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The Global Quarantine is Convincing Developers They Can Work From Home

The novel coronavirus outbreak is gradually becoming the largest global pandemic we have seen in the past few decades. Now the virus is spread to every inhabited continent on earth and present in almost every country. The canceled flights, nation-wide quarantines and emptied streets of major cities around the world are changing the way we live. Now people fear that every time they leave home might contribute to the further spread of the virus.

The scale of COVID-19 is reaching new records as more than 170,000 are now infected around the world. The number of cases outside of China overtook those within the country of origin for the first time. Europe is now the epicenter of the pandemic with almost 25,000 confirmed cases in Italy and a fast-growing number of patients in Spain, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, Switzerland, Norway, and others.


The Americas are not exceptional and the virus has also reached the continent. The number is growing at a particularly high speed in the United States with over 3,000 reported cases. Canada is struggling as well. The nation’s prime minister, Justin Trudeau is in self-isolation, while his wife Sophie Grégoire Trudeau tested positive for the novel coronavirus. 

Under such circumstances, global stock markets around the world are fast in response to the outbreak. Influential indexes, such as FTSE 500 or S&P 500 are plummeting amid the panic around the pandemic. The latter is causing unprecedented waves of uncertainty and chaos for businesses all around the world. 

Soon after the virus started spreading across Europe, concerns around workers’ safety arose. Many companies immediately moved to remote work processes, however, many decided to wait until further official recommendations from the government. However, in early March, the employee at HSBC’s European headquarters in London’s Canary Wharf tested positive, forcing the company to evacuate its staff from the entire floor. This incident sparked a global wave of an ever-increasing number of companies choosing to send their employees home as much as possible. 

Some industries are being particularly innovative and flexible about the global crisis. The online gambling sector is one of the fastest-growing in the world. Due to liberalized gambling policies around the world, more and more online casinos have started to pop up. Canada is one of the leading nations in the field. Gambling is quite popular in the country, particularly roulette and card games. As a result, the majority of online platforms include roulette online CA games, tailored specifically for the nation’s population.

Businesses in the field are leading the way in introducing a remote working environment for almost all of the employees. However, this particularly affects developers, who are not required to hold as many physical meetings with clients or potential partners. Unsurprisingly, Canadian gambling websites were some of the first to send their developers, as well as other employees, home. After the prime minister, Justin Trudeau’s wife tested positive, the increasing number of Canadians decided to self-isolate or at least avoid leaving home for some time. 

Globally, the trend now is staying home and working remotely. A number of widespread campaigns have been launched promoting such actions in an attempt to contain the virus. Tech companies have already started introducing novelty into the working process to help their employees in the quick adaption to the new environment. 

Developers seem to be liking the new system. The remote work is efficient, convenient and most importantly safe for them. Besides, many developers have realized that the office environment is stressful and disturbing for them. High noise levels and the constant movement of people makes it particularly difficult to concentrate on work. Meanwhile, working from home offers a more comfortable environment with less noise and disruption. 


The job that developers do is very well-suited to the remote work. They most often only need their computers and a quiet, comfortable environment. Project managers, those who communicate tasks with the company’s developers, do not need them to be physically present to just simply explain an assignment or new details about a project.  

The ongoing process is showing developers around the world that working remotely can be much better than commuting to the office every day. More personal space and no need to spend any time on the way to work are particularly appealing factors to them. As a result, the outbreak is expected to transform the work culture for developers in the post-pandemic world. Besides developers, companies are also realizing the benefits of remote workers. Having developers work from home will result in enormous savings for any company as a result of reduced office rents. 

Photo by Thought Catalog

The Top 4 Video Games Now Available on Mobile

Video gaming is big money. Video games have been around for decades now, and to say that they’ve changed over the years would be the understatement of the century. 

We all remember the early classics such as: Pong, Frogger, Pac Man, and Space Invaders, and whilst these retro classics are still insanely popular, in terms of design they are almost primitive. 

Games consoles saw classics such as Super Mario and Sonic the Hedgehog, but then along came the next gen consoles and the world of gaming changed. 

Now, thanks to the creation of smart phones, next gen console classics have been redesigned and optimized for use on mobile phones and tablets. Last year alone, we spent more money on online gaming in the app stores, than anything else. 

Here’s a look at the top 4 video games now available on mobile devices. 


