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Guide for startup beginner best choice CRM for startups

Sam Allcock
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Guide for startup beginner best choice CRM for startups

Consider the best CRM for startups.

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Pros:

  • CRM, which is most suitable for a startup, allows you to view pipelines, audio calls (including recorded conversations), SMS, receive reporting, and marketing functionality by e-mail in a single place (this also includes a customizable order of received messages).
  • With pre-recorded voice mail, sales reps save time, while automatic dialing allows you to dial 2 or more numbers at the same time to increase productivity.
  • Numerous integrations with other platforms, such as Facebook.

Minuses:

  • Bulk importing of information from CSV files often causes repeat leads. This requires manual cleaning.

Agile

Pros:

  • Availability of a free CRM system for sales, designed for startups up to 10 people.
  • The platform combines management of personal contacts, automated marketing, real-time alerts, VoIP telephony, social networks, and monitoring of e-mails and Internet sites.
  • The ability to use your own appointment calendar so that Agile automates every upcoming voice call and further actions.
  • Ease of attaching documentation to deals, contacts, e-mails directly inside the application.

Minuses:

  • A sudden rise in cost when a user changes the version of this service. As a result, difficulties are possible when it is necessary to scale the company.
  • The customization options are not so numerous.

HubSpot

Pros:

  • Process management, improved project management. Thanks to this, the user can monitor potential customers, work with them, track the sales process, record interactions with the clientele for each channel.
  • There is a special program specifically for startups. It offers discounts of up to 90 percent for startups, as well as one-to-one training and onboarding.
  • Ability to work with G Suite and Office. Because of this, no matter which platform is preferred for the business, this system works perfectly.
  • By integrating with Zapier, you can easily exchange information between applications such as Google Sheets, Slack, and others to expand functionality and help your expanding business.
  • The system is free of charge, which makes it possible to get started at no cost. At the same time, the commercial packages include reporting, broader automation, and AI.

Minuses:

  • Limited customization options, which can be difficult for a niche startup.
  • The main free functions of the system are numerous, but they are among the main ones, as a result of which you may need to buy Sales Hub or some other additional HubSpot package to expand the system’s capabilities.

Copper

Pros:

  • Providing functionality that is convenient for startups, including automatic input of information, intelligent identification, monitoring of clients and leads, optimization of opportunities.
  • The presence of native integration with the G Suite service. This allows you to import information from Gmail and other Google tools without any problems.
  • The system demonstrates attractive sales funnels, making them easy to track and manage potential customers.

Minuses:

  • Prior training required.
  • The likelihood of a problem with importing information from Excel.

The Pros and Cons of Staff Augmentation

Sam Allcock
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The Pros and Cons of Staff Augmentation

More and more big companies are looking at staff augmentation as a viable way to expand and strengthen their business in the near future. In the lines below, we’ll examine some of the pros and cons of staff augmentation, in order to help you decide whether or not it’s the right choice for you and your business.

What is staff augmentation and what do you need to know about it?

As the name suggests, staff augmentation is the outsourcing practice of bringing in outside help for a limited period of time. Through staff augmentation, companies manage to fill in gaps in their work-force, usually on a temporary basis, due to illness, vacation, leave, or simply excess demand. In other words, companies use staff augmentation when there’s more work to be done than there are people on their team.

However, rather than having to fill out a contract and permanently hire someone to take care of the work (a move that may prove detrimental to the business at some point), they simply bring in talent on a limited basis.

So now that we know the basics of what staff augmentation is, let’s look at why it might be the right idea for you. And why it might not.

Pros and Cons of Staff Augmentation

The Benefits

  • It gets you access to localized expertise. Many times, companies use staff augmentation to bring in an expert in a certain field. For example, if they have to fulfill a project that requires a certain type of coding language, and they have no one on their permanent staff with that knowledge, staff augmentation is the way to go. If they don’t have an expert in the field already, there may be a good reason for it. More often than not, the reason is that they don’t need that language most of the time. So paying for an expert full-time would be pointless.
  • Experienced augmented staff is quick and efficient. When augmenting your staff, you’re likely using people who’ve done this sort of temporary job before. That means they’re experienced in rapidly and efficiently assessing the situation and getting to work.
  • Can help you try out talent. For many companies, temporary staff augmentation provides the perfect “trial run” for a more permanent future employee.
  • Can help you navigate demand fluctuations. It fulfills the increased demand, without posing a potential problem in your long-term management.

The Downsides

  • Depending on the project, it may take time to get the temporary team up to speed with your company specifics. Some projects require a more in-depth knowledge of company history and internal strategies, and getting your new team up to speed can prove time-consuming.
  • Only works for short-term projects. While the augmented staff is a great idea for a handful of months, if your project is longer than a year, you might need to change your augmented team, which can cause delays and drops in quality.
  • There’s always the risk of sub-par work. You still need to pay close attention to who you’re hiring according to the outstaffing model, since external talent may not be as smooth and reliable as you’d like them to.

