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Five Strategies for Boosting Workplace Productivity

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No business can function without its employees and there is nothing more important to a business than its employees. When the employees are happy, you will notice a rise in productivity and this is exactly what you need to help the business grow. By making small but effective changes in your daily habits, you can improve the level of productivity amongst the employees. Here are top tips on how to get the most out of your employees and ensure that their productivity remains at an all-time high. 

Utilize the Right Software

Embracing technological tools, specifically the right software, can significantly enhance productivity in your workplace. Software solutions such as Google Workspace offer a comprehensive suite of collaboration and productivity tools that streamline workflow and foster effective communication. Google Workspace integrates a variety of applications like Gmail, Docs, Drive, Calendar, Meet, and more, enabling employees to collaborate in real time, and reducing time spent on emailing and meetings.

Be efficient  

You need to consider how the business is operating currently and be open to the potential of changing the way you work. You need to remember that it is important to make short term and long term goals to prioritize tasks. If there is any better manner in which the staff could structure their day, you need to adopt that manner. Provide every member with a plan and encourage him/her to make a list to ensure that the given task is completed on time.  

 

Delegate

 There is no denying the fact that delegation carries a risk but increased responsibility is essential for the improvement of the morale of your staff. Companies are more likely to thrive if they encourage employees to voice their ideas and opinions. You need to give responsibilities to the employees that have a proven track record with success and trust that they will perform well. If the employees are given a voice to share their opinions, it will benefit your company.  

 

Cut down on distractions  

Social media is the biggest productivity killer but it is not practical to have a no-phone policy in the office. Hence, you need to try to keep the employees focus while allowing them room to breath. You need to encourage the employees to turn off their phones but take breaks during which they can check the phones.  

 

Improve workplace conditions  

When there is a comfortable working temperature and there are right tools and equipment, employee productivity is enhanced. Ensure that the environment is not too hot or too cold. Ensure that the heating and cooling system is working in order for the relevant seasons.  

 

Set realistic goals  

A big problem for managers is having no clear sense of whether the employees are performing well or not. You need to identify if the employees need an incentive to stay on track. You need to help them by offering goals that are practical and achievable. Give them a clear direction and clarify expectations. Do not be unrealistic because they are humans and not machines. You need to look at different ways to increase productivity and have a clear focus on the goals.  

 

Every employer wants to ensure that the employees perform efficiently and this can only be achieved with the support of the entire team. Do not expect overnight results and be realistic in the goals you set.   


Guide created by GoFog Inc.

Allstate Increases Partnership with College Football by Adding On-the-Road Correspondent

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NORTHBROOK, Ill., November 29, 2023 – Allstate is excited to unveil its pioneering collaboration with renowned social media creator Katie Feeney as the company’s inaugural on-the-road college football correspondent. Feeney will take fans on an exclusive behind-the-scenes journey to some of the most highly anticipated college football games. This will include her travels to the stadium using Allstate Drivewise®, interactions with fans, and capturing the overall excitement.

“If there’s one company that knows college football, it’s Allstate,” Feeney says. “Being an Allstate customer, I’m thrilled to team up with them for this unique experience that will provide fans a first-person glimpse into the game we all love. I can’t wait to show you everything from my gameday rituals to driving tips to get to the game safely to sharing fans’ excitement when we get there.”

Feeney will be attending two of this season’s biggest games on behalf of Allstate:

  • SEC Championship | Saturday, Dec. 2, 2023 |
    Atlanta, GA
  • Allstate Sugar Bowl | Monday, Jan. 1, 2024 |
    New Orleans, LA

“Surprisingly, having a connected experience with your insurer has numerous advantages – from receiving personalized rates based on your driving habits to practical driving assistance, such as finding affordable gas and savings on parking,” emphasized Stacy Sharpe, senior vice president of corporate brand at Allstate. “We care about fostering connections, particularly within the college football community. Our collaboration with Katie enables us to do just that.”  

For two decades, Allstate has played a pivotal role as one of college football’s most active corporate partners. From supporting university scholarships through its “Good Hands” Field Goal Net program to honoring student-athletes with the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team®, Allstate is a proud member of the college football community. In January, Allstate will mark its 18th year as the title sponsor of the Allstate Sugar Bowl.

About Allstate

The Allstate Corporation (NYSE: ALL) protects people from life’s uncertainties with a wide array of protection for autos, homes, electronic devices, and identity theft. Products are available through a broad distribution network including Allstate agents, independent agents, major retailers, online, and at the workplace. Allstate is widely known for the slogan “You’re in Good Hands with Allstate.” For more information, visit www.allstate.com.

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Top Secure Banks in the United States and Tips for Protecting Your Finances

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When depositing your hard-earned money, you want to know that you’re dealing with a stable and secure bank that will keep your money safe.