Call of Duty: Mobile 

Even if you aren’t a gamer, you will likely be familiar with the Call of Duty game franchise. Call of Duty really became insanely popular in the mid noughties, thanks to the 4th instalment in the Call of Duty series – Modern Warfare. 

Ever since, there has been a new CoD game released every year, and while many still consider 2007’s Modern Warfare to be the best, there have still been plenty of great instalments over the years. 

Now, the game has been adapted for smart phones. This first person shooter is free, features plenty of online action and multiplayer modes, and even has a few classic maps, that should bring back very fond memories. 

Mobile Bingo 

Okay, we’ve a slight confession here, as we aren’t listing one individual game, but rather the genre instead. The reason we aren’t listing just one game is because it’s too difficult to choose just one as there are so many to choose from. 

Online bingo apps are constantly being downloaded from the app stores and enjoyed on mobile devices, and we can easily see why. Online bingo is easy to play, it’s fun, and you could potentially win some money without even having to get out of your PJs, the best bingo sites often offer bonuses to new customers, and you can avail of these on your Android or iOS device.

Alto’s Adventure 

Some would say that smart phones are a procrastinator’s best friend, and for times when you just want to enjoy some mindless fun, without really concentrating too much, games like Alto’s Adventure are ideal. 

Alto’s Adventure is a snowboarding game which allows you to guide Alto down snow-capped mountains on a snowboard, pull off tricks, get some serious air, and just have a whole lot of fun. 

With a simple interface, great graphics, and a very addictive soundtrack, Alto’s Adventure is the perfect mobile game for winter sports lovers. 


Finger Driver 

When you play mobile games, you aren’t playing to get the same experience as you would when playing an RPG fantasy epic such as The Witcher 3, on a custom gaming PC. No, you’re playing to have some mindless fun on your phone to pass the time. 

7 CBD Terms Everyone Should Know

CBD is one of the hottest products on the planet right now. There have been many different studies into it and the results are very promising. For example, there is evidence to suggest that it can help reduce pain and inflammation and can also help to treat stress and anxiety.

The CBD industry is growing every year. It has the potential to be worth billions of dollars in the next few years. But the question still remains: what is CBD?

There is much to talk about in this fascinating subject. Here is a brief guide to explain what CBD is and 7 key terms everyone should know about it.


What Is CBD?

CBD is one of the two most common compounds found within the marijuana plant. It is naturally produced and is used in products such as edibles and oils to provide a range of health benefits to the user.

The other common substance produced by the marijuana plant is THC. Unlike CBD, THC is responsible for giving users a high upon consumption. This means that you will not get high from taking CBD.

The human brain has specific receptors that accept CBD. These are known as the CB1 and CB2 receptors and they are responsible for the assimilation of CBD molecules into the body.

Now, here are 7 key terms to expand your understanding of CBD

1. Cannabidiol

noun, kan-eh-buh-die-el

Cannabidiol is the official name of CBD. According to Marina Turea, writing for CBD Kyro, it comes from the marijuana plant and has been shown to have numerous positive health benefits, such as protecting the body from oxidative stress, reducing stress and anxiety and relieving pain and inflammation in sore areas.

However, it’s important to note that cannabidiol is not actually approved by the FDA, even though it was made legal at the federal level in the 2018 Farm Bill. The only exception to date is for using to treat a rare form of epilepsy.

While the results are promising, more research is needed before CBD can be approved to be used as a natural alternative to medicine. It’s readily available online and in stores across the country but just know that research into its effects is still ongoing.

2. Psychoactive

adj, sigh-ko-ak-tiv

This means that the product may get you high. While CBD itself does not have any psychoactive properties, THC does. Any product that contains more than 0.3% THC has the potential to get you high so be careful with how much you take.

3. Hemp

noun, hemp

This refers to a strain of the Cannabis sativa plant and the fibers it contains, which were originally used to make fabrics. Hemp is now bred with higher amounts of CBD and is legal in more states than marijuana. 

Interestingly though, CBD derived from industrialized hemp is identical to CBD derived from marijuana. Unless it contains THC, CBD is not psychoactive.

4. Terpenes

noun, tur-peens

These compounds give cannabis plants their flavor and aroma. Two common ones? “Limonene has an uplifting, citrus flavor, and myrcene is mind-relaxing and has a clove-y scent,” says Grant Rogers, a brand manager at Extract Labs, a hemp-derived CBD company based in Colorado. 

