Author: Reginald Chan

7 Reasons Why Email Phishing Is More Dangerous Than You Think

How many emails have you recently received claiming to be from trusted sources you regularly use such as that high street well-known postal service, and the well-known online marketplace to mention just a few. Phishing emails come in all shapes and sizes and they are getting all the more sophisticated, which means it is getting increasingly more difficult to spot the difference between the fake and real ones.

How to keep yourself safe from scammers and fraudsters

Never open any emails from sellers or businesses that you were not expecting. If you are not expecting a parcel from that well known delivery company then why are you even opening up that email. Look at the sender, check the information in the header of the email, valuing security and safety when looking at your emails early on before you open any suspicious-looking emails will stop you from falling foul of scammers. It’s very important: Before you open any email check who it is from!

Here are 7 reasons email phishing is more dangerous than you know

1. They work. Phishing emails get results for the scammers. So, while people are clicking the emails the scammers will keep sending them and they will be even more believable, credible, and sophisticated – making them incredibly dangerous to both individuals and businesses alike.

2. A False Sense of Security. The emails are so well put together that they lure you into a false sense of security which ultimately leads you to let your guard down and falling foul to scammers.

3. Often linked to other crimes. Unfortunately collecting your data from a phishing email is quite often only part of the bigger plan. Fraudsters and scammers quickly sell information and data they have on you, which means within a short time you could be being targeted through more channels than just email.

4. They don’t discriminate. Any email user of any age is targeted. From college students to pensioners. Nobody is crossed off the scammer’s list except the scammers themselves.

5. Highly effective. Phishing emails get great results for scammers, for example, they insist you must open an email attachment to look at an invoice that has not been paid. You often buy things from the site the email (appears to) come from, so you open the email, and bang, you have been caught out.

6. Brands get tarnished. If you have been caught out by a phishing email from a seemingly trustworthy brand you feel disappointed.No longer wishing to purchase from the brand again. Even though the brand was not involved in the scam, their name and reputation have been tarnished beyond retrieval in the click of an email.

7. Email phishing is sophisticated. The bait emails cannot be picked up by security software and lots of email providers meaning you will still get these not so lovely phishing emails popping up your email inbox at least once a day. The malware or data capture that comes attached within the email can do lots of damage to both your computer and any sensitive information you store on your computer. From bank details to addresses and pin numbers. If you are unlucky enough to fall foul of these emails and accidentally open one then you will have some serious work ahead of you to make sure everything you thought was safe is once again safe.

The best preventative step you can take to avoid falling foul to phishing emails is to not open emails that make you second guess who they are from and what they contain. Legitimate businesses never use free email addresses such as customercare123 at gmail.com, so be always aware of where the email is coming from.

If you do unfortunately fall foul of a phishing scam then you need to inform your banks and service providers as soon as possible. Changing your pins and access codes and informing companies that you have been a victim of fraud will help you protect yourself going forward.

Online it is super important to be as protective and secure as you are in your everyday life, never share anything online that you wouldn’t share offline. It is important to protect any data or information you keep on your computer safe, so regularly change your pin numbers and access codes. Also if you don’t have anti-virus or malware software installed on your computer/laptop or device it would be wise to invest in some as soon as you can, read reviews and recommendations to get the right protection package that covers all of your needs.

January 26, 2021
How To Use Technology To Effectively Manage Your Business Inventory Better?
Are you running an eCommerce portal? Are you a manager or supervisor in a factory where large numbers of small tools are used by workers? No matter the nature of your business, inventory management is a crucial aspect of the business. It has a big impact on the way raw materials or tools are ordered, stored, and used. If you have good knowledge about the inventory, ordering and manufacturing become smooth and seamless without any wastage. In this article, we shall understand how technology can be used to effectively manage your business inventory in a more organized manner.

RFID Technology

Radio Frequency Identification is a technology that makes it possible for each product in different categories to be located and tracked easily for better inventory management. RFID tags have become very popular and benign used in all sorts of industries for seamless inventory management today. In this system, a radio device is tagged to each product in the retail store or warehouse, and products are individually scanned for quick and simultaneous data entry into a computer. This technology obliterates human counting that is full of errors as it is digital.

