Artificial intelligence (AI) can be applied in many forms. These can include robotics, education technology, and chatbots. Therefore, it is applicable to virtually any industry.

In fact, several industries are undergoing major transformations due to the use and optimization of AI. These changes are affecting their operations right now, and they will only escalate in the future. From efficiency to user experience, here’s how AI is revolutionizing these five industries.

RELATED ARTICLE: HOW AI WILL AFFECT FUTURE BUSINESSES IN A VARIETY OF INDUSTRIES

AI in Healthcare

One of the most obvious ways robotic AI is being used in the medical field is through artificial limbs. These intelligent prosthetics have allowed many recipients to recover full use of their limbs. Additionally, robotics is being used to help perform procedures and aid in diagnostics that were never possible before, as they are impossible for humans to perform. 

A less public but equally important use of AI in healthcare is the
implementation of digital programs that provide access to medical care to those
in underserved regions. These smartphone programs allow healthcare
professionals to perform digital imaging on patients without needing a
radiologist or other technicians present. 

Due to these and many other advancements, AI in the healthcare industry is one of the most important applications.

Cybersecurity

In terms of AI business solutions, cybersecurity is at the top of the list. As cyber-attacks have become more commonplace, data protection laws have become stricter in response. Accordingly, it is critical that businesses of all sizes and in all industries have a firm handle on their cybersecurity. Otherwise, they will face costly consequences. Investing in cybersecurity has become a primary business initiative for small businesses as well as major financial institutions.

RELATED ARTICLE: 3 PROACTIVE STEPS FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS ARE TAKING TO INCREASE SECURITY

AI is invaluable to identify threats, detect data breaches, and
block attacks. As such, the cybersecurity industry has seen a need to grow and
innovate to best serve their clientele. In order to meet these needs, AI is
constantly being improved to enhance prediction and response capabilities. 

AI in the Automotive Industry

With advancements in manufacturing, driver features, cloud services, and driver monitoring, AI is changing the very nature of driving.

For example, one fundamental way AI has revolutionized the automobile industry is through advanced safety features. Driver behavior applications like Eyesight are monitoring and reducing distracted driving habits. Additionally, they improve how drivers interact with their cars by adjusting settings to fit their needs.

With driver assist, AI analyzes driving conditions. It also alerts the driver to danger, and even helps them avoid accidents. Of course, there is also the race to release self-driving cars. 

Robotics has also been essential to increasing the efficiency and
quality of automobile manufacturing. From welding robots to wearable suits that
help prevent worker injuries, AI has become essential in nearly every aspect of
the manufacturing process.

Marketing

Both B2B and B2C marketing have already taken leaps and bounds toward better use of data with the help of AI. For example, advanced software has the ability to constantly analyze consumer behavior and adjust marketing tactics. This provides a better user experience and consequently improves sales.

AI product recommendations are responsible for many online sales. This is because advertisements are tailored to user behavior and demographics.

RELATED ARTICLE: HOW WILL BIG DATA AND AI TRANSFORM THE B2B WORLD?

Additionally, social listening is a powerful marketing tool. By monitoring what consumers are saying about them, companies can target consumers with carefully tailored ads. What’s more, they can present these ads at the most opportunistic times.

Sentiment analysis helps brands understand how consumers are talking about a brand or a product on social networks. This information can help them identify issues and learn what their consumers want. This can influence how they advertise in the future.

In short, with AI, digital marketing has become smarter and more cost-effective. 

Education

The human element is necessary for many forms of education. But there are also substantial opportunities for AI to enhance processes and overall learning.

For example, grading assignments is one of the most time-consuming aspects of being a teacher. Fortunately, it can now be automated. By automating tasks, teachers will be able to dedicate more time to working with students. AI is also making its way into the classroom, with robotic tutors who are assisting students. This has been especially beneficial for those with disabilities that prevent them from being present in the classroom. 

It’s no surprise that different ways of learning work for different types of people. Now, educators use AI to optimize learning by creating personalized programs for students. This allows teachers to cater to students at different levels.

In other words, they can teach to multiple students in a single classroom, all of whom have very different needs. With the help of AI, the quality of learning will only improve. This factor alone will lead to a larger beneficial effect on society as a whole. 

Conclusion

It’s understandable that employers and employees alike might fear the increased use of AI. But many of these changes will actually benefit both parties as well as the end consumer. 

