Category: Business

How Someone With Bad Credit Can Get A Home Loan

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The first thing mortgage lenders do before giving a loan is check the applicant’s credit score. Your chances of getting a home loan can be hampered by a poor credit score. The situation can worsen in a struggling economy because of underlying financial risks and history of foreclosure. Even with bad credit and unfavorable economic climate, you can still find plenty of bad credit loans. However, you will be forced to make concessions in areas like interest rate cap and costs of the home. A reputable mortgage broker or expert can help you better navigate the process. According to Dividend.com, the following ways will help you get a mortgage even with bad credit score:

1. Consider rate adjustment
The difference between getting approval for bad credit loans and denial may entirely rest on agreeing to an adjustable rate mortgage. This means paying for a loan whose fixed loan interest is much higher compared to the usual rates listed by lending institutions. As much as possible, be careful to choose a loan whose mortgage rate you can afford. The loan repayment duration should also be feasible and not run for too long. If you are unsure about the intricacies of adjustment rate mortgage speak to an unbiased mortgage expert to get the details and required qualifications.

2. Make a high down payment
The other strategy to beat the system is making a huge down payment on your mortgage. Making a resounding down payment can go a long way to save you the pain of applying for expensive private mortgage insurance and present you as a more credible borrower. Private mortgage insurance is a requirement for all borrowers making less than 20% down payment on home purchases.

3. Seek for alternative or non-traditional lenders
The dynamics of the economy, more so the rabble rousing subprime meltdown, drove many low credit lenders out of business. This has made it difficult to find a lender who caters low credit borrowers, but all is not lost. You can search for reputable lenders by checking their licensure and standing on sites like the Better Business Bureau and local chamber of commerce.

4. Get an FHA approval
Unlike the conventional mortgage loan providers that have a high bar of loan approval, the FHA or the Federal Housing Administration can be a great source of cheap loans for individuals with bad credit. It is important to note that the institution is not a direct loan provider but acts as a cushion for the lenders who agree to give bad credit loans. If the borrower defaults on payment, the FHA guarantees the repayment. The whole idea makes it less risky to lend money to low credit customers. Note that an approval from FHA doesn’t necessarily mandate the lender to approve a mortgage because other considerations may take precedence.

5. Look for a co-signer
Having a bad credit score doesn’t stop you from finding a cosigner to help you apply for a loan. In most cases, the cosigner can be a close family member, friend or co-worker. The strategy is always a win-win situation because while seeking a co-signer, you can begin to rebuild or repair your scores to make yourself more creditworthy. The risk of defaulting on payments means the co-signer may suffer the consequences of bad credit rating and other undesirable effects such as placing a damper on your long-term aspirations to own a home.

6. Boost your credit score
A good credit will definitely boost your chances of getting a home loan. In spite of the lengthy time frames, you can greatly reduce the red tape by working your way up. To begin, you need to order your current credit scores from any of the 3 national credit bureaus and perform a thorough analysis to establish the accuracy of the reports. If you find errors, make sure these are reported to the bureaus and corrected as soon as possible to earn a credit boost. Once this is done, start making down payment on the consolidated debt and ensure the debts on your current credit cards are all made on time.

The whole process of bringing your credit score to good standing takes serious work and sacrifices. According to Trulia, the credit score is calculated based on pertinent information appearing on your credit report. The key items that impact the scores are the payment history and debt to credit utilization. The lesser items in the list include the length of the credit history, credit mix and new credit. A perfect score is currently capped at 850, but only 0.5% of consumers enjoy this level of rating. On the overall, a score of 740 and above is considered safe for obtaining a mortgage while at the end of the spectrum, a score of 580 and below is considered poor credit.

Andrew Charlton

How Technology Affects Jobs and Wages

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Andrew Charlton
In the 21st-century, we have been promised the rise of automation and artificial intelligence will bring a changing job market to the world where the wealth available will spread throughout communities where new technologies are embraced. Andrew Charlton of the AlphaBeta Advisors group reports his company has recently completed a study for Google exploring the effects of automation on the Australian economy in terms of wages and employment in the coming decades. There is much enthusiasm for the potential changes being created to the traditional working day by automation as artificial intelligence makes it easier to complete both simple and complex tasks without the interference of human beings.

Is Automation challenging the future of work?

