Mohit Tater's Blog, page 527

What are Verbal Reasoning Tests

A commonly used type of Aptitude Test is the Verbal Reasoning Tests, as effective communication is one of the most essential skills in the world of work. Without expecting you to be a 21st century Shakespear, Verbal Reasoning Tests are built, simply with an aim to determine whether a candidate has the suitable level of literacy proficiency for the role they apply to. Below is an in-depth introduction to what a Verbal Reasoning Test is, as well as how and why they are used within the recruitment process. 

Defining Verbal Reasoning Tests

Verbal Reasoning Tests assess your ability to absorb, analyse and comprehend textual information, in the language your role requires you to communicate in. These tests are usually made up of paragraphs consisting of information related to your industry and multiple-choice style questions. Your job as a candidate is to read and examine the information given very closely and the most important of all is to avoid all assumptions, to complete the test accurately. Verbal Reasoning Tests help you and employers explore not only your literacy proficiency, but also your attention to details, mental agility and ability to maintain objectivity in different scenarios. Like other types of Aptitude Tests, their main goal is determining your potential rather than your depth of experience; therefore, they are normally seen in early career recruitment to scout for the best fits to a position. Major players like Unilever, L’oreal, Deloitte, EY and many more are all using them at the start of their assessment process for internships, industrial placements and graduate programmes.

How things work

Verbal Reasoning Tests are often part of the very first step in your online application, alongside or as a replacement of a CV and Cover Letter, besides other tests like Situational Judgement, Numerical Reasoning and Diagrammatic Reasoning Tests. You will be given a piece of written content with factual information regarding a topic relevant to the industry your role is based in and the task is to draw inferences from these sets of data, via selecting ‘True’, ‘False’, ‘Cannot Tell’ or other similar alternatives, depending on the purpose of questions and sometimes, the test provider. The tests might or might not be timed; however, it is likely that how quickly you are able to extract and process information will have an impact on your overall result. There is usually no fixed score to pass; instead, your performance will be reflected on a scale compared to other candidates, followed by a number of top performers being selected to the next stage, usually a video or phone interview and if successful, an Assessment Centre.

A quick starter guide

The most efficient way to get acquainted to Verbal Reasoning Tests, or any Aptitude Tests for that matter, is to know your Top Industry Tests before you even begin, and your test publisher (test provider) once an invitation has been sent to your email following registration. Although made for candidates of various levels and backgrounds, it is still worth practicing in a quiet environment well in advance to thoroughly understand the format and pacing of the questions, as well as to review your performance for future improvement. Most practice tests offer a very detailed feedback of your strengths and weaknesses, ensuring your fluency when it comes to the real assessments. 

Try our FREE Verbal Reasoning Tests from some of the major publishers like Cubiks, TalentLens, Pearson and Saville.     

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The Best Ways To Integrate Studying For A Degree Into Your Professional Life

As a working professional with a social life outside of your career, it can be difficult for you to find time to do everything you’ve always dreamed of.

So, what happens when your employer recommends that you undertake an employer sponsored degree to help you progress in your career? 

Earning a degree is an exciting experience but doing it whilst working can be tough. Here are some tips on how you can efficiently juggle your studies with your existing responsibilities. 

Create A Support Network

Working and studying for a degree are both incredibly time consuming, so the first thing you need to do is create a network of friends, family and colleagues who are all able and willing to help you out. This could range from little things like helping to reduce your workload or providing moral support or it could be bigger roles like helping you to study or batch cooking some healthy, nourishing meals to keep you going through the long nights studying after a hard day’s work. Whatever you need, find yourself a group of people who can provide it so that you don’t feel too stressed and know that you’re not going through this experience alone.

Find A Home With The Amenities You Need

As a student who’s also got a job, it can be hard for you to find the time to do enjoyable social activities like work out, spend time with friends and study in a comfortable environment, so try to find accommodation where you can do all these things and more. Many properties that welcome students, such as those offered by Collegiate, have all the facilities you could possibly want (including on onsite fitness suite), meaning that as soon as you get home you can jump straight into studying and having fun with your new university pals. 