And while no financial institution is 100% risk-free, certain national banks (brick-and-mortar and online banks) with significant assets and a lengthy operational history can be more secure than some smaller, local banks.

While it’s difficult to crown a “safest bank,” we’ve compiled a list of Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC)-insured banks that you can trust to keep funds secure.

Table of Contents
  1. Safest Brick and Mortar Banks in the U.S.
    1. AgriBank
    2. JPMorgan Chase
    3. M&T Bank
    4. PNC Bank
    5. U.S. Bank
  2. Safest Online Banks in the U.S.
    1. Ally Bank
    2. American Express National Bank
    3. Axos Bank
    4. Barclays Bank
    5. Citi
    6. Discover Bank
    7. Quontic Bank
    8. SoFi Bank
  3. FAQs
  4. You Play a Role in Keeping Your Money Safe
  5. Final Thoughts

Safest Brick and Mortar Banks in the U.S.

In 2024, most people do at least a portion of their banking through online channels. However, a full-service bank where you can walk into a local branch to deposit funds, walk out with cash, or speak with an advisor about loan options can be invaluable. Here are several national and regional banks (listed alphabetically) for you to consider.  

AgriBank

AgriBank differs from most physical banks as it exclusively serves farmers in the Midwest and Great Plains. The St. Paul, Minnesota-based bank is a regional wholesale bank within the nationwide Farm Credit system. It reports over $156 billion in total assets within its 15-state service area.

AgriBank is one of four self-funded wholesale banks and maintains a AAA financial strength rating. It was founded in 1916 by congressional action but relies on private dollars from Wall Street to help rural farmers by selling debt securities.

For example, Global Finance finds this institution among the strongest Farm Credit banking partners on its World’s Safest Banks 2023 — Global Top 100 list published in November 2023. In fact, AgriBank is the safest bank in the U.S. and #42 in the world, according to this report. This rating can provide additional assurance as it serves America’s Heartland, where most of the nation’s farming happens. 

Other Farm Credit banks with similar ratings include:

  • AgFirst Farm Credit Bank
  • CoStar
  • Farm Credit Bank of Texas

Farming families can apply for agriculture-related loans through AgriBank but can’t open personal or business deposit accounts as it’s not a full-service bank.           

Related: How to Invest in Farmland 

JPMorgan Chase

JPMorgan Chase (FDIC Cert# 628) is the largest bank in the United States, with over $3.3 trillion in assets through September 2023. The bank charter dates back to 1824 with well-established financial roots. Its FDIC profile lists 4,918 locations in 49 states, along with 198 foreign locations. 

Its Chase Bank network has brick-and-mortar branches in most states, and wealthy individuals can access J.P. Morgan Wealth Management services. Others enjoy using Chase’s rewards credit cards, like the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card, for travel rewards and cash back.

It is easy to dispute fraudulent transactions, as banking customers can easily monitor account activity online or through the Chase Bank mobile app. There are toll-free numbers to report questionable activity, and the bank uses two-factor authentication to prevent unauthorized logins.

If you’re interested in dealing with Chase, check out our list of Chase Bank promotions.

M&T Bank

M&T Bank (FDIC Cert# 588) is one of the leading regional banks serving the New England and Mid-Atlantic areas, with over 1,000 locations in 15 states. The institution dates back to 1856 as the Manufacturers and Traders Trust Company. It currently has $208.6 billion in total assets and is one of the nation’s 25 largest banks.

This regional bank offers many personal banking products, including the EZChoice free personal checking account. The account doesn’t charge monthly maintenance fees or require a minimum ongoing balance. However, overdraft fees and other incidental charges may apply.

You can quickly transfer money to friends and family using Zelle, and the mobile app makes it easy to monitor your spending habits. There are also multiple checking, savings, credit card, and loan options to choose from, with flexible financing options to fit most budgets.

M&T Bank also caters to business customers, with business checking, financing, SBA loans, and business credit cards. The institution reports over 295,000 business customers with easy access to local branches and online platforms. 

Check out the latest M&T Bank promotions with fee-friendly banking options.

PNC Bank

As the sixth-largest bank in terms of total assets, PNC Bank (FDIC Cert# 6384) reports $553.1 billion of assets under management. The 29-state banking network has 2,398 branch locations along with a charter dating back to 1804.

PNC Bank offers many personal, small business, and corporate banking options. Checking account customers can benefit from a Virtual Wallet that lets you manage a savings or checking account from the same platform. Other neat features include Low Cash Mode, which is similar to complimentary overdraft protection, bill payment reminders, and the ability to create savings goals.

Unlike many large banks, which provide very little interest on savings accounts, PNC customers can open a High-Yield Savings Account in participating states. As a major bank, it has several specialty loan programs that can make it easier to buy a house or qualify for banking relationship perks.