This is the question which has been posted for decades as the development of Artificial Intelligence has grown in importance for many business leaders who are looking for the best ways of becoming as efficient as possible in the work being completed on their behalf. The Harvard Business Review looked back at the history of innovation over the last two hundred years and identified the fact the current climate of technological development was not any different to the development seen in the last two hundred years.

In fact, the Harvard Business Review believes the current climate of technological change was similar to that seen by former farm laborers in the 19th-century when electrification of the developed world led to a change in the way the majority worked. The current fears of falling wages and mass unemployment were also feared in the 19th-century as the industrial revolution led to a changing climate of employment; a similar fate could be seen in the coming decades with a difficult time for many manufacturing and low-skilled workers should be followed by a period of employment growth and sustained levels of higher wages in the coming years.

Regulation could be key

In the past, the rise of automation has been limited to the elimination of low-skilled jobs which have soon been replaced by new careers for those who are seeking employment. A similar fate could well befall many who will need to be retrained with new areas of education becoming important for government agencies to explore; a further issue many fear could cause major issues is the role of automation in traditionally middle-class positions such as lawyers and medical professionals who may see much of their work done by AI machines in the future.

The Guardian reports the Institute for Public Policy Research is seeking to engage with government agencies around the world to develop new ways of regulating the introduction of AI in a way which will not cause mass unemployment of loss of wages at any level. The elimination of roles in a variety of sectors will result in the need for employment and training to take place in a range of areas and new ways of making sure the wealth created does not result in a growing gap between rich and poor.

Australia stands as an example of former failures

Australia is often seen as one of the leading members of the developed world with a growing economy which is allowing the people of the nation to prosper in the last few decades. However, Andrew Charlton and AlphaBeta Advisors believe the mistakes of the past must be avoided when automation moves ever closer in many different industrial areas.

AlphaBeta Advisors explains there is a lack of investment from major companies in Australia where only nine percent of publicly traded companies are making major investments in AI. Other issues identified by AlphaBeta include the need for greater training being needed for Australian low-skilled workers who have lost their jobs at a rate of one in every ten over the last 25 years; one in four of those who have lost their jobs have not returned to the Australian workforce.

Education will be needed

According to AlphaBeta and Andrew Charlton, the need for education is important in Australia and around the world as changes to the way work is completed require more education for workers. The Harvard Business Review states earlier issues with technology being introduced during the Industrial Revolution were solved by employers looking to invest in a workforce which include many employees eager to learn to further their careers.

Earlier changes to employment in the late 20th-century saw coal miners and mill workers move into call centers and warehouses which show how the employment sector evolves over time. The introduction of automated technology into all sectors will result in the possibility of employers growing richer with a reduced workforce. At this point, it is important for government agencies to invest in new technologies and education for the next generation of workers who will enter a much-changed workforce.

5 Tips For Starting Your Own Online Business

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Woman With Computer
Starting an online business can be stressful if you’re not prepared for the unique challenges of running a business digitally. Start off on the right foot by knowing what to expect, and the same business can be a source of fun and income.

Perhaps you have been getting sick of your 9-5 job. Or maybe you would want some extra income on the side. You’ve heard about how others experienced success online, so why can’t you? Having an online business is a great opportunity for you to start something that can bring you part-time income, or even full-time if you wish to scale it. According to successful entrepreneur Chrissy Weems, here are some benefits of starting your own online business:

  • Flexibility in your schedule – starting your own business online means you have the chance to work whenever and wherever. Since you don’t have a brick and mortar location, you can access your business as long as you have your computer and the internet.
  • Easy entry point – nowadays, it is very easy to start an online business. Whether you plan to sell physical products, digital products, or offer your services, you usually only need minimal capital.
  • Do what you love – do you have a special interest such as baking, crafts, or giving advice to people? You can definitely make a business out of your passions.

If you’re thinking about striking off on your own and starting an online business, there are some things you need to consider before starting. Chrissy Weems gives us actionable advice before starting an online business.

Five Awesome Tips For Starting Your Business Online

 

  1. Define your target audience

Before starting your online business, it is important to take note who the business is for. Are they soon to be mothers? Are they outdoor people? Defining your target audience will make it easier for you to create or source your products, plus it will help you to have a specialization in your business. Look at it this way: let’s say you want to have a haircut. Would you choose to go to a salon, or a beauty supply store? You would be more comfortable going to a specialized place such as a salon to take care of your needs. The same can be said about an online business. Defining your audience gives you a better focus and direction.