Santander Loses 8771 Million In 2020 After Accounting Adjustment

ABC Staff
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Santander Loses 8771 Million In 2020 After Accounting Adjustment

The Banco Santander dismissed the year of the pandemic with a loss of 8 billion 771 million euros. A historical fact that was conditioned by the provisions to face the crisis.

In the fourth quarter, a period in which the entity earned 277 million, recorded another 1,146 million euros linked to restructuring costs in Spain, which are added to the accounting write-down of goodwill and tax assets worth 12 thousand 600 million.

Between September and December, the entity chaired by Ana Botín obtained an attributable profit of 277 million euros , as reported to the National Securities Market Commission (CNMV). Santander obtained an ordinary profit of 5 thousand 081 million euros in 2020, 38 percent less in current euros, due to the increase in provisions related to the pandemic.

The ordinary profit for the fourth quarter was 1,423 million euros , 16 percent less compared to the third quarter (-18 percent year-on-year), given that the improvement in the interest margin (+4 percent) was offset by the contribution to the deposit guarantee fund in Spain and bank tax in the United Kingdom, in addition to higher provisions.

We recommend: Santander launches banking for young people with income of more than 60 thousand pesos per month In addition, after having paid 0.10 euros per share through new shares last November, the board intends to pay another 2.75 euro cents in cash per share corresponding to 2020.

The board intends to recoup a cash dividend payout of 40-50 percent of ordinary profit in the medium term. Regarding the remuneration charged to the results of 2021, the intention is to pay dividends again when the recommendations of the European Central Bank (ECB) allow it, in line with what was announced in April 2020.

Ana Botín indicated that “although the crisis is global, our geographic and business diversification has worked once again and highlights the strength of our team and our model. The results in America have been good and global businesses have grown at a good pace, which has allowed us to face a more difficult environment in Europe ”.

We recommend: Santander rejects fine for bonds and will go to court “ The 2020 results reflect the resilience and strength of Santander’s business model and strategy. The profit before provisions is in line with that of 2019 in constant euros and we have obtained an ordinary result of more than 5 billion euros in a very difficult environment.

We thank all the teams for their exceptional dedication and support to their colleagues and to our clients, ”stated Botín. Botín also stressed that the vaccine is “the most important economic policy” for 2021. “We cannot lower our guard, but my vision in the medium term is one of realistic optimism.

The success of the vaccination will act as a strong catalyst for economic recovery, ”he insisted. According to the current economic forecasts of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), the objective of the entity, as indicated, is to reduce the cost of credit and achieve a return on capital ordinary tangible (RoTE) of 9-10 percent in 2021.

We recommend: Santander denies participation in monopolistic practices in the bond market “We have shown that our strategy, our scale and our business model are a good starting point.

From now on, the transformation towards One Santander, the expansion of PagoNxt and the Digital Consumer Bank allows us to have the confidence to reiterate our medium-term objectives of reaching a RoTE of between 13 and 15 percent and of paying a cash payout of 40 -50 percent, subject to the recommendation of the regulator to the sector ”, he stated.

Net interest income and client income remained stable at € 31,994 and € 42,009 million in the year, respectively, thanks to the 6 percent growth of linked clients, to 22.8 million, while the profit before of provisions (net margin) increased 2 percent, to 23 thousand 633 million euros.

The provisions for bad debts rose by 2,852 million euros in the year, to 12,173 million, mainly due to the pandemic. However, the cost of credit was 1.28 percent, in line with the improved forecast that was announced the previous quarter.

Thus, the bank’s markets in Europe contributed 37 percent to ordinary profit in 2020, while South America contributed 42 percent and North America 21 percent.

We recommend you: Banks celebrate the opening of deputies to discuss reform of the Banking LawSantander’s Openbank will operate as a digital bank in Mexico in 2022 According to the economic forecasts of the IMF and the OECD, the bank’s objective is to reduce the cost of credit in 2021.

Furthermore, the entity is prepared to face the year with a fund of 24.3 billion accumulated provisions. https://www.milenio.com/negocios/banco-santander-sufre-2020-primeras-perdidas-anuales-historia

10 Best Ways to Clean up Disk Space on Mac

Sam Allcock
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10 Best Ways to Clean up Disk Space on Mac

During the worldwide pandemic that has affected many people, plenty of people started working from home.

Some began a different style of working because the only choice was to work remotely, and some because they lost their jobs and started a business of their own. But all of these people have one thing in common: they all need a fast computer to get the job done.

And as one of the fastest and longest-lasting computers are believed to be Macs, in today’s article, we want to share the ten best ways to clean up disk space on your Mac so it can perform as best as possible.

