Archives for March 2022

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Employee monitoring has been around for quite some time. It allows managers to gain insights into what their employees are doing. It also helps them ensure that people are working on what they are supposed to be working on.

And with technology in the field becoming more prevalent, more and more companies are considering implementing screen monitoring software as part of their processes. Nonetheless, there are privacy concerns. Therefore, some business leaders are still on the fence about whether monitoring what their employees are doing during their productive time is a good choice.

To help you figure out whether you should track your employees’ time and utilize the solutions available today, let’s go over some of the most important pros and cons. This will shed light on the best choice in your situation.

The Pros of Employee Monitoring

First, let’s look at some of the main benefits of employee monitoring. Consider these when deciding whether it’s right for you.

Increased Productivity

The single biggest advantage of using employee monitoring solutions is the ability to consistently increase your team’s productivity. By tracking what your employees are doing, you gain multiple ways to make sure people are working on what’s relevant. This will also help you to see whether they are using the best approaches for various tasks.

You can ensure that your employees don’t waste time on unproductive activities. Naturally, you wan them to use their productive time on things that create the most value for the company. When you notice that someone isn’t structuring their time effectively, you can help them understand what aspects of their responsibilities are the most important. You can let them know what they should prioritize. Most employees will appreciate this type of constructive criticism.

At the same time, you can identify the best performers. Use their processes as a benchmark for everyone else, asking them to share their approach so that others can replicate it.

Cost-Effectiveness

As a business, you need your employees to perform at their best to maximize the value that they create. Therefore, companies that want to maximize the money they are investing in their workforce can benefit from setting up a way to track how employees are spending their time.

In the end, each hour an employee spends at work costs a company money. And when managing a large team, the payroll can become one a company’s key expenses. Because of that, you need to ensure that people are creating value while at work. You want to make sure that your company will continue moving in the right direction.

Having a time tracking tool is a great way to control how employees spend their time. At the same time, this method of employee monitoring can help you stay in contact with employees. You will be able to provide them with more constructive feedback about what they might change to be more effective.

Better Planning for Projects

Image by Alvaro Reyes via Unsplash

A big part of the successful execution of a plan is making accurate estimates about how much time and resources different projects might take. But for that to happen, you need to have historical data about your team’s performance. You can use this data to gauge how much time to allocate to future tasks.

The good thing about using time tracking solutions is that you can collect a lot of data that will be quite useful in the future. In addition, you can get more granular. In other words, you can see how much time each task might take. This will help you to allocate portions of the workload to different team members accordingly.

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The Cons of Employee Monitoring

Now, let’s look at some of the cons of employee monitoring you should be aware of.

Trust Erosion

The biggest drawback of using employee monitoring solutions is that it can result in less trust between the employee and the employer.

However, the key to avoiding that is being transparent about why the company chooses to track time. It’s not just to keep tabs on the employee. Nor is it about micromanagement. Rather its purpose is to help both management and employees better understand how to approach tasks more effectively and get the most from employees’ time.

Time Cost

Another possible drawback is that monitoring what employees are doing can take time.

However, the time you invest in understanding employee behaviors is time you spend on potentially improving how efficiently they work. This is always a great thing to focus on. Moreover, the amount of time you invest is really up to you.

The mere fact that they know their time is being tracked will provide your employees with more motivation. What’s more, employee monitoring will give you access to data whenever you need it.

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Is Employee Monitoring Right for Your Business?

Employee monitoring can be a great way to provide a boost for your business. At the same time, however, some are hesitant about whether it’s the right choice for their business.

The pros and cons above should make it clear that in most cases, employee monitoring can deliver great results. You should strongly consider it.

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Companies require easy and efficient technologies to create large-scale and flexible products. And now Go is one of the programming languages that meets these requirements, as it allows for the creation of secure and scalable applications with minimal effort. Go is a modern, simple, and fast language, ranking among today’s top five most popular languages. Let’s take a closer look at its benefits and ways of use that make it so popular on the market.

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What Is Golang Used For?

Go was created to solve the diversity of internal tasks for Google’s network, so there are many cases for its use. Golang is good for web and mobile back-end development. It is also good for web services, microservices, and a variety of application types. It’s also used in the creation of media platforms, utilities, stand-alone tools, news outlets, e-commerce platforms, and cloud-native development. Its areas of use are really fascinating and full of developmental ideas.

What Types of Software Can You Develop with Go?

Benefits of Golang

1. Good Reputation

The Go language appeared in 2009. Since then, it has gained popularity and a strong reputation among such worldwide giants as Microsoft, Adobe, HP, BBC, Dropbox, Netflix, SoundCloud, Twitch, and more. Its popularity with leaders of the business world pushes Golang to further develop its community. This further deepens its level of trust and safety and encourages more companies to use it. 

2. Speed and High Performance

High speed is one of the significant advantages of the Go language. Code is quick to compile and execute. Go allows developers to increase performance by five to ten times without any optimizations. But if that’s not enough, you can also use additional tools to make it even better.

Fast code execution speeds up project development and time to launch. It’s valued by companies that want to migrate their services to a more modern language in a short time. This is because there is no need to stop all work to make the migration. Importantly for businesses, it reduces development costs.

3. Stable and Simple Syntax

The simplicity of Go’s syntax not only facilitates learning but also makes the process of programming easier and faster. One of the reasons is that Go is an open-source language.

This means that Go programmers worldwide are working on modifying and eliminating bugs, so it’s constantly improving. Another one of the Go development features is plenty of additional tools that provide virtually limitless possibilities to developers for implementing a wide array of projects.

4. Scalability and Versatility

Scalability is a decisive factor for companies when choosing a language. They need a technology that will fit all stages of development, from startup to large corporation.

Go’s scalability comes about through concurrency and microservices. While Go is not necessarily suitable for every industry and purpose, it is in more general use.

The most popular niches for using Go are networks, virtualization, and management. The ongoing development of the language and the introduction of new additional tools and drivers support its use in these areas.