Think of it like the subtleties of wine, adds Sally Nichols, the president of Bloom Farms CBD, a California-based CBD company. Still, Lee urges consumers to take the mood-altering claims with a grain of salt. “The research we have with terpenes, and most of CBD, does not match the marketing claims,” says Lee, citing the lack of well-controlled studies.

5. Bioavailability

noun, by-oh-ah-vale-ah-bill-ah-tee

How fast CBD enters the bloodstream to take effect. Smoking and vaping are the most immediate because the CBD goes into your lungs. However, the effects will not last as long compared with other methods of taking CBD.

Holding a tincture under the tongue for absorption takes about 10 minutes. A soft gel capsule or gummy ingested orally can take up to several hours because it has to work through your digestive system; your response time can be lengthened by how much food you’ve eaten. 

6. Microdosing

noun, mike-row-dose-ing

Microdosing is the latest technique for consuming CBD oil, and has already gained tremendous traction with both CBD providers and users.

As illustrated by Daily CBD Mag, an example may help paint a more vivid picture of how CBD microdosing is practiced:

“Let’s assume that each morning you have been consuming 30 mg of CBD for your insomnia, anxiety, chronic pain or other condition.

With microdosing, you may break down your full day’s dosage of 30 mg into five individual 6 mg doses that you take in the morning, at lunchtime, in the middle of the afternoon, with supper, and right before you retire to bed.

Note that the eventual dose doesn’t actually change because you are still delivering 30 mg CBD into your body by the end of the day. The biggest difference can be seen in the effects you will feel.”


7. Certificate of Analysis (COA)

noun, sir-tiff-ik-et uf an-al-uh-suss

Any reputable CBD product should have one done by a third-party lab. Find the batch number on your product (usually on the bottom or side), and check the brand’s site for its COA report. Ensure the level of THC is under 0.3 percent. (Concentrations vary, but most readings hover between 0.05 and 0.11, well below 0.3 percent.) Heavy metals, pesticides, and microbials should also be included; look for “ND” (“not detected”).

Conclusion

CBD is not going anywhere any time soon for multiple reasons: the industry could be worth $22 billion in a few years and it has the potential to save lives.

As more and more studies look into its properties, the more we will know about how it can help a variety of illnesses and ailments. 

Until then, it’s always best to proceed with caution. Consult your doctor or medical professional if you have any questions about CBD. This is especially important for anyone taking existing medication as CBD could interact with it.

Photo by Kym MacKinnon

5 Ways Technology Is Changing Online Gaming

Modern technology is changing every industry around the globe. The world of online gaming is no exception. In fact, technology may be changing this industry faster than most others. Because online gaming developed from tech innovations to begin with, it is no surprise that it continues to evolve rapidly with new technologies.

1. Virtual Reality 

Online gaming has, up unit now, consisted of a player sitting in some type of familiar environment and looking at a screen. Over the years, screens have become larger, clearer and better overall and the graphics displayed on them have become more realistic. Despite these facts, online gamers are always aware of their physical surrounding that do not involve the world on the screen. This is what virtual reality changes in online gaming.

Virtual reality allows gamers to become completely immersed in the online world that their game exists in. Instead of being acutely aware that you are sitting on your couch or desk chair, VR creates the feeling that you are completely part of the action online. It allows you really feel like you are swinging the sword, scoring the goal, or sitting down at the poker table. 

While most VR gaming right now is available through 3rd party businesses, home VR gaming is becoming more of a reality. The price of home VR equipment is rapidly coming down and people are scooping it up quicker because of this. Some home VR gaming devices were so popular last holiday season that they sold out until February 2020.


2. Blockchain

In the early days of online gaming and gambling, there were bank transfers and prepaid, debit, or credit cards to fund your account. Then came wallets such as PayPal, Neteller, and others. Now comes the new wave of payment option, cryptocurrency. This decentralized, digital form of currency is making waves in the online gambling world. Bitcoin, the most popular, well-known, and widely accepted form of blockchain cryptocurrency is becoming a standard deposit and withdrawal option at many online casinos.