Method #1: Empty Desktop Everyday

If you only keep only a few items on your desktop, it’s not harmful to your computer. More to it, it’s convenient. But if you have tens and hundreds of files piled up on your desktop, you need to free it up.

The more thumbnails you will keep on your screen, the slower your Mac will perform. Also, it is easy to forget about large unneeded files when they are cluttered up on your desktop.

Method #2: Know Your Storage Situation

It is important that you check your storage situation from time to time, so you know when you have some cleaning up to do.

To check how much free disk space you have left, click on the Apple icon from the top menu, go to About This Mac, and navigate to the Storage tab. You might have to wait for a minute or two until the data is calculated.

Method #3: Uninstall Applications

The second step of cleaning up your Mac’s disk space should be uninstalling the apps you no longer need. You can either use a specialized uninstaller to do that or do it manually.

If you choose to perform this action manually, in the same Storage menu, click Manage. You will see a column that includes apps installed on your computer on the left side of the window.

Method #4: Remove Cache Files

After uninstalling apps you don’t use, you need to get rid of the temporary files that these apps often create. Temporary files are called cache files and are needed to load app processes and websites faster.

You will find three types of cache files on your Mac: user, system, and browser cache files. For the first two ones, you may want to use a cache removing the app. Browser cache can be easily removed by opening the browser and finding the Clear Cache option in the settings.

Method #5: Empty the Downloads Folder

Make sure you check your Downloads folder once in a while. It keeps all of the files you have downloaded from the internet unless you choose a different location for that.

Regularly, you will find images, media, PDF, and installation files in the Downloads folder. Most likely, a lot of them will be one-time use files that you downloaded to view. 

Method #6: Optimize Storage

Luckily, the macOS itself can also help you free up some storage space with its suggestions. To view the list of suggestions, click the Apple icon, About This Mac, Storage, and choose the Manage option.

The list will include these four options: Store in iCloud, Optimise Storage, Empty Bin Automatically, and Reduce Clutter.

Method #7: Remove Duplicate Files

Duplicate files can be created when transferring files from one device to another or between folders inside the computer. Also, these files can appear after reinstalling certain software.

Unfortunately, it is difficult to remove these duplicate files manually because it’s hard to locate them. If you have been using your Mac for a few years now, it’s worth investing in specialized software to remove these files.

Method #8: Try Streaming Services

To avoid downloading large media files such as music, movies, and tv series, try using streaming services such as Netflix for movies and Spotify for music.

Besides, using streaming services will help you free up disk space and offer you some other great advantages, such as creating your own playlists or suggestions of tv series you might like. More to it, with a virtual private network, you can access even more quality content.

Method #9: Start Using Cloud Services

Suppose you work as a graphic designer, and uninstalling unneeded apps and deleting unnecessary files didn’t help you create enough storage space on your Mac. In that case, you might want to consider using a cloud storage service.

Some popular choices for cloud storage are Google Drive and DropBox. Also, you can use the original cloud service provided by Apple.

Method #10: Use External Storage Devices

For those who travel a lot or have a bad internet connection, using a cloud service might not be an option. Luckily, you can use an external storage device and store your files there.

However, keep the files you often use for work on your computer so you can have quick access to them. Use the external storage devices as an archive for old projects.

The Innocence Project: How They’re Freeing the Wrongfully Incarcerated

Sam Allcock
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The Innocence Project: How They’re Freeing the Wrongfully Incarcerated

The Innocence Project is a non-profit legal organization committed to freeing individuals from prison who were wrongly convicted. The Innocence Project was founded in 1992. Since then, it has helped to exonerate hundreds of people who were wrongfully convicted. The organization has played a large role in the movement to try to abolish the death penalty, as many of those who have been exonerated were on death row at the time.

DNA Testing Is Essential

The Innocence Project focuses their efforts around using DNA testing to prove the innocence of their clients. While they have staff devoted to other avenues to prove innocence, their primary focus of DNA testing is also their most effective at overturning wrongful convictions.

Various studies have shown that far too many United States prisoners are innocent of their alleged crimes. Obviously, no figure is exact. If exact figures were available, then we would have to hope they were at zero percent. While there is no consensus on an exact number, these studies suggest that no fewer than two percent and as many as five percent of inmates are innocent.

With over two million people incarcerated in the United States, that means that at minimum there are 40,000 people who don’t belong there, and possibly upwards of 100,000. So, while the couple of hundred people freed by the Innocence Project is a great achievement, it is only a drop in the bucket.

Real change needs to happen at a systemic level. One non-profit organization can not do it all on its own. This is especially true when their best weapon of DNA evidence is available in less than 10% of cases.

The Innocence Project gets thousands of applications every year from inmates asking them to take on their case. A wrongful incarceration lawyer or another qualified employee of the organization reviews the applications. Those in which there seems to be a high enough possibility of innocence get taken on by the team.