This gives companies an opportunity to focus on a single programming language and avoid having to find new specialists when new business challenges arise.

5. Concurrency of Functions

Unlike Python, using Golang for web development allows the running of several independent programs simultaneously. This approach is perfect for big scalable applications development.

In practice, it helps create clear and beautiful code in minimal time. Moreover, it is fast and enjoyable to use.

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6. Security

All languages strive for better security, and Go is especially good at this. Thanks to a special garbage-collecting tool, all potentially dangerous things are prohibited.

It scans the code and deletes incorrect objects when it detects them, thereby providing memory security and maintaining a high speed of program execution. This tool is automated, so it is always active and does not require any developer intervention.

Easy Integration

As it can be quite expensive and time-consuming for a company to rewrite an existing project from scratch in a different language, there is a tendency to integrate it into the backend. Web development in Golang allows companies to modify the project faster and at less cost.

Cross-Platform Support

This means that with Go you can create code for all operating systems, such as Linux, Windows, UNIX, and Mac. Additionally, you can create code for mobile devices as well. Using Golang, there is no need to look for another tool for a new operating system. All of them are already available for development.

Google’s Influence

One of the reasons to choose Golang for web development is the fact that it was created by Google. Google is a giant in the digital market and acts as quality assurance for companies, as its products directly affect its success.

The Go Programming Language Is Worth Your Attention

Modern, fast, flexible, and secure: These are the main advantages of Go. It is more advanced and productive than many other programming languages, so it’s definitely worth your attention. The demand for Golang is now quite high, making its cool specialists even more valuable. This is why it is so important to choose the right team of professionals to ensure the quality of Golang development for your project.

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The 5G rollout is underway and picking up speed.

It promises to increase mobile data speed far beyond that of 4G. This will bring a fundamental change in our lives and potentially open the door to endless opportunities. From faster connectivity speed to ultra-low latency and tremendous bandwidth, the new technology has the power to advance society. It will transform industries and enhance users’ daily experiences. 

Do you remember the dream of 2010? E-health, connected vehicles, traffic systems, and advanced mobile gaming? All of those futuristic services are moving within reach with 5G.

But it’s not plain sailing, as cutting-edge tech inevitably raises new challenges. Let’s take a look at recent developments and possible ways they could affect 5G stock prices. 

The New Tech and the US Airport Puzzle

In December 2021 AT&T and Verizon decided to postpone the expansion of their 5G services. The reason behind this sudden move turned was the US airlines flagging a possible delay in thousands of flights. This was due to the new technology’s effect on US planes.

The FAA warned about possible interference with several different systems. Airlines for America expressed concern about the operation of altimeters. The concern was that the new technology could affect a pilot’s ability to land safely in inclement weather. It could slow down the plane while landing, which could result in the plane veering off the runway.

With that, AT&T and Verizon had to delay 5G rollout twice. A temporary compromise followed that placed a two-mile buffer zone around airports. However, that’s not a practical solution for the long term, since significant populations live and work in that area.

Yet the 5G Rollout Continues

In 2021, there was significant progress in the spread of 5G tech. In fact, by the end of 2022 industry watchers expect its reach to double.

By late November 2021, 170 mobile companies had launched commercial 5G networks around the world, reaching 7% of the world’s population. The maps below show the US and Europe both possess widely distributed 5G networks. 

Image source: https://www.speedtest.net/ookla-5g-map

Image source: https://www.speedtest.net/ookla-5g-map

In the US, telecommunication companies are ready for the 5G rollout this year. Once AT&T launches 5G+ in 8 metropolitan cities, they expect to extend it to 40 cities. They will then be covering approximately 75 million customers as the year rolls around. That’s a huge chunk of the population with access to 5G network services. On top of all that, the US market is likely to gain a boost with the arrival of 5G entrant Dish, which says its commercial 5G service will go live early in 2022.

But the biggest 5G rollout winner so far in 2022 is Verizon.

Verizon Capitalizing on 5G Adoption Gains

2021 turned out to be a poor year for Verizon, with share prices declining. But the chance of progress in 2022 with a 5G rollout is very much in the cards. As noted by Livy Investment Research, “Stepping into the New Year, Verizon has been on a steady reversal of said losses by capitalizing on the growing 5G momentum.”

With its service of 5G Ultra Wideband on the high-band mmWave spectrum, for ultra-high-speed connections which are ten times faster than 4G LTE, Verizon has what it takes in terms of 5G services. Its 5G Ultra Wideband rollout is on track to meet its goal of covering over 100 million customers in more than 1,700 US cities by the end of the first quarter of 2022.

The progress of 5G nationwide is fairly strong. This is especially true if we take a look at the number of US cities that already have the service. More than 2,700 cities in the US have taken their leap into this new technology.

Verizon has been rapidly gaining market share by attracting switches to its unlimited 5G subscription plans. In recent quarters, the company has reported strong results.

Since the launch of the 5G Nationwide network back in 2020, Verizon has converted more than a quarter of its consumer phone base to 5G-enabled devices. Moreover, 70% of them are already compatible with the C-Band spectrum.

5G Stocks Rollout Exposes 5G Stocks to Buy

If 2022 ends up becoming the year of widescale 5G adoption, it will directly affect the 5G stocks in the market.

Market watchers expect all types of 5G stocks, including 5G network stocks, semiconductor chip stocks, and 5G infrastructure stocks, to benefit. So while there may be hiccups and challenges on the way, there is still room for confidence in the future of this technology and its entire ecosystem of components, companies, suppliers, manufacturers, consumers and use-cases surrounding it.

For current performance and holdings, please visit defianceetfs.com/FIVG

Important Disclosures

Fund holdings and sector allocations can change at any time. You should not consider these to be recommendations to buy or sell any security.

Consider the Funds’ investment objectives, risks, charges, and expenses carefully before investing. The prospectus contains this and other important information about the investment company. Please read carefully before investing. You can request a hard copy of prospectuses by calling 833.333.9383.