PNC’s online banking is very secure and requires you to use security questions and two-factor authentication. Customers can request account activity alerts and easily report suspicious activity. Further, PNC Bank partners with Trusteer Rapport to provide free malware software to banking customers.

Here are the latest PNC Bank promotions to consider. 

U.S. Bank

U.S. Bank (FDIC Cert# 6548) has approximately $657.1 billion in total assets, making it the nation’s fifth-largest bank (as of September 2023). Its bank charter was initially granted in 1863, and the institution has approximately 2,300 branch locations in 28 states. Most locations are in the midwestern and western United States.

This national bank offers FDIC-insured consumer and business checking accounts. You can check out the bank’s coverage limits by account type here.

The platform has many industry-standard fraud prevention measures, including data encryption, two-factor authentication, educational resources, and the ability to report suspicious activity by phone or email.

You can see the latest U.S. Bank promotions here.

Safest Online Banks in the U.S.

Millions of Americans are dealing with online-only banks in 2024. While there may not be any physical branch locations, and most online banks don’t have a lengthy history, it doesn’t mean that they aren’t safe to deal with. Many online banks face similar regulatory guidelines to traditional banks and are FDIC members.

It’s often easier to open an account with an online bank because you can complete the entire process from the comfort of your living room. Online banks are also more likely to waive account service fees and minimum balance requirements and offer higher interest rates on savings due to their lower overhead costs.

In recent years, neobanks and financial technology (fintech) apps have emerged. These companies provide banking services without having a formal bank charter. They partner with chartered banks to provide pass-through FDIC coverage. This means that your accounts are protected as they would be with a physical bank, but there is an intermediary between you and your deposits.   

Here are some of the oldest and largest online banks that are less likely to be acquired by another platform or to stop offering banking services due to unprofitability.  

Ally Bank

Ally Bank (FDIC Cert# 57803) is a multi-faceted online bank that’s best known for its free checking and high-yield savings accounts and CDs. It’s one of the largest digital banks, with approximately $185.7 billion in total assets.

Ally Bank began in 2000 as GMAC Bank and rebranded in 2009 to better reflect the many financial products the institution offers beyond auto loans (its original purpose).

Banking customers can open checking, savings, money market, term CDs, and a no-penalty CD and earn a competitive interest rate. Further, checking customers can order free standard checks and enjoy over 43,000 surcharge-free Allpoint ATMs for cash withdrawals.

Ally Bank is also a lender. Their consumer loan options include auto, home, and personal loans. Ally lending products are priced competitively and feature low fees and competitive underwriting speeds. Rewards credit cards are also available on an invite-only basis.

Accountholders are eligible for $250,000 in FDIC coverage. As a result, single accounts have $250,000 in coverage benefits, and joint accounts can enjoy as much as $500,000. Custodial accounts are eligible for $250,000 in coverage.

Ally Bank offers 24/7 customer service to access your account easily. The bank uses standard bank security practices to encrypt your account. 

If you’re hoping to keep your assets under one umbrella, you may also consider Ally Invest. This online brokerage offers self-managed brokerage and retirement accounts. Robo portfolios are available, too. It’s possible to make commission-free trades and enjoy impressive stock research tools

Check out these Ally Bank and Ally Invest promotions to earn bonus cash.

American Express National Bank

American Express National Bank (FDIC Cert# 27471) is the online banking arm of the well-known credit card issuer and payment processor. The bank charter was established in 1989. It has approximately $174.8 billion in assets through personal high-yield savings and CDs. There are also personal and business checking options along with personal loans.

Each depositor is eligible for up to $250,000 in FDIC insurance. The online platform utilizes multi-factor authentication and five-minute automatic timeouts to prevent unauthorized activity.   

There are several American Express Bank promotions available, but depending on the offer, you may need an American Express credit card to qualify.

Axos Bank

Axos Bank (FDIC Cert# 35546) is one of the original online banks, starting out as Bank of Internet USA in 2000. The online-only bank has $19.9 billion in total assets.

Axos offers the InsureGuard+ Savings account to its high-net-worth clients. This insured cash sweep program provides up to $200 million in coverage benefits without having to create multiple bank accounts to store your wealth. Instead, Axos has several partner banks to insure your excess deposits and still have total access within a single account.

The standard FDIC coverage limit is $250,000 per checking and savings customer. Personal and business banking accounts are available. 

Check out these Axos Bank promotions.

Barclays Bank

Barclays Bank (FDIC Cert# 57203) is an online-only bank in the United States with $38.4 billion in total assets. The institution has been operating within this country since 2000, although its banking history dates back to 1690 in the streets of London.