  1. Learn some basics of building a website or how to market in social media

If you want to start an online business, it is important to have some form of social media presence. This could be in the form of building your own website or having a business social media account. Many women in business may find themselves stuck on this stage as they appear to be overwhelmed by the technicalities that making a website brings. You can either search for blogs online, find YouTube tutorials, or if you are feeling more advanced, you can also look for Udemy courses about how to make stunning website pages for your business.

  1. Understand some digital marketing strategies

Knowing the basics is enough–you don’t have to necessarily know it all. Once you have your products or services ready, you will be needing to promote them. However, promotion online is different from traditional marketing. With traditional marketing, you have to pitch clients within your network, send out as many print ads and flyers, or even find a spot on the radio or TV to promote your business. Online marketing has changed the game. One of the best ways to market your business is to start an online blog, promote through social media advertisements, make videos, or post various forms of multimedia content on your social pages. Once you get the hang of online marketing, you are sure to find more leads for your business.

  1. The 80-20 rule in online business

Another valuable tip that a lot of online entrepreneurs learn over time is to always test what works and what doesn’t. Sometimes, a product may not be selling as well as expected. In other instances, a product that we do not expect to gain attention is now generating numerous sales. In accordance with the 80-20 rule, you will typically see 20% of your products account for 80% of your sales, much the same way the top 20% of your customers often account for 80% of your income. It is helpful to look at these trends and see which ones are working for your online business or not. They are clues to help you speed up toward success.

  1. Always be consistent

Just like in traditional business, consistency is key. Whether it’s in the quality of your products or services, producing promotional content, or connecting to your audience, you need to be consistent. It may be helpful to work on a weekly, monthly and yearly schedule. Though schedules eventually change over time, you get to have an overview of your tasks and this will help you prioritize what you need.

Starting an online business is definitely not just a pipe dream. With enough passion, consistency, and determination, you can succeed whether you’re an experienced entrepreneur or not.

 

7 Useful Skills To Set Your Resume Apart In Modern Business

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Handshake
A well written resume can be the difference between acing an interview to land your dream job, or staying home filling out applications.

As the business world continues to change and move forward into the modern era, employees need to be able to keep up. While the basic format of the resume has largely remained the same over the years, the best skills to put on it have changed significantly. Below are seven of the most useful skills that will set your resume apart from others during a modern job search.

1. Foreign Language Proficiency

The ability to speak a foreign language will set your resume apart from other candidates. Spanish in particular is useful, especially if you live in certain regions of the country where it is commonly spoken as a primary or secondary language. Even knowing a language that sees less everyday use can be helpful. For one, you never know when you might need to use it. Given the increasingly globalized nature of business, bilingual candidates offer companies avenues of expansion. Also, employers know how much time and effort go into learning a language, and how that speaks to a candidate’s dedication and intelligence.

2. Coding

Coding is a skill that has become useful in almost every occupation and employers love to see it on a resume. This skill is a must for tech jobs. However, coding is also useful for anyone seeking a job in design or a scientific field. Every business needs to have a good website in order to remain competitive in the modern world, and employees who can help maintain that site or add to it will look great to potential employers. The same is true for apps, which most companies want to develop. Coding is a skill that is easily self-taught, so you can take the time to learn it yourself instead of pursuing any formal training.

3. SEO Marketing

In modern companies, all employees usually have some hand in marketing the business. For example, even if you are not a dedicated marketer, you may be called upon to write social media posts or content for the company’s website. SEO skills allow businesses to be discovered more easily via search engines, so companies will give precedence to employees who can spread the word about the business online effectively. SEO skills also make it easier for job seekers to get noticed, because their materials are more likely to show up in a search engine or on a social job site such as LinkedIn.

4. Data and Master Data Management (MDM)

Making sense of data is a desired skill in many fields, as more and more companies collect and use data in order to make the best business decisions. Master data management tools are used by businesses to augment and support their data management and its quality. Profisee looks to the future with their MDM platform by offering powerful features such as data modeling, data integration and metadata management, as well as good scalability and golden record management. Proficiency with Profisee and similar master data management tools will set your resume apart from others.