Investing involves risk. Principal loss is possible. Also as an ETF, the funds may trade at a premium or discount to NAV. Shares of any ETF are bought and sold at market price (not NAV) and are not individually redeemed from the Fund. The Funds are not actively managed and would not sell a security due to current or projected under performance unless that security is removed from the Index or such action is required upon a reconstitution of the Index. A portfolio concentrated in a single industry or country may be subject to a higher degree of risk.

The value of stocks of information technology companies are particularly vulnerable to rapid changes in technology product cycles, rapid product obsolescence, government regulation, and competition. The Funds are considered to be non-diversified. Therefore, they may invest more of its assets in the securities of a single issuer or a smaller number of issuers. Investments in foreign securities involve certain risks including risk of loss due to foreign currency fluctuations or to political or economic instability. This risk is magnified in emerging markets. Small and mid-cap companies are subject to greater and more unpredictable price changes than securities of large-cap companies.

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The possible applications of 5G technologies are only in the exploration stages. The possibility of returns is uncertain and may not be realized in the near future.

The “BlueStar 5G Communications Index™,” “BFIVGTR™ Index” (collectively “5G Communications Index”), is the exclusive property and a trademark of BlueStar Global Investors LLC d/b/a BlueStar Indexes® and has been licensed for use for certain purposes by Defiance ETFs LLC. Products based on the Global 5G Communications Index* are not sponsored, endorsed, sold, or promoted by BlueStar Global Investors, LLC or BlueStar Indexes®, and BlueStar Global Investors, LLC, and BlueStar Indexes® makes no representation regarding the advisability of trading in such product(s). It is not possible to invest directly in an index.

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The Defiance Next Gen Connectivity ETF is the first ETF to emphasize securities whose products and services are predominantly tied to the development of 5G networking and communication technologies. The fund does this by tracking The BlueStar 5G Communications Index. The Fund attempts to invest all, or substantially all, of its assets in the component securities that make up the Index.

Total return represents changes to the NAV and accounts for distributions from the fund.

Median 30 Day Spread is a calculation of Fund’s median bid-ask spread, expressed as a percentage rounded to the nearest hundredth. The calculation identifies the Fund’s national best bid and national best offer as of the end of each 10-second interval during each trading day of the last 30 calendar days. Then it divides the difference between each such bid and offer by the midpoint of the national best bid and national best offer. Finally, it identifies the median of those values.

Diversification does not ensure a profit nor protect against loss in a declining market.

Commissions may be charged on trades.

Go to defianceetfs.com/fivg to read more about FIVG including current performance and holdings information. Fund holdings are subject to change. You should not consider these holdings as recommendations to buy or sell any securities.

FIVG is distributed by Foreside Fund Services, LLC.

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The last decade saw the explosive emergence of investing in cryptocurrencies. Bitcoin was introduced in 2009 on the heels of an economic recession. Since then, the global finance economy has shifted substantially. This is largely because new, digital, and decentralized financial currencies have caught and maintained the attention of investors worldwide.

Because of their independence and convenience, cryptocurrencies have become a popular and legitimate source of currency worldwide. With the intent to serve as an alternative source of currency, many varieties of cryptocurrencies have been developed. As a result, today, more than 18,000 different cryptocurrencies exist on the market.

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The driving force behind this revolution is the blockchain technology. The blockchain is a decentralized database that is shared across computer network nodes. It acts as a database, keeping information in a digital format.

Blockchains are recognized for their critical function in maintaining a safe and decentralized track of transactions in cryptocurrency systems like bitcoin. The blockchain’s primary function is to ensure the accuracy and security of a data record while also forging trust without the necessity for a trusted third party such as a bank.

Now that we’ve laid out the basics, we will depict the top advantages and disadvantages of investing in cryptocurrencies. Then you can assess whether you’re going to hop on this new financial trend.

Advantages of Investing in Cryptocurrencies

Cryptocurrencies Are Decentralized, Fast, and Secure

Decentralization is one of the crown jewels of blockchain technology and cryptocurrencies. This means no more intermediaries such as banks in your transactions, freeing you from transaction fees.

In contrast to fiat currencies, which governments control, decentralization keeps currency free and monopolies in check by ensuring that no single institution controls the movement and value of a coin.

This, in turn, makes cryptocurrencies stable and safe. All you need to do in order to trade cryptocurrencies is to create a profile on a dependable crypto exchange platform. Trading crypto is also incredibly fast. A crypto transaction is usually a quick and straightforward process. Traders can exchange currencies between digital wallets using only their smartphones or computers.

Image by Vadim Taranov via Pixabay

Investing in Cryptocurrencies Can Help You Sidestep Inflation

The geopolitical uncertainty that is becoming more and more apparent drives inflation up. And it is only going to worsen. Inflation is now at the highest level in decades, reminiscent of the volatile times around the 2008 recession.

For example, the current consumer price index in the United States is at its highest level in four decades. This is prompting many investors to diversify their portfolios and hedge their assets. Real estate and gold have always been the most substantial bets for hedge funds. Cryptocurrencies, on the other hand, are here to buck the trend.

Cryptocurrencies like bitcoin have been dubbed the next “digital gold” by many industry experts. This is because the world’s most valuable cryptocurrency has a real-world use that gold lacks in today’s market.

While we don’t know how much gold is in the world, we know exactly how many bitcoins have been mined and are in circulation. This makes bitcoin quite stable. As a result, bitcoin holders may use their assets to pay for inexpensive products such as a cup of coffee. Both seller and buyer can trust that the cryptocurrency will retain a certain level of value throughout the transaction because of its built-in scarcity.

Disadvantages of Crypto

Cryptocurrencies Represent a Highly Volatile Market with High-Loss Risks

Yes, cryptocurrency prices can soar to ridiculous levels (with attendant rewards for investors). But they can also plummet to terrible lows in the blink of an eye. So, if you’re seeking a steady stream of income, investing in cryptocurrencies may not be the ideal option.