Use of Tool Management Software

In industries where large numbers of small tools are used and also shared by multiple workers at different locations, it becomes a headache for the manager to keep track of these tools. To help business owners, many tool tracking software is available in the market. As the name implies, such software identifies the location and quantity of tools with the help of an in and out barcode scanner Businesses can choose from a wide variety of tool management software available in the market according to their requirements and features of the program.

Using Robotics for Inventory Management

Autonomous robots are being used inside large warehouses to perform picking and packing functions these days. Smart robots work in conjunction with software to make warehouse management smooth and hassle-free. Joint ventures between robot manufacturers and warehouse management software makers are coming up with tailor-made solutions for inventory management for warehouse owners. Large e-commerce portal owners are benefitting from this new technology as they are finding it easy to handle large volumes of orders. These advanced robots are capable of performing complex functions such as personalized packing and more efficient shipping. Customers are free to choose custom software and robots to receive the desired level of inventory management.

Barcoding Technology

Barcoding individual products in different categories is an old but highly effective technology of inventory management in a retail store. When you go to a shopping mall, you find a sticker carrying a specific barcode attached in the form of a sticker to every product. The product gets scanned at the time of making an invoice and automatically deducted from the inventory of the store to enable the owner to know the number of products in all categories at a glance. The gun or the physical scanner is always synchronized with inventory management software installed in a computer. Computers at different locations are connected to the main computer with the help of the internet to allow the business owner to know the accurate condition of stock at any point in time.

Techniques of Inventory Management

Besides modern technology, many interesting techniques of inventory management are used by businesses to avoid overstocking, spoilage, and overspending on the storage of stocks. These techniques help in improved cashflow as capital is not locked on excess inventory. Through improved and more efficient inventory management, a business can achieve higher sales and more profits. Some of these techniques are as follows.
- Setting par levels
- First In First Out (FIFO)
- Management of relationships with suppliers
- Regular auditing
- Prioritizing products based on their value
Inventory management is as important as the sale and shipping of products in any business. Inventory management can be made smooth and efficient through the use of technology. You can choose the technology and technique of inventory management according to your budget and specific requirements.
January 25, 2021
How to Streamline HR Operations in a Small Business Environment

We live in a world of constant technological advancements. Many jobs that previously required human hands have been replaced by robots. Daily activities are becoming automated.

The emergence of COVID-19 has accelerated this transformation. In Walmart, several cashiers will be replaced with self-checkout kiosks to cut the cost of manpower. It makes you wonder, do we still need a human workforce?

The Importance of Workforce Planning

The answer is yes, a human workforce is still very necessary. This is because some jobs require the care and thinking capacity of a human brain, something that hasn’t been completely replicated in technology.

If you have a workforce, it is important to manage them properly. This is called Strategic Workforce Planning. Increasing digitization means the availability of talent in a specific skill set is lower than before. Business organizations need to be able to have access to the right capabilities and skills at the appropriate time.

Successful Strategic Workforce Planning is made of three stages; reviewing, planning and measurement. For review, it is important to look at the needs and talents you already have access to. This pertains to inside the business and in external talent pools as well.

Next, you can develop a resource plan focused on the critical roles in your organization. If there are any skill gaps, find solutions to address them. Determine if you need to train or reassign current staff, maybe you might need a new recruit.

Finally, you need to measure the success of your planning. You need access to relevant data to help you review the success of your plan or make changes where it is necessary.

Why Do We Need HR Operations?

Now, we see the importance of the workforce and workforce planning. Who initiates this planning? The ever crucial Human Resources (HR) Department of course.

Sometimes, the HR department is considered the cold, unsympathetic extension of the executive management. They even view HR as supporting managers and not regular employees they can relate to.

To resolve this, proper Human Resources Management is important. It is the key to an employee-oriented productive workplace. This department is the backbone that supports all the aspects of the organization.

