SUBSCRIBE
Home Blog Page 642

Lithium-ion, hydrogen, and the future of mobility

ABC Staff
-
0
Lithium-ion, hydrogen, and the future of mobility

If you had to pick which technology most defined the 20th century, you could do worse than choosing the internal combustion engine (ICE). Flight, construction, shipping, personal mobility – none would be possible in a recognisable way without it.  

Even so, while hydrocarbon engines have allowed us to travel further faster and build bigger, they have some very well-known drawbacks which need not be repeated. As a result, industry and consumers have increasingly sought alternatives as the 21st century progressed.

At present, the consensus seems to be that electric drivetrains are the inevitable replacement for internal combustion as we prioritise more sustainable travel, at least where personal mobility is concerned. The concept is not new – electric vehicles have existed since the 1830s – but a consensus on how to power them has proven more elusive.

The emergence of lithium-ion personal transport

Current industry momentum seems to be with lithium-ion technology. Long associated with eccentric short-range vehicles like the Renault Twizy or G-Wiz, lithium-ion EVs have become mainstream surprisingly quickly. In fact, the Tesla Model 3 topped European model rankings in September 2021, marking both the first time that an EV has led the market and the first time that a vehicle manufactured outside of Europe has occupied the top spot.

The emergence of Tesla as a major force in the global auto market towards the end of the 2010s put established players like VW, Nissan, and Ford on notice. Up to that point, most of the world’s largest auto manufacturers had paid only lip service to the prospect of a full transition away from petrol or diesel-driven cars.

The success of Tesla changed that. This success was not instant, however. It took years to transition the company from manufacturing the limited-run curios like the Tesla Roadster to the mass-market Model S, X, 3, and Y. In the process, Tesla became the world’s most valuable car manufacturer and started revolution in car design, the impact of which is still being felt.

Still, while Tesla began the 2020s as the market leader in EVs, this advantage is unlikely to persist in perpetuity. Nearly every major automotive manufacturer has either begun production of its own EVs or has announced major plans to do so in the years to 2030 – and that is before we consider the market impact challenger brands like Rivian or Lucid Motors might have.

Publicly, Tesla CEO Elon Musk would say this is a good thing. More mainstream automakers entering the sector will increase investment in everything from battery technology to charging infrastructure. Privately, it’s safe to assume Musk is concerned his dominance of the EV market may come to an end before he can reach Mars.

Even so, it would be foolish to assume that the future dominance of lithium-ion technology is guaranteed.

A hydrogen-based future?

Lithium-ion technology has some major drawbacks its proponents conveniently ignore. Chief amongst these are the challenge of recycling batteries and sourcing the exotic raw materials required for battery production. Cobalt is an essential component of Tesla’s lithium-ion cathodes, being preferable to alternatives like manganese due to its higher relative energy density. Nevertheless, more than 70 per cent of the global supply of cobalt is sourced in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Child labour, severe human rights violations, political instability, corruption, dangerous mining practices – all are commonplace in the country. Questions around supply-chain stability would normally be enough to worry investors when such a high proportion of a material has a single source. When combined with valid concerns around the wider situation in the DRC, the issue becomes critical.

In their defence, Tesla has worked hard to reduce the amount of cobalt it uses in its batteries. Nevertheless, it will be some time before the company completely removes the element from its supply-chain. Until then, the issue remains an awkward one for lithium-ion supporters.

Hydrogen fuel-cell technology has been proposed as an alternative to hydrocarbons for some time, with Toyota and Hyundai among the major manufacturers that offer consumer fuel-cell vehicles. The choice seems sensible; hydrogen is most abundant chemical substance in the universe. It is also non-toxic and, when produced using renewable energy, does not contribute to global warming.

Like lithium-ion technology, hydrogen fuel-cells generate electrical charge which in turn powers electric motors. One of the major advantages hydrogen fuel-cells have over battery tech, however, is that they can be refilled in minutes rather than hours. Further, hydrogen filling stations would make use of existing hydrocarbon infrastructure; replacing every car on the road with a lithium-ion alternative would require developing new land to match the increased demand for charging points. Battery technology is also less suitable in applications where weight is a primary consideration – like aviation.

Hydrogen comes with its own list of drawbacks, of course. It is highly flammable and is typically liquified for transport (although fuel-cells make use of compressed rather than liquid hydrogen). This makes transportation of hydrogen to filling stations a challenge, although stations are increasingly able to generate their own hydrogen on-site. Hydrogen is also less energy efficient than lithium-ion technology.

A non-hydrocarbon future

In November 2020, the UK government announced a ban on the sale of new petrol or diesel cars from 2030. Similar plans are being mooted around the world, and Japan has announced its intention to expand production and drive down the cost of hydrogen to about 1/3rd of its present price by 2030.