Attend As Many Seminars And Classes As Possible

Students who are working at the same time as studying often find it hard to find the time to attend physical classes and seminars, but these are an important part of your course and as such you should try to make time for them if possible. One of the best ways to do this is to request time off work. After all, your new degree will benefit your company, so speak with your manager and do your best to attend as many classes as possible to make the most out of your university experience. 

Look After Yourself

When you’re busy working and studying, it can be easy to let your own health and wellbeing become a side-issue. However, you won’t be able to do either activity properly if you’re not mentally and physically fit, so it’s important that you make the time to take care of yourself. Try to find ways to integrate healthy eating, exercise and mental self-care into your schedule so that you can enjoy a fruitful experience doing your degree while working. 

Balancing your new studies and your career can be a challenge, but by working hard and being organised you can enjoy both experiences. Use these tips to guide you through the quagmire that is dealing with studying for a degree whilst working. 

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5 Day-Of Essentials for Event Planning Companies

Event planning is left to professional “work-your-magic” companies, which are comprised of highly organized, punctual, and creative individuals. It takes focus, dedication, and plenty of patience to do what you do best. With any event, large or small, there is always the risk of something going wrong. 

Incidents like damaged décor, disoriented guests, ripped or torn clothes, security concerns, and communication mishaps are bound to take place. Great planners prepare for these situations with the right tools and carefully practiced protocol. 

There are four day-of-event essentials every seasoned event planner has in their emergency kit, and most have versatile uses that are sure to save the day. 

Tape

Here you are on the day of the event and you are doing your final walkthrough. Chairs, tables, flowers, and cake are on your list of things to go over. Check, check, check, and check. As you walk past a hanging décor piece, you notice it seems a little off. Upon closer inspection, you find that several pieces of the décor are falling apart and you are left in a panic to fix it. Enter the quick-fix to a number of problems: tape. 

Different kinds of tape should be one of the essential must-haves during the day-of an event. Different kinds of tape can save you from several minor and major issues like repairing décor, stabilizing temporary flooring, to taping down wires to prevent trips and falls. 

When considering the types of tapes to bring along with you, consider a wide variety from clear, double-sided, duct, electrical tape, and fashion tape for wardrobe mishaps. You never know when you’ll need to whip out your tape toolkit and make a temporary fix.

Two-Way Radios

Another essential must-have during an event are two-way radios. A two-way radio can help you communicate with your staff, which is vital no matter the size of the event. This also provides you the capability of flexibility. For instance, your client might have mentioned that they wanted their cake to be set up at a certain time, but later decided that they want it to be set up now. Utilizing two-way radios will allow you to navigate through the change, effectively and efficiently. 

Two-way radios can also be used for security purposes. Perhaps your company was hired as a full package deal. This means decorating, catering, and security. Using a two-way radio can certainly provide a level of security that your clients will appreciate.

Furthermore, two-way radios beat out using smartphones to communicate with your staff due to their ability to immediately connect you. Reception halls with poor service and employees that won’t reply to your texts are no longer a problem. 

Batteries

In line with having useful electronics like the one mentioned above, batteries are also another essential day-of must-have for an event. Double-A and triple-A are the two most-used types of batteries, so keep plenty of those on hand. Consider also bringing along a few other types of batteries like the ones used in watches. These button-looking batteries can be useful in a variety of ways like for other small portable electronics, certain remotes, and pocket calculators. 

For instance, you may have set up a specific décor to turn on during the highlight of the event using a small remote control. You wouldn’t want to disappoint your clients when they use the remote and it doesn’t work. Rechargeable batteries are also great to have on hand, as long as they are pre-charged. Batteries of varying types, and even rechargeable kinds, can be an event-saver especially if you were also tasked to take photographs and videos.

Mini Sewing Kit

Nothing says being prepared like having a mini sewing kit with you. You may have accidentally tripped while making preparations, causing you to rip an embarrassing spot on your pants. Perhaps your client or your client’s guest have popped off a button on their shirt, or it so happens that all three of you need the loving help of a mini sewing kit. A mini sewing kit will certainly be a welcome and highly appreciated surprise for everyone involved during these embarrassing situations. So, save your clients and the event by bringing a mini sewing kit along with you to the event.