Café Casino is a perfect example of an online casino that has jumped on the Bitcoin bandwagon early and is already accepting Bitcoin as a form of both withdrawal and deposit. It is actually the only method that the casino offers for both putting funds in and taking them out. For newer and smaller casinos, embracing cryptocurrency is a great way to stand out from the competition. 

This casino was founded in 2016 and offers a good array of slots and video table games, blackjack, and poker. These games run on very good software and the loyalty programs and promotions gamblers find here are top-notch. To learn more about Café Casino check out this review.   

3. Facial Recognition

This is a new technology that is rapidly growing in 2020 and has big potential to change online gaming, even more so than it is in its early stages. There are two distinct ways that facial recognition will revolutionize online gaming. This is through safety and security and through personalization.

On the safety and security end, facial recognition is currently being used in many instances, from schools to iPhones, because it is one of the best and most secure ways to verify a person’s identity. To facial recognition experts, each person’s face is like a human QR code that can be scanned by the technology to make sure a person is exactly who they say they are. As this technology continues to develop, it will be a quick, easy, and accurate way to do things like verify identities for deposits and withdrawals from online casino accounts.

On the personalization side, facial recognition will allow players to no longer have to use fictional characters or poorly made avatars when playing online. Instead, they can use a character online that looks exactly like them. Also, when a game uses facial recognition to identify a player, it can do a whole range of personalized things such as give out personalized rewards, offer personalized recommendations, or show personalized advertising.   

4. Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning 

In the past, even the most sophisticated games were limited by a pre-determined set of rules and outcomes that were created when the game was designed. While early games have always used AI in some way, there have always been distinct limits to its ability. In the 21st century, AI and machine learning have improved to a point where games can now offer a seemingly unlimited amount of possibilities in the way they respond.

Much of these advancements have to do with how non-player characters (NPCs) respond in a game. Previously, when you tried to defeat a game-controlled bad guy, team, or opponent, there was a predetermined set of responses that the opposition could have. With advancements in AI and machine learning, these responses now feel much more varied, unpredictable, and human-like. They also allow the game to tailor itself to the exact specifications a gamer would want. This all adds up to the fact that AI is yet another technology that makes online gaming much more immersive and personal. 


5. On-Demand Gaming

Instead of having to buy a physical copy of a game or download a game, players are now able to pick from a wide selection of games whenever they want. The ability for gamers to play the game they want, when they want is actually a function of multiple technologies coming together to improve the gaming experience. The advent of cloud technology combined with faster processing systems and internet connection has allowed this to come to fruition. 

You need not look further than online casinos as a perfect example of this. Instead of buying or downloading games, online casinos offer gamers almost any game imaginable instantly at the click of a button. Just two decades ago, the thought that an online gamer could go to a site and choose from literally hundreds of casino games, all of which they could access instantly, was unthinkable.

Conclusion 

They say that only two things in life are guaranteed, death and taxes. In 2020 though, there is a third thing you can add to that, technology. New technology is guaranteed to continue to change the world around us all the time. The world of online gaming is a particularly interesting study in this fact. These are just 5 of the ways that tech is changing online gaming right now. There are many more ways that we did not discuss here and even more ways than that which we do not even know about yet that will be coming soon.

Photo by Patrik Larsson

The Gadgets You Actually Need in your Kitchen

Whether you’re trying to cook more at home or eat healthier for a better lifestyle, there are so many reasons why you would want to add or upgrade your cooking gear.

It’s always a good time to start but with so many different tools and equipment out there, it can be tough to find the essentials. For this reason, we have come up with a list of 7 gadgets you actually need in your kitchen.

Forget the days where you still use the kitchenware from your days at college. Once you start using them, you’ll be wondering what took you so long to get them in the first place. 


1. The OXO Good Grips 5-Quart Stainless Steel Colander

There are so many meals where you must drain water away from cooking on the stove. The OXO Good Grips 5-Quart Stainless Steel Colander is one of the best around and is certainly worth the upgrade.

As the name suggests, the rim is easy to hold and it will not move as you toss the food in from the pan. The shape of the gadget has been designed to optimize how the water funnels from the holes, preventing any liquid from clogging your pasta, rice, vegetables, etc.

It may come with a big price tag for a colander but it will last for a long time and will pass every test you give it.