Photo by rawpixel.com from Pexels

You have been dreaming for years of opening a restaurant in San Francisco. What’s more, you have decided that now is the perfect time to open your own restaurant in that beautiful city. However, what details will you need to hammer out?

What You Already Have

You have a few things lined up already. For instance, you have convinced a world-class chef to come and work for you. This chef is among the best and comes complete with a delicious and inventive menu that San Franciscans will love. Plus, you have your supply delivery set to go as well.

Your plan is to run a brand new, state-of-the-art, first-class restaurant in San Francisco, because you know that the people of this breathtaking city have come to expect only the finest when it comes to fine dining.

You’re excited about the fact that your restaurant will be located in lovely San Francisco because it’s a beautiful and sophisticated environment that will complement the scrumptious dishes your chef will prepare for your customers.

RELATED ARTICLE: 4 TIPS FOR SURVIVING THE FIRST YEAR IN THE RESTAURANT BUSINESS

What You Still Need

So, what else are you going to need? As it turns out, there’s plenty.

For one thing, you’re probably going to need a managing partner or an operating chef. Additionally, you’ll need to hook up with some quality food distributors in California. Then you’ll need to decide on the exact location for your restaurant and settle with a landlord on your lease.

Finally, you’ll need to locate some investors and persuade them to take a risk on your San Francisco restaurant.

Building Costs in San Francisco

In whatever building you decide to lease the space for your San Francisco restaurant, you’re going to have to build out your restaurant so that it works for your staff and your future customers. How much is that going to cost you?

For the sake of simplicity, let’s suppose you’ll need roughly $800 per square foot to construct the dining room and kitchen. If you have 2,300 square feet in your building, the build-out will set you back $1,840,000. Equipment purchases will bring that total to a good deal more than two million dollars.

Rent in San Francisco

In case you haven’t heard, the costs for rentals and leases in San Francisco are phenomenally high. In fact, according to a recent article in the San Francisco Chronicle, the rental cost for retail space in San Francisco now averages $81.25 per square foot. On a 2,300 square foot building, that will run you a whopping $186,875 monthly.

Are you still with us? Then let’s talk about finding those investors.

Investment Sources

At this point, unless you already have a good track record of starting other restaurants and a great relationship with your bank, the only individuals who are going to give you as much money as you’re going to need are heavy-hitting investors. What’s more, these investors will be people who will expect a good return on their investment.

So you’re going to need a plan, and not just a good plan. You’re going to need a great business plan. This is the only way you’re going to be able to communicate your big ideas and your financial projections to potential investors.

This is important because these investors will be expecting a profitable return on their money. And if you can convince them that your San Francisco venture is worth the risk, they will be happy to take that risk.

Investors’ Profit

The challenging element with investors is that not only do they want a good return on their investments, but they want their original money back out of the deal. Additionally, most of them will insist on an annual return over the life of your restaurant as a part of the original deal.

However, most of these investors will opt for the best lending rate plus 2-3%. All the same, keeping your investors happy and paying them off in a timely fashion is extremely important.

Other Costs to Consider for a Restaurant in San Francisco

You should also consider the following
approximate startup costs, which will likely be somewhat higher in San Francisco
than they might be in another city:

• Food inventory will run about $16K
• A legal professional to draw up the operating and partnership agreements should be about $15K
• Silverware and china will cost roughly $38K
• An interior restaurant designer will charge about $46K
• Fourteen days of training for employees will cost about $11K
• Your wine and liquor inventory will cost roughly $45K
• A public relations organization to help with marketing will charge about $26K the first year
• Your restaurant’s stereo system will run about $11K

Remember that each of these figures is a top-of-the-line estimate, because you’ll most likely be making your purchases in San Francisco or elsewhere in the Bay Area.

However, it’s important to remember that it’s almost prohibitive these days to open a new restaurant almost anywhere. This is because of the operating challenges and financial constraints that restaurant owners are faced with, especially in San Francisco.

Conclusion

Ultimately, you’ll need to be creative and persistent in order to make your dream of opening a restaurant in San Francisco a reality.

However, if you can persist through the struggles, always serving up great food with top-notch service, the people of San Francisco will take you and your restaurant into their hearts. And your own heart can finally be at home in that beautiful City by the Bay.