Bluetooth Speaker

You never know when the audio system you’ve rented out could decide to malfunction, if the setup won’t go according to schedule, or if the DJ/band you hired will back out. Having a Bluetooth speaker that can easily pair with your phone and connect to Spotify will save the day entertainment-wise. 

And, if you don’t end up using it during the event itself, playing some tunes while you and the vendors set up could be a great little productivity boost. Or, you can set it up in the lobby of the reception hall with some light classical music to welcome guests. 

A good event planner has their office supplies at the ready, but a great even planner has all the small tools nobody else thinks to bring, with every worst-case scenario mentally prepared in advance. It’s likely that having these items in your tool kit will get you re-hired time and time again for weddings, baby showers, and beyond. 

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Buying a Bar: 5 Things You Absolutely Need to Know

Have you ever gone out to a bar and thought to yourself “I’d run this place so much better”? It’s not impossible. In fact, it’s a great industry to invest in. Sure, the industry is challenging, and you’ll have to work hard to achieve your goals, but there’s no doubt it’s profitable and always in-demand.

The bar and tavern industry brings in $28 billion per year, so you’ll have no problem finding your slice of the pie. However, the best first step is to prepare yourself by saving funds for “seed” or startup money. Bars cost between $110,000 to $500,000 (on average) to open, and there are many fixed costs after that. For owners who plan on buying the facility too, the price tag goes up significantly.

Bar owners also need to pay for all the necessary permits, which vary based on locality. Naturally, a bar will also require a great deal of alcohol inventory. All of the essential startup costs go into creating the menu and establishing the service. Make sure you have a sound financial plan so that costs don’t catch you off guard.

Established cash flow brings profits.

Now for the good news. After investing a ton of cash, the bar owner starts to reap the rewards. A well-run and heavily trafficked location can bring in tens of thousands weekly, providing sufficient cash flow to run things and pay down any startup debt.

The average bar brings in $25,000 to $35,000 in weekly revenue, so there’s an excellent chance that the owner will make a profit quickly. Naturally, the owner still has to reduce expenses and keep the customers happy, but margins are high enough on food and drink to earn a sizable return.

You can pay investors back quickly.

With sufficient cash flow, it’s possible to pay back loans or investors in two years. As long as there’s adequate cash flow in the operations, it’s even possible to accelerate the time table. Naturally, how much you earn rests solely on how customers react to your business. If they love the environment, they’ll contribute cash every month, which keeps operations moving along nicely.

Bar owners who keep their early momentum going are in an excellent position to enjoy substantial profits. New bars tend to attract plenty of business from customers who are willing to give the establishment a chance. The ones that manage to retain them and turn them into loyal customers put a hefty premium in their investor’s profits every year.

Congenial staff is everything.

The team working at the bar makes or breaks a patron’s experience. Nobody wants to pay for drinks at an establishment with surly workers or uncaring staff. It pays to hire staff that fits the bar culture and makes customers feel welcome. The bar personnel is the most significant determinant of where a location succeeds or not. If you can get the most out of your employees, the effort will show up in the form of extra revenues.

Alcohol service training should be a continuous effort to keep everyone performing their best. Eager employees enjoy it because it teaches them how to master their profession to earn the highest possible income. They gain experience by working on the job, but tapping into training resources helps them achieve the next level of professionalism that propels their careers (and the bar’s fortune) skyward.

You’ll need three licenses.

In addition to alcohol certification and training for your bartenders, you’ll need various licenses for the establishment itself. Firstly, you’ll need a state-issued, on-license liquor license. This states that you intend for alcohol to be consumed on the premises. 

You can obtain a tavern license, which entitles you to serve all kinds of legal alcohol, or a beer and wine license, which prevents you from serving hard liquor. Note that the review period for a liquor license can take a while, particular depending on the demand within your state and how long it will take the review board to get to your request. 

What’s more, a liquor license isn’t the only kind of license you’ll need if you want to run a desirable establishment. You’ll also need a music license so that you can play music in the background without subjecting yourself to a copyright lawsuit. You’ll also need a health and food service license if you plan on serving small plates and nibbles in your establishment.

Having a business plan is key.