Promoting the Idea of Change

The work done by the Innocence Project is incredible. Reading the stories of some of the people who were wrongly convicted of crimes and spent years, sometimes decades, in prison before being proven innocent, is at once heartbreaking and heartwarming. When you think about how many other people languish away behind bars for a crime they did not commit, it can make you feel gutted.

Beyond the incredible work of helping their clients to get their lives back, there is a broader societal impact that the Innocence Project promotes. These cases aren’t just forcing many states to reexamine the idea of the death penalty. They are also pressuring courts and lawmakers to take a closer look at the whole legal process.

Creating a system that never results in a wrongful conviction may be beyond our abilities. However, creating a system that gets the number of wrongful convictions down from a five or six-digit number certainly seems doable. There are far too many problems that persist in our court system, from jury makeup to inadequate defense. These issues are especially pressing when the defendant is a member of a minority group.

Catching the Real Criminal

A wrongful conviction is not just harmful to the person who is locked up. When a crime is committed, and the wrong person goes to prison, that means that the actual guilty party goes free. Once a conviction has been made, police no longer investigate the crime because they believe it has already been solved.

Families of victims might get a false sense of justice by having someone go to prison for the crime that has been committed. However, that just makes the sense of injustice hit even harder if it turns out that the person who went to prison was innocent the whole time. Then families are left with the knowledge that not only was the person who harmed their loved one get away with it, but they made another victim as well.

In many of the exonerations, the DNA evidence used to prove innocence also leads law enforcement to the actual perpetrator of the crime. Had a more thorough investigation been made from the start, not only would an innocent person stayed out of prison, but a guilty person would have gone in.

It’s also likely that in many cases where the wrong person was sent to prison, had the investigation continued at the time, investigators would have found the guilty culprit. After years of the wrong person being in prison though, when they are finally cleared of charges, there is no trail of evidence left to follow. The world has moved on, and there is nowhere to pick up the investigation.

The Future

Hopefully, with time, the Innocence Project will continue to grow and further reveal the cracks in our legal system. Only by examining the flaws in how the system works can we begin to repair it.

These Small Businesses Are Most Vulnerable to COVID-19

Sam Allcock
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These Small Businesses Are Most Vulnerable to COVID-19

Many high-profile pundits from both the business and political arenas warn of the potential devastation of a second wave of coronavirus. But small business owners in America know that the effects of the first wave are far from over. Business owners also know firsthand that small businesses continue to bear the brunt of the pain inflicted by the pandemic.  

Bar and Restaurants

Entrepreneurs seeking business funding and financing for bars and restaurants know they face an uphill battle in even the best economic conditions. But nothing could have prepared these small business owners for the effects of a global pandemic.  

The National Restaurant Association reports the bar and restaurant industry lost $80 billion due to the coronavirus over March and April in 2020. By the end of the year, the loss tally reached $240 billion.  

Business experts estimate that as many as 40 percent of U.S. restaurants and bars closed their doors in 2020. This number includes hundreds of thousands of business owners unable to survive the effects of the pandemic. Unfortunately, many more crushed dreams are possible without appropriate federal aid for small business owners.  

A few tips that may help owners of small restaurants survive Covid-19 include:

  • Adhering to social distancing protocols
  • Expanding off-premise dining alternatives
  • Redesigning the menu for online customers
  • Switching to takeaway and delivery services
  • Streamlining production.

Travel and Tourism

Small business owners that support themselves by facilitating customer experiences far away from home may experience more suffering than other entrepreneurs as the pandemic rages on.

According to the latest estimates, the travel industry losses were more than $500 billion by the first day of 2021. The total economic effect of lost business is more than a trillion dollars. Those numbers represent more significant losses than those experienced after the 2001 attack on the World Trade Center.  

The outlook is even bleaker from a global perspective. More than 100 million people working in travel-related occupations are without work due to the pandemic. The global impact on the GDP is already near $3 trillion with no end in sight.

Live Entertainment

The ability to put on sporting events, conferences, and live musical performances have taken a significant hit since the onset of the pandemic.  

One group of analysts estimate the total loss in growth for the entertainment sector over the next half-decade could top $160 billion. The sports industry expects to lose more than $12 billion over the same period. These losses do not include the money lost by professional and college athletic programs.  

Analysts explain that even though restrictions are not as strict now as they were at the beginning of the pandemic, many live entertainment fans are slow to enjoy these activities. One poll completed in 2020 showed that nearly 75 percent of sports fans said they would not attend a live event until a vaccine was available.

Industry participants continue their struggle to find ways to deliver live entertainment to customers in a secure and trustworthy manner.