Are you going to school to improve your entrepreneurial skills? And are you consequently trying to figure out how to pay your student loan debt? It can be a struggle to figure out which option is best for you and your financial situation. Read on to learn more about taking out a personal loan for school.

RELATED ARTICLE: THE BEST BUSINESS BOOKS FOR STUDENTS WHO WANT TO BE FINANCIALLY LITERATE

Taking Out a Personal Loan for School Debt

Can you take out a personal loan for school debt? Well, it depends. If you go to a lender, chances are you might get denied if you tell them it’s for student debt.

That’s because there are rules when it comes to what you can use your personal loan for. Therefore, taking out a personal loan for school debt might not be an option for you even if you want to. However, going over your situation with a lender can give you a better idea if you are eligible for a personal loan for any other reason.

Many people want to take out a personal loan to pay off their student debt. This is because they know that in some cases, a person can get a reduction in their interest rate. However, instead of taking out a personal loan for your school debt, you can have lower monthly payments by extending your repayment period. On the other hand, you have to qualify for that option.

Using a personal loan for school debt can be a good solution in some cases. This is because lenders of personal loans often offer more diverse payment options. In fact, you might even be able to repay your loan over a shorter amount of time. This would, in effect, reduce the amount of interest you will pay as compared with student loans.

Downfalls of Using a Personal Loan for School Debt

On the other hand, there are downfalls that come with taking out a personal loan for school debt.

When you have student loan debt, you have a lot of benefits that you might not know about yet. For example, switching to a personal loan can make you lose the grace period that’s available after you graduate. This is because instead of having to start making payments right away, students have an extra six to nine months after graduating before having to pay on their loans. However, in some cases, interest rates are still applied during that time.

There are other benefits you won’t have as well. For example, you won’t be able to utilize certain repayment plans. Take, for instance, income-driven repayment plans that match your monthly income to the monthly payments on your loan. This option can be an excellent opportunity to some. This is because you could even qualify for a student loan forgiveness program when you pay your monthly bills on time.

Is Taking Out a Personal Loan for School Debt Right for You?

Whether you want to take out a personal loan or not, it can be difficult to qualify for them. You will probably have to have a good income and a decent credit score, for instance. You will also need to meet other requirements as well. Also, taking out a personal loan for school debt is a serious decision, because it’s irreversible. In other words, you won’t be able to change your mind in a few months.

Should
You Apply for Scholarships Instead?

Another great option to consider is to apply for local and national scholarships. There are many opportunities to apply to that you could be eligible for. Keep in mind, however, that some scholarships are degree-specific. Others might depend on economic need, existing talent in an academic area, or your membership in a specific group such as Future Business Leaders of America or the Elks.

Make
the Best Choice for You

No matter how good taking out a personal loan for school debt sounds, you should remember that it might not be for you. Before taking any action such as taking out a personal loan for school debt, think through all your options. It might be great for someone else who can benefit from it more than you can. Whatever you do, make smart choices with your student loans today and pay your monthly bills on time to have good financial standing.

About the Author

Aqib Raja is a digital marketer, a link builder, and an IT Professional. He loves to write on various topics. In his free time, he likes to travel and explore different parts of the world. You can follow him on Facebook.

If you search the Internet for a brief description of installment agreements, you might be confused by articles that refer to “installment loans.” In this post, we try to provide some clarity about what, exactly, an installment agreement is.

You might be looking for a cash infusion for your business, or you might need a personal loan. Whatever your need right now, always pay attention to the specifics when you’re requesting a loan of any kind, whether on cashspotusa or any other financial platform.

What Do You Need to Know About Installment Agreements?

The lender issues the funds for an installment agreement under specific guidelines. For example, the lender issues the agreement for a set amount of money at a specific rate of interest. Additionally, the payments are fixed as well.

Compare this with the revolving credit banks and other lenders provide. Revolving credit comes with a set credit limit and a flexible payment amount based on the amount of your credit limit you have used. Revolving credit often comes with a variable interest rate as well. A credit card is an example of revolving credit.

Sometimes a bank or other financial institution will issue the funds for an installment agreement. At other times a merchant issues the funds in order to allow a customer to purchase a specific piece of merchandise.

Installment Agreements Come with a Fixed Interest Rate

These agreements carry a specific and fixed rate of interest. The repayment schedule is also fixed. That is, the lender generally requires payments in a set amount at regular intervals, usually monthly.