5. Leadership Skills

Most employers are looking for candidates with leadership skills. This is especially true if you are applying to managerial or executive positions. However, even if you are applying to entry-level positions, leadership skills show employers that you are willing to take initiative and might be a good long-term investment. Leadership skills can be demonstrated on your resume by detailing specific achievements you made with your team in previous positions or accomplishments you made by employing leadership ability.

6. Communication Skills

More and more, employers are wanting potential employees to demonstrate excellent communications skills, even if they are in a position that does not require heavy use of communication. Employees in every field communicate with other employees and customers far more often now, especially thanks to electronic communication. To list communication ability on a resume, you could detail successful client interactions. Fortunately, while it is often difficult to list most soft skills on a resume, writing skills are often apparent in the quality of the resume’s wording. To further demonstrate writing skills, be sure to include a persuasive cover letter with your application.

7. Anything Specific To Your Field

There is no top desired skill to include on a resume, because every field and individual company has different needs. Even if a certain skill wasn’t asked for in the application, it is still likely to impress a hiring manager if that skill is useful to the position or industry as a whole. Do not forget to incorporate keywords from the job description into your resume, or it will be unlikely to make it past the applicant tracking software employed by almost all companies.

Ultimately, job seekers must use their best intuition when deciding which skills they should list on their resume and which ones they should not. What skills should be listed will depend on the nature of the individual position, the needs of the company and common skills that are important for employees working in a specific industry to possess. However, the skills listed above are unique and desirable enough to act as a good start for setting your resume apart.

 

Kalu Yala Lawsuit

Kalu Yala Lawsuit Never Happened Visit A Sustainable Development

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Kalu Yala Lawsuit PDF

How do you go about building an entirely new way of living in the middle of a tropical environment? This is the question Jimmy Stice and his team at the Panama-based community of Kalu Yala have been looking to answer since 2006 when Stice, Scott Romsa, and Kimberly Hall began considering how to plan a better community than the existing city surrounded by suburbs model being used around the world. With so many problems, bad and negative beliefs about Panama, it seemed the perfect place.  Just 50 minutes outside Panama City, the community is taking shape and has become a leading educational resource for interns looking to experience how community living can be altered by a focus on working alongside existing local communities and sustainability.

The roots of a community

The main driving force behind the fledgling community being established in the jungles of Panama is Jimmy Stice who has a belief in the power of change (good vs bad) to bring different communities together, UX Week reports. Stice points back his own childhood in the suburbs of Atlanta, Georgia as the reason why he feels a new way of living in close-knit communities with an eye on sustainability is so important to him; believing the idea of suburbs takes something away from everyday life, Jimmy Stice claims he felt cheated by his own experience of children living in isolation despite school friends living close by who were unable to interact as they were unable to get together without parents driving them to meet.

In 2006, Jimmy Stice was a real estate and finance expert who set out to find a remote area to purchase and begin a new sustainable community which he hoped would become a prototype for new communities being created in the developing world. The Tres Brazos Valley was identified as a perfect spot for the new community as it provided close links to the financial and political center of Panama City and the tropical environment the partners in the community hoped to find.

Kalu Yala Lawsuit
Kalu Yala Lawsuit

Educational Experiences

Although the Kalu Yala community has a focus on investing with many successful global business leaders exploring the work of the group much of the work being completed is focused solely on extending the educational experiences of interns who spend a semester at the Panama community. Educational programs are an important part of building the community with students dividing their time between conducting research, assisting with the maintenance and construction of the community, and teaching local children.

A range of educational opportunities is currently being offered as part of an extensive study abroad program which is seen by the majority of attendees as a step up from traditional internships which tend to stifle the creativity of students and young professionals. Building a new community means taking risks and exploring the academic and local communities for the best practices for completing many of the tasks which are not being completed in a sustainable way across the globe. Exploration of interests is a key component for the majority within the community as a new way of living and working is the aim of this impressive community.

Impressive business options

Among the many options open to the people of the world is a desire to start new businesses which will be sustainable and benefit the majority of members of the community. There has yet to be a Kalu Yala lawsuit which shows just how impressive the educational and business opportunities are at this tropical community-based in a former agricultural region of Panama which had fallen out of use in the 1950s.