It takes a lot of effort to buy or start a bar, but it’s an achievable dream for anyone with a plan. Figure out how much you’re willing (or able) to put into the venture, and you can lay the groundwork for getting an establishment up and running.

If you’re planning on starting the bar with a team of investors, they’ll have plenty of input to add. It takes a few people sometimes to pore over the numbers and to come up with a viable plan for establishing the business. Most importantly, it’s worth researching the local market to determine whether there’s potential. Sometimes, there are golden opportunities available for those willing to do the research. 

You’ll need a good supplier ASAP.

There are three kinds of suppliers you should form relationships with: general bar suppliers (cocktail napkins, straws, etc.), glassware suppliers, and alcohol vendors. The latter ensure your bar is properly stocked with all the alcohol essentials to make any and every cocktail your clients may order. 

Developing relationships with local breweries and wineries could be one cost-effective way of doing this, while also showing you support the community. It’ll also give your bar extra appeal to those craft beer connoisseurs that live in the neighborhood. 

Seek out contracts with suppliers and distributors that have reasonable delivery costs, delivery schedules that align with your needs, and a selection that you can potentially sample so you can ensure you’re getting your money’s worth. 

You won’t become Sam Malone overnight when you open up your bar, but you will be able to quickly and comfortably create an establishment patrons love when you build relationships with the right suppliers, provide for your employees, and secure your licensing. Once all the technicalities are out of the way, you can focus on theme, the type of customer you’re trying to attract, and the overall atmosphere you wish to create.

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Should You Invest in a Single or Multi-Family Rental Property

If you’re ready to invest in a rental property and are looking to make your first purchase, you’re probably wondering if you should invest in a single-family home or a multi-family property. Each type of property brings a unique set of challenges to the equation and can provide benefits in your pocketbook and portfolio. Let’s dive into the pros and cons of each so you can better discern the option that might be best for your unique investment situation.

Rental Income

On the surface, this one may seem obvious, but it’s actually a much harder decision for a lot of people than they realize it will be. With a multi-family property, you’ll still have the ability to have income coming in, even if one or more of the units are under renovation or vacant for some other reason. You can upgrade a unit, take it out of commission for repairs, or endure the time in between renters without completely halting your income stream.

A single-family home doesn’t afford you this luxury. Instead, if the house does not have tenants, it’s simply not making you any money. That means you’re on the hook for the mortgage payments and may need to dip into your savings while you prepare and advertise your property to potential new renters.

While you’re less likely to face a $0-income month with a multi-family property, that’s not the only thing you should consider as you set forth on your buying journey.

Financing

Single-family homes tend to be significantly more affordable than multi-family properties. Besides the price tag itself, financing is typically easier to obtain for single-family homes than multi-family properties. This, in conjunction with the fact that down payments and interest rates are usually lower for single-family homes, makes this type of property particularly attractive to new investors who are just getting started in the rental property game.

Regarding multi-family units, if the property has more than five dwellings, it’s considered a commercial property, and you’ll need to apply for financing that falls under that umbrella. Lenders will want to see your track record with prior investments and review your past experience as a property manager. Commercial loans often require a higher down payment; you should expect to be required 25% as opposed to 20% for a residential loan. If you’re just getting started as a property investor, obtaining commercial real estate funding will likely be an uphill battle. In that case, you’re best to shop for a single-family home or a multi-dwelling property that has fewer than five units inside it.

There is one major consideration to take into account when considering multi-family options: should you live on-site? There are benefits to doing so, including reducing your overall expenses by having your tenants cover your monthly fees. It may also be easier to get a loan if you plan to use one of the units as your primary residence, particularly if you’re planning to go with a conventional mortgage via Fannie Mae lender. The down payment for a primary residence might be lower than it would be otherwise, should you choose not to live in the property.

Maintenance, Repairs, and General Property Management

The 3:00 am calls can get pretty old, pretty fast. When you own a single-family house, you’re mitigating the risk associated with maintenance calls and repair needs. The more units and tenants you have, the more possibilities you have for problems to occur, whether they’re related to normal wear and tear or disrespectful renters. In either case, you’ll only have one roof to maintain, one HVAC system to keep tabs on, and one exterior to deal with. Inside the units, however, you could be forced to deal with multiple issues that may or may not be related from unit to unit.