Currently, consumers can open a high-yield savings account and CDs. Personal loans and co-branded credit cards are the other products available. Unfortunately, Barclays US is not a full-service online banking solution as it doesn’t offer checking accounts, but you can open a variety of short-term investments through its platform.

Citi

Citi® (FDIC Cert# 7213) is one of the U.S.’s “Big Five” banks, with $1.6 trillion in total assets and a bank charter certificate dating back to 1812. However, the bank’s physical footprint is surprisingly small, with only 668 locations in 13 states and 281 foreign locations. 

Customers can access full-service banking with consumer and business options to save, spend, and borrow. There is also a wealth management option for private client banking. 

Check out these Citi promotions, which include some valuable signup bonuses.  

Discover Bank

Discover Bank has been in the online banking arena since 2000, although the institution started out as Greenwood Trust Company in 1911. The bank issues the iconic Discover credit card and also offers bank accounts and consumer loans with $141.2 billion in total assets.

The Discover Bank Online Savings Account offers a competitive interest rate without a minimum balance requirement or account service fees. There is also a free checking account that pays up to 1% back on debit card purchases and offers access to over 60,000 fee-free ATMs.

The standard FDIC insurance limit is $250,000. Still, a couple can have as much as $1.5 million in coverage through joint accounts and qualifying investment-related accounts, such as an IRA CD. The bank explains how to get maximum coverage here.

Here are the best Discover Bank promotions available now.  

Quontic Bank

Quontic Bank (FDIC Cert# 57807) was established in 2009 and has $561 million in assets within the United States. It offers a variety of high-yield and rewards checking, savings, and CD products. Customers receive $250,000 in FDIC coverage benefits. 

As a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI), it specializes in making homeownership affordable through various home loan programs to borrowers in distressed communities. The non-traditional underwriting model makes qualifying applicants with high debt-to-income ratios, self-employment income, and other unique situations easier. 

This institution is known as an early adopter of new technology. One example is a wearable pay ring that’s free with new checking accounts. Additionally, Quontic states that it’s “the first bank of the Metaverse.” 

SoFi Bank

SoFi Bank (FDIC Cert# 26881) has $21.5 billion in total assets. This financial platform received its bank charter in 2022, allowing it to offer more services. A SoFi membership provides many additional perks, such as career counseling, financial planning, and potential loan savings. 

SoFi Checking and Savings customers can access up to $2 million in FDIC coverage, which is one of the reasons SoFi made it onto our list. SoFi provides the first $250,000 ($500,000 for

Bursátil Consultation – November 2023 (Value Investing FM)

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Consultorio bursátil de noviembre de 2023 en el que Adrián Godás y Paco Lodeiro respondemos a las preguntas de los oyentes.

Las consultas generales de este mes son sobre la contabilidad de ventas con en el modelo SaaS, los descuentos por paternidad en Academia de Inversión, la fórmula mágica de Joel Greenblatt, qué comprar Black Friday, empezar a leer en inglés y sobre comprar acciones de pink sheets en Interactive Brokers.

Las dudas sobre empresas y sectores son sobre Fasadgruppen, Cornish Metals, MP Materials, Perseus Mining, carbón metalúrgico y estaño y sobre Georgia Capital.

Consultorio Bursátil – Noviembre 2023

En YouTube

En Apple Podcasts

En iVoox

En Spotify

Por último, como siempre, te agradeceríamos mucho que nos dieras 5 estrellas en Apple Podcasts y tu me gusta en iVoox, Spotify y YouTube, ya que nos ayudarás a que este podcast siga existiendo y siga creciendo. 🙂

Patrocinador del programa


PALEOBULL

Suplementos y alimentos basados en ingredientes naturales de máxima calidad.

Sin ultraprocesados.

Cómo enviar consultas

Puedes enviar tus consultas a través del formulario de contacto.

Dudas generales

Sobre la contabilidad de ventas con en el modelo SaaS.

Hola Paco y Adrián, maravilloso podcast.

Tengo la duda de cómo se contabilizan las ventas por suscripción, la empresa recibe el dinero antes de dar el servicio, esto entraría en el balance como un activo? entrando en la línea de trade receivables y luego pasando a revenues cuando ha pasado el periodo de suscripción y la empresa ha dado el servicio? o sería un pasivo, ya que la empresa es un servicio que tiene que dar todavía? En ese caso en que línea del balance entraría? estoy confuso y chat GPT y Bard no me dan mucha confianza en sus respuestas. Muchas gracias de antemano máquinas.

(Daniel Gallardo Campos desde Barcelona)

The shekel weakens in the first week of 2024, according to Investorempires.com

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The shekel has weakened in the first week of 2024. In afternoon inter-bank trading, the shekel-dollar rate is 0.09% higher at NIS 3.649/$, and the shekel-euro rate is 0.32% higher at NIS 3.996/€.