Entrepreneurship is encouraged among those who are looking to learn with internships within the community which makes this an impressive option for any potential business leader. Learning about the economic importance of sustainable business practices is a key area for the leaders of this new community who have already built powerful partnerships with local people who trade locally produced products after building a trust with the community. Having multiple viewpoints has proven helpful. The focus on critical thinking rather than criticism is a driving factor for all parts of truth about Kalu Yala business options and drives away bad apples. This has resulted in less problems for the residents, students and visitors.

Sustainable development

The aim of the Kalu Yala community is to build an education and business based township which has the ability to sustain itself and grow in a way limiting the effects on the environment. A less than five percent dropout rate and no Kalu Yala lawsuit yet filed shows how successful the community has been in providing an experience similar to that claimed through its literature and Online presence. Jimmy Stice believes the community he is leading through the early stages of development has the chance to be a global leader and prototype for communities across the developing world which will hopefully turn away from the traditional American model of suburbs to a more community-focused way of living.

10 Web Dev Trends That Will Shape 2018

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David Lubbat

As we enter 2018, it’s a good opportunity to take a moment to reflect on the web development trends of 2017, and set expectations for 2018. As we consider recent designs and developments, there are a few trends that are likely to gain traction in 2018, and we’ll explore ten of them below.

1) Asymmetrical Grids

In 2017, split screen designs were extremely popular, but this trend seems to be dying down as asymmetrical grids rise to prominence. Web designers are now dividing pages using text and space as opposed to symmetry. For more on this trend, click here.

2) The Rise of Vue JS

Vue JS has been around since 2014 but is expected to play a large role in 2018. It is a fast, lightweight framework created by just one person. It is already being used by big players like Expedia and Nintendo. For more on Vue JS, click here.

3) Artificial Intelligence

Many people are excited about the rise of artificial intelligence, and 2018 may very well be the year AI gains mainstream popularity. According to David Lubbat, a highly respected blogger and writer, AI could very well live up to its potential – and much sooner than we think. He goes on to point out that directors are already using artificial intelligence in almost every stage of creating a Hollywood film. For information regarding the background of David Lubbat, click here.

4) Better Compatibility with Extensions

The use of browser extensions has led to much success for the major browsers like Chrome and Firefox. However, many extensions are only developed to be used on one type of browser. For example, a Firefox extension cannot be used on Chrome. In 2018, expect to see many extensions being run on different browsers. For more on this trend, click here.

5) Real-Time Web Apps

Although real-time web apps have been around for a number of years now, they are starting to gain a lot of traction – which can lead to tremendous growth in 2018. This is because consumers are now used to sharing information instantly and desire fast interactions, which is exactly what real-time web apps provide. Real-time web apps are the apps that give you notifications in real time as things like scores or comments change. To learn more about them, click here.

6) Cyber Crime

As things rise in popularity for the right reasons, there will always be those that use it for the wrong reasons. In comes cybercrime. Cybercrime is currently a six billion dollar criminal existence. Nearly half of these types of attacks target small and medium-sized businesses, and it is projected these attacks will cost business owners and consumers over six trillion dollars by 2021. With that being said, cybercrime will definitely continue to rise in 2018, and you should be sure to have up to date anti-virus software on all of your devices. For more on cybercrime, click here.

7) Mobile Solidifies Itself at the Top

2017 marked the year where mobile web browsing became the norm over using computers. This ratio will only continue to tip the scale in favor of mobile in 2018. In order to make websites better for those experiencing them on mobile devices, expect load faster, are created for smaller screens, and designed for touchscreens. For more on the role, mobile will play in web development, click here.

8) Color Schemes

It seems as though minimal color schemes of greyscale or black and white have been the norm for quite some time now. However, expect this to change in 2018 as vibrant colors are on the rise. This is in due part to the last point, as vibrant colors look and function better on mobile. For more on the bright colors, we can expect in 2018, click here.

9) Voice User Interface

As voice assistants such as Siri and Bixby have gained recent popularity, the demand for voice assistants is expected to be in higher demand. This could mean we see voice assistants play a role on PC and other platforms in 2018. For more on this trend, click here.

10) Security

Last, but not least, is security, which is sure to rise as cybercrime rises. This is especially helpful as SEO algorithms now include security to improve ranking, so website owners now have even more incentive to improve their security features. For more on this, click here.