Mom and Pop Shops

Mom and pop shops are among some of the hardest-hit businesses by the ongoing public health crisis, with thousands of them shutting down without ever filing for bankruptcy. Since many of those small business didn’t have a cash cushion for an entire economic shutdown, many of them preferred closing down than taking on debt without anyone guaranteeing that things would go back to normal in the near future.

By contrast, big box stores and online e-commerce business are thriving during the pandemic, with people flocking to hypermarkets and big-name department stores like there is no tomorrow. Meanwhile, mom and pop shops lose their customers to big retailers and online platforms with no federal or state aid in sight. And since getting a lease to stay afloat or accessing rent relief is not an option for small businesses, no wonder many decide to quietly close shop.

Key Takeaway

The coronavirus pandemic has negatively impacted all business segments over the past year. But the effect has been disproportionately harsh for small entrepreneurs working in the live entertainment, restaurant, retail, and travel industries.

There is no doubt that things might one day return to normal for small business owners operating in these sectors. But unfortunately, many businesses will close their doors for good before the end of these trying economic times. Hopefully, small business owners who show creativity and leadership will enjoy a better chance of survival and may find themselves in a stronger position once the pandemic runs its course.

What to Expect During a Lung Cancer Screening

Sam Allcock
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What to Expect During a Lung Cancer Screening

Early lung cancer detection saves lives. A lung cancer screening means that the doctor tests you for lung cancer even without signs of it. Many times, lung cancer reaches a stage where doctors can’t do anything for the patient. Lung cancer screenings hope to diagnose and treat the disease in its infant stages.

People who should have a screening done include:

  • People with a history of chain-smoking.
  • Those who smoke or have quit within the last 15 years.
  • People between the ages of 55 and 80 years old.

Anyone with a history of heavy smoking, which means longer than 30 years, should have occasional screenings.

What to Expect

First, speak with your doctor to learn if you meet the high-risk category. They will look at criteria like age, smoking history and other risk factors. The LDCT screening has many similarities to other tests like colonoscopies and mammograms. Remember that screening doesn’t mean that your doctor believes you have it. Instead, he wants to catch it early if you did have it. Before the screening begins, they will ask you if you want to have a screening done.

Next, the doctor prepares you for it by discussing what will happen during the screening. Screening tests that prove abnormal will mean that you have more tests done. Even if the doctor finds nothing during the screening, they may request that you have one done annually.

If anything looks suspicious, the doctor will order further testing through a PET scan or biopsy. This determines if you have cancer. Results that test positive for cancer will mean that the doctor opts for treatment, such as radiation, immunotherapy, surgery and targeted therapies.

Preparation for the LDCT Scan

You can prepare for the LDCT scan easily because it doesn’t require much. Important to note, however, the radiation from LDCT scans can eventually cause cancer in otherwise healthy people. If you have a respiratory infection, report it to your doctor because this can throw off the reading.

During the screening, the doctor will request that you remove all metal from your body. Having the scan done takes less than a minute. They may request that you hold your breath during that time.

How Do They Perform a Lung Cancer Screening?

The LDCT scan will use multiple experts to ensure that they catch the cancer if it exists. Medical experts who will help include:

  • Oncologists
  • Radiologists
  • Pulmonologists
  • Thoracic surgeons
  • Primary care doctors
  • Pathologists

During the screening, images will be taken of your lungs. This process is not invasive or painful in any way.

Screening No Substitute for Quitting

Some people have the mistaken assumption that they can have the screening done, and this will prevent lung cancer. They can continue smoking without a problem. Let’s put it this way: if you knew that a bomb was going to go off, would you let the bomb blow up even if it only did a little damage? Once lung cancer kicks off, even early-stage lung cancer isn’t a guarantee that it won’t kill you.

Lung cancer screenings have their benefits, but they also have some negatives. For example, they can give you false positives. Because of that, doctors perform multiple tests to ensure that the patient truly has lung cancer. You also have non-smokers suffering from lung cancer, and this could be because of secondhand smoke, asbestos exposure or radon exposure.

In cases with radon exposure, if you weren’t a smoker and you developed lung cancer, you may have a case for a lawsuit. You should speak with a lawyer to understand the legal proceedings for a case.

5 eCommerce pricing strategies that every seller should know.

Sam Allcock
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5 eCommerce pricing strategies that every seller should know.

One of the best business approaches is knowing all the top tips and tricks. The following best business technique is to utilize the ones your rivals don’t think about so you can misuse their weakness and ignorance. As usual, we need to see our readers ahead, so here are five strategies you ought to use.

Increase Singles and Decrease Bundles

Suppose you’re a parent hoping to purchase your child a PS4. The reassurance all alone is really pointless in light of the fact that it’s a game. Yet, when you take a look at games, you notice how costly they are — despite the fact that one can’t be appreciated without the other.