Yesterday, the Bank of Israel set the representative shekel-dollar rate up 0.802% from Tuesday, at NIS 3.647/$, and the representative shekel-euro rate was set 0.151% higher at NIS 3.983/€. But the shekel began the year at NIS 3.60/$, so what has happened to cause the Israeli currency to lose ground?

IBI chief economist Rafi Gozlan tells “Globes” that the events influencing the foreign exchange market this week stemmed mainly from domestic matters. Firstly there was the interest rate cut by the Bank of Israel. Gozlan says, “The market expected the interest rate to be cut by the bank, and was not surprised by the actual cut, but the market had not fully priced it in, so we saw the shekel weaken against the dollar following the decision.” Interest rate differences affect the attractiveness of the market, and a falling interest rate makes a country less profitable for investment compared with other countries.

Beyond that, the northern border became very tense this week. Gozlan points out that the assassination of Hamas deputy leader Saleh al-Arouri in Beirut affected the market: “The escalation on the northern front led to a reaction on all markets, the shekel weakened, the stock market (TASE) plunged and Israel’s risk premium in the world rose.”

The threats to Israel are not only relevant to the northern sector. Mizrahi Tefahot Bank chief economist Ronen Menachem, chief economist told “Globes,” He says, “The Houthis continue to cast a shadow on global foreign trade and this is especially true from the Israeli point of view.”

Apart from these events, Gozlan points out that 2023 ended with the dollar weak worldwide. He says, “The end of the year sees sparse trading on the markets following the holidays. Trading of the dollar weakened globally and also led to the strengthening of the shekel at the end of the year. Now we see the dollar returning to its original level.” This explains part of the strengthening of the US currency regardless of what is happening in Israel.

What will now happen?

Security matters will continue to be a source of concern for the markets. Gozlan stresses, “The defense sector is one of the main elements that influences the Israeli market. The ‘day after the war’ discussion, which relates not only to the geopolitical environment but also to the political aspect and whether Israel will go to the elections at the end the war add a layer of uncertainty that will affect the markets and the shekel in the future.”

Menachem points out this week’s High Court of Justice decisions quashing the government’s judicial reform law on reasonableness and postponing application of the recusal law to the next Knesset could lead to future tensions: “A significant part of the strengthening of the shekel since the outbreak of the war is related to the assumption that the issue would drop from the agenda and not return to its former intensity. Although during the fighting the issue has indeed received a low resonance, it may again challenge the markets, and the shekel within it, in the future.”

Published by Globes, Israel business news – en.globes.co.il – on January 4, 2024.

© Copyright of Globes Publisher Itonut (1983) Ltd., 2024.

XBorg successfully raises $2 million in seed funding to drive the future of gaming

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Dubai, United Arab Emirates, July 13th, 2023, Chainwire

XBorg, the Web3 company developing a collaborative credential infrastructure that allows players to create their digital identity and enjoy tailored user experiences within enhanced gaming applications, sold out their $2 million seed round community allocation in record time. The funds will facilitate the scaling and adoption efforts of XBorg’s infrastructure and applications to reach millions of players and fans worldwide.

Ahead of the raise, XBorg collected interest from more than 8,300 investors totalling $7M in soft commitments but decided to cap the community allocation at $2 million and maintain the remaining $3 million for leading VCs, closing out the $5 million seed round. The $XBG token, expected to be launched towards the end of 2023, is now sitting at a $50m valuation.

XBorg Founder and CEO, Louis Regis reacted: “Since day one, we have included our community in the development of XBorg as we believe that the future of gaming will be built by its players. Allocating a large part of our seed round to our community showcases our support for this notion. The widespread enthusiasm of our community in the current market conditions has exceeded all of our expectations and demonstrates their trust in our vision to disrupt the gaming and fan engagement industry.”

In the coming months, XBorg is launching its first application in partnership with some of the most prominent esports teams in the industry. The current Rocket League world champions, Team BDS, were the first team to be announced, with many more in the pipeline. The XBorg app will enable players and fans to build their digital identity, meaningfully connect with their favourite gaming communities, and collect digital items with unique perks that unlock exclusive experiences. By the end of the year, XBorg aims to become the fastest-growing gaming credential infrastructure via its partnerships with tier-1 esports teams and popular gaming influencers.

Users can already create an XBorg account and get a taste of what their complete app will be like here. Users are rewarding early supporters of their ecosystem, so they should be sure to be active participants and refer their friends if they want to take advantage of this.

About XBorg

XBorg is developing a collaborative credential infrastructure that allows players to create their digital identity and enjoy tailored user experiences within enhanced gaming applications. XBorg is releasing its first application powered by its credential infrastructure, in partnership with the largest esports organisations in the world, to scale the adoption of its technology to millions of players and fans. XBorg is a spin-off of SwissBorg, a crypto wealth management application with over 750,000 users.