The cryptocurrency market is based on speculation. And because of its tiny scale, it is more susceptible to price volatility. This, in turn, might harm the value of currencies, which is one of the fundamental drawbacks of cryptocurrencies.

It’s pretty difficult to estimate the graph of a cryptocurrency’s value change. Likewise, it’s hard to predict whether or not prices will climb or decline. You’ll need to be a capable analyzer and researcher and keep up with the crypto market’s latest happenings. When investing in cryptocurrency, you need to prepare for all the grim scenarios that can arise while investing.

Investing in Cryptocurrencies Entails Potential Security Risks and Cyber Attacks

Cryptocurrencies may avoid the dangers of employing central intermediaries, but that does not imply they are without security flaws. As an owner of cryptocurrencies, one risks losing their private key. This is what allows them to access their coins and their entire portfolio.

Of course, there is also the ever-present danger of hacking, phishing, and other nefarious attempts to acquire control. However, experienced investors are aware of this and take the necessary preventive measures, but novice investors are more prone to fall victim to such traps.

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Final Thoughts

Investing in cryptocurrencies is a fairly new market. As such, it can draw mistrust from new potential investors. We feel that the advantages outweigh the risks, although this depends on your objectives.

Many people use cryptocurrencies as a separate source of income by trading or investing. However, just a small percentage of consumers presently use bitcoin to make purchases. However, crypto is definitely here to stay. So, if you are able to invest, make it a point to learn more about it. Eventually you may decide to try investing in cryptocurrencies. This may well be the perfect investment option for you.

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Despite the time people spend using Excel, according to Acuity Training’s research, fewer than half have ever had any formal training in how to use Excel. Even fewer know how to use Excel formulas to their advantage.

Nonetheless, Microsoft Excel is one of the tools that many entrepreneurs use day in and day out to manage data in their business. With the help of Acuity Training we have shortlisted five new Excel formulas all entrepreneurs should know.

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1. XLOOKUP Is an Excel Formula to Help You Find Data

Entrepreneurs often spend time summarizing their data. Excel’s lookup functions are well-suited for this purpose.

Recently, Excel announced a new lookup function they call XLOOKUP. This Excel formula is more flexible than the previous lookup functions such as VLOOKUP, HLOOKUP, and LOOKUP. XLOOKUP is only available in Excel 365 and later versions.

To use this formula, type =XLOOKUP. Then choose from among the following functions:

• Lookup_value: This is the target value you want to look up from the data
• Lookup_array: This is the range of values from which you want the formula to find the target value
• Return_array: This is the range of returned values if the target value is found
• If_not_found: Optional. This refers to the returned value if Excel does not find the target value
• Match_mode: Optional. In this case, 0 = exact match (by default); -1 = exact or next smallest match; 1 = exact or next larger match; 2 = wildcard entries
• Search_mode: Optional. 1 = start lookup from first value in the range (default); -1 = start lookup from the last value in the range

Refer to the example below to gain a basic understanding of how the Excel formula XLOOKUP works.

2. MAXIFS and MINIFS Formulas Will Find Values Based on Your Criteria

MAXIFS and MINIFS are Excel formulas you can use to return a value based on multiple criteria.

You can use the logical operators (<, >, =, <>) to define your criteria. Both functions can work on dates, texts, numbers, and other data types.

The MAXIFS Excel formula will return the maximum number that supports the criteria you define. The MINIFS will return the minimum number that supports the criteria you define. Both functions have a similar formula structure. For example:

=MAXIFS(max_range, criteria_range1, criteria1,…)

These are the options that work with this Excel formula:

• Max_range: This is the range of values from which the maximum value will be returned
• Criteria_range1: This is the range for the first condition you want the formula to use
• Criteria1: This is the actual condition to evaluate the criteria range

Refer to the examples below, where the operator has used both functions to quickly identify the maximum and minimum Total Sales for all the “Departmental Stores” located in the “North” region.

3. Dynamic Array Is an Important New Excel Update

Dynamic array is one the most important updates that Microsoft Excel has implemented to Excel’s formula engine. It works best with formulas that return multiple values and means that there is no need to drag your formula to the last cell of the range.

By defining the range in the formula, the dynamic arrays automatically spill the output values throughout the defined range.

In the below example, we used the LEFT function to separate the Country Code. By defining the range in the formula, we got the returned value for the whole range at once.

Please note that dynamic array formulas are only available as native formulas in Excel 365 and later versions. Also, dynamic array formulas are a big topic so if you’d like to learn more go to the Acuity Training website and search for “dynamic array formula.”

4. Use the Excel Co-Authoring Formula to Collaborate

Entrepreneurs often need to work in a collaborative environment. Co-authoring in Excel streamlines the process of sharing a workbook with other team members. The co-authoring feature rolled out on Excel 365 and later versions.

With co-authoring, collaboration with other team members becomes flexible and easy. For example, you can share your workbook with other team members and allow them to work on it without leaving the Excel window.

To do this, follow these simple steps:

First, you need to make sure that the workbook is uploaded on OneDrive or Microsoft SharePoint.

After uploading the workbook onto the cloud, then click on the Share button at the top right corner of the Excel window.

At this point, if you haven’t already uploaded the workbook to the cloud, a prompt will appear to tell you to do that.

Next, a new window will appear asking for the email addresses of the members with whom you want to share the workbook.

5. Work More Efficiently with Excel Shortcut Keys

There is a huge range of shortcut keys that Excel offers to speed up your work. These shortcut keys make you super-efficient once you get a grip on them.

Below are some of the most frequently used shortcut keys that you can include in your routine while working on Excel.

There are several other shortcut keys that are quite helpful in getting the task done quickly. By learning and practicing them, you can surely increase the speed that you work in Excel. For full details on Excel shortcuts see the article on the Acuity Training site which lists more Excel shortcuts.