2. The My Weigh KD-8000 Scales

Modern kitchens tend to go for sleek designs rather than the bulkier models of the past. However, should you have space, the My Weigh KD-8000 will not disappoint.

The most important attribute of a set of weighing scales is its accuracy. This goes for both when adding and removing objects from the platforms. The KD-8000 is very accurate and displays an icon when the stable measurement is taken. It also comes with a cover to protect the buttons from excess ingredients.

In addition, the KD-8000 has multiple ways to measure the objects, including grams, ounces, pounds and a baker’s percentage, making it easy to weigh your goods.

3. The KitchenAid 5-Speed Diamond Blender

Blenders are vital for any modern-day kitchen. The KitchenAid 5-Speed Diamond Blender is great in terms of value for money and quality of the product. As noted by its name, it has five different speeds built-in so, making it great for chopping up and mixing all kinds of foods.

The controls are easy to understand, with each button providing enough resistance so you won’t have to worry about pressing the wrong one by accident.

Cleaning this blender is simple too. All components are dishwasher safe so load them up and you’re good to go. 

Note that the jar is also BPA-free.

4. The Nutrichef Smart Bluetooth BBQ Grill Thermometer

No matter if you’re cooking inside in the winter or on the grill in the summer, it’s so important that the food is cooked at the right temperature. Put the heat on too high and you can easily char the food beyond saving, but put it on too cool and when it’s time to serve, it’ll be underdone or even raw.

This can be avoided with the Nutrichef Smart Bluetooth BBQ Grill Thermometer. According to Alex Denolm, writing for Gift Wits, this is one of the best digital thermometers on the market right now. 

It connects to your cell phone and gives you real-time notifications about the temperature of your food, meaning you don’t have to stand next to the grill or oven the whole time. This means you will know the moment your food reaches the desired temperature.

Choose between Celcius or Fahrenheit readings and set multiple alerts for cooking different foods. The thermometer has a backlit LCD display making it easy to read the information on screen.

5. The Hamilton Beach 3-in-1Grill

Need a new grill to use your new digital thermometer? Look no further than the Hamilton Beach 3-in-1 Grill. It has several special features that make it one of the best in its class. For example, there are two reversible non-stick, PFOA-free plates with both flat and ridged grills on either side.

Now, usually, you would expect to lose a lot of cooking real estate where the two plates connect – but not on this kitchen gadget. It has 180 square inches of nearly seamless surface area, enough to cook four large pancakes, a few slices of bacon and a couple of eggs without a sweat.

The Hamilton Beach 3-in-1Grill is really easy to clean too. Simply remove and wash the plates without having to wash the entire unit. Plus, everything is dishwasher safe, including the grease tray included with the griddle.

To top it all off, each side of the unit comes with its own heating controls. This means you can adjust the temperature under each individual plate, giving you complete control of your cooking. This comes in handy when you’re grilling multiple foods at the same time.


6. Cheese Slicer and Tray with Cracker Well

No kitchen is ever complete without a cheese slicer. Thanks to this guide by CoolThingsChicago, you will never have to go without ever again. 

One of their recommended gadgets is the cheese slicer and tray with crackers well. It allows you to cut and display all your cheese along with crackers and bites you want to serve alongside. This also makes cleanup a breeze since there’s only one dish to wash.

The beechwood style is durable, stylish, smooth and large enough that you can use it to feed a handful of guests with ease.

7. The Omega J8006 Juicer

The final gadget you actually need in your kitchen is the Omega J8006 Juicer. It’s oriented horizontally rather than vertically, meaning that it’s different from most other juicers. But that’s why it’s a must-have for your kitchen.

It produces a consistently high yield. The pulp to juice ratio is great so the taste remains unaffected. In fact, the taste is so good, you won’t notice much, if any difference from high-end products.

It’s high quality and available at a good price – what more do you want?

Photo by Becca Tapert

Small Business Finance Tips

Managing your company’s finances can be challenging, especially when you have so many other core business processes and activities to deal with. However, poor finance management can have serious consequences on your business and lead to overspending and issues with cash flow. For that reason, all business owners must develop the skills needed to manage their finances efficiently. Here are some useful small business finance tips to help you run a successful business.

Invest in accounting software

If you want to manage your business finances efficiently, then you must monitor your spending regularly and keep on top of your monthly cash flow. One of the simplest ways to manage your business finances is by installing accounting software. According to financeonline.com, some of the major benefits of accounting software include fast and efficient data entry, detailed financial reports, increased accuracy, and automatic record-keeping. 