For more information about XBorg, visit their website, follow them on Twitter, or join their community on Discord.

Contact

Growth & Marketing
Connor Kirsten
XBorg
[email protected]


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Strategic Employee Succession Planning and Seamless Knowledge Transfer

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It’s been

reported that about 4.4. million Americans will attain age 65 this year—12,000 people a day. While those attaining age 65 in 2024 won’t be eligible for full Social Security retirement benefits until they’re 66 years and 10 months, these numbers should still make employers think about workers retiring—now or soon. Yes, many
seniors are staying in the workforce, but not all. Small business owners may have done planning for their own retirement and what that means for their companies, but don’t overlook planning for employees’ departure because of retirement or other reasons.







Overview of knowledge transfer and succession planning

When an employee leaves the company, be sure there’s a knowledge transfer. What that employee learned about how to do the job and how the company operates as well as details about customers, vendors, and the company culture are critical for the business to continue operating well when that employee is no longer with the company. More specifically, knowledge transfer includes:

  • Explicit knowledge transfer—written procedures, documents, manuals.

  • Tacit knowledge transfer—personal interactions and experiences.

  • Inter-organizational knowledge transfer


    —information about collaborations.

  • Intra-organizational knowledge transfer

    —information between individuals and teams.

Why is succession planning so that there’s knowledge transfer important? Here’s one example: Several years ago, the

National Safety Council found

that 75% of organizations didn’t have succession planning for occupational safety and health functions. Because of the lack of succession planning in this area alone, businesses have experienced serious OSHA penalties (the

maximum penalty for 2024 is $15,625 per violation

).


Training

The particulars of a job may be complex, even more complex than you initially think. Sure, you can detail the aspects of a position—the tasks that normally are or should be completed on a daily/weekly/monthly basis, but that may not cover what actually goes on. What are the job responsibilities? What are the projects being worked on and where do they stand? What are the inter-personal aspects of the job and the players involved?



What to do:
Smart Tribute’s beginner’s guide to knowledge transfer

lists 6 steps for knowledge transfer:


  1. Identify the knowledge to be transferred
  2. Identify the target audience (another employee; a team)
  3. Choose the right method (shadowing, mentoring, documentation)

  4. Develop a structured approach (checklists, timelines)
  5. Create a supportive environment
  6. Measure and evaluate success

It may be helpful to have one employee shadow another to see how things are done and learn things that are not easily communicated. Mentoring on a regular basis is another way to ensure that knowledge is transferred.


Recordkeeping

Records are essential to every business. As Ross Perot, Jr. said:

“You really need to be on top of what you own, and you’ve got to be on top of your record-keeping.”

But written and electronic records are vulnerable to omissions, destruction, or other actions that make them incomplete or missing.

Much focus has been on cybersecurity and fears of hacking, ransomware, and other online threats. But what would happen if a disgruntled worker wiped company data off his/her computer or stole written documents just before quitting?





What to do:
It’s helpful to have multiple ways to access records. For example, a file on an employee’s laptop should be saved to the cloud. Paper records should be scanned and saved. And there should be ongoing review of recordkeeping practices to see that they are being followed.


Final thought

In small businesses, it’s often difficult to have redundancies; there just aren’t enough people or money to accomplish this. But give consideration to some cross training so that if one employee leaves—either through a planned retirement or because of a sudden event (e.g., quitting, firing, disability)—the company is covered. Also set practices for protecting company information from internal threats.

Fewer Entering the Market as Home Prices Reach New Highs

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Ed Augustus the states first secretary of housing and livable communities made his pitch for Gov Maura Healeys $41 billion housing bond and policy bill Tuesday Oct 24 2023 in Attleboro

Mass. Home Sales Down Nearly 23 Percent So Far In 2023

DEC. 19, 2023…..Single-family home sales in Massachusetts were down markedly in November while housing prices set record highs for the month. And if that sounds familiar, it’s probably because it was the sixth consecutive month to post a double-digit percentage decline in sales and a new monthly record high median sale price.

The Warren Group reported Tuesday that there were 3,447 single-family homes sold in the state last month, a 10.6 percent decline from November 2022 and the smallest number of single-family home sales for any November since 2011. With inventories limited, the average sale price for a single-family home increased 8.4 percent over last November to $579,900, setting a new all-time high for November.

“Market conditions and trends remained relatively unchanged in November as limited inventory in Massachusetts pushed single-family prices to a new all-time high for the month and sales fell by more than 10 percent on a year-over-year basis,” Cassidy Norton, associate publisher and media relations director for The Warren Group, said. “I don’t expect the pressure building behind this pent-up demand to be relieved this year; I think we can expect to see more of the same in the coming months due to elevated interest rates. However, the Federal Reserve has indicated it intends to reduce interest rates in 2024, which may help relieve some of that pressure.”

