Mohit Tater's Blog, page 541

Why Do Entrepreneurs Love Small Business Loans?

Are you looking to boost your small business? Do you want to thrive in the entrepreneurial world? A small business loan can help with both these things if used properly. 

Small business loans are an amount of money lent to small businesses for various reasons by a lender (could be a bank or a financial institution). These types of loans usually come with less restrictive requirements and the payment time frame is also shorter, which makes them easier to acquire and repay. 

Purpose of a short business loan

You can use a small business loan for a myriad of reasons, as long as you invest it in your business so that it can grow. 

You can use it to:

Expand your operations. You can buy more stock or even hire more staff in your business.Purchase and upgrade equipment. Some of your business equipment might need upgrading or even replacing, to increase production and meet the customers’ demands.Increase working capital. If you are not in a position to meet the running cost of your business (for example, if your cash flow is not good enough,) you can apply for a small loan to sort these problems out.To buy more inventory. You can always turn to a lender for a small loan to purchase inventory in case you are running low or if a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity arises. 



Types of small business loans



SBA loan

These are government offered grants for small businesses. The interest is relatively low, and a manageable loan term is on the table.

Business term loan

More like the traditional bank loans, this loan offers you a lump sum, which you pay back with the agreed fees over an agreed time frame.

A business line of credit

With this type, you can borrow as much money as you need (without exceeding your maximum credit line) and pay the interest accordingly.

Invoice financing

If you are financially stuck in your business, you can always sell your invoices to a lender who can then front you a part of the invoice amount. The lender holds the remaining 20% until you clear the paid invoice. 

Equipment financing

If you need to purchase equipment or upgrade tools in your small business, this is the loan for you. The lender gives you the required amount to buy the equipment you need.

Benefits of Small Business Loans

It is hard to miss the fact that most small business owners frequently take up small business loans to support their businesses. 

Here are some reasons why they love this type of loans:

Flexibility

There is a big list of lenders from which you can choose the loan that suits your needs. Furthermore, you can decide the amount of money you need so that you can invest the money wisely while being able to make comfortable repayments.

Low-interest rates

Most small business loans come with relatively lower interest rates in comparison to other types of loans. Online lenders even offer loans that have even lower rates than banks. 

Easily available

Small business loans come with less restrictive requirements. The application processes are easy to follow, and you do not have to appear before the lender physically. You can even apply online with some lenders. 

Furthermore, there is also no collateral required, hence you don’t have to worry about losing your house or car. 

Helps you grow your business

Sometimes the income you might be earning from your business might not be enough to expand your business. As such, a small loan may help you fix this issue. 

Convenient repayment terms

Before you acquire a small business loan, the lender highly scrutinizes your cash flow to determine the best repayment plan. Consequently, you cannot sign up for a payment plan that you cannot adequately meet. 

Get a small business loan and start growing your business

Is your business facing any financial problem or you need to expand it? 

Or do you just want your business to rise to the top?

A small business loan might be exactly what you need!

They are easy to get, and, fortunately, they also have very flexible repayment terms. So, apply for one today and start growing your business.

The post Why Do Entrepreneurs Love Small Business Loans? appeared first on Entrepreneurship Life.

Software Must-Haves for Aspiring Entrepreneurs

Experts all agree: the 21st century has totally changed the face of entrepreneurship. With that change comes new challenges that it’s important to face, like choosing the right software to power your business. Whether you’re just starting out as an entrepreneur or looking to expand your business and build your brand, we’ve got the list of must-have software applications that you’ll need to grow the right way.

1. Secure email. Email is the primary way that business communicate with clients, customers, and partners. If you’re like most businesses, it’s likely you’ll be discussing sensitive information over email, like payment information and business plans. Making sure that that information is safe and secure is a top priority. Try using a secured or even encrypted email like ProtonMail to manage all your business communications.

2. Time management software. As the old saying goes, time is money. It may seem like you have a good idea of how long various business tasks take, but without a data-driven way of tracking the hours spent on each task, you might be losing valuable time that could be optimized. It’s useful to invest in software that will help you track the time you and your employees spend on different tasks each day.