The writing is on the wall; the transition to electric personal transport has already begun. Even Dodge, the longstanding US manufacturer of V8 muscle, has unveiled what it terms ‘eMuscle’ – its first electric muscle cars. Nevertheless, it would be a mistake to assume battery electric transport has arrived as the unchallenged successor to hydrocarbons. Hydrogen fuel-cell technology is increasingly emerging as a viable alternative.

It is not guaranteed either will prove victorious, however. Both solutions have their benefits. Lithium-ion technology is more efficient but heavier. Hydrogen fuel-cells are lighter but the gas itself is highly flammable.

In the near future, it may not be so unusual to hail an electric cab to the airport and board a hydrogen powered plane. Either way, it appears the hydrocarbon era is increasingly in our rear-view-mirror.

Feeding the vultures: the ‘investors’ profiting from turmoil

ABC Staff
-
0
Feeding the vultures: the ‘investors’ profiting from turmoil

The Port of Tema in southeastern Ghana hums with activity. Multicoloured container ships, stacked like Lego blocks, stretch as far as the eye can see, while cranes ferrying goods from across the globe hug the coast, the most visible sign of a global trade hub. Look closer, and the port reveals more than meets the eye, with the harbour exposing the long reach of vulture investors.

In early October 2012, an Argentinian naval training vessel was impounded here after a Ghanaian court ruled in favour of a US vulture fund with a claim on Argentinian debt. The fund in question was a subsidiary of Elliott Management Corporation, a US$20 billion hedge fund.

Seeking an opportunity to make astonishing profits during Argentina’s 2001 financial meltdown, the fund bought up vast swathes of Argentina’s sovereign debt at a steep discount so that when the crisis passed, they could sue in international courts for repayment of the bonds in full. As part of these efforts to tie up Argentina’s dwindling assets, the vulture fund persuaded a judge to allow the seizure of the country’s prized naval vessel in Ghana.

Unfortunately, the fund did not stop there. Indeed, it would go on to sue Argentina in New York, with the US court ruling in 2012 that Argentina had to pay back the fund in full, to the tune of US$4.65 billion. The ruling came at a time when unemployment rates in Argentina were skyrocketing to above 20 per cent, and 57.5 per cent of the population lived beneath the poverty line.

This dispute was easily one of the longest, most contentious battles over sovereign debt in modern memory. But the incident is far from isolated, with vulture funds increasingly targeting developing countries in turmoil.

Operating in a topsy-turvy world where bad times are good and national or corporate wreckage yields rich rewards, vulture funds work by buying distressed debt at rock-bottom rates in an attempt to profit from an eventual restructuring. They achieve this by ‘holding out’ against any form of write-down on the debt, including international debt relief initiatives, so that eventually they will be paid out in full.

The practice is widely condemned, with former British Prime Minister Gordon Brown describing vulture funds as ‘morally outrageous.’ The reasoning is simple – the lawsuits leave debtor countries in tatters. For example, in 2007, as Zambia’s healthcare system teetered on the brink of collapse, the country was forced to pay US$15.4 million to settle a US$55 million case brought by vulture fund Donegal. The debt Zambia originally owed to Romania was bought for just US$3.2 million, giving Donegal a profit of over US$12 million.

Hoping that feast will follow famine, vulture funds are now circling what they hope will be their next prize. Looking to profit off the Nigerian people, Process & Industrial Developments (P&ID) – a shell company owned by the vulture fund VR Capital and an opaque Cayman Islands-based entity Lismore Capital – are currently pursuing the Federal Republic of Nigeria (FRN) for the sum of US$10 billion.

This eyewatering figure is equivalent to roughly one-fifth of Nigeria’s foreign reserves and almost 2.5 per cent of its annual gross domestic product. Paying such a large sum would be disastrous for any country. Yet, for a developing nation such as Nigeria, which has an annual health budget of just US$1 billion and a security budget of US$2.6 billion, the result is potentially cataclysmic. Despite these consequences, the owners of P&ID continue to pursue the FRN aggressively, putting profit over the Nigerian people.

VR Capital, which describes itself as ‘an alternative asset manager focused on distressed securities’, has a long history of profiting from countries in financial crisis, having most recently taken a punt on distressed sovereign debt in Argentina. The vulture fund has also purchased distressed sovereign debt in Ukraine and Greece, accruing outrageous sums as the nations restructured their debts to avoid default.

Now turning its attention to Nigeria, VR Capital acquired its 25 per cent stake in P&ID in 2017, just months after the company won a US$6.6 billion arbitration award. The award concerned a dispute over a 2010 deal for P&ID to carry out a gas project in the country.

However, it appears VR Capital’s luck may be finally running out. In 2020, a London Court granted the FRN permission to challenge the arbitration award, finding a strong prima facie case that the underlying contract for the gas project was pursued through bribery. With P&ID now on shaky ground, it appears VR Capital may have backed the wrong horse.