Activity in the condominium market “was nearly lockstep with single-family trends” last month, Norton said. There were 1,487 condo sales in November 2023, down 10.3 percent compared to the 1,658 sales in November 2022. And similar to the single-family market, the median condo sale price climbed 5.3 percent year-over-year to a new November record of $500,000.

Though high and not much more affordable than a single-family home, Norton said that the $500,000 median condo sale price could represent “a glimmer of hope for prospective buyers, as the median sale prices appears to have plateaued,” sticking at the half-million dollar mark for the last three months.

Through the first 11 months of 2023, there have been 37,629 single-family homes sold in Massachusetts, The Warren Group said. That’s a 22.9 percent drop from the first 11 months of 2022. And the year-to-date median sale price for a single-family home is up 4 percent over the same period in 2022, standing at $572,000. The 17,849 condo sales so far this year represent a 19 percent drop from the first 11 months of 2022 while the median sale price of $512,900 is up 4.7 percent over the same time period.

The tax relief law that Gov. Maura Healey signed this fall expanded tax credits and incentives available to developers, but otherwise, the Legislature took little action this year to rein in the state’s housing affordability crisis.

Housing Secretary Ed Augustus this fall described a 200,000-unit housing gap in Massachusetts that must be closed to keep up with population growth and stem the loss of talented workers. He and Healey are now working to convince the Legislature to act with urgency on the administration’s five-year, $4.12 billion housing bond bill (H 4138) that Healey filed in October.

Augustus said in October that 1.6 percent of housing units across Massachusetts were available for sale or rent, calling it the lowest vacancy rate of all 50 states.

“A healthy housing ecosystem should be 4 to 5 percent vacancy rate at any given time, which empowers a consumer to be able to get a rental unit or to make a reasonable offer on purchasing a home,” he said during an event in Attleboro. “How many people here have a family member or experienced themselves or know somebody they’ve worked with who’ve had to make multiple over-asking offers and then still to come away not having the opportunity of homeownership? That is what that low vacancy rate represents to real people.”

The Housing Committee, which got Healey’s bill on Oct. 18, has not yet scheduled a hearing on it. And while Healey has downplayed the notion that the Legislature’s slow pace is holding the state back, she has also rallied supporters around the state to echo her calls for urgency on the housing issue.

“Housing construction starts will start in the spring or not, right? So, we’ve got to get this going and get this going now,” Healey said in Attleboro last month.

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New and Improved Money-Making App for 2024 – Stay Ahead with Beating Broke

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New and Improved Money-Making App for 2024 – Stay Ahead with Beating Broke
Snapshot of author’s 1Q screen.

Between declining real wages, naggingly high inflation and escalating real costs for housing and medical care, a lot of people are looking to build extra income.  With the growth of mobile technology, we now have various mobile apps that offer an opportunity to make extra money in a time efficient way.  The 1Q app is one of these apps that is currently becoming a popular choice. In this blog post, I will take you through an in-depth review of the 1Q app, outlining how it works and its benefits.

This review is largely based on my personal experience with 1Q.  During the covid-19 pandemic, my income crashed.  So, I had to find alternative ways of making extra money.  So, what I did was experiment with survey apps.  I tried about ten of them.  Of these 1Q was one of the winners.  And is one of the few I consistently use.  The overall verdict is 1Q is a good value for the time you spend answering questions – however its limited in the overall amount of money you can earn from the app.

1. What Is The 1Q app?

1Q, or 1Question,  is a mobile-based survey app that pays you in real-time for answering brief surveys. With one question popping up at a time, it takes no more than a few seconds to respond to each query, making the entire process very easy and convenient. You earn about $0.25 cents for each question you complete, and payments are made immediately.  Unlike other survey apps that take many days to pay, 1Q credits your PayPal account in approximate real team.  There also aren’t any minimums.  If you just answer one question – you get the $0.25 cents right away – no minimums.

2. How Does It Work?

To use 1Q for making extra money, you first need to download the app from either the Google Play Store or Apple Store. After that, you must create a profile and answer a few questions that help the app connect you with surveys that match your interests. Once your profile is complete, you will begin to receive notifications to take surveys.  You can find the Google Play Store here, and the Apple Store here.

Per Crunchbase, the app is owned by an Atlanta based market research company called 1Q, LLC (here).  Their business model is they basically maintain a panel of people who are interested in answering questions.  The app then works with companies to get feedback on their specific brands or products.

3. Benefits of Using 1Q

There are plenty of benefits of using 1Q app. Firstly, it is simple and quick, taking no more than a few seconds to complete a survey. Secondly, you earn money in real-time, making it a great option for people looking to make extra cash quickly. Unlike other survey apps which pay via PayPal, 1Q credits your account directly, ensuring you receive your cash instantly.