While it’s not impossible to manage multiple units simultaneously, many new landlords discover that it’s more difficult than they gave credit to at the onset of their buying journey. This is where experienced property management companies come into play. Property management companies handle an assortment of problems and issues, so you don’t have to spend your days dealing with them yourself. This often includes (but is not limited to):

24-hour emergency maintenanceLeasing services to ensure both you and your tenants are legally and adequately coveredMove-in and move-out reports to keep you and your tenants on the same page throughout the lease and beyondCompliance requirements, such as lead paint certification and rental registration within the appropriate jurisdictionsMarketing vacant propertiesScreening tenantsEviction services

While property management services certainly service both single- and multi-family dwellings, the more units you have, the more benefit you’ll realize from the assistance of a professional property manager. With that said, even a single-family home can bring a lot of things many new landlords don’t even realize they’re expected to know. Compliance with local and federal regulations, for example, is a full-time job that requires one to be entirely up to date on the ever-changing landscape of legal requirements. This is nearly impossible if it’s not your sole function; property management companies, on the other hand, hire people whose jobs are literally to keep an eye on all applicable laws and regulations and ensure their clients’ properties are within the confines of the law.

Every investor’s situation is different, and the type of property that’s best for one person won’t necessarily be the best for someone else. By understanding the intricacies involved with financing, property management, and other elements involved with the rental investment business before you start shopping for your property, you’ll be more equipped to operate a successful rental business.

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Why Event Planning is a Great Move for Entrepreneurs

If you are thinking of starting a business, event planning can be a lucrative career move. With the younger generation wanting experiences over material items, this is a desired profession for those looking to launch their own businesses in the new year. Read on to find out more reasons why event planning can make the perfect career move.

Never a Dull Moment

Event planning is great because it’s full of variety. While it is advisable to try and stay within one type of event planning genre, you can spread out a bit to take on different types of projects that will keep you motivated and interested. 

Beyond that, there are always different people to deal with and every event is unique, so every day is sure to hold a new adventure. 

Make Your Own Working Arrangements

If you are in the event planning business, you can work for an agency, but you don’t have to. If you work for an agency, you may appreciate the connections it provides as well as the support of a larger corporation. 

However, if you prefer to make your own schedule and keep all the profits, you can freelance and work from home. With a work at home situation, you can even do your event planning in your pajamas!

You Can Take It Anywhere

If you decide to move, there is always the issue of finding a new job. However, event planning gives you the freedom to work from anywhere. You can just get up and go and not have to worry too much about what it will take to reestablish your business. 

Tips for Starting an Event Planning Business

Working in event planning can be a lot of fun but that doesn’t mean you don’t need to put in a considerable amount of hard work to get it up and running. Here are some tips that will help you launch a successful business.

Research in Advance: Research carefully to get your business plan together. Think of how much money you need to get it off the ground and what you should charge for your services. Be sure to consider how taxes will affect your income and what legal steps you need to take to make sure your business is above board.

Get a Marketing Plan Together: Marketing is a very important part of any business. Consider digital marketing as well as the in-person connections you can make.

Make the Right Connections: The event planning industry is full of supportive people. It is advisable to make connections with venues, caterers, musical entertainment and other people who work at events. Not only will this help you put together staff for your events, you can work with these people to get your name out and increase your income.

Event planning is a lucrative career move for the coming years and you can work on your own terms to create a situation that it suits your lifestyle. Decide how you would like to run your business and go from there to figure out the best way to make it happen. Then look forward to an entrepreneurial venture that is sure to add excitement to your life. 

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5 Things Entrepreneurs Are Not Telling You In 2020

You always hear of them in the news. Look at the last projects of Elon Musk, Bill Gates, Warren Buffet, or Mark Zuckerberg. Do they know something we don’t? What if we could reach our best version with five principles? Although not everyone will become a business rock star, it will bring much more success than any other method. Here are five facts that will get you closer to that ideal.

They value their time more than their money

Entrepreneurs keep organized and informed. They don’t mind spending money on education if that helps them avoid future mistakes. In essence, successful people invest to save time and create wealth. They learn from other’s mistakes to progress faster. If they hear of a dinar recap update, they make sure to be informed. Knowledge is power when used at the right time.