It is clear the tactics of vulture funds can leave countries with crippling debt repayments that only exacerbate existing economic turmoil. Yet, with political leaders becoming more attuned to these practices, we may witness an increased clampdown on vulture funds to put a stop to so-called ‘investors’ profiting from national or corporate wreckage.

Important Traits of a Business Manager

ABC Staff
-
0
Important Traits of a Business Manager

Despite the importance of good management, many people feel that leadership skills are innate. However, all of these features can be identified and improved upon. This may sound counterintuitive, but it never hurts to list what you’ve already accomplished. Be on the lookout for suitable managing characteristics to improve your leadership abilities as a manager or a recruit who wants to include traits on your business manager resume.

Looking for these qualities in a manager is a must:

The personality attributes of a manager can make a huge difference. Employees appreciate a boss who can listen and hear, communicate, and give orders. A manager’s ability to develop trust with their team can also enhance productivity, engagement, and employee retention. If you want success in the workplace, keep these 12 qualities in mind.

They pay attention to their employees’ abilities:

The advantages of fostering a work environment that emphasizes individual strengths are undeniable. Business success and employee growth are inextricably linked. Strength-based workplaces can increase employee engagement by up to 72 percent, increase earnings by 14 to 29 percent, and minimize security incidents by up to 59 percent in industries where turnover is high.

They have a strong awareness of their own identity:

Of course, a manager’s aggressiveness must be balanced with diplomacy and sensitivity, but marketing expert Michelle Smith stresses the relevance of a manager’s lack of fearlessness. When it comes to motivating employees, a leader must adapt to societal change successfully, keep their cool under pressure, and take the lead.

While under pressure, they can maintain their composure:

It is crucial to be able to regulate one’s blood pressure. As a manager, you’ll have days where you’ll feel like you’re wearing a target on your back since you’re accountable for the performance of others. To put it another way, this was the most critical managerial attribute. The way you handle yourself in the workplace and deal with work-related stress helps you maintain a clear head in stressful situations.

They are eager to hear new ideas:

To see how a process might be improved, a leader needs to be adaptable and open-minded. Great leaders encourage their employees to come up with fresh ideas and give them the freedom to do so.

They’re a way for employers to show their appreciation for their employees:

Awarding your staff for their hard work is a terrific method to show them appreciation. As a manager, you have the power to send a powerful message down the grapevine to your employees, their coworkers, and the rest of the organization. As a result, when you reward and encourage exceptional performance, you transform your firm’s culture.

They create a work climate where everyone is treated with respect:

Leadership excellence is based on trust, which is at the heart of outstanding leadership. If you want your team to feel free to suggest potentially harmful trials, you need to show them that you value their input. Also, successful teams recognize that setbacks serve as learning opportunities for the next big idea.

They aren’t micromanagers:

According to Google, “teams with excellent managers stayed happier and more constructive” because good leaders don’t strive to govern every detail. When it comes to team performance, though, you may feel forced to scrutinize every aspect of the process. As a result, employees may lose their sense of autonomy and become disengaged.

They encourage their coworkers to grow by providing them with possibilities for advancement:

Have you ever feared that your efforts to help your staff grow and learn will only serve as a stepping stone to the next step in their career? Employees’ ability to learn new skills isn’t a myth, as HR best practices would have you believe. You also send a powerful message that you care about your employees’ well-being.

They openly and truthfully express their thoughts and feelings:

As with boldness, it is essential to be sensitive to your employees’ views regarding openness. The best bosses don’t hide the facts behind politeness; they tell it like it is. Inadvertently, subordinates felt that their bosses would always give them direct answers. Your employees will have difficulty improving if they don’t know what bad habits they have.

Their analytical abilities are a vital asset:

You may be a natural-born salesperson with a knack for working well in groups, but that’s only half of the story. Maintaining an eye on your council’s workforce analytics is also a good idea. A leader needs to have an analytical and cognitive approach to problem-solving, which leads to more effective decision-making.

Summing up:

How many of the fundamental characteristics listed above do you possess? You can use this exam to identify areas where you can grow as a manager. You’ll reap the benefits: A 147% increase in earnings per share can be expected when managerial talent levels rise to certain extent.

Best unlimited data internet plans for your home

ABC Staff
-
0
Best unlimited data internet plans for your home

At just $54.90 each month, this continuous advancement from Tangerine is quite possibly the most reasonable way of getting a limitless data NBN 50 arrangement. That, however, you can expect the nearest thing conceivable to congestion-free internet plans of NBN speeds with the average evening speed sitting at 50Mbps

First six months you will be charged $54.90 each month, after which the cost will be $69.90 each month which is a reasonable tariff for an NBN 50 plans. The plan is contract free, so you can switch or cancel the plan anytime.

Tangerine’s Standard Speed Unlimited arrangement. For $44.90 every month you can appreciate normal evening rates of 25Mbps and limitless information. It’s grabbed the best position this month because of an arrangement Tangerine internet plans are right now running – for $44.90 for the initial 6 months before it returns to $59.90 per month. Furthermore, because it’s a no-contract bargain, you can leave whenever.