The HR Department has many tasks; they monitor work culture, manage talent, recruit a superior workforce, research and implement employee benefit programs, and develop workshops or team-building activities.

Even in a small business environment, Human Resources play a pivotal role in developing a positive work culture. One way to make sure that this department can work efficiently is to have the proper software.

Why Do We Need to Use HR Software?

In a nutshell, HR Software is a specific online platform that combines different processes and systems to ensure the accessibility of employee data. It typically includes payroll management, benefits, administration, and attendance record keeping.

In a small business environment, HR software can be viewed as a luxury. It is the opposite though, in modern business environments having this software is considered a necessity. It has become more cost-effective and it is feasible for small businesses to use.

How Can Software Help with HR Operations?

There are many benefits when you use HR Software. It gives you Cost Savings by reducing employee turnover and ensuring their needs are taken care of.

It also Saves Time for your HR staff. If they are constantly inputting menial data by hand or making phone calls, then they won’t have time for things that matter like enforcing company policies or handling legal issues. As stated by the experts from EnableHR, HR Software also gives you more accurate insight into data. You don’t have to rely on your human limitations of overlooking or forgetting important details.

Contrary to common belief, HR Software is also very Cost Effective. The best packages have monthly memberships that can work with even the smallest startup budget. The amount of money you lose to human error is still higher.

What You Should Look for in Quality HR Software

The market for HR Software is huge. Not all of them are the same and you need to narrow down your options to get the best quality output.

A Cloud Platform is very useful. You don’t need to install anything on your computer and your data is safe. It stores all your employee records and it has Sharing Features for easy access to data. This means you don’t even need to be in the office to access information.

You must also look for Scalability in good HR Software. This means you only pay for what you need. When more access is necessary, you just upgrade the system without having to pay for anything extra.

The last thing to look for is the Self-Service Features. It provides a centralized portal that employees and HR Staff can access. It is automatic and saves the staff time by removing the need to constantly check and reply to the same emails.

Even though technological advancements are never going to slow down, business organizations are dependent on the human workforce. HR Software can help combine the two by making HR Operations more efficient for the staff and the employees. It is a good investment for a business, no matter how small.

January 25, 2021
Useful Budgeting Tips and Tricks From the Experts

For many people, impulse spending might seem easier and more fun to do rather than budgeting. Some may have even tried budgeting their money, only to not follow their budget plan in the long run, and ending up spending more than they should.

Budgeting can be overwhelming at times, even downright scary for others. However, with the right knowledge and a gentle nudge towards the right direction, you can learn how to budget your money much more effectively.

Why You Need to Budget Your Money

Just because you already have enough finances to manage your everyday expenses, it does not mean that budgeting is already unnecessary. There are many unforeseen circumstances that may require you to use your savings, and you may get in various sticky situations if you do not have enough in your pockets.

Also, when you already have a stable budget, you will be more likely to experience financial freedom. The more money you save, the more money you’d be able to spend in the long run. This means more vacations, more shopping dates, and even the increased possibility of early retirement! Who wouldn’t want that?

Useful Budgeting Tips and Tricks

Identify and calculate your monthly income

Monitor all of the streams of money you have and calculate how much you make every month. If you always receive a paycheck from a regular job, make sure that you have already deducted the taxes that come with it.

However, if you have a variable income, such as the salary you get when you’re working freelance, use the income from your lowest earning month in the past year as your reference in making your budget.

Include other streams of money if you have them, such as side hustles, child support, or pension. When you’re done, add them all up so you can be aware of how much you earn each month.

Pick a budgeting method

Budgeting is not a one size fits all technique in managing your finances, as people have different needs and different incomes. There are various methods of budgeting, and you will eventually find the one that is best for you. You can even devise your own personal method! Here are two examples:

The first method of budgeting that I will share with you is the 50-20-30 method or the Balanced Money Formula. This method means that 50% of your income must go into your needs, such as rent, food, and bills. 20% should go to your savings or should be used to pay off any debts. Lastly, the remaining 30% may go to your wants, or you may choose to save this amount as well.