Entrepreneurs keep the value of their time high. They don’t do $10 an hour jobs. They outsource everything as long as someone else can do it. It may look contradictory, but successful people prefer simple lifestyles. Because success creates opportunities, it’s easy to lose sight of what’s important. Problems grow as complexity does.

The better you manage your time, the better it will be. You will prevent problems instead of reacting to them. You are always prepared for uncertainty. Having a vision allows making decisions with confidence.

They dominate, not compete

It’s hard to learn from success because it shows you the event, not the process behind it. When looking at these people, it may look like they work less or got lucky. Now, people give others money to satisfy a need. It could be entertainment, inspiration, technology, or information. The bigger the problem you solve, the more millions you can make. But what happens when other’s have already solved the problem? Should you come in and make a product twenty percent better?

Like most people, clients won’t buy from another brand if their problem is already solved. Unless it’s three or eight times better, they won’t show interest. Because of it, entrepreneurs only work on niches they can dominate. They do what their competitors won’t do. That includes both product creation and marketing.

What if you had the best product in the market? It may be hard to believe, but you don’t need a huge budget to outcompete others. You can invest more time and energy in customer support, content curation, customization, or cold-calling. Make it so different that you become the only viable solution.

They focus on acquisition, not customer satisfaction

Everybody knows customers need satisfaction. Otherwise, people wouldn’t buy the product. If you acquire customers, however, it’s a sign your customers are satisfied. Start with an excellent product; focus on getting sales instead. Imagine if you surveyed the people who didn’t buy from you. How long were you here? Did you see the optional products? Have you received a proposal?

People don’t reject offers because they feel offended, but because they didn’t receive the right information. We are assuming you have a great product and target your audience. With an exit survey, you learn about the real issues people have.

Be omnipresent

One of the best tactics is to increase visibility. Of course, you can build a profitable business with a few hundred clients. What happens to the other buyers who don’t know you? If there are seven billion people on the planet today, your target audience may be bigger than you thought. Wouldn’t they deserve to meet your brand as well? That requires us to be more visible and known.

Omnipresent entrepreneurs always dominate their sector. However, you cannot follow this principle unless you think long term on your brand.

Once they succeed, they start a new project immediately

All business models follow a sequence. It grows exponentially, reaches its potential, and falls after a few years. If we use this pattern, we cannot create lasting wealth. After you reach success, it’s only a matter of time until it ends. Unless you innovate, the business will stop working. Innovation may take time and money but can save your company.

Suppose you succeed in your plan today. Should we celebrate and relax? Now is the best time to innovate. It will reset the sequence and start a new exponential curve.

Use your profits as a resource to invest wisely in your future. Apart from celebrating your victories, this approach is vital to create lasting wealth.

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How a Master’s Interior Design Degree Can Provide Great Career Opportunities

People know interior designers as the ones who mix and match certain elements in a room. Nowadays, however, their responsibilities are no longer limited to improving an area’s aesthetic value. They also see to it that spatial designs don’t affect the users’ moods negatively.

An interior design graduate opens themselves to a variety of possible career paths, and this can further expand with a master’s degree. Although graduate studies are not for everyone, it can be especially helpful for those who enjoy learning within a structured environment.

Master’s Degrees and Further Studies: How They Can Help Your Interior Design Career

A bigger knowledge base isn’t the only thing that can come from obtaining a master’s degree in interior design. It can also attract better career opportunities compared to a bachelor’s degree holder. Skills and talents aside, it cannot be contested that an added degree can make you qualified for more jobs and projects.

Master’s programs typically require applicants to have a bachelor’s degree plus a design portfolio that shows their skills and competencies in the projects they’ve handled. This will give your chosen university an idea on where your skill level is currently at.

Perhaps you’re not sure about enrolling for another degree as it may take your time away from your other responsibilities. Fortunately, online master’s degree courses are now available to cater to students who need more flexibility in their schedules.