There is something for everyone in the web development trends expected for 2018. From AI to new web page standards, it seems there will be major shifts to improve everyone’s experience.

Karl Jobst Grove OK

How Dentist’s Can Bring in New Clients Like a Boss This Year

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Karl Jobst Grove OK

If you’re like most professionals in the dental field, you undoubtedly want to bring in more patients to your practice. After all, it’s a new year, so what better time to make positive improvements to your practice?

Fortunately, there are a lot of great tips you can use to reach your goals this year and to have more clients than ever before.

Update Your Website

As Karl Jobst Grove OK dentist knows, a strong website is definitely key to bringing in new clients.

When patients visit a practice website, they’ll take notice, in a bad way, if it is old, outdated, or run down. Those things reflect poorly on your practice and may cause the patient to look into other options.

So, if your website is not “up to par,” it’s a good idea to have it professionally updated. Hire an SEO firm to do the job for you. Such a firm can help your practice to appear higher in local search results and can improve the image people get of your practice from its website.

Advertise Regularly

Something else that can really be helpful, as Karl Jobst, a very successful dentist, knows, is to advertise your practice very regularly in a wide range of ways.

Whether you want to put a commercial on television, send out fliers, or do some combination of both of these things, the key is to advertise your practice consistently and repeatedly. Don’t worry about “annoying” potential clients with your advertising.

Your repetition can actually be helpful by allowing your practice to stick in the minds of potential patients, making it more likely they will choose your practice when the time comes.

Be Understanding

Something that Karl Jobst Grove OK really excels at is putting his patients at ease and trying to understand their concerns. If you look at his marketing material, most of it is patient-centered. It seeks to address the fears and worries of patients and to put them at ease.

You want your marketing content to accomplish these same things. All your content should sound as understanding and as patient-focused as possible. Of course, you can’t just market that way; you also have to be that way and to treat all of your patients with respect and care.

If you can do those things, though, your practice should grow in powerful ways.

As you can see, there is a lot to be learned from Karl Jobst and from other professional dentists who excel at marketing. By following these tips, though, and continuing to learn and grow, your practice should grow as well.

An Overview of the Best DIY Tax Softwares for the Self Employed

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As April 15th nears, filing taxes is going to be one of the most popular topics around the United States. And rightly so. After all, there are not many things in life as certain as the IRS and tax returns, which why any income earned must be reported and lawfully taxed. For those who are self-employed, estimated at over 10 million, the entire endeavor gets a little more complicated. This is because of things like the self-employment tax, quarterly prepayments, health insurance deduction, expense justification, and much more. Nevertheless, financial services and people like Rusty Tweed can make this process very bearable as they bridge the gap between tax filing and unfamiliar citizens.

Generally, there are two ways to file. This involves a hard-copy submission that gets mailed to the IRS as well as a more timely resolution like filing online. So, what are some of the best, do-it-yourself tax software for completing the necessary obligation?

1. Turbo Tax

Turbo Tax is arguably the most popular method of filing taxes regardless of status. It enables simple paper scanning by reference numbers that convert all hard copies of W2s or 1099s into digital documents. People who would like to obtain the software can easily purchase it online or at stores like Walmart. Some of its most recognized benefits praised by millions of repeat customers include industry-specific deductions that Turbo Tax looks for, automatic credits considerations, additional guidance for complicated matters, refund tracking, asset depreciation, and nonstop error checking. On top of this, people can additionally obtain real-time advising from a certified Turbo Tax professional that can guide someone step-by-step through their return.

2. H&R Block

One of the biggest differences between Turbo Tax and H&R Block is 12,000 locations that H&R Block runs across the nation. This means that someone who begins filing their self-employed return and gets stuck due to unforeseen difficulties can seek out professional help in person. Furthermore, it is one of the few financial services that can offer online “Worry-Free Audit Support”. People who purchase this feature will get a professional that can guide them through a hypothetical audit or even represent them in a real one. Price-wise, it is very competitive with Turbo Tax and possesses many of the options mentioned above. One interesting differentiation includes four categories that people can choose from, depending on how difficult their return is. Those with simple streams of revenues and straightforward expenses can go with basic, while an investor who has numerous gains, expenses, sales, depreciable assets, and so on, can choose the premium software.