3. Scheduling applications. In keeping with the time management optimization theme, maintaining a tight schedule is essential to an effective business strategy. One way to get a handle on when various tasks are due is to use a scheduling program.

Applications
that allow you to see your month, week, or day organized by tasks and how long
each should take are essential to planning your business in a way that aids
growth. Plus, if you’re falling behind schedule, you’ll have an easy way to
reorganize and reprioritize without going back to the drawing board.

4. Insurance claim management. Many small businesses invest in insurance solutions to help protect valuable assets. While this is a smart way to start, the savviest businesses go a step further by using claims management solutions. Mitchell software products, for example, are a useful way to process and manage any insurance claims made against your company.

By
keeping all the relevant information at your fingertips, you are better able to
see what areas need the most attention. If your line of work involves hazardous
labor or a lot of driving, this insurance claim management is even more
essential.

5. HR management software. Managing HR items like medical insurance, time off, sick days, or employee complaints can be a hassle. Luckily, there are companies that offer HR solutions, like Zenefits, that boost your productivity by easily handling many aspects of human resources online. Entrepreneurs have limited time, and sometimes, HR can use a huge portion of it.

When you efficiently manage benefits, onboarding, and employee time off online, you’ll save money on payroll expenses, as well as energy that could be spent managing other aspects of your business.

6. Grammar assurance software. Clients and customers want to deal with a business that communicates correctly. When you send off emails, write copy for your website, or put together contracts with business partners, you want to represent your business in the best possible way.

A huge
part of that representation is whether your business communications are written
in proper English. Using an app like Grammarly to double-check emails is a
smart and convenient way to ensure that your business puts its best foot
forward on all its communications needs.

7. Secure banking. Entrepreneurs want to know that their money is being kept in a safe, secure, and easily-accessible location. While brick-and-mortar banks are useful in some cases, having access to crucial financial information online can be a massive bonus for any entrepreneur who needs to stay in-the-know.

Don’t settle for any
service that doesn’t let you immediately view your balance, transfer to other
accounts, or deposit checks from your phone. Switching banks can seem like a
hassle, but trust us, switching to a bank that allows full online access to
your money is worth it in the long run.

Entrepreneurship
in the 21st century requires adept and clever use of software.
Ensuring that your business stays up to date on the latest software must-haves
is a crucial step in staying ahead of the competition.

The post Software Must-Haves for Aspiring Entrepreneurs appeared first on Entrepreneurship Life.

The Most Volatile and Lucrative Commodities in 2019

There’s no doubt about it; the commodities market took a bit of a battering in 2018, as the value of commodities such as oil, copper, iron ore and sugar plunged.

These prices fell amid a myriad of geopolitical issues, from ongoing trade tensions between the U.S. and China to the continued global economic slowdown.

So far, 2019 has also seen the commodity market gripped by uncertainty and sustained volatility. In this post, we’ll appraise the most volatile assets in this market and ask how traders can profit from them, whilst also considering which instruments can help investors to mitigate their risk?

1. Oil

Whilst oil prices have fluctuated throughout 2019, they’ve largely declined since last year’s peak during the fourth financial quarter.

A longstanding imbalance between supply and demand remains at the heart of this issue, as U.S. shale output achieved record highs and OPEC struggled to introduce adequate supply cuts in a timely fashion.

The volatility of oil has also been underpinned by the global geopolitical risk premium, with prices set to plunge further in the coming quarter and beyond.

This should be music to the ears of CFD traders and spread betting enthusiasts, who can leverage depreciating oil prices by speculating on the extent of their decline.

2. Gold

At the other end of the spectrum is gold, with gold bulls having seized the initiative during the final months of 2018 as the value of this precious metal increased.

There’s plenty of evidence to suggest that gold will remain a safe haven for investors in 2019, particularly as the global economic climate worsens. Make no mistake; investors are seeking secure stores of wealth amid ongoing market turmoil, making gold a valuable asset that can deliver long-term gains.