Tangerine likewise offers a fourteen-day cooling off period with no commitment. In case you’re troubled under any condition, you can leave any time during your first fortnight and get a total discount on your arrangement expenses.

One of the vital guarantees of the NBN is that it’s quicker than ADSL. A lot quicker. Indeed, at its quickest broadly accessible speed level, you can download a full HD film from iTunes in around five minutes. Indeed, even a fair ADSL plan would take about an hour to download a similar film.

The NBN’s quickest broadly open speed level is known as NBN 100 (Fast) speed. Here is our pick for the best internet deal on NBN 100.

SpinTel takes out the crown this month, on account of the markdown promotion on its NBN Unlimited Premium arrangement. You’ll pay just $69 each month for your initial half-year, which is particularly incredible given the supplier reports congestion-free ordinary evening rates of 100Mbps internet plans.

Simply recollect this estimating just goes on for your initial half-year with SpinTel, after which you’ll pay $84.95 each month. Furthermore, the plan foregoes a contract so you’re allowed to leave at whenever you want to.

How Can You Save Big Bucks on Life Insurance with Diabetes?

ABC Staff
-
0
How Can You Save Big Bucks on Life Insurance with Diabetes?

Diabetes expenses can quickly mount. Learn how to save cash on medication, equipment, and treatments while still receiving the care you require. Diabetic costs are over twice more for healthcare coverage each year as someone who does not have diabetes. The great news is that you really can save money on many of these expenses, allowing you to spend less money on diabetes management.

Many diabetics may be eligible for life insurance. It’s also feasible to obtain reasonable insurance coverage for diabetics if they have well-managed illnesses and are otherwise healthy.

If you have a health problem like diabetes, safeguarding your family in a worst-case situation becomes even more critical.  Life insurance for diabetics premiums are generally affordable.

This article will cover a few ways people with diabetes can get better life insurance premiums.

Make It a Habit to Exercise on a Regular Basis

When an individual is detected with diabetes, they are usually advised to adjust their lifestyle. That involves keeping a closer eye on your diet and getting into a regular workout schedule.  This is one of the most important tips for diabetics.

Not only will exercising on a daily basis improves your overall well-being, but it will also help you to manage your diabetes. Presenting a good health history while applying for life insurance will result in cheaper life insurance.

When contrasted to a person with diabetes who does not work out consistently, some insurance companies will add ‘good lifestyle’ points to your account, which might result in a 25% reduction in premiums. There is good news for individuals who do not enjoy running on a treadmill or lifting weights! Bike riding, strolling, swimming, or even Yoga are all considered appropriate forms of exercise by employers.

These forms of good lifestyle credit will help you pay for any increased premiums that your insurance company may charge. When compared to an individual without diabetes, type 2 diabetes life insurance prices are sometimes similar.

Consider Implementing a No-Medical-Examination Policy

The degree of command a patient has of their diabetes is one of life insurance companies’ key worries. Many individuals with diabetes will experience ups and downs in their level of control over time.  No exam life insurance with diabetes is a quick process, and many applicants can be approved in a matter of days.

If you really need insurance coverage, but your diabetes is not under control, you should look into no medical exam coverage. Many no-medical-examination suppliers are unconcerned about your A1C levels. They simply wish to make certain you don’t have any serious diabetes issues.

If a person with diabetes does not have perfect management and registers for conventional life insurance that requires a specialized medical exam, their blood sugar levels will be examined. If it rises, it will have a negative impact on their insurance premiums. Under the worst situation, you may be turned down for life insurance entirely.

If you’re not sure what sort of coverage will best meet your needs, speak with an agent who is familiar with the Diabetes field. They would be ready to assist you in making the appropriate decisions.

Use Technology

Technology is not really a good ally. However, it is frequently the situation when it relates to diabetes and life insurance premiums. Life insurance companies have realized that the technology we employ can help diabetics improve their entire well-being.

Try using an insulin injection or a constant glucose measuring system if you suffer from type 1 diabetes. Insurance rates may be reduced if diabetes-related technology is used. When contrasted to type 1 diabetics who are not using technology, insurers see these devices favourably and will usually make greater life insurance quotes.

Individuals with type 2 diabetes who may not need CGMs or insulin pumps may be able to receive cheaper life insurance premiums by utilizing technology. Several organizations will let you submit your exercise levels with them if you have a Fitbit gadget or an Apple Watch. This might help you save anywhere from 6% to 9% on your life coverage premiums. Providing these extra facts to a health insurer may be financially beneficial.

Tobacco Products Should Not Be Used

If you are using tobacco items and have a kind of diabetes, your insurance premiums will skyrocket. The first step an insurer will do is assign a tobacco user rating to your plan. This immediately raises rates by 20% to 3%. According to life insurance firms, smokers with diabetes have a higher risk of developing diabetes-related problems.