The app is also lightweight and doesn’t impact your phone’s performance or battery life.

4. Downsides of Using 1Q

Although 1Q is an excellent way to make extra cash, it also has some downsides. Since the app only allows one survey at a time, there is a limit to how many surveys you can complete in a day. This means that you cannot depend solely on 1Q for earning an income. You also need to have a PayPal account to withdraw your earnings since the app does not support any other payment options.

5. What Other People Say About 1Q

Lastly, some users often complain of not receiving many surveys, depending on their demographics and interests.  Here is a screenshot of one of the reviews from Trustpilot:

1Q app review example from Crunchbase, accessed October 15th, 2023.

There several reviews of 1Q on YouTube. Here is an exemplary one – it pretty much outlines the same things this article is discussing. The app is solid and pays well – but doesn’t pay a lot.

 

6. Who Should Use 1Q?

Who should use 1Q?  Pretty much anyone whose income situation would be helped by a high compensation per question survey.

Most survey apps pay a terrible rate.  In some cases they translate to an hourly rate of between $5 and $10 per hour.  This is substantially less than minimum wage and is frankly depressing. Since 1Q pays an excellent rate per question its a good way to make money on the side.   So, this means its probably a nice way to boost your cashflow for anyone whose income is say, below $60,000.

It works in North America only, so you have to be in the US and Canada to use the app.

You can get it here, or click on the button below.

Get 1Q And Start Earning Now

Conclusion – 1Q Pays Well, But Isn’t A Replacement For Your Day Job

In conclusion, if you are looking for a convenient and quick way to make extra cash, 1Q app is a good option to consider. The app is easy to use, and you can start earning immediately after downloading it. Although its challenging to generate substantial income using 1Q alone, it is still an excellent way to supplement your income. With its real-time payment, it can be a helpful tool for anyone looking to pick up some extra cash.

Here Are More Great Reads From Beating Broke

Four Ways To Find Extra Money To Put Towards Your Debt

Is A Side Hustle Worth The Sacrifice To Your Family?

Money Is A Finite Resource, So Take Care Of It

Bitcoin: A Value Investor’s Perspective

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Well, here’s the sentence I never thought I would write: today you are going to be reading a value investor’s review of Bitcoin as a credible part of a portfolio.

 

First a proud disclaimer

 

I’ve been value investing for 15 years.

In that time I’ve always prioritized risk-avoidance, fiscal conservatism, and easily understood businesses.

I’ve never bought gold. I’ve never bought a company with no revenue, I’ve never bought a SPAC, and I very rarely buy companies that don’t have positive net income.

Heck, I don’t even like buying companies with debt (although sometimes I break that rule).

So how is it that I’m now considering taking a big chunk of my family’s hard-won investment nest-egg and using it to ‘buy’ something that is really just a string of 1s and 0s on a made-up ledger? 

 

What makes a value investor finally decide to take a look at one of the most anti-value investments there is?

 

Strange times call for strange choices.

As we come out of the pandemic there is no question that we’re all in uncharted territory with respect to government issued currencies.

With many countries increasing money supply 20% or more in under a year, it’s hard to imagine that the value of dollars (US or otherwise) isn’t being eroded somehow.

On top of that, bonds are dead, stocks are still at all-time highs, and gold is well…no better than Bitcoin.

But that is not why I’m writing this.

More importantly than any of that, 2020’s valuable lesson to any investor that was paying attention was that just because you don’t understand a business or an idea, doesn’t mean that business (or idea) isn’t going to change the world.

In 2020, the valuations of the biggest tech companies in the world took over the S&P500.  And even though I can’t begin to properly understand their businesses, one quick look at their EDGAR filings clearly shows that they earned every dollar of those incredible valuations.

Bitcoin is another fringe idea that up until now was ignored by investors like me…but 2020 has taught me ignoring disruptive tech is no longer an option.

 

Bitcoin is now a 1 Trillion dollar macro-asset and like it or not, EVERYONE needs to formulate an opinion on it

 

So here’s mine.

(If you’ve made it this far I congratulate you.  What’s about to follow would make Graham and Dodd roll right over in their graves.)

 

Disclosure: DRI is long Bitcoin

 

*IMPORTANT NOTE: for reasons too complicated to cover in this already overly long article I have split purchases of Bitcoin and Ethereum mostly due to the divergent roles their blockchains are playing.  Bitcoin seems to be functioning more as a store of value and Ethereum seems to be leading the charge towards NFT-type transactions (another idea that will rock your world if you’re not already familiar).

 

 

 

Did you enjoy this article?  Have a look at some of our other recent posts

 

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