Will You Need Collateral?

An installment agreement is generally issued for a clearly defined purpose such as buying a car, a household appliance, or other goods. Therefore, installment agreements often require collateral, such as the merchandise the customer is purchasing. For example, a mortgage is an installment agreement that uses the home that’s being purchased as collateral.

However, some lenders issue installment agreements without collateral. In these cases, the lender might require you to obtain personal recommendations from trustworthy individuals who know you.

Will You Need an Application?

Before you can obtain an installment agreement, you will need to submit an application, either online or in person. Then the merchant or other lender will either approve or reject your application.

Is There a Contract for This Type of Agreement?

In most cases, both buyer and seller sign a contract for an installment agreement. This contract stipulates the conditions for both parties. It covers the interest rate, states its maturity date, and specifies any applicable fines and fees. The contract will also describe the nature of any additional fees that might come due in case the customer fails to repay the agreement as stipulated in the contract.

RELATED ARTICLE: 6 CONTRACT TYPES YOUR BUSINESS NEEDS

Can I Apply Online?

It’s safe to say that you can obtain an installment agreement without the need to leave your home or your business. You simply choose an online lender, complete the application online, and await the approval of your application. Often the lender will approve your application within days, if not hours or even minutes.

On the other hand, if you’re hoping to use an installment agreement to help with the purchase of a piece of merchandise such as a dishwasher or a car, you might want to visit the merchant in order to shop around for exactly the item that best meets your needs.

In that case, it would make sense to simply apply in person. Often the merchant will make the funds available within minutes. Then you can request delivery of the merchandise to your home—or, in the case of a car for example, drive it home with you.

Do These Agreements Come with a High Interest Rate?

Often, lenders issue installment agreements for shorter periods than they do other loans. Additionally, the interest rate is often lower as well. In fact, some installment agreements come with very low or even zero interest. However, these low rates of interest usually remain in effect only within the set term of the contract or another specified period.

What Are the Benefits of Installment Agreements for Buyers?

Installment loans have the following benefits for buyers:

• Lenders generally require only a small packet of documents.
• You can register and apply quickly.
• Much of the time, you won’t need to offer up any collateral.
• Generally speaking, you will have a choice as to how much time you’ll need to pay off the agreement. Often, the lender will allow you to extend the agreement if you need to.
• The interest rate for the agreement is quite often very low or even zero.

What Are the Benefits of These Agreements for Sellers?

Installment agreements are popular among many merchants since they allow stores to increase the number of their customers and boost their sales.

On the other hand, these agreements do carry risks for the seller. That’s because if the seller makes the mistake of issuing an installment agreement to an unreliable buyer, the seller could lose both the goods and the money.

Conclusion

So whether you need a personal loan or you need to purchase a new piece of equipment for your business, always be aware of the specifics when you contract for a loan of any kind. This is true whether you apply online or off. In other words, always read the fine print for any loan.

The most successful companies are those that value soft skills in their leaders. But what is it about soft skills that brings about success? And what, exactly, are soft skills anyway?

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The Athena Doctrine is a New York Times best-selling book by John Gerzema and Michael D’Antonio. During the process of writing their book, the authors surveyed 64,000 people in thirteen different countries. Two-thirds of those people said they thought the world would be a better place if men thought more like women.

Source https://www.slideshare.net/johngerzema/the-athena-doctrine

Gerzema and D’Antonio also asked 30,000 people to rate 200 traits on whether they were feminine or masculine. Below are the results:

Feminine traits:

• Reasonable
• Flexible
• Patient
• Collaborative

Masculine traits:

• Resilient
• Analytical
• Independent
• Proud

In this post you’ll learn:

• What soft skills are.
• Why soft skills can make a change in you and your teams.
• How team leaders can teach soft skills to their teams.
• How to measure results and share them.

What Are Soft Skills?

Placeit Alerbrije Design

Where Does the Term “Soft Skills” Come From?

The concept of “soft skills” was first mentioned in 1972 in a US Army training manual. That same year, Dr. Paul G. Whitmore presented his research findings at the CONARC Soft Skills Conference. In his research, Dr. Whitmore had used a questionnaire that concerned skills in the areas of command, supervision, counseling, and leadership. As he analyzed the answers to the questionnaire, he classified them as either hard skills or soft skills.