Then, because you use tobacco products and have diabetes, life insurance companies will put an additional table score to your plan. Each table rating implies a 20% to 25% increase in supplementary life insurance premiums.

Tobacco and diabetes do not mix well. If you’re considering getting life insurance, you might want to avoid these sorts of policies. Don’t stress if you only consume a cigar or a pipe once in a while. Some insurance carriers will let you use these items on a limited basis without classifying you as a smoker.

Business Growth Trends and Strategies for 2022

ABC Staff
-
0
Business Growth Trends and Strategies for 2022

The past few years have seen the rapid transformation of various industries as the world has dealt with the shifting economic climates due to the global COVID-19 pandemic. And in the less-than-predictable market conditions of today, there are a few trends that you must look out for if you want your entrepreneurial venture to succeed. So, to help guide your business to flourish and thrive in 2022, here are some strategies to keep in mind. 

Take advantage of the new rollouts by your suppliers

Distributors all over the world have dealt with a lot of supply chain problems, thanks in no small part to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic and the subsequent disruptions in the economy. This year, all businesses need to become more aware of these scarcities and try to stay ahead of the curve when it comes to transportation and manufacturing. To do this, you need to work closely with your suppliers.

Educate your clients on new business paradigms

It’s vital to inform your partners and customers of any changes you plan to make to better the company amidst the evolving economic landscape. Doing so won’t just strengthen your relationship with your consumer base and business associates. But by keeping them in the loop, there won’t be any surprises that they may not take to.

Step up your digital marketing efforts

There’s no denying that the world of digital marketing is becoming increasingly crowded and smaller because of congestion and changing regulations. As a result, connecting with consumers online is no longer as simple as it once was. For this reason, you need to step up your online advertising efforts and market across all digital channels. From social media to blogging, amplifying your marketing campaign will go a long way in helping you generate brand awareness.

Look for ways to drive down your business costs

If there’s one thing that hasn’t changed in business, that’s the need to reduce cost without sacrificing product or service quality. As such, it’s important that you try to find ways to drive down your expenditure while still maintaining a high standard for your offerings. Luckily, there are a few practised strategies that can keep your outlays at a minimum. You can begin by outsourcing work that isn’t a part of your business’s core functions from a fulfilment company like cannonpacking.co.uk/fulfilment as the in-house approach can be more expensive.

You may also want to consider exploring energy-efficient alternatives and renewable energy sources. For most businesses, utilities take up a sizable portion of operational costs. By using solar panels and LED lighting systems, you’ll be able to lower your expenses considerably.

Conclusion

Despite how much easier it is to pursue a business venture today more than ever, the difficulty of achieving success remains the same. But that doesn’t mean it’s impossible. By following the strategies and trends mentioned above, you’ll greatly improve your enterprise’s odds of reaching out to and connecting with your audience and generating a consistent, high level of revenue.

Research and Development 101 – Could your business be eligible to claim tens of thousands back in tax relief? 

Elliot
-
0
Research and Development 101 – Could your business be eligible to claim tens of thousands back in tax relief? 

The HMRC Research and Development Tax Scheme was created to encourage business innovation and stimulate the economy, through supporting firms to bring new products and services to market.

Yet, due to time constraints, lack of awareness and doubts around eligibility or the legitimacy of the incentive, there are thousands of companies that are not currently taking part in the scheme.

Here, Mark Joyner of Research & Development Specialists LTD (RDS) (www.randdspecialists.co.uk), based in the North of England attempts to demystify R&D in a bid to reach more companies that could benefit from a cash influx of tens of thousands of pounds.

What is R&D?

Research and development (R&D) tax credits are a valuable government incentive that reward UK businesses for investing in innovation. It is a powerful source of funding for businesses looking to grow and develop new products, services, procedures, and internal systems.

There is a misconception that to qualify for R&D tax relief then a business must employ people in lab coats and be undertaking scientific research, but that is not the case. Any type of research and development could qualify.

Some examples could include:

  • An educational specialist that has developed an innovative game or toy
  • An agricultural setting that has created a smart sensor to track cattle movements
  • A construction company that has designed an innovative modular construction method
  • A fashion/clothing company that has invented a new type of lightweight hiking jacket for extreme temperatures
  • A fleet management business that has built a bespoke IT system to manage its assets

What types of business can claim? 

Any UK limited business can claim. There are no restrictions on the type or size of business although there are different types of R&D scheme depending on whether you fit HMRC’s guide as being an SME or large company.

For the SME scheme, a company must employ less than 500 people and have a turnover of less than £85m or a balance sheet total of less than £73m. An SME’s eligible R&D costs receive an additional 130% deduction when calculating the taxable profit.

Eligibility is focussed on the research project rather than the type of business. Typically, an R&D claim can be submitted for a business’s current and previous financial year.