One very successful pricing system is to feature this reality, bundle two similar items together, diminish the packaged cost, and point out the reserve funds. Purchasers are far likelier to get the pack in the event that they can save a rate on every one, as opposed to get them exclusively and pay full cost.

You can also safeguard against purchasers not accepting the groups by slightly raising the individual costs. This technique should be utilized sparingly, and not as an end-direct objective toward incrementing your deals. You should essentially zero in on the packaged item’s lesser cost.

MSRP

As its name proposes (no play on words expected), the manufacturer suggested retail price (MSRP) is the value a producer suggests retailers use when selling an item. Makers originally began using MSRPs to help normalize various costs of items across different areas and retailers.As a retailer, you can save yourself some time just by utilizing the MSRP when pricing your items.

Psychological Effect

Consider two identical items, similar to a bottle of water, however one is estimated £2 and the other is evaluated £1.99. Which one seems like the better deal? They’re basically the equivalent and saving 1p isn’t actually any savings at all, however it seems like that to the purchaser.

Odd numbers like 5, 7 and 9 have appeared to cause psychological induce misfortune for purchasers, causing them to feel like they’re getting a better deal (regardless of whether they’re most certainly not).

Difference in Prices

The above eCommerce pricing strategies are fantastic one, yet there’s a method to make it considerably more remarkable: anchor pricing. This is the point at which you feature the differentiation in two costs by highlighting the higher one as the old one, and gains by a purchaser’s spending impulses to scoop up the deal.

A minor departure from this strategy  is to put a costly thing alongside a less expensive one, with the last being the one you’re really intending to truly push. Buyers will see the distinction in cost and feel that the less expensive one is a far superior deal.

Flat Pricing

This estimating strategy is regularly found in dollar stores, where pretty much everything costs the equivalent. On the off chance that your stock comprises items that are very much like in value, this can be an incredible system to utilize. It makes it simpler on the purchasers, it makes it simpler on you as far as the executives, and it can bring about a more prominent benefit if you can set the cost to be somewhat higher than the middle. In case you’re not happy with embracing this system 100%, give it a shot as an impermanent advancement, as for a day or seven days.

Final Thoughts

Since you have a more deeper understanding of the absolute most basic eCommerce price strategy for retail organizations, you can settle on more informed choices and make more customized shopping encounters for buyers by giving them the most ideal price.

5 Steps to Kick Start Your Mortgage Journey

Sam Allcock
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5 Steps to Kick Start Your Mortgage Journey
  1. Speak to a broker

“Fail to prepare, prepare to fail” the oft quoted phrase is true in many aspects of life and especially in the mortgage process. Getting a mortgage can be a daunting and lengthy process – whether you are a first time buyer or a trader upper.

You should obtain as much expert advice on the process as you can, as early as possible. We recommend speaking to a mortgage advisor as soon as you are thinking about buying a property. One if the biggest mistakes buyers today make is that they wait until they find a property they want to buy before they even consider the mortgage.

Given that you need at least 6 months account information, you should logically begin planning a mortgage application more than 6 months before you find a property. This way you can ensure your finances are in the best shape they can be. By contacting Pangea Mortgages, you will be able to speak with a highly qualified mortgage advisor who can walk you through what’s required at each step of the journey.

  • Have a permanent job

Whilst this may seem obvious, lots of people who work in contract roles or who are still on probation in their current role are surprised when their applications are rejected by Banks. Banks will want you to be in a permanent role and out of your probationary period before they will consider your income for an application.

Even if you are certain to be offered the role or have been verbally told you will get a permanent role, the Banks require EVERYTHING in writing. When making or planning to make a job switch you should consider how this will impact on any application you will be making. For example, some Banks will take in 100% of variable income once you are in the role 3 years – but if you have just started and have a high variable component of your salary – this may impact the amount you can borrow Vs being in a long term role with the same pay.

  • Proven Repayment Capacity

Along with the more well known metrics the Bank use such as Loan to Value and lending 3.5x income, the Banks will examine, in great detail, your ability to repay any proposed mortgage. For this they will look at your after tax or nett income. A first time buyer, say on €80k per year, with savings of €30k – would qualify to buy a property for €270k. They meet the Loan to Value and 3.5x income criteria.

But once you go into their nett pay you see it fails the Banks test. The key things that will cause this are 1. Other debts, 2. Children/dependents, 3. High spending

If you have a car loan and a personal loan the Bank will deduct them for your monthly nett pay, so say €3,500 a month nett, the 2 loans are €650 a month – the Bank will assess you as having €2,850 repayment capacity. The next step they will consider is how many people does this income have to provide for day to day? If you have €2,850 a month as a single person this should be more than enough to meet your living expenses, but if you have a partner that’s not working and two children – the Banks will see this a €2,850 needing to cover 4 peoples living expenses! This amount may not be deemed sufficient and you may fall at this hurdle. Many applicants with high incomes are hugely surprised when they fail this test. This is why you should speak to a mortgage advisor as soon as possible and get an understand of how the banks work.