He concluded, “Soft skills are important job-related skills that involve little or no interaction with machines and whose application on the job is quite generalized.” However, this description leaves the impression that soft skills are weak and ineffective. Nothing could be further from the truth.

Since that time, general understanding of hard and soft skills has evolved. In fact, many employers now look for soft skills in job-seeking candidates. Plus, they’re more likely to hire a candidate who appears to have well-developed soft skills over a candidate who presents with mostly hard skills.

What Is the Difference Between Hard Skills and Soft Skills?

Hard skills are those skills a person acquires through formal education and training programs. For instance, obtaining a degree or a certificate is an indication of a certain set of hard skills. Other examples include knowledge about machine operations and computer programming.

On the other hand, soft skills are productive traits such as social skills. Commonly considered feminine traits, you can use soft skills to improve your social interactions and enhance your career.

However, just because soft skills appear to come more easily to women doesn’t mean that only women are entitled to them. These are traits that men have as well. It’s just that many men must learn now to develop and use the soft skills they already have.

Use These Five Soft Skills to Engage with Your Team

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While multiple soft skills have currently been identified in academic literature, there are five major skills that will make a difference in your leadership style. Moreover, they will be useful anywhere.

When you use these skills, you’ll be able to understand situations that might have been a problem for you in the past. Additionally, you’ll improve communication and begin to have a different perspective when you encounter a difference of opinion in another person. You might even change your thoughts without feeling as if you have failed as a leader.

1. Empathy

Empathy is about understanding what other people are feeling and making a true connection. It’s a vulnerable choice, since it will require you to remember a similar experience of your own. Empathy also requires a suspension of judgement . You must also learn to withhold any advice or feedback. Simply attempt to understand what the other person is going through.

Theresa Wiseman, in the Journal of Advanced Nursing, identified four attributes of empathy:

• See the world as others see it.
• Understand another’s current
  feelings.
• Avoid judging while listening.
• Communicate the understanding.

According to Brené Brown, PhD, LMSW, of the University of Houston, “Empathy is feeling with people.”

2. Tolerance

Tolerance is the willingness to endure the existence of an opinion or belief in another that you don’t agree with. To put this particular soft skill into practice, try to understand where the other person is coming from before giving your own opinion.

For example, remember a time when your team rejected one of your ideas. How did that make you feel? Did you give yourself the chance to listen and change your thoughts? Did you try to incorporate your team’s feedback into your thinking?

Here are some
tips on how to grow your tolerance:

• Apply empathy. Try to understand another’s point of view.
• Ask for a full explanation to understand more. Don’t guess.
• Use “I” statements instead of “you” statements when trying to understand someone’s point.
• Value diversity. Learn about cultures other than your own. Open your mind.
• Analyze your feelings and strive to understand what is causing them.
• Make a lack of self-esteem isn’t affecting your judgment.

3. Collaboration

Collaboration is the process of two or more people working together for the same purpose through different tasks. This sounds simple, but it can be difficult to put into practice. However, a good leader can guide a team toward fulfilling their common goal.

Follow these steps to have effective collaboration in your team:

• Make sure everyone on the team has the information they need and knows how to complete their tasks.
• Make your expectations clear from the beginning.
• Use task management tools to create clear goals for each member.
• Acknowledge everyone’s strengths.
• Huddle during projects so that each member remains in the loop.
• Recognize and reward collaborative behaviors.

A good example of collaboration is when a team member prioritizes a task that he or she knows affects their partner’s performance.

RELATED ARTICLE: 5 AMAZING STATISTICS ABOUT REMOTE COMPANIES

4. Effective Communication

One of the most critical of all the soft skills is effective communication. This is all about delivering and understanding messages correctly.

For example, effective verbal communication is more than just talking. You must know how to express an idea. You must also listen and know how to negotiate.

Additionally, learn to pay attention to body language. Body language plays a big part in what you are saying. For example, you could verbally say you like someone’s idea. However, if you say that with crossed arms, you might appear skeptical to the other person.

Below are some tips from Carol Kinsey Goman, PhD, author of The Silent Language of Leaders: How Body Language Can Help.

• Boost your confidence with a power
  pose.
• Show that you’re listening. Make
  eye contact with the person who is speaking.
• Remove barriers by taking away
  anything that blocks you from your team.
• Shake hands to create an instant
  human bond.
• Smile! This simple action makes
  you approachable and trustworthy.
• Mirror expressions to show
  agreement. In other words, subtly let your body take on postures similar to the
  ones of the person you’re talking with.