Some R&D project criteria to be aware of…

The project must relate to your company’s trade, and you must be able to explain how the project:

  • Looked for an advance in science and technology
  • Had to overcome uncertainty
  • Tried to overcome this uncertainty
  • Could not be easily worked out by a professional in the field

Does the project have to be successful?

No, there is no rule that says you need to have a finished product or service brought the market. The research/development phase is enough for you to qualify.

How do I claim the money?

For profitable businesses, the benefit is applied as a reduction in corporation tax. If a claim is historical, the monies will be claimed back as a repayment of overpaid corporation tax.

For companies operating at a loss, the R&D claim will increase the loss arising. This loss can then be set against prior and future profits of the company, or it can be turned in to a cash repayment by using a process HMRC calls ‘surrender’, whereby the business takes a slightly lower benefit percentage for the ‘cash now’.

It sounds too good to be true….

R&D Tax Credits are not PPI for businesses. It is a legitimate Government-backed incentive to encourage innovation and has been operating in the UK since 2000.

That said, there are intricacies, including when claiming for other tax relief incentives, as well as criteria to be met, that can make the process seem overwhelming. That is why employing a R&D specialist such as RDS can help take the headache out of making a claim.

More information on R&D tax relief can be found on the Government’s website here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/corporation-tax-research-and-development-rd-relief

Mark Joyner, added:

“If I were to say to you, I’ll give you £53,000 for your business tomorrow, I’m sure there would be lots of things that, as a business owner, you could do with that money. That figure represents the average amount of a successful claim through the HMRC R&D Tax Incentive. It is not a scam or a way to play the system, yet for many reasons, companies that are eligible are not claiming the money to which they are entitled.”

“A lot of people think it sounds too good to be true, some are time poor and don’t have the time to investigate the scheme properly and some are just unaware that it even exists. At RDS we simplify the process and take a lot of the leg work away from busy accountants or senior teams.”

“Something that sets us apart is that we’re completely transparent and we give our clients full sign off for a claim at various stages of the process. We hand over the final submission to the in-house team so that they know the full figure they’re claiming for, and our costs are recovered only when a successful claim is submitted, approved, and credited. For us, building trust and working in partnership is the most important part of the process.”

For more information visit https://randdspecialists.co.uk/

How to Perform an In-Depth Technical SEO Audit?

ABC Staff
-
0
How to Perform an In-Depth Technical SEO Audit?

Conducting an in-depth technical SEO audit needs more in-depth knowledge about search engine optimization. Many digital marketing agencies, SEO Resellers, online marketers, and SEO analysts offer technical SEO to the brands online. But still, there are options to conduct an audit for technical SEO on your own. If you have decided to do it yourself, then you have landed on the right page. Because here we will explain the complete process of technical SEO audit simply.

What Is Technical SEO Audit & Why You Need It?

Keeping it short and simple, a technical SEO audit is conducted to check whether your website is up to the mark according to the various technical SEO standards. It will help you find and remove any technical flaws your website has. These technical SEO errors impact your search engine ranking that is why it is important to remove them.

Tools You Need

There are plenty of tools available both paid and free & you can use any of these paid and free tools to conduct technical SEO audits.

Free Tools

● Google Search Console

● Google Analytics

● Google Pagespeed Insights

● Screaming Frog Spider

● HTML Sitemap Generator

● No Follow Browser Plugin

Paid Tools (Optional)

● SEMrush

● Uber Suggests

● Deep Crawl

● Ahrefs

4 Major Parts of Technical SEO Audit

A lot of things are there to check-in a technical SEO audit. But we have classified them into four major parts. All the other factors go under these four sections.

● PART 1: Backend Elements

● PART 2: Front End Elements

● PART 3: Links & URLs.

● PART 4: Generating & Analyzing Audit Report.

Let’s Get Started With Technical SEO Audit

Finally, after picking up the right SEO packages & tools and having a clear vision about technical SEO audit, we are ready to go & let’s start the process step by step.

PART 1: Checking For Backend Elements

The first part consists of checking for backend elements. In this step, you will be checking all the elements that are working at the backend of your website. We will check whether these elements are complying with SEO algorithms or not.

Start A Crawl

To audit your website’s backend health, you will need a crawling tool. You can use any of the above mentioned free or paid tools. All the tools are good and you can use any of them. They will audit your website’s backend system like server, hosting, architecture, domain, etc.

Things To Evaluate

During a crawl through a tool, you will get a lot of information about your website. Now you have to look for the required metrics and parameters. Choose the parameters that are important for your technical SEO audit. Following are some of these parameters.

● Indexing

● Server Uptime

● Sitemap

● Pagination

● Breadcrumbs

● Navigation

PART 2: Checking For Front End Elements

Now after evaluating the above-mentioned backend factors, you need to check your website for the front end elements. There are many flaws in the front end of websites that can kill your ranking on search engines. So it is important to check them during technical SEO audits.