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Final Thoughts

Entrepreneurs deal with large volumes of data but learning a few Excel skills can save a lot of time. Hopefully this article will inspire you to keep improving your skills.

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Online stores are made for public convenience. Have you ever thought about why they offer doorstep delivery, freedom to compare and select products, and more benefits? It’s because they want to increase their online sales.

The competition among online stores is extremely high. Some online stores now carry almost every item a household might need. Additionally, consumers can buy online the things that are difficult to find at nearby stores. Shopping for necessities has become easier and cheaper due to online stores. By adopting drastic changes and updating strategies these stores successfully increased their sales.

If you are concerned about the sales results of your newly opened online store then focus on some proven steps and strategies to promote sales.

Importantly, according to market analysts, conversion optimization is key to success in this regard. It can help to identify your valuable visitors and take steps to improve conversions. There are countless other ways to increase the sales in your online store. But you might be missing the best ways to implement these strategies. Read on to learn more.

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10 Ways to Quickly Increase Your Online Sales

If you want to boost your online sales, set your mind along with your strategies. Clear your doubts and seek to understand exactly what your goal is.

For this purpose, write out both a clear vision and your mission statement. These will help you properly execute your strategies.

Next, use the tips we offer below. These will provide you with both quick and long-term increases in the sales in your online store.

1. Be Straightforward and Honest for Better Online Sales

Today’s visitors scroll online sites to check out products. So be careful never to make false statements. Don’t promise what you’re not willing to deliver. Also, refrain from hyperbole and don’t try to trick potential customers into buying from you with subterfuge. All of this will backfire on you.

Consumers these days are aware. They know how to gather information from multiple sources. Also, they know how to call you out online if they catch you cheating, even when you try to sound sincere.

So always be truthful in your dealings with your customers, even when you need to own up to a mistake. This will restore your good reputation and impress your site’s visitors.

Additionally, such a strategy will build trust over the long term. You will be rewarded with long-standing relationships with your customers over time. This will automatically boost your sales over the life of your business.

Follow this strategy especially if you wish to pass your online store on to your children. But even if you only have your own financial well-being in mind, operate honestly at all times. Otherwise, you will find yourself unable to survive in the competitive world of online sales.

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2. Use Ad Extensions

The secret to increasing your online sales is to be open and intuitive about what your customers are looking for. Here’s a perfect example to illustrate this point. This is a true story from an actual online store.

A woman was searching online for a beautiful kurta in a mustard yellow color. The seller had posted an ad that combined a kurta of the exact color she was looking for. However, along side it, the seller had also placed an image of a pair of green earrings.

It was a lovely pairing and the customer loved it. Moreover, to seal the deal, the seller had also posted an ad that offered a special discount for this very combination. The woman happily snapped it up.

So take this as a brief lesson. Use a little bling to catch your customers’ eyes and win their hearts. And also use AdWords to gain clicks and upsells in your online store.

3. Utilize a Smart Sampling Program

Digital product sampling is another way to build trust with your customers and increase your online sales. This helps you reach more people who are actually looking to buy what you’re offering. Naturally, this strategy will drive sales.

Choose a sampler that offers a reliable, all-in-one platform such as sampler.io. They will directly target your high-value customers. Their platform also includes a doorstep delivery facility with many impressive features.

Samplers promise customers safe and contactless delivery, a big concern for many consumers. Additionally, they even help your visitors with step-by-step guidance to sample and buy any of your products. Therefore, the more you maximize your product sampling the more you increase your sales.

4. Extend a Money-Back Guarantee for More Online Sales

It often happens that a customer will leave an online site after adding a product to their cart but before making a purchase. One common reason for this is insecurity about the product’s performance.

This frequently happens with electronic items. A potential customer feels their money will go to waste, or they fear they will be forced to buy something with the money they spend if the product doesn’t work.

But a money-back guarantee assures your customers that they will get a refund if the product doesn’t work for any reason. This gives them a secure feeling. Also, they believe more in your online store and will be more likely to select you for their next purchase.

5. Facilitate Quick Browsing

One thing that will be sure to irritate your site’s visitors is slow website performance. You will never achieve your online sales goals with a sluggish website. Your visitors will move on to other online stores and will never come to your store again.

So provide them with a pleasant experience by providing a fast-performing website. This will make it easy for a visitor to check out several products before they make a purchase.

Quick loading times for product images and clear specifications will keep your visitors interested. Also make sure your website is accessible on smartphones, iPads, laptops, and other devices.

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6. Offer Fast and Easy Payment Methods

One study suggests that a lengthy checkout procedure is a key reason visitors lose interest before buying. In this ever-changing world, everything runs very quickly. Your website’s visitors have brief attention spans. Plus, time is their most valuable commodity, and they know it.

So save your visitors’ time by keeping your checkout formalities brief and quick. Also, be sure to accept several payment methods. This will make checking out of your online store convenient, and you’ll win several different types of consumers as your regular customers.

7. Provide Fast or Preferred Delivery Date and Time

Your delivery team needs to be punctual and smart. Other online stores are updating with a variety of features to impress their customers. They offer preferred delivery dates and schedules to suit customers’ schedules.

Do the same and you will create friendly relationships with your customers, too. They will feel grateful for the special treatment and possibly even give you a great review. Positive customer reviews are important for impressing visitors and converting more leads into customers.

8. Sell Only Quality Products and Make More Online Sales

Having fewer numbers of superior quality products is better than having hundreds of poor quality products. Good quality will impress your consumers. Also, be sure to select a collection that will improve customers’ buying experience.

Remember: To gain trust and build long-term relationships with your buyers, always double-check the quality of the products you sell in your online store.

9. Furnish Proper Product Descriptions

Before a visitor buys something from your online store they want to know everything about it. Concealing information about a product or providing dishonest specifications will make you lose customers’ trust. So be transparent with your visitors and gain more online sales. Besides, proper product descriptions make the buying experience more convenient for your prospective customers.