The second method of budgeting is Cash-only budgeting or Envelope budgeting. Most people tend to overspend when they use credit or debit cards, so using physical cash may help reduce the risk of overspending.

Set your goals

With a worthwhile goal, you will be much more motivated to budget your money. Are you looking forward to a vacation? Want to buy a loved one a gift? Write these goals down, or type them on your phone so you’d constantly get reminded of them. This will fuel your drive to manage your expenses more responsibly.

Track your expenses

Your expenses always change every month. You have fixed expenses, those who have a fixed cost such as your rent or internet payments. However, you also have variable expenses, those who have costs that change every month, such as groceries and gasoline.

These two different types of expenses may make it harder to track each and every expense manually, so it is advisable to download an application that can help you. With an application that will do the work for you, saving money will be much easier because you don’t have to calculate it manually every time. You can even monitor your progress with an application, and it’ll not only help you save money but also time! With the rise of technology, many different apps can assist you in myriad ways.

Change your habits, if necessary

You may not realize it, but your habits might have caused you to overspend more often than not. You may have made it a habit to buy coffee from a shop every day when you can easily brew your own coffee at home. Because of this, you must monitor your spending habits, so you can always be able to follow your budget religiously.

Managing your finances can be stressful at times, but with a budgeting plan, it’ll be so much easier. Find a budgeting method that works for you, and try your best to be consistent in following it. When you budget your money effectively, you will be able to experience many perks, including early retirement! Because of these reasons, it can be concluding that budgeting is extremely necessary for every adult.

January 25, 2021
Sales and Use Tax Bond: What You Need to Know
Taxes are something that the average person hates. It’s a way of helping put money back into the government, but most people see it as a means of losing their hard-earned income on the promise of a return, which isn’t much in the way of a prize. If you talk to business owners, however, taxes become even more of a tedious aspect of being an entrepreneur because of the staggering amount of rules and regulations that are much less commonplace than it is for the average person.

They’re a part of being a business owner, but there is quite a lot to know about business tax and law. One aspect that is not usually at the forefront of the minds of people in sales and uses tax bonds, which is a unique part of being a business owner. This is especially important for businesses operating in retail, leases, or rentals, and it’s imperative that someone in business knows this. Here is what you need to know about sales and use tax bonds.

What are Sales and Use Tax Bonds?

As mentioned, a business that is operating in retail (selling products), leasing property or products, or renting property and products, is often required to ensure that a business will pay taxes on the revenue they make from these sales/leases/rentals. This bond is useful in helping ensure that the business is reliable in paying the taxes on time, and you can find more info on how it relates to the role of proving that they are responsible and credible in the act of doing so. Sales and use tax bonds are intended to help assure the state taxes will be paid and collected in the proper amount of time.

Types of Sales and Use Tax Bonds

Sales and use tax bonds come in many different types but are all related to the taxation of products and goods sold. Here are some of the most common types you will find for a business:
- Motor Fuel
- Customs
- Fireworks
- Tobacco Products and Cigarettes
- Alcohol, Liquor, or Beer
These are commonly taxed products sold every day that need to be made tax by the business, and thus, pay the taxes to the government. The bond acts as the license to collect these taxes, but sometimes they are not needed and can be posted with a general sales tax bond. It’s important to understand the role of your business and its sales.

Why is it Important?

The government needs to be sure that a business can financially sustain itself beyond revenue and be able to pay back taxes in an orderly fashion. Covering the cost of filing for bankruptcy is not in the interest of the state or federal government as it costs them billions every year. It’s also very important that many of these products sold are taxed regularly because of the high volume that they are purchased in.

Does Every State Have the Same Rules?

No, the short and simple answer is that not every state has the same rules regarding sales and use tax bonds. It would be common to find a bond required for the sale of liquor in many states, like Texas, but in some states, this is not a requirement. It’s also important to note that many states may require a different kind of product tax issue instead of a sales and use bond. Posting the general product sales tax is enough in some places, while in others there is no requirement at all.

How Much Do These Bonds Cost?