Having your accounting processes automated will give you additional time to focus on key business activities that will aid growth and profits. There is a great selection of free accounting software available to download online, or you can opt for paid systems that offer premium services and extras. 

Reduce business costs 

Reducing business costs is one of the easiest ways to increase profits within your company. You should review your spending regularly and try to identify any ways to cut business expenses. Here are some ideas to help you minimize spending in the workplace: 

  • Negotiate lower rates with suppliers and vendors. 
  • Move to a smaller, less expensive business site. 
  • Search for a cheaper energy provider on business utilities comparison websites. 
  • Advertise your products using free or low-cost marketing techniques such as social media. 
  • Carry out energy-saving improvements to lower your monthly utility bills. This may involve adding extra insulation, installing eco-friendly appliances, or adding double glazing.

Create a cash flow budget 

Every business owner should have a cash flow budget in place to help them manage their finances efficiently. To create a realistic cash flow budget, you need to consider all expenses and financial obligations within your business, such as salaries, office rental fees, and loan repayments. You can then calculate your projected cash inflow and outflow to determine your ending cash balance. You must try to stick with your cash flow budget to avoid overspending or getting into debt. You can easily create a cash flow budget for your business by using a cash flow management tool online. 

Adopt good financial habits 

All business owners should make an effort to adopt good financial habits in the workplace. It may take some time to develop these skills, but it is well worth taking the time to learn how to become responsible with your spending, especially when it comes to your business. Some of the most important financial habits to adopt include creating clear financial goals for your business, monitoring expenses accurately, and avoiding overspending on your monthly budget. You can develop your financial management skills by completing online courses, reading financial blogs and websites, or seeking advice and guidance from a finance expert. 

Photo by Joshua Rodriguez


The Guide to MarTech Today

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The Guide to MarTech Today

Working Remotely Through Tech: Roles Available and Tips to Build Up Client Volume

The freelance community has flourished with the advancements in technology. Even large corporations are starting to allow larger numbers of employees to work remotely making the job market filled with opportunities for freelancers and those people who desire to work from home. Not all roles are going to be able to be handled virtually while others are the perfect work from anywhere roles. The aspect to realize as a freelancer is that you alone are responsible for growing a client base. Doing this over time is wise as to not compromise the quality of work being delivered to clients you already have signed to contracts. The slow growth of the volume of clients allows a freelancer to optimize workflow and other processes. The following sections will delve into different roles and how to build client numbers for each particular role.


Software Developer

Software developers can live around the world while still possessing a high level of income. Development skills are coveted in many industries with companies willing to pay top dollar for the right developer. Finding a team to work with of other developers to offer services together can be wise. One developer might specialize in one area or is proficient at a certain coding language that another isn’t. The ability to promise to hit deadlines on large software projects can be difficult alone. A mix of onshore and offshore developers can allow you to make sure you are being paid your asking rate while keeping costs reasonable. Charging hourly is recommended for many clients that have not released software. These clients could change the scope of the project resulting in far more work being required. The conversation of charging more for these changes can be awkward. Hourly contracts help reduce work being done that was not agreed upon. Working within a container registry can allow for quick access among an entire DevOps team. This can be invaluable to the overall production times of software development teams.

Copywriters

Copywriters will continue to be in demand with a large amount of content published daily online. The content varies from blog posts, articles, interviews, eBooks, product descriptions, and landing pages with even more options for writers. The ability to write all types of content can expand the number of opportunities a freelance writer will have. The most important aspect of copywriting is making sure to hit deadlines and the expected quality of the client.

Writers that are experts in a field can mix their expert content with less specialized content. Being able to knock out a few articles on autopilot is a staple of earning income for seasoned freelance writers. The need for generic content at a high volume still exists and can be a great way to earn large amounts in a single weekend. Content production companies can provide these types of projects but working directly with companies can pay more.

Sales Professionals

Sales are always important regardless of the industry with some individuals having the knack of closing deals. Sales have changed with some people selling via email, others by phone, and others face to face. The electronic signing of contracts can allow huge deals to be finalized without a sales professional ever meeting the client physically. The ability to sell can allow a person to work from around the world while earning an extremely healthy income. Utilize data to continually improve closing rates using tools. This assists salespeople in honing pitches and collecting valuable insight. The right company allowing for a remote salesperson with uncapped commission can be the perfect opportunity for a motivated seller.