10. Leverage Social Media Platforms for Online Sales

You can use social media to promote your online store for free. However, aim for a professional-looking layout. A better display will provide you with better sales results. Facebook, WhatsApp, YouTube, and many other platforms make it easy for you to reach out to your target audience and sell your products online.

Conclusion

The above-mentioned ways will provide your online store with more leads and more sales. But to gain even greater success, turn to the help of professionals for best-in-class results.

It may seem to many that the work of a project manager is quite simple. That is, she or he needs to select the best specialists for the team and then simply coordinate their work to get the desired result. Ideally, everything looks like this. However, in reality, every project manager faces many pitfalls.

First, you should understand that when you are in charge of a project, then everything related to responsibility, fulfillment of plans, and achievement of the goal is completely on your shoulders. However, the specialists you gather will implement the project itself. This is why the ability to lead is not the highest priority. Importantly, you must build a team that will not only carry out the task but will be able to offer what will be best for the project.

Therefore, approach team organization thoughtfully. Make it a priority to choose people with whom you will want to work not only on the project at hand, but also on future projects.

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Remember That Time Is Money

It is best when you have specialists to whom you can set an abstract task and they will complete it quickly and efficiently. That is, you can say that there is such and such a problem or task, and if a person has deep knowledge in that field of activity, then they will not need precise guidance on how to solve the problem. They will know what they need to do.

This depth of knowledge effectively reduces the time it takes to complete the task. When a manager must give sugar-coated knowledge to each specialist of the team about what to do, what tools to use, and where to go, this wastes a lot of time.

However, it makes sense to assign a task to each team member that will be under that person’s control. If the person can take charge of the task without any extra prompts, they are as valuable as gold.

For example, let’s say you tell a designer that you need to present a product in a favorable light. Then with the help of that person’s professional knowledge and advanced tools, such as a tool to remove background from image or choose the perfect color scheme or something of that nature, they will be able to quickly present you with the result you expect.

Perfect Your Communication Skills

Many project managers make the mistake of looking for specialists who can find a common language with the team. They want to find someone who will try their best to avoid conflicts. However, this may not always be the best way to go about things.

Let’s say your team consists of people who are not like-minded. Each member has different personal characteristics. In this case, you will have a team that will soberly look at ways to achieve the goals. No problem will slip past them. It might be difficult for a project manager to interact with such a team. However, this is why you need soft skills in the first place. It will be your job to find an approach that appeals to everyone.

We are not talking here about resolving personality clashes. We are talking about specialists who will use their critical thinking for the benefit of the project.

Reinforce Shared Values

Although everyone will receive an assignment for a certain amount of work, it is necessary to come together in the beginning of the project to agree on common rules and values. This will guide all team members throughout the life cycle of the project.

Before the team begins to do its job, it is necessary to emphasize what is acceptable and what is not. Everyone should strive to ensure that each member of the team is comfortable working together.

You can even set a rule that states that no specialist should create additional problems for other team members while they are doing their work. For example, they should not overburden others with unnecessary work. If possible, everyone should perform easy assignments on their own, especially if someone else on the team is busy with other important tasks.

It is also important that no one is allowed to behave like a loner. Instead, everyone should feel they are a part of the team. Each member needs to try to understand every other member.

Allow Team Members to Work at Their Own Pace

When you distribute tasks, you agree with each specialist on the deadline. However, sometimes it turns out that a specialist might face some unexpected difficulties that require additional time.

In these cases, some professionals may be wary of telling you they need more time. This is because there may be more efficient employees around who do everything quickly and on time. Therefore they are afraid that they could be fired or removed from the project.

This is why it is important at the very beginning to create transparent communication. No one should be afraid to report difficulties. When such problems occur, you as project manager will be responsible for building a more efficient work plan. Then you, in collaboration with the team, can find ways to compensate for the extra time spent.

Encourage Proactivity

You need people who will not only do what is assigned to them but will also evaluate the effectiveness of a particular method of implementation. That is, you can hire people who can strictly follow what is written and wait for their salary, or you can hire people who will be motivated not only for results but also for efficiency.

For example, let’s say the terms of reference indicate what to do, but the specialist knows a different, more efficient way to accomplish that task. Such people are valuable assets, especially when they are not afraid to speak up and be proactive.

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Assemble Your Dream Team

Each project manager must effectively manage the people who participate on the team. Moreover, they must also be able to find people who will do everything in their power to complete the project as quickly and efficiently as possible. In this way, you will end up with a dream team with whom you can work not only on this project but also on future ones.

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In 2022, it’s harder than ever to protect your business. Here we take a close look at just a few of the ways you can safeguard your interests.

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The coronavirus pandemic not only shattered the American economy but also revolutionized business practices. The massive shift to remote working, the increasing popularity of the corporate nomad, and the rapid evolution of today’s digital landscape are changing the way Americans work.

This, in turn, changes a lot for business owners specifically. Managing remote teams, expenses, and travel becomes more of a challenge. Moreover, business owners must still keep in mind the various types of insurance fees that they will need to be aware of when they purchase new insurance.

Let’s take a closer look at some of the ways business owners can protect their businesses in 2022.

#1. Invest in Fraud Protection to Protect Your Business

The freelance marketplace Upwork estimates that remote work will continue to increase. What’s more, it will increase at such a fast pace that by 2025, nearly one-fourth of the American workforce will be working remotely. This is an 87% increase from pre-pandemic levels.

A recent Mercer study released earlier this year also found that 70% of U.S. companies plan to adopt some sort of hybrid working model. This massive adjustment to dependency on digital devices means that cybercriminals now have more prey than ever to choose from. It is imperative that you protect your business from these nefarious types.

For a business owner specifically, investing in a fraud prevention solution that can tailor to their business’s unique needs and characteristics is vital for success in 2022. The last thing you need to worry about (on top of your already mounting list of liabilities) is a database breach or a hacker compromising one of your employee’s sensitive workplace information.