Start An On-Page SEO Audit

The most important part of a front end site audit is to check for the factors related to on-page SEO. Various tools are there to check your website for on-page SEO errors, flaws and much more things.

Things To Evaluate:

As usual, there will be many factors to consider in on-page SEO. Following are some of the most important factors that you need to evaluate during on-page SEO checking.

● Page Titles

● Meta Descriptions

● Tags

● Site Hierarchy

● Keyword Stuffing

PART 3: Checking Links On Your Site

The second last step in a technical SEO audit is to check the health of all the links on your website. No matter if a link is inbound or outbound, you have to check its health and usability.

Start Evaluating Links And Their Health

Pick a tool and start analyzing your website for unhealthy, broken and disturbing links. Links are an important factor for search engine rankings, and you must have to pay attention to them.

Things To Evaluate:

Following are the factors that you need to check about links on your website.

● Broken Links

● Follow/No Follow Link Usability

● User-Friendly URLs

● Malicious Or Spam Links

PART 4: Generating and Analysing Reports

All the above mentioned three steps or parts will give you a lot of information about the various aspects of technical SEO of your website. Now is the right time to generate reports to analyse them and make a technical SEO strategy to fix all the issues you have found. Most marketers use it to fix all the issues at the time they find it. But you can do it later after analysing everything if you have to outsource your technical SEO process to someone else.

Summary

Performing an in-depth technical SEO audit is a time consuming and long going process. However, if we start doing it with proper planning, then we can easily do it. The whole process can be different for different reasons for SEO analysts. But we have provided you with the complete process in detail. Going step by step through the process makes it easy and you will never miss any part of it.

Why There’s Always Life Beyond Setbacks for Entrepreneurs

ABC Staff
-
0
Why There’s Always Life Beyond Setbacks for Entrepreneurs

Gisela Wood, co founder of Momentum Property Education

When you’re an entrepreneur, every mistake feels personal. Lose your own money and it’s upsetting.

Lose someone else’s and it’s catastrophic. You might as well have a sign flashing ‘failure’ above your head. And that failure can seem insurmountable. But one of the hardest lessons to learn when you’re starting out in business is that setbacks always happen. And they can be a gift in disguise.

The voice of experience

In 2019, the co-owners of Momentum Property experienced spectacular loss. The business lost £400,000 of investor’s cash. Faced with the choice between giving up and seeking to redeem themselves – and their losses, Gisela Wood, Daniel Wood and Lukasz Brzyski chose the more difficult path, and began the gruelling climb back towards success.  It was not an easy journey. But it did provide a veiled opportunity.

How to learn from failure

There’s a saying that goes: ‘the only way you can fail at failing, is to learn nothing from the failure.’ And when you hunker down and hide from your mistakes, that’s exactly what you end up doing. You learn nothing because you’re so bruised and embarrassed by the fall. So, you hide and hope that no one was watching. When the best way to recover – and to learn – is to look that failure square in the eye, and work out where you went wrong… And that’s the first step to recovering from a business failure. 

Three important steps for recovering from business failure

Ask for help

When you start out in business you have this grand idea of going it alone. And sometimes it works. But even when you’re in a partnership, it can feel lonely. And it can be really hard. Because you can’t know everything. Sometimes, talking can bring the most incredible insights from the most unexpected sources. And it turns out that asking for help isn’t a sign of weakness – as too many new entrepreneurs believe it to be. But, actually, a sign of really good sense. By seeking help when things first begin to go wrong, you can slow your descent, or even turn yourself around. And by seeking help and advice from every available avenue you can gain the insights you need to succeed.

Delegate

As a startup, it’s common to feel the need to take a DIY approach to everything. It’s only your time that you’re using, so that’s obviously the cheapest option, right? But if it’s going to take you six months and all your spare time to build a substandard website, and another eight weeks to populate it, that’s a really poor ROI. Knowing when to spend money, where to invest your time, and when to outsource is a skill that can be really hard to grasp. But it’s one that pays in avoided mistakes.

Keep going

Setbacks can floor you. And there are times when the only sensible option is to give up. You need to stop pursuing the pathways that are leading you to more debt, stress, and loss of control. But that doesn’t mean giving up on your ambitions. It just means acknowledging your mistakes. Most entrepreneurs have untapped depths. So, when things go wrong, take that week off. Indulge in whatever you need to do to find your motivation. Then start again. If you’re going to succeed, walking away simply isn’t an option.

Failing in business isn’t something that anyone aims for. But it’s something that most entrepreneurs will experience on one level or another. You may not crash as spectacularly as we did. But mistakes of all sizes are what shape us as people – and as people of business. It’s how we deal with those mistakes, and the lessons that we learn from them, that makes the difference between true success and failure.

How Does One Get a Hard Money Loan in Florida?

ABC Staff
-
0
How Does One Get a Hard Money Loan in Florida?