Make your communication objective by choosing the right words. When listening, rephrase and repeat to the other person what you understood. This will help to create a clear communication flow.

5. Flexibility

Flexibility is all about the willingness to change deeply held beliefs and opinions. It is about modifying your ideas about the way you do your work and make decisions. It’s about changing the way you expect results in your life. Being flexible lets you accept change while also being creative so as to come up with new solutions that meet the current challenge.

Flexibility might sound easy. However, frustration can get the best of you in challenging situations. There no magic pill that will make you flexible overnight.

The best thing you can do is to be patient with yourself. If flexibility doesn’t come easily to you try to remember that you’re learning a new soft skill.

Therefore, every time you come across a situation you didn’t plan on and you find yourself trying to resist the outcome, explore your emotions around the situation. Be present. As soon as you are able, let go of what you can’t control. The faster you let go of old ideas, the quicker you will be able to move forward.

Encourage Team Members to Master Soft Skills

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Everyone has every soft skill we have discussed in this article. Moreover, everyone has the ability to become more aware of the soft skills they already have. However, just because you gain awareness of the soft skills you have doesn’t mean you suddenly master them all.

First, you must understand each skill. Then, you must begin to apply each one. With experience, you will learn more about yourself. You will improve as time goes on.

When you begin to feel confident about your mastery of soft skills, the next step is to pass these skills on to your team. However, teaching them will bring on another big challenge. But the good news is that once you have your own experience to talk about, you will find it easier to explain these skills.

You’ll need to remember, though, that every person learns at their pace through their own experiences. Therefore, be patient and approachable. Continue to guide your team through this learning phase.

Some Tools for Teaching Soft Skills to Your Team

Start with Regular Group Talks

Institute weekly group talks, perhaps each Monday morning, with the goal of teaching the concept of soft skills. Focus on one soft skill each week.

Prepare a relaxed space for these meetings, possibly offering coffee and breakfast. Try to keep them relaxed and focused.

Use a slideshow to teach each concept. In your presentation, include a description of the soft skill you are teaching about. Use images and video to provide real-life examples.

After your presentation, open the discussion by asking a team member for their thoughts. Have they applied that skill recently? Alternatively, you could ask team members to investigate the term before that week’s talk. Ask members to share with the team what they learned.

Use Email Surveys to Evaluate the Team

Use weekly email surveys to reinforce the soft skill of the week. Let the team know that practicing this skill will add value to their professional profile. You can create your surveys with Google Forms and send them out at the end of each week.

Placeit Mockup

Keep each survey short and to the point. However, be sure to include an explanation or definition of the skill at the beginning of the survey. Include only the following three questions, and use team members’ answers to evaluate their understanding of the skill:

• How have you experienced this skill during this week?
• Are you having trouble understanding and applying this skill?
• If you have had no experience with this skill this week, what will you do differently next week?

Promote Positive Feedback Among Peers

After a few weeks, divide your team into pairs and ask each person to give their partner feedback about how they’ve used the soft skills the team has been learning about. It’s essential that you conduct this exercise in a relaxing space. Afterward, gather as a group to talk about what everyone has learned.

The rules for
this activity are simple:

1. Each pair should answer these two questions:

• Which skills do they see in their partner and why?
• Which skills do they think the other person needs to improve on? Remind everyone to be positive as they give advice to their partner about how to improve.

2. Have each person write down the feedback they receive from their partner. This way each person can reflect on the feedback in private.

3. As the team leader, walk around the room and listen in on each conversation. Make sure all communications remain objective and respectful. Give some guidance if a pair seems too quiet or if a pair appears to be becoming upset.

Create Eye-Catching Internal Campaigns

Create internal campaigns to promote the idea of practicing soft skills. An internal campaign could be a simple newsletter, or it could be projecting slideshows or videos in common areas.

Come up with simple phrases about what soft skills are and use them as reminders to all team members. Make sure each phrase can be read in a glimpse.

For example, if empathy is your soft skill of the week, your phrases might be something like, “Use empathy to understand others,” or “Empathy is about understanding others’ feelings.” Another phrase might be, “Empathy is not judging, just feeling.”

Select a Format for Your Message

What is the best canvas for your message? Make it into a poster, send it out in an email, or create a video. Be creative and come up with other ideas.

