages of lower transaction fees and increased privacy.”

The integration of Bitcoin into Flooring Hut’s e-commerce platform will be made possible through partnerships with renowned Bitcoin payment processors. These collaborations ensure that the Bitcoin transactions are handled smoothly and securely. 

To make the transition to Bitcoin payments as smooth as possible, Flooring Hut is developing comprehensive step-by-step guides and video tutorials, guiding customers through the payment process. The company emphasises that security is of the utmost importance and will be implementing robust measures to safeguard both customer and merchant data throughout the Bitcoin transaction process.

As part of this initiative, Flooring Hut remains committed to complying with all relevant UK financial regulations and legal requirements, ensuring a transparent and legitimate operation for its retail and commercial customer base. This new integration is a testament to Flooring Hut’s dedication to staying at the forefront of e-commerce trends and technologies. By embracing Bitcoin as a payment option, the company continues to push boundaries and enhance the shopping experience for its valued customers.

About Flooring Hut

Flooring Hut is a pioneering carpet and flooring e-commerce platform that has been at the forefront of delivering exceptional products and services to customers in the UK. With a strong focus on innovation, customer satisfaction, and seamless user experience, Flooring Hut continues to redefine the e-commerce landscape.

Henien, a brand committed to promoting health and well-being, highlights the critical importance of healthy eating habits amidst alarming data on the dangers posed by processed foods to human life and the environment.

In a world dealing with the consequences of overly-processed foods, the World Economic Forum’s (WEF) insights reveal a pressing reality: unhealthy dietary choices pose a significant threat to both human life and the planet. Henien, a brand dedicated to fostering health and well-being, addresses this challenge head-on by championing natural, additive-free foods that promote longevity and vitality. The company, which utilises autoclave technology to extend shelf-life, plans to expand into new markets, with a particular focus on several European nations.

Halil Üsame Kullemci explains, “Through Henien Aid, we deliver healthy food to vulnerable communities, offering them sustenance and hope. Our recent efforts during Ramadan alone saw us distributing over 9,500 parcels and 684,000 containers of food to 228,000 people across 75 cities in Türkiye.”

Utilising advanced GPUs and tailored datasets, the Commencis LLM is noted for its superior Turkish language capabilities and its bespoke options for the financial industry. The scalability of the model extends to aviation, insurance, and telecommunications industries. It is crafted to improve user experiences and operational efficiencies, built to the highest standards of security, and provides on-prem installations for superior data privacy.

Commencis, an innovator in digital transformation technology, has introduced its latest Turkish-specific large language model (LLM) for banking and financial services. The model, which has been trained with custom datasets to specifically address the needs of these sectors, automates customer service, content creation, and data analysis for both users and clients.

Commencis LLM was developed using sector-specific needs and customizable data sets and has the capability to improve user experience in critical functions such as live support and data analysis. The model’s versatility allows it to be customized and adapted across other sectors including aviation, insurance, and telecommunications, in addition to banking and finance. Developed to the highest privacy and security standards, the Language Model comes with an on-prem installation option, allowing companies to use Commencis LLM with full security within their own infrastructure.

If you’re listing a prime location property on Airbnb you may be tempted to assume the hard work is over — after all, a prime location means more bookings, right? However, being located in a hot spot often means facing stiff competition in a saturated market filled with accommodation options for holiday makers. This article aims to guide you on making your listing stand out, ensuring a steady flow of enquiries despite the competition.

Understanding the Saturated Market

In 2023, Architectural Digest reported that supply oversaturation and falling demand appeared to be taking a toll on the Airbnb short rental market. They noted that the situation seemed to be a “perfect storm of demand decreasing at a time of increased supply”.

If you want your property to avoid becoming the collateral damage of market saturation, make sure you understand the market your listing occupies. This understanding is crucial for strategic positioning. Being situated in a well-known city with a large market (such as Las Vegas) will make it far more difficult to attract bookings. Sometimes it can be useful to consult with Airbnb management companies to fully understand the market your Airbnb occupies. For example, Dubai-based rental management company Frank Porter has a team of in-house pricing specialists who can assess and explain the market, and adjust prices accordingly.

Crafting Compelling Listings

In Airbnb’s list of factors that influence search results, top of the list is quality of listing. They state that their ranking algorithm assesses listing photos, listing characteristics and amenities, and customer service and cancellation information. In a saturated market, try to highlight what makes your Airbnb unique from the rest in your description — maybe you’ve just had a state-of-the-art hot tub installed in the garden, or perhaps your listing is just minutes away from the hottest tourist spot. Keep updating this description as you receive feedback from guests on what they loved about your property. Regular updates based on guest feedback can enhance your listing’s appeal. Airbnb has released a handy YouTube video guide on how to make a listing that stands out, and this is a good place to start if you’re a beginner host.

Setting Competitive Prices

The Airbnb algorithm compares the total price of your property with other similar listings nearby. Setting a competitive price can be tricky, because you want to attract as many people as possible by offering a fair price, but equally don’t want to undervalue your property. In order to reassure guests of the value of your property, make sure the various features and amenities included in your Airbnb are crystal clear on your listing page. It’s also worth asking previous renters on their opinion of your pricing — do they think you’re charging too much, too little, or the perfect amount? Feedback from previous renters can be invaluable in setting optimal prices. Adapt your prices accordingly.

Offering Exceptional Amenities and Services

Everyone loves an extra — whether it’s a plethora of streaming services, a top of the range power-shower or the latest espresso machine, offering that little bit more can significantly increase your listing’s chances of standing out in a saturated market. Take a look at what your competitors are offering and ensure that you’re offering a similar (if not more extensive) list of amenities. Airbnb have released a list of the top searched for amenities as follows:

1. A pool
2. Wifi
3. A kitchen
4. Free parking
5. A hot tub
6. Air conditioning or heating
7. A washing machine or dryer
8. Self check-in
9. TV or cable
10. A fireplace

Offering a range of these amenities will give your listing the best chance of making its mark on the Airbnb search ranking page and give your guests a highly-anticipated stay. It’s also worth providing some recommendations that will enhance your guests’ experience as it will make your property that little bit more unique than the next. Personalised recommendations can elevate the guest experience.

Leveraging Guest Reviews and Feedback

In 2023, Airbnb introduced a “Guest Favourites” badge for listings with an average rating of 4.9 or above. Those searching for an Airbnb will be able to filter search results based on whether a listing has this badge. Clearly, having positive guest reviews on your listing page has never been more important for making a property stand out from the rest.

If your guests are loving your property but aren’t always leaving reviews, feel free to (politely) ask them to provide feedback on your Airbnb page, and tell them you’ll do the same. If your reviews are currently lacking, reach out to the guests who have given you negative feedback and ask them for more information. Implement their suggestions and reply to their reviews — in doing so, it shows that you are acknowledging their feedback and makes it clear to future guests that you’re a host who is truly invested in providing the best experience possible.