If you’re still unconvinced about pursuing a master’s degree in interior design, here are 4 reasons why you should definitely consider taking this chance:

1. Learn How to Integrate Your Interior Design Knowledge in Other Fields

Interior design plays a huge role in various personal and professional settings. While undergraduate studies can help you hone your creativity in relation to a place’s visual elements, going for graduate studies will bring this knowledge a notch higher.

This time, you’ll learn how to further specialize your skills and create designs that cater to users’ mental and emotional states. For example, you might want to focus on designing academic environments, health and wellness centers, apartments, office set-ups, social hostels—basically any kind of setting that you’re particularly interested in.

A master’s degree can help you choose which types of projects you want to devote yourself to. You’ll also learn how design elements affect human moods and behavior.

2. Learn About New Graphic Communication Skills

You may have learned about the basics of graphic communication skills during your undergrad, but you’re bound to add more skills that can further enhance your designs. As a result, you’ll be able to communicate your projects in a much clearer way with your superiors, colleagues, and clients.

This includes updating your skills in digital trends, animation, and digital rendering. This helps people appreciate your work more.

3. Attract Bigger Projects and Clients

Perhaps your current portfolio is already impressive enough. You may have done projects that have had really good feedback from others, helping you land better opportunities through word-of-mouth.

Although your previous works can speak for themselves, a master’s degree will tell future bosses and clients that you’re really serious about your work as an interior designer. More people will be interested to know what you can put to the table.

Pay It Forward to the New Generation of Interior Designers

Aside from pursuing a career as an interior designer that specializes in certain types of projects, being a master’s degree holder will also give you an opportunity to pursue a teaching career. Most universities require an instructor to have a master’s degree. If you want to pay it forward to young, aspiring interior designers, this is your chance to fulfill that role.

While students supposedly are the ones learning from their teachers, oftentimes teachers also tend to learn a lot from their students. The kind of creativity that you’ll see from your students can help you come up with innovations that can be applied to your future projects.

Conclusion: Enjoy More Career Paths with a Master’s Degree in Interior Design

Having a master’s degree in interior design can make your career a lot more fulfilling than it was before. Your skills and knowledge will no longer be just limited to design elements and theory. You’ll also learn how to make your designs work in various settings and environments.

Interior design isn’t just for showing off how great a place looks. In many cases, it can be deeply personal. This is something that you can further hone with a master’s degree. Before long, more opportunities will come to you—great clients and projects that you’ll truly be passionate about.

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Google Apps Vs Office 365: Which is Better for Business?

We have come so far technologically. The good news is that forward-thinking entrepreneurs see the merit in modern technologies for business services. For instance, they know the benefits of cloud computing, cloud-based productivity tools mainly. However, we have Google Apps and Office 365 by Microsoft, which are considered two of the best cloud productivity suites. Although at the core, they provide the same functionality, they do have certain features and qualities that set them apart. So, which of these is the best option for your business? Let’s find out.

Google Apps Programs

Just like a digital marketing tool or secure VPN service, Google charges for its apps according to your storage and email requirements. Here are some of the basic apps/features you get with the service:

1 TB of free storage per user, as long as there are 4 users or less in the company that’s subscribed.Google Docs: One of the most widely recognized Google apps which allows you to collaborate (create, edit, or share files) with other users in real-time. Sheets: Standard spreadsheet app that allows you to create and edit files, along with the option of downloading them in xlsl format.Google Drive: Cloud storage app with provision for creating folders, file sharing, downloading, etc.Google Calendar: Lets you create events and share them with others.

You can subscribe to Google Apps for work at $5 per user, per month. If you want unlimited storage and Google Vault, then it will set you back by $10 a month a user.

If you are looking for simplicity, then Google Apps are for you. They are easy to work with and offer all the basic tools you need. However, if you a large business then you might find the products bland or scaled down. The fact that you can only use the apps when you are online doesn’t help with the case either. However, for small businesses, Google apps may do just fine, mainly because of the low prices.

Office 365 Programs

MS Office comes in different versions, of which Office 365 is the most popular. It comes packed with the following programs/features:

OneDrive Storage: Online backup/repository app that gives you 1TB of storage.Excel: A comprehensive spreadsheet app with all the essential tools.Word: Editing program with several collaborative features.Outlook: A friendly email client and manager bundled into one.OneNote plus: Note-taking app with multi-user collaboration features.Publisher: Publishing app with several features for page layout customization, design, etc.Mobile versions of all the above-mentioned apps.