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#2. Support Your Remote Employees

Much goes into running a successful business beyond numbers, forecasts, and profit margins. A good manager also understands their employees’ natural needs as people. Checking in on your remote employees, even in the simplest of ways, can go a long way in improving productivity and keeping your business’s machine well-oiled.

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At the same time, you should take stock of your employees’ communication styles. Which ones prefer a simple email over a Skype call? Which would rather not be bothered at all? This absolutely matters when it comes to protecting your business with strong workforce morale.

A focused employee who checks their email often may not want to be interrupted by an obnoxious ringtone. Keep track of who needs more management versus others. Then take action accordingly.

#3. Educate Your Employees on Digital Best Practices

Many companies in the US and around the world have had to adopt logistics and operations procedures that do not rely on in-person proximity. In other words, you’re probably managing almost your entire workforce from your computer screen. You may end up hiring someone who isn’t as familiar with the digital landscape or who didn’t have to endure a rapid progression to such in order to survive.

As a result, chances are you won’t be around to physically monitor and check in on your teams with the art of in-person conversation. Taking the time to invest in resources that will help sharpen your employees’ digital best practices will help protect your business in 2022.

Document these training procedures and adjust them accordingly with the times. Soon, you’ll have templates that can streamline the training and education process. This will save your business time and money.

#4. Sharpen Your Budgeting Skills and Protect Your Business

Small business owners especially should use this digital shift to enhance their budgeting skills. They should also educate themselves on insurance fees and other costs associated with running a successful business.

For instance, did you know that insurance agents and brokers can charge their own broker or agency fee on top of the commission their employer already pays them for the sale? If you’re thinking about acquiring new insurance for your business this year or upgrading to a better policy, uncover all the potential costs that go into such practices. This will help you sharpen your budgeting skills and save money.

About the Author

Luke Williams writes and researches for the insurance comparison site TheTruthAboutInsurance.com. His passions include writing about personal finance, modern business, and other ways everyday business owners can save money.

Featured image by LookerStudio

Algorithmic trading has been around for a while. It is a trading strategy that uses mathematical rules to automatically trade stocks, futures, and other assets to generate returns on investment or reduce market risk.

Trading has always been a struggle for anyone who doesn’t have the necessary knowledge and skills. However, one of the benefits of algorithmic trading is that it helps traders maintain their edge in the market. Algorithmic trading is compatible with real-time financial data streams. It can be updated instantly. The algorithms are set to monitor price fluctuations and invest accordingly. Therefore, traders don’t have to monitor the markets continuously.

Here are ten reasons why algorithmic trading is profitable.

Algorithmic Trading Is Easy to Set Up

Setting up an algorithmic trading system is much easier than manually monitoring the markets. When you’re first starting as a trader, it can be difficult to juggle all the different aspects of the market. However, you do not need to take care of each detail yourself when you’re using algorithmic trading. The software does it for you. You only need to input your parameters and then let it run its course. That way, you can focus on developing strategies instead of managing every little detail.

Moreover, there are special algo trading communities where you can start the journey by finding a ready-made robot. Or you can find a contractor for implementing your unique strategy. One of the biggest trading communities is MQL5.Community. Here, people can discuss and sell algo trading software. It also features a variety of other useful services.

It Allows for Automated Trading

The automated nature of algorithmic trading is one of its biggest benefits. Traders don’t have to sit in front of their computers all day and monitor the markets themselves. This means traders can spend time on other tasks like managing their portfolios and researching.

It also minimizes risk. This is because traders don’t need to constantly watch the markets. Instead, they can leave it up to the algorithms. It takes away much of the responsibility and stress that come with trading, which is why many people avoid the market. They’re simply not confident in their skills.

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Algorithmic Trading Gives You Trading on the Go

One of the major benefits of algorithmic trading is that traders can trade from anywhere. Traders who travel for work, for example, can set up automated investing processes to make trades in their absence. This means they can virtually trade from their hotel room or remote office. This also makes it easier for traders to maintain a global presence because they can access the markets from anywhere in the world.

Another aspect of algorithmic trading is cloud testing. It is important to note that a proper cloud network enables fast optimization of trading robots. This is because such a network allows access to the processing power of thousands of computers all over the world.

For instance, the MQL5 Cloud Network is a service that enables remote agents of MetaTrader 5 to collaborate and distribute tasks among themselves. With additional processing power, it can run thousands of tests in only a few hours.

There Is Less Risk of Manual Human Error

One of the most important benefits of algorithmic trading is that it helps reduce the risk of manual human error. Human actions are imprecise. This imprecision can lead to errors in trading, such as misreading charts or entering orders at the wrong price.

There’s a special term in trading: Fat Finger Error. It’s a unique type of trading mistake that can have a significant effect on the market. For instance, if a trader mistakenly enters 1,000,000 shares of Apple Inc.—instead of 1,000—at the market price and proceeds with the sale, the order could affect the entire market.

Algorithmic trading, on the other hand, follows a predetermined set of instructions in order to trade efficiently. Programs are designed to avoid both systematic and random errors when executing trades.

Additionally, algorithmic trading also helps traders avoid emotional decisions. For example, if the market is going up and you have been watching it go up for hours on end, you might be inclined to invest. But entering at the top of the market can result in losses. There is no emotion involved with algorithmic trading. Your trades will occur based on predetermined conditions. This helps mitigate risks and maximize profits.

You’ll Get Software Updates in Real Time

One of the benefits of algorithmic trading is that it can update in real time. By using algorithms, traders don’t have to monitor trends and financial data streams constantly.

The software does this for them. It also updates automatically according to price fluctuations. This allows traders to do other things like go on vacation without worrying about their assets. Traders can also set parameters such as stop-loss and risk values, which the software will follow accordingly. A trader’s return on investment (ROI) will be higher with algorithmic trading because they won’t need to monitor the markets all the time.

New Algorithms Are Continually Being Developed

One of the most important things about algorithmic trading is that its developers are constantly developing new algorithms. This means that traders using this method will always have the newest algorithm to use.