3. Tax Slayer

As with the previous two, Tax Slayer offers an online interface that can facilitate e-filing. People who decide to try this option will have access to all the necessary schedules that are explained in great detail. This is a useful tool especially since forms like Schedule C must be filled out to recognize any business income or loss. It further showcases previous-year return for comparison purposes, which is something that almost every software does nowadays. Besides the e-mail and phone support, it has a deduction guide that can explain why a business is entitled to subtract certain amounts. Lastly, one of the most obvious benefits of it is that the payment can be made once someone is satisfied. Unlike with Turbo Tax and H&R Block, Tax Slayer can be used for free until the potential buyer is confident in the return and wants to submit it.

4. Tax Act

The last product that matches the price and capabilities of the three other software mentioned thus far is Tax Act. Individuals can opt to let the company handle any IRS correspondence once their return is filed. Furthermore, there is a feature called “Audit Defense” that serves to protect people from any credit denials or fraud allegations. Its price lock guarantee is one of its unique powers, which enables people to pay exactly how much their original offer was showing. Another notable characteristic is a $100,000 accuracy guarantee protecting customers from any calculation errors.

In reality, someone would have to be an expert on the level of Rusty Tweed to recognize all the small differences between these four software. Their bottom line purpose is to help the average, non-CPA folks file a tax return that will require a minimum payment or provide the maximum refund. Certainly, some have perks that make them stand out, but people can prioritize these as they see fit. After all, a person who is profoundly familiar with the United States tax code, for example, should not classify the software by the best customer chat support as they will probably not use it. Also, buying the software and learning how to utilize it can be treated as an investment since people are likely to use the same outlet for many years to come!

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6 Software Testing Metrics that Matter

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Software development is a complex process requiring highly skilled professionals capable of developing quality software within a relatively brief period of time. The ability to develop and test software while adhering to a deadline certainly requires a great deal of talent, but it also requires the development team to utilize software development and testing strategies that result in peak efficiency and exceptionally effective processes. If you need help deciding on which tools are best, take a look at this comprehensive list of software testing tools from QASymphony.

When selecting a software development firm to complete a critical software project, the testing metrics utilized by the development team should play a role in the decision-making process. Software developers that employ metrics designed to ensure efficient and effective operations throughout the development process are more likely to produce the quality software you are looking for and are also more likely to do so in the time period requested.

The six testing metrics that follow are all incredibly useful in stimulating a greater degree of efficiency and effectiveness in a software development team, and understanding why each metric is important will help you ensure that the developer you work with is able to meet and exceed your lofty standards for quality software.

1. Software Testing Progress Curve

The test progress curve is a critical metric that measures the efficiency with which the test process is progressing. This particular metric is a raw measurement calculated by tracking the tasks necessary to complete the software development project, which is accomplished through a simple comparison of the total number of cases completed relative to the total number of cases attempted.

The curve that results from this metric allows those overseeing the testing component of software development to immediately recognize the areas in which the development team excels or struggles. This recognition makes it possible to make changes that enhance efficiency and ensure the software that is ultimately delivered is on time and of the highest quality level possible.

2. Testing Process Cost

It is critical to understand how your resources will be allocated throughout the software development process, and you certainly do not want to utilize your financial resources in a manner that is anything resembling wasteful or inefficient. The testing process cost metric demonstrates the cost of each phase of testing, including test setup, test reporting, and test execution, among several other critical software testing phases and components. Essentially, this metric will allow you to see just how efficiently your financial resources will be utilized, enabling you to determine the best way to use your funds on a specific software development project.

3. Defect Turnaround Time

The defect turnaround time metric is another measure of software testing efficiency, as it measures the efficiency with which testers are able to identify defects. Using this metric during the software development process, testers can identify any defect and address it according to the relative urgency of the issue. Since this metric makes it possible to prioritize tasks according to urgency, the overall efficiency of the project is improved and the end product is far more likely to be delivered on time and according to the precise specifications you request.

4. Operator Errors

Software development team leaders use the operator error metric to determine whether or not the error rates associated with the testing process are the result of the overall competency and expertise — or the lack thereof — of those working on the project. Software defects should be recognized and addressed during the testing process, so team leaders using the operator error metric can take steps to ensure their testing strategies are sound and that there are no skill gaps reducing the effectiveness of the software development team.