When it comes to pricing, Microsoft comes off as an expensive option, with its monthly subscription fee set at $9.99, and a yearly fee at $99. Since you can’t 100% rely on its own antivirus and firewall systems for online security, you also need to pay for a good Internet security software, other custom enterprise-level programs, etc. which add to your overall expenditure. 

Although Office 365 can be expensive, for many the price is entirely justified. The company has been polishing its products for a long time, and it reflects in the user experience. There are so many templates in the Office programs that can make your job much easier. Plus, Microsoft provides the Office Suite for computers, (both PCs and Macs) too. With a single Office 365 license, you can install your Office Apps on up to 5 computers and smartphones. 

Conclusion

It all boils down to this – if you are looking for a refined suite of tools that provide something additional to the basics, then Office 365 is what you should zero in on. If you want offline support, then again Office 365 is the one for you. However, if for the most part, you need to work on simple documents only and strictly online access is not a problem, then Google Apps will do just fine.

The post Google Apps Vs Office 365: Which is Better for Business? appeared first on Entrepreneurship Life.

Interview Smarter: 7 Tips for Smoother Media Appearances That Actually Advance Your Brand

Are you prepped for your next big media interview? If you’re able to consistently internalize these eight easy tips, you can answer a resounding “yes” — and look forward to an interview that actually advances your personal or corporate brand.

1. Stick to What You Know

You’re a subject matter expert, not an encyclopedia. Take a page from this interview with Kris Duggan, a serial entrepreneur and investor with multiple successful raises under his belt, wherein Duggan maintains laser-like focus on the things he does best: sales and fundraising. You won’t win any points for going outside your lane.

2. Start With “Soft” Interviews

Do thorough due diligence on any interviewer before agreeing to sit down with them. Take only those interviews that you’re confident will remain friendly — but remember that there are no guarantees in this business, and many “friendly” interviewers are anything but.

3. Write Down Your Talking Points

Bring notes to your interview, but don’t overdo it. Make them uncluttered and easy to read at a glance, without omitting any key talking points. Stick to them as much as possible throughout the interview. 

4. Provide As Much Background Material As Possible Ahead of the Interview

Give your interviewer-to-be as much background material as you can before you sit down. That might mean press releases spinning notable milestones or events, your own bio or backgrounder, your latest shareholder presentation, and so forth. (If you’re not comfortable writing your own press releases, use a press release template.)

5. Ask to Review Print Quotes Before Your Story Goes to Press

If you’re interviewing with an ostensibly objective media outlet, like a major metropolitan daily or news radio program, your interviewer is likely to be bound (at least in theory) by the Society of Professional Journalists’ code of ethics. 

Although this code is dense and open to interpretation in parts, reporters bound by it generally give sources the opportunity to review quotes and representations for accuracy. Always, always, always ask for this privilege after an interview; the worst that can happen is the reporter says “no.” 

That said: If you’re at all concerned about saying the wrong thing, avoid legacy media interviews altogether until you’re more comfortable speaking on the record.

6. For Sustained PR Blitzes, Work With a Professional

If more than one or two “soft” interviews are in the cards, perhaps because you’re ramping up media outreach ahead of a fundraising round, don’t attempt to manage your media contacts and interview schedule on your own. It’s not your forte, and you don’t have time for it anyway. Outsource this work to a PR professional instead.

7. Know When to Stop Talking (And How to Sound Smarter Than You Are)

Generally, less is more. Keep your answers succinct and rehearsed. Faced with an unexpected or ambiguous question, don’t be afraid to ask for clarification or say “I don’t know.”

The one exception to the “less is more” rule regards dead air on the radio. Keep longer answers engaging by minimizing “filler” sounds like “ah” and “um” while delivering your monologue. End answers definitively, not with uncertain words like “so,” so that your interviewer knows to move on.

Make a Better First Impression

Your first big media interview is your chance to make a lasting impression on those who haven’t yet tuned in to your career. It’s on you to make sure it counts, because you might not get another chance.

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