The last hurdle the Banks will look at is over the last 6 months, how much money is left in the current account at the end of each month. Just because you have a high income, and no dependents doesn’t mean you have proven repayment capacity. The Bank will examine your spending habits and if you are consistently living beyond your means and using your overdraft – this may also result in your application being rejected.

  • Documentation

The mortgage process is very document heavy. The Banks will not take your word for anything ! Everything has to be shown on paper. First time buyers especially will underestimate exactly how much time this all takes to prepare. In addition to your current and personal accounts, you will need Salary Certs, payslips, ID, Employment summary forms, and many more docs if you are self-employed. It usually takes most people a couple of weeks to pull all this info together. Additionally, any accounts with your name on it, no matter how little money is in it, will need to be provided to the Bank. The main documents that customer fail to provide initially will be Revolut or N26 statements – yes, the Banks need these too!!

  • Realistic expectations

In the current housing market, the length of time its taking a first time buyer to go from beginning the mortgage journey to actually moving into the property can be over one year.

You should also consider that the market is very competitive at the minute and there is a huge number of buyers chasing a very small stock of property. So asking prices unfortunately may not be the price the house is sold for. Be prepared for this. Be prepared to miss out on properties – it’s all part of the process unfortunately.

Even once you are Sale Agreed on a property it still takes an average of 4 months to complete all the legal paperwork – this is due to the paper based process of both the legal and Banking industries. It is slow, so please allow time for this. 

Storing and trading cryptocurrencies: The current security risks

Sam Allcock
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Storing and trading cryptocurrencies: The current security risks

Security is often touted as the primary advantage of cryptocurrencies. Cryptocurrencies are decentralized and transactions require significantly less sensitive information from investors than banks do. Data is stored on blockchains, in which information is recorded in hash functions and timestamped. Blockchain systems, combined with a lack of a centralized server, pose a set of near-insurmountable challenges to prospective hackers.

Nonetheless, trading in bitcoin does not automatically guarantee immunity from fraud. Cryptocurrency has grown more commonplace as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, with more businesses accepting it as payment. Naturally, cybercriminals have adapted to this shift by altering traditional financial crimes and coming up with new ones to suit the budding cryptocurrency era.

COVID-19 cryptocurrency scams abound

The current global climate of uncertainty and fear allows optimal opportunities for malefactors to exploit. A devious twist on the tried-and-true blackmail campaign involves threatening to infect the recipient and their relatives with coronavirus. Unless the victim either sends money to a Bitcoin wallet or shares the password to their account, the hacker will send an infected individual to the victim’s home. In order to heighten chances of success, the scammer may also claim to have personally identifying or compromising information. That can range from a home address to intimate activity conducted online, e.g. visiting a pornographic website.

Ransomware has also undergone a COVID-themed transformation. The malware built for Android devices, known as COVIDLock, is distributed through websites offering free resources. The app is allegedly a free coronavirus tracking app. Once downloaded, the recipient’s phone is locked and a message appears demanding a sum of money payable in bitcoins to return access. If the target does not comply, their phone will be wiped of all data, private information will be shared online, or both. Note that phones that do not have a password lock are susceptible to this form of attack.

Understandably, panic, and a desire to comply to avoid the consequences is a natural response to malicious extortion. Despite this, the communications must be reported to the relevant authorities and ignored. Bear in mind that, for many people, there is a wealth of information available online for cybercriminals to create the illusion that they know everything. Monitoring social media accounts and other publicly-visible profiles enable hackers to mention personal details to make the threat sound more legitimate. Restricting your online presence is a worthwhile initiative to reduce your exposure to this sort of fraud. The less personal data hackers have access to, the easier it is to see through blackmail attempts.

Download apps pertaining to the coronavirus (monitoring news, tracking infections, etc.) from trustworthy sources only, such as Google Play or Apple’s App Store. Remember that authority website domain names can be spoofed or mimicked. A website claiming to belong to a governmental or medical agency isn’t automatically free from suspicion.

Other attempts at fraud are more insidious, such as requests for virtual donations to renowned organizations to fight COVID-19 and support relief efforts. Following the World Health Organization’s establishment of the COVID-19 Solidarity Relief Fund, individuals began reporting solicitations of cryptocurrency supposedly on behalf of the WHO. Messages directed recipients to donate via a Bitcoin address rather than through the non-profit’s official website. WHO confirmed that it does not accept cryptocurrency contributions. Solicitation of cryptocurrency donations from charities, online stores, or exchanges must be verified directly from the source rather than third-party emails or trending posts.