Moreover, the developers behind these algorithms are top-notch mathematicians and programmers. They continually strive to develop the best algorithm possible. These mathematicians and programmers are motivated to work hard because they want their algorithms to be the next big thing in the industry.

There are more than 6,000 Expert Advisors (algo robots) and Indicators for MetaTrader 5 available for purchase on MQL5.com Market. You can download and test a program that fits your conditions. The only requirement is that the program works seamlessly and has the necessary parameters in advance.

Algorithmic Trading Lets You Trade More Than One Market at Once

Algorithmic trading allows you to trade in multiple markets at the same time. Traders are often limited to one market when they use manual trading methods.

But with algorithmic trading, it is possible for traders to trade in different currencies or commodities. This allows traders to maximize their earnings by investing in various markets that offer the best profit opportunities. They will always have a market open for trading. Therefore, they can take advantage of any opportunity that arises.

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The Software for Algorithmic Trading Is Inexpensive

Algorithmic trading is accessible to everyone, regardless of their budget. There are no commissions on trades, so the software is the only cost. What’s more, most are free or have a low monthly fee, which you can pay with an annual contract.

It Gives You a Variety of Trading Strategies

Algorithmic trading offers a variety of trading strategies to choose from. Unlike traditional methods, algorithmic trading allows traders to use many different systems that are compatible with their investments.

It Simplifies Complicated Investing Decisions

One of the most attractive features of algorithmic trading is that it simplifies complicated investing decisions. This is because it uses a set of instructions to invest without the trader needing to monitor the markets continuously. This is useful for people who lack the knowledge and skillset to trade efficiently or who don’t have time to monitor their investments closely. Algorithmic trading reduces the number of decisions traders need to make because algorithms automatically take over and execute trades.

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Featured image by Piyawat Nandeenopparit

Purchasing. It’s a tough job sometimes, but somebody has to do it. There are plenty of obstacles to running a smooth procurement department. Many of them, sadly, happen at the purchase order stage.

Purchase orders (POs) are a useful tool for procurement and purchasing. The entire point of using POs is to aid in supply chain transparency and foster clear communication between you and your vendors.

POs serve the function of being a trackable source that provides legal protection for both buyers and suppliers.

A PO is not an invoice. Instead, it’s a way to ensure buyers are getting what they order. Every PO needs a date, description, order number, prices that have been agreed upon, and, of course, the company name.

Managing them is a whole other ballgame. Here are five tips to improve your purchase management processes.

POs Provide Better Visibility

Although purchase orders aren’t actually responsible for acquiring goods and services—the requisition form or purchase requisition serves that role—they are an exceptional tool for managing visibility within your procurement cycle.

A purchase order has pertinent company information and a detailed description of the goods and expectations involved in the requisition. Being able to track your purchase order means that you can retain visibility throughout the entire process. This ensures compliance, smooth operations, and, of course, proper receipt of the goods. Tracking purchase orders in real time provides invaluable insight into your own supply chain and ultimately helps improve everything from vendor relations to risk assessment.

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They Reinforce Contract Standards

The reason you made contracts in the first place was to ensure you receive the maximum benefit from your suppliers and vendors. If suppliers and vendors aren’t holding up their end of the bargain, then there might be time to seek arbitration or to terminate the contract. In your daily life, you wouldn’t want your homeowners insurance policy to only cover some of its provisions. It needs to fulfill its end of the bargain. The same can be said for your suppliers!

Part of the role of a purchase order is to ensure a level of accountability and realization of negotiated contract benefits from the supplier.

A company uses a purchase order to set up and reinforce the actual requisition. Once the requisition gets approved, the PO gets set up to start the process. Tracking the purchase order and noting any issues along the way can help you reinforce contract standards. By leveraging the information available to you in the purchase order and making an effort to follow up with what it describes, both you and the supplier can have a seamless experience.

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Automate Your Purchase Order Process

Automation shouldn’t be a bad word in business. It can actually be a good thing that helps make your operation run smoothly and consistently. Getting away from managing POs with spreadsheets might prove difficult for some companies, but consider using purchase order management software.

It offers so much more scalability and adaptability (not to mention efficiency) when it comes to managing requisitions and purchase orders. In traditional, manual operations the PO process is quite extensive.

It starts with identifying a need, writing up a requisition, getting the requisition approved, writing up the purchase order, sending it to the supplier, receiving the goods or services, paying out the invoice, and tracking everything. That’s pretty convoluted and exhausting at times.

Automation smooths this out to make it as seamless as possible. When it’s integrated into your system, everything from requisition to invoicing can be efficient, saving time and money.

Create a Preferred Suppliers List

Managing POs is much simpler when you have a solid preferred suppliers list. According to Business.com, building a list of suppliers can be as simple as following three quick steps: gathering information, evaluating potential suppliers, and reviewing the list.

However, it’s more of an ongoing process than one might initially expect, especially in the third stage (tracking and review).

Perhaps the most critical part of building a supplier list is gathering information in the first place. It behooves any organization to assess, look into the reputation, and thoroughly vet a vendor prior to initiating a contract. If any part of working with that vendor doesn’t mesh well with your company’s procedures, it may be better to move on to the next one and exclude them from your stable of suppliers.

Building a list of superb, reputable suppliers helps forge meaningful relationships and drive smoother operations for the entire organization. 

Keep Track of Everything Digitally

As we mentioned previously, keeping track of everything is critical to ensuring compliance, realizing negotiated benefits, receiving the product, and making payments. Paperwork can take up a lot of space in addition to being costly and time-consuming. By going the digital route, employees can focus on other aspects of running the business without worrying about manual reporting.

Automatic reporting is useful not just for streamlining things but also because it can give full access to an array of different useful reports at the touch of a button. Being able to easily access reports gives better insight into budgets, spend visibility, and potential risks across the organization.

Ultimately, going digital with purchase order processing is a boon for any organization. If you’re still using manual procedures, consider ditching them in favor of something more compact and digital.

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