Use Online Tools to Create Fast Content

Use online tools to create your content quickly and make it look more professional. For example, use templates on an email platform such as MailChimp. Or use a video maker to create and deliver a video within minutes. You can also find online design tools to help with creating posters and flyers.

RELATED ARTICLE: STANDUPLY WITH SLACK FOR SYNCHRONICITY IN TEAMS

Decide How to Communicate the Message

Once you have your material ready, whether it’s digital or printed, decide how best to communicate it. For example, you could place posters in common areas or send out personalized emails.

Measure Results and Share Them with Other Team Leaders

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Soft skills aren’t easy to measure. However, followup is still important. Therefore, have one-on-one meetings with each team member. Ask each person directly how they felt about applying their new skills. Further question them about which soft skills they think they need more practice with.

Additionally, It would give each person feedback and tips about how to further develop their soft skills. Share an example from your own life of what you did to develop that skill. Assign some good reading about a specific skill or assign them tasks that can help them develop the soft skill they’re weakest in.

People with Soft Skills Can Become the Company’s Greatest Asset

The time has come to think and lead differently. Soft skills will help you and your team to understand each other better, work more efficiently, and welcome positive change.

Start with teaching your team soft skills such as empathy, tolerance, collaboration, communication, and flexibility. These skills alone bring about a happier workplace. What’s more, its effects will bring improvement throughout the company.

About the Author

Veronica Madrigal is co-founder
of GeekGirlsMX, a community for women in tech. She currently collaborates as
content creator at Placeit.net where she writes about entrepreneurship, design,
and technology.

Today’s world is becoming increasingly interconnected. Moreover, the rise of social media, online shopping, and internet trends are all rapidly changing the business game. As such, it’s little wonder that people are looking at going international with their businesses.

These days, making the leap from continent to continent is easier than ever. However, it still pays to be well-informed. Check out these key tips for running an international business. Make sure you don’t make the decision blindly.

Enlist the International Professionals

If you don’t know a lot about shipping abroad yourself, then get the help of those who do. A lawyer in the know will be able to advise you as to international laws. Also, a ship broker will be able to advise you on the best way to ship internationally.

However, if you feel you can’t afford to get professional help, then be prepared to do plenty of research. But beware, as this can take some time.

One of the best things you can do is listen to advice from people among your acquaintances who have experience in the industry. These are the people who will have encountered problems you might also run into. They will be able to tell you the best options to choose and what to avoid.

Also, it’s worth looking into all the details before you make any final decisions, as laws are constantly changing. Check this link out for a good place to start.

RELATED ARTICLE: WHY WEBSITE LOCALIZATION MATTERS

Speak the Language

Similarly, if you’re conducting business in international markets, take a moment to consider translation.

If you can speak the language, that’s perfect. Fluency in the language of the country you’re planning to set up in will definitely be an asset, professionally and socially.

In a world in which English is increasingly becoming the de facto language of business, the ability to speak English fluently is an immediate advantage. However, don’t rely upon this. Speaking in the local language is not only polite but also necessary to avoid misunderstandings.

Additionally, if your international business transactions are being conducted through a translator, you want to ensure that any translation is reputable. Otherwise, misunderstandings can happen easily. And misunderstandings can cost you both time and money.

For this reason, don’t rely on automatic translating apps or online services. The stakes are too high. A reputable translator is best if you can’t work your way through the language yourself.

However, even a phrasebook or business dictionary can help. Whatever you do, though, don’t just assume that everyone else in an international setting can speak English!

Thanks to Pixabay on Pexels for the image

Consider Your Market

It’s not enough simply to take the same product and transfer it as-is to a different country. Cultural differences might mean that what works in one country won’t work in another.

The best thing you can do, if possible, is to visit the country yourself. Look around the stores, speak to the locals, and ask questions as to what works and what doesn’t. Some fundamentals are likely to remain the same, of course, such as the age group that’s using your product.

However, since values differ from country to country, you might need to vary your marketing strategy.

A quick glance on YouTube will tell you that advertising is different in different parts of the world, even when it’s for the same company. So look at the international ads for a big multi-national brand like McDonald’s. This can give you an idea as to how the same or similar product is marketed internationally.

Take the International Market by Storm

Do your market research beforehand and set out a strong plan to take the international market by storm.