If you need quick cash for investment purposes, hard money loans could be your best pick. This is especially true if you cannot secure a traditional loan due to bad credit or slow processing speeds. Most hard money lenders process their loans in weeks, if not days. 

For many Floridians, securing a hard money loan is an easy choice. Thanks to the many private lenders in and around the city. However, finding the best lender with lower interest rates and higher loan-to-value (LTV) ratios can be challenging.  

Below, we’ve explored all you need to know about getting a hard money loan in Florida. You’ll also learn how hard money loans work, hard money loan requirements, how to find a private lender, and everything in between.   

What is a Hard Money Loan?  

Hard money loans are short-term bridge loans offered by private money lenders, primarily to real estate investors. Borrowers use their real estate property as collateral when securing hard money loans; hence, both parties minimize the associated risks. 

Most hard money loans have a repayment period of 1 to 3 years, while the interest rates range from 8% to 15%. The rates are higher than that of traditional banks since private lenders do not check the credit history, which equates to taking a higher risk.

Depending on the lenders, you may be required to pay interest on the loan every month. Here, the principal amount is required to be paid at the end of the repayment period. Some lenders charge a fee for making the payments earlier or later. Similarly, you’ll lose your property if you default on the loan. 

Hard money lenders prefer to work with real estate investors since their business model suits them the most. For instance, a real estate investor can borrow a hard money loan to finance a property or complete some urgent renovations. They will only be required to pay interest on the loan until they sell the property (for a profit) and pay back the loan in full.

Since the real estate property is used as security for the loan, most private lenders have a lower LTV, usually 50% to 70%. That way, they can minimize the risks, just in case you end up not paying the loan. 

Hard Money Loan Requirements  

Most real estate investors will opt for hard money loans when the property they want to buy is in high demand, and the seller wants instant cash. Or the property will not pass the strict inspection of the typical mortgage lender. This is, however, not to say that hard money lenders don’t require a home inspection.

Like any other business, private money lenders hedge their risks by setting up some requirements that borrowers must meet. These include:

  • Real estate experience. Private lenders prefer to work with veteran real estate investors who understand the market. Some newbies are a risk, and they may incur higher rates. 
  • Overall financial strength. Real estate investors with an impressive investment portfolio and multiple sources of income are highly preferred. This is because they can find a way to repay the loan if the investment strategy doesn’t go as planned.
  • Downpayment. All private lenders will require that you put a 10% to 30% down payment on the property you want to buy. This also means having enough cash reserves to pay for the closing costs and other associated fees. 

More often, popular investors and recurring customers have an easier time accessing hard money loans due to their positive track record. As a new client, you must always meet the above three requirements to secure a hard money loan. 

How to Find a Hard Money Loan Lender  

The private lending business has grown over the years, and many savvy investors are using these loans to secure hot deals in the market. In Florida, hard money lenders are everywhere, but you can pick the best by sticking to the following tips:

  • Years of experience and reputation. The best lenders with the best rates are the private lenders with several years of experience in the market.
  • Lending requirements. If the lending requirements are too good to be true, chances are, the lending company isn’t legit, and you could be scammed.
  • Fees. The best lenders will not charge exorbitant upfront fees before processing the loans, so you should always be on the lookout.
  • Client reviews. Always refer to reputed review sites like Google to see what past clients say about the company.  

Conclusion

Getting a hard money loan in Florida is relatively straightforward. You just need a property to serve as collateral and ensure you meet the requirements mentioned above. You can also join a local real estate investor group to learn more about hard money lending. That way, you’ll know the best private lenders in the market and more on what you need to qualify for the loan.

1...641642643...1,105Page 642 of 1,105

ABC Money 2025 - 1st Edition

Magazine - 2025 Edition

Explore the latest insights, trends, and expert analyses in finance with ABC Money 2025. Stay ahead in 2025!

LEARN MORE

Leading news network for crypto, finance and business.

More from ABC

Contact

Contact: advertise@abcmoney.co.uk © ABC Money Team @ 2006

  • bitcoinBitcoin (BTC) $ 87,622.00 0.23%
  • ethereumEthereum (ETH) $ 2,934.64 0.2%
  • tetherTether (USDT) $ 0.999468 0%
  • bnbBNB (BNB) $ 842.09 0.83%
  • xrpXRP (XRP) $ 1.87 1.4%
  • usd-coinUSDC (USDC) $ 0.999806 0.01%
  • solanaSolana (SOL) $ 123.88 0.73%
  • tronTRON (TRX) $ 0.283482 1.4%
  • staked-etherLido Staked Ether (STETH) $ 2,933.87 0.24%
  • cardanoCardano (ADA) $ 0.369597 4.73%
  • avalanche-2Avalanche (AVAX) $ 12.79 3.15%
  • the-open-networkToncoin (TON) $ 1.60 3.52%
Enable Notifications OK No thanks