5. Test Coverage

Overall test coverage is an issue that must be addressed immediately if the coverage is lacking in some way. The test coverage metric compares the number of successful tests relative to the total number of tests that must still be completed, making it possible for development team leaders to immediately make changes to ensure the appropriate amount of test coverage is in place. When selecting a software developer to complete your project, knowing that they use this metric will provide peace of mind that all test cases, components, and configurations are being executed in the manner they should.

6. Defect Removal Efficiency

Identifying defects during the testing process is obviously important, but it is even more critical that software development teams are able to quickly resolve or remove these defects. With the use of the defect removal efficiency (DRE) metric, team leaders can see how efficiently team members are performing by comparing the total number of defects identified and resolved to the number of defects present in the end product.

The goal should always be 100 percent when it comes to DRE, especially since it is well known that this metric is often quite reflective of the overall quality of the final software product that is delivered to the client. When choosing a software developer for a critical project, it is in your best interest to recognize the importance of DRE as it relates to ensuring the software you receive meets the quality standards you expect.

Social Media Marketing As a Strategy to Improve Your Digital Marketing Campaigns

AlissaB Leave a comment

Social media has revolutionized the way users interact and share experiences. It has rapidly attracted a massive following. Statista estimates that there are two and a half billion active users on social media today. This number is growing fast. Out of every ten internet users in the world, seven are on social media platforms. Moreover, users are spending an increased amount of time on these sites. Social networking is fast becoming the reason users go online.

 

The Case for Social Media Marketing

By design, social media forums receive more updates than any other platform. New content such as news and personal experiences hit social media first. Search engines are designed to discover the latest information available online automatically. This enables them to give accurate search results to users. Users may also use search engines to find content on social media.

Users share interesting content on social media using links. This boosts SEO efforts, which in turn results in higher traffic to your sites. Your potential client base expands. Social media marketing is thus a core component of a comprehensive content marketing strategy.

Digital marketing is an effective and proven strategy to grow your business. Social media marketing is the primary strategy in a digital marketing campaign. It has been shown to produce better results than other forms of digital marketing. This includes websites, email, SEO, paid advertising, content marketing, mobile and video marketing.

Social media marketing is an inexpensive way for small businesses to create value quickly. It is not complicated and does not demand a lot of resources. There are numerous tools available online. These enable you to customize your marketing campaigns as well as monitor and analyze the results of your efforts.

It serves to repair and improve your online reputation. This corrects harmful content and the effects of online defamation. A professional such as Aaron Minc can also help you rebuild your reputation. He is a reputation lawyer who can help you remove damaging content online.

Benefits of Social Media Marketing

Social media marketing is fast becoming the trendy way to grow sales. It increases traffic to your websites. There are numerous utilities available to track your campaigns and make the necessary adjustments. Let us review some of the other benefits of social media marketing.

  • Increased visibility: It enables you to put your brands online. New customers can discover your brand. This raises awareness about your brands. Existing customers will have more confidence in your brand when they find your presence on the various platforms.
  • It increases the potential market. It presents extended opportunities to connect with new users from around the world.
  • It has higher conversion rates than other forms of marketing. It improves trust and credibility in your brands.
  • You can receive critical feedback either directly from users or by using analytics. People interact with you by asking questions, requesting information or providing feedback. This helps guide business policy and improve service delivery.
  • It provides a platform to deliver exceptional customer service. Improved customer engagement enhances satisfaction.
  • It is an excellent and inexpensive strategy to augment your SEO and content marketing strategy. This improves your search engine rankings and increases traffic to your sites.
  • It empowers you to keep your customers updated on developments in your business. You can showcase new products and services or offer updates to processes and service delivery. You can also share useful information that will help increase the brand loyalty.
  • It presents an opportunity for you to become an authority in your field. You can set the trends by influencing the conversations on social media. Followers share and promote information that is valuable to them.

 

Conclusion

Businesses are increasingly adopting digital marketing strategies to grow. The impact of social media on the digital world is akin to what color television did to broadcast. Small businesses especially stand to benefit from the low-cost high-impact marketing strategies available on social media. It lets you grow your business and exploit business opportunities on a global scale. Take charge of your digital marketing strategies by embracing social media marketing.