Virtual Assistant

Virtual assistant jobs are in high demand as roles seem to become more complex daily. Management of companies might need someone to manage their email inbox or set meetings. Regardless of what a client needs it is important to use each client as a learning opportunity. One client could use a specific cost tracking platform while another could utilize a project management system that is new to you. Use both of these opportunities to become a more versatile virtual assistant for future clients. Great virtual assistants are frequently offered full-time employment which might be a decision you have to make!

Digital Marketing Consultant

The world of digital marketing is vast with many companies not even knowing where to begin. Digital marketing consultants can help analyze a website, put a strategy for marketing together, and implement tactics to grow organic traffic. Previous experience at a marketing agency or freelancing will be required. Digital marketing is complex for those without relevant experience. The ability to direct a client on ways to reach the top of search engine rankings can earn premium hourly consulting fees. Content marketing experts can also be a huge help with this as search engine rankings are based quite a bit off of content. The content a company produces both on its website and on relevant websites matters. Including a backlink/brand mention within content directly impacts rankings. The rankings, in turn, allow businesses to attract organic traffic which has a far higher chance of resulting in a sale than paid traffic.

Taking part in the freelance economy can allow for more professional freedom. For those not ready to make the full-time freelance jump there are opportunities for supplemental income. Take the time to create plans to grow client numbers so you can earn as soon as you start earning immediately when beginning work.

Photo by Toa Heftiba

3 Reasons to Stop Screaming At Your Internet, and Get a Better Provider

Is your internet connection a constant point of frustration for you? Are you tired of slow connections, lousy customer service, and high fees for the Internet that doesn’t work? These are some reasons why you might be fed up and considering ditching your current internet service provider and look for a better provider. 

Are you not sure what an internet service provider is? Have you heard of companies such as AT&T or Verizon? They are examples of companies that provide internet access to companies, families, and mobile users. Internet services providers (ISPs) use fiber-optics, satellite,  and copper wire to provide you with Internet access. 


Unfortunately, not all ISPs are the same, and sometimes you could end up with a dud. There are several reasons that you might be ready to switch your Internet Service Provider, but three common reasons are your unhappy with customer service, slow internet connection, and high fees. 

Slow Internet Connection

There is nothing more frustrating than trying to stream your favorite television show on Netflix, and it starts freezing.  There could be many reasons your connection is slow, such as problems with modem or router, Wi-Fi signal strength on the cable line, devices on your network are inundating your bandwidth, or even a slow DNS server. If this is an ongoing problem, and you’ve tried to get help from your internet service provider, and there’s still no change, its time to consider a new internet provider who can handle streaming your favorite shows. 

Poor Customer Service

Does the thought of having to call your internet service provider make you internally scream? Are you always not receiving help from ISP? Do you encounter “I don’t know” a lot? Poor customer service leaves you overall dissatisfied with your internet service provider, especially when your calling because of an issue and it is not being resolved satisfactorily. If you are up against poor customer service, it’s time to look for a different service provider. Before choosing a new service provider, make sure to read customer reviews to get an idea of how ISPs treat their customers. 

High Fees

Know one wants to pay obnoxiously high fees for their Internet, especially if it doesn’t work most of the time properly. If you are nearing the end of your contract and are not satisfied with how much you’ve been paying and your internet service provider, begin shopping around. See what other companies can offer you, you might be surprised. 


Switching Providers

Before making the switch, you need to list what’s important to you in an internet service provider and research other providers that are out there. One thing you need to know is how much broadband your household needs for streaming Netflix or browsing Facebook. Understanding specific reasons your switching to a different provider will help you avoid ending up in a similar situation.  To find the right internet service provider search on internetadvisor.com.

Since you know what you don’t want in an internet service provider, here’s a few things you should consider when choosing a provider, such as availability, speed, monthly costs, upfront costs, reliability, customer service, and bundling options.

Conclusion

Before switching, you want to know what you aren’t looking for, how much switching will cost, and an approximate of the speed you need for your Internet. By searching, you know the providers that are in your area, and which internet service provider is going to be the best fit for your internet needs.