Fraudsters are also happy to seize upon the sheer desperation for new commodity items to protect against the virus. These products — masks, face shields, and similar equipment — can only be bought with cryptocurrency. Some miscreants go so far as to offer “cures” and “guaranteed” preventative solutions. There may also be a disclaimer that the item is in limited stock to encourage a quick purchase. These false advertisements are usually easy to disprove, but fear or hope can elicit hasty decisions. Of course, the promised items never arrive.

Knowledge is a vital defense strategy against such scams, especially considering the prolific spread of misinformation about the pandemic. Adopt a skeptical approach toward advertisements or messages offering coronavirus treatments or protective gadgets purchasable only via bitcoin. If products come with a certification of approval from authority organizations such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), check the official website to confirm. Usually, a standard search will confirm a specific type of scam.

The fourth common COVID-19 scam is inspired by the quarantine-instigated boom in remote employment: work-from-home schemes. Considering the worldwide spike in unemployment rates as a result of coronavirus, the demographic exists. Cybercriminals pose as employers, offering jobseekers the chance at full time work — with the bonus of an initial “donation” to get started. This donation typically consists of stolen money that the predators are attempting to launder. Scammers then request that these funds then be transferred to a cryptocurrency kiosk. The unsuspecting victim could then be held liable for illegal transmission of stolen currency.

Alternatively, the message might be a variation of the get-rich-quick scheme. Targets are tempted with the promise of swift rewards or sizable profits with little work required. The caveat is that the future employee has to transfer a set sum in cryptocurrency over to the “business” to begin.

It’s important not to take employment prospects at face value, especially if you never applied for a job in the first place. Convenient jobs with exorbitant salaries are enticing lures used by digital delinquents capitalizing on struggling economies. Verified businesses are unlikely to request financial deposits or transactions as a hiring stipulation, particularly not in cryptocurrency. Always research a company before you respond to communications.

The perils of improper cryptocurrency storage

Improper storage is another significant vulnerability all digital investors must address. Cryptocurrency should not be stored on exchanges long-term: in the event of a breach or an unexpected technical error, the investment is lost. In 2019 alone, 12 virtual currency exchanges were hacked, costing users millions in damages. The lack of jurisdiction and anonymity that many digital investors consider benefits turn to drawbacks in the event of an attack. Tracking down bitcoin thieves tends to be a more complex endeavor for law enforcement agencies.

Rather, crypto holders should transfer their funds to a bitcoin wallet. These wallets can either be physical devices that allow for offline storage, or online wallets that are separate from the exchange.

The best wallet for securing your bitcoins will depend on your transaction volume and transaction value. The value is the number of transactions you conduct on average, and the volume refers to the size of each transaction. In general, hard wallets are more appropriate for higher value transactions, whereas online wallets are suitable for lower value transactions. However, you can use multiple types of wallets to balance accessibility with security.

Staying proactive against cybercriminals

In light of these situations, vigilance at all stages of the process is critical to avoid falling victim to fraud. Awareness of the tactics criminals employ to play upon emotions provoked by the pandemic is essential to be prepared. Safeguarding your investments in a bitcoin wallet versus letting bitcoins sit on the exchange is non-negotiable regardless of your average transaction volume and value.

It can be tricky to separate legitimate opportunities to pay using cryptocurrency from deceitful ploys. The fact that many malefactors hijack the clout of genuine organizations makes things murkier. A trademark red flag to watch for is an insistence on virtual currency as the sole method of payment and pressure to fork up payment quickly.

In terms of conducting cryptocurrency transactions online, there are several provisions to take to boost security. Firstly, select a reputable cryptocurrency exchange. Since these companies are not government-backed, thoroughly research your options — particularly where it concerns the exchange’s security policies. Investigate better-known cryptocurrency exchange platforms within your country.

Next, set up a secure, decentralized email and add multi-factor authentication. Combined with two-step verification, the innate encryption that these email providers include makes it more challenging for hackers to compromise. Similarly, multi-signature (or MultiSig) addresses are safer than using a single key to authorize a transaction.

Basic precautions like antivirus software and firewalls are a necessity for all personal devices. Since public networks provide rife opportunities for digital miscreants to attack connected devices, install a VPN to shield sensitive online activities from prying eyes.

As with traditional currency, physical assaults or attacks from dangerous thieves are not unheard of. Bitcoins are typically more appealing to steal than traditional money due to the anonymous, decentralized nature of the currency. For this reason, details about holdings and investments must not be shared with other individuals, whether online on forums or offline.

Because transactions are conducted digitally, trading and storing cryptocurrency will always have inherent security risks in the form of fraud. Since traditional hacking techniques are challenging to implement with this form of tender, attempts to manipulate and swindle holders directly should be anticipated. Awareness of current threats combined with best-practice protocols to shield your investments is imperative for a long-term defense strategy.

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