Another good question to ask is how much the bonds cost, which is also a variable answer depending on the state. In Missouri, the bond must be equal to double the monthly average on sales and taxes. In other places, like New Hampshire, there are no state taxes at all which means there is no requirement to pay either, even though a permit for sales tax still must be acquired. The varying cost also has to do with acquiring the bond as well. The bonds are issued, usually by surety companies, which deal with agencies that help spread your application to as many companies as possible to help you get approved. Often, there is also a payment of a premium, which is a percentage of the total bond amount.

Sales and use tax bonds are not the most common knowledge for the average person and many business owners, but it may be a crucial step in opening up a legitimate business. It also helps ensure the government’s trust in the ability to pay back taxes in a proper manner, as well as a sign of faith in a business’s financial credibility.
January 25, 2021
How Direct Mail Brochures Can Help Grow Your Business Easily?
Many people think that the use of direct mail in business is a thing of the past, but surprisingly, it still works. According to research, companies that send direct mail to the customers reap a lot of benefits that cannot be achieved using digital methods like email and social media. With focused targeting, direct mail produces a better response rate compared to email. There are different forms of postal options for growing your business that you can consider. Read on to learn how direct mail brochures can help grow your business easily.

Why a brochure?

A brochure is a marketing tool that you can use to advertise a product or service. It comes in the form of a flyer or pamphlet, and it provides information about different products and services. Many businesses use brochures to introduce new services and products to existing customers or potential buyers. You can hand brochures in person or mail them to specific people with interests in your business. Direct mail helps create a one-on-one connection with your target customers that may be difficult to do with other media channels.

Target Your Customers

The primary advantage of direct mailing using brochures is that you communicate directly with the customers. All brochures are addressed to the intended recipient, and this means that you build a strong customer database. You can also specify a particular area to target so that you do not waste resources on people who may not make a difference to your business. In most cases, businesses consider several demographic factors like age, income, and others before they target consumers.

Design the Right Brochure

If you want your direct mail marketing campaign to succeed, you must carefully design your brochures in such a way that they leave a lasting impression. To make your life easy, you can enlist the services of a professional design and printing company to help you design eye-catching brochures. Expert designers at Cactus Mailing explain that the strategy of direct mail brochures is budget-friendly and is based on proven results if you carefully implement it. It is possible to generate more business with a postcard campaign provided you design the promotional material well.

To achieve your goal using this strategy, you must consider the following steps.
- Identify your target audience
- Choose the appropriate format for the brochure
- How do you want to distribute the brochure?
- Determine the information you want to be included. For instance, you can include your company’s mission statement, logo, photos, charts, and graphs.
- Choose content layout or format
The purpose of the brochure should help you determine the information that you should include in your brochure.

Draw the Customers’ Attention

Brochures help you to grab the attention of the target audience. Although digital mail has become so widespread, many people still enjoy checking mail. Therefore, you must carefully design the brochure such that it appeals to the interests of the customer. It is essential to customize your brochure so that they fulfill your business interests while at the same time aiming to satisfy the needs of the customers. The other benefit of using brochures is that the recipients are likely to invite their friends to your business if they are happy about your offer.

Direct Mail Marketing is Memorable

Another advantage of direct marketing is that it is memorable. Receiving physical mail is something that is long forgotten by other people, so this action alone brings nostalgic feelings. This can trigger an emotional response that will result in more sales. It is vital to write the customer’s name on the brochure to appeal to their emotions. You should make sure that whatever you include on the postcard calls the customer to action.

Track Results

The direct mail campaign helps to drive customers to your business to buy different products on promotion. You can easily track results by monitoring the response rate of the consumers. If you experience a surge in the number of customers who visit your business, it means that your campaign is effective. However, you should not forget to schedule a follow up with your customers.

While some people may think that direct mail is a thing of the past, it still works in this digital age. For instance, direct mail brochures can help grow your business by connecting you with your customers. This strategy is focused, and it calls the recipient to action which cannot be possible with other forms of media channels. Brochures draw the customers’ attention, and they are memorable, and this is good for your business.
January 24, 2021