This represents an excellent way of diversifying your portfolio in the current climate, whilst providing a foundation for sustainable returns over time.

3. Copper

Copper is another metal that holds potential for investors, and not only because it’s also a practical commodity that benefits from different types of demand.

In fact, cropper endured its worst price run since 2015 last year, dropping by every quarter and suffering significantly against the backdrop of the U.S.-China trade fall out.

This downward trajectory has largely continued in 2019, despite a brief period of respite during the first quarter. Most recently priced at $2.58 per pound, copper is currently providing an opportunity for CFD traders to hedge against the asset in a bid to bank short-term profit.

This window of opportunity won’t exist forever, however, especially with 2020 set to provide a more supportive backdrop as the underlying industry indicators improve.

The post The Most Volatile and Lucrative Commodities in 2019 appeared first on Entrepreneurship Life.

8 Irritating Things About Your Website That Can Drive Visitors Away

Every website owner wants to attract as many visitors to their website as possible. To this effect, various SEO techniques will be implemented on the website. But, despite the best of intentions, it is possible that some mistakes will creep into the overall design and structure of the website. Let’s take a look at a few irritating things about a website that can drive visitors away.

Too Much Text

People like to look at something that is easy on the eyes and does not strain them. When it comes to websites, many owners make the mistake of stuffing too much textual content on the web pages. This is a bad design strategy. The excessive textual content will make the website look too congested. So, keep the text of your content to a minimum. You can then put a link for ‘more information’ below the brief description. By doing so, you will keep the website clean from blocky texts while also allowing visitors who wish to know more information to click on the link.

Vague Content

Another thing that can push away visitors from your site is the vagueness of the website. If a visitor has come to your website, it is because they are seeking some sort of information. As such, they will be browsing through the site quickly to locate what they are searching for. If your website is too cluttered and mentions too many things, then the visitor might get frustrated and may leave the site. So, always have a very clear idea of what content you wish to publish on the website and ensure that anyone who visits your website can easily understand its message. 

Confusing Navigation

When a visitor checks your website, they will browse through it to know more about what the site has to offer. As such, if the navigation of your website is too complex and confusing and the visitor is unable to find the information they are looking for, they will most likely give up and close your site. To avoid such issues, ensure that the website navigation is designed in such a way that a visitor will easily be able to click through the various links and find out the necessary information.

Over-Advertising 

If there is something that can make a person detest a brand, it’s over-advertising. When people visit your website, it is out of curiosity and interest. As such, all you have to do is to present your website in a way that spikes their interest even more and makes them take a positive action towards product sale, newsletter signup, service subscription, etc.  But, if you have structured your website in a way that the customer is constantly bombarded with messages of buying your product or service, then that will be a big turn-off for them. In fact, the visitor will likely interpret the over-advertising as a sign that you are selling something very cheap. As a result, they might decide not to visit your web page ever again.

Too Many Fonts

Sometimes, owners tend to get carried away by their desire to make their website very attractive and end up using too many fonts on their website. This can also be a big turn-off for many website visitors. Too many fonts can make the text content look all jumbled up and disunited; it can give off a very confusing vibe. As such, try to use only two or three different fonts on a web page and make sure that these fonts mix well together. Never stuff your website with too many fonts; that is just an overkill.

Slow Loading Speed

If your website loads very slowly, then you will inevitably lose a lot of visitors even the visitors who are specifically looking to buy your product. As per various estimates, people generally tend to get frustrated if a website takes longer than three to five seconds to load. So, test your website loading speed across various devices. If you see that your site’s loading speed is very slow, then make the necessary changes to ensure that it’s fast.

Information Is Outdated

Imagine that you wish to learn about ethical hacking. Would you go for a source that speaks about topics that are dated and have no validity either at present or in the future? No, obviously not. This is applicable to your website as well. If the visitors find that your website mostly contains information that might have been useful five or ten years ago but has no benefit now, then they will never visit the website again since it does not provide any value to them. So, whenever you publish content on your site, ensure that it is relevant to people at present. Plus, you should also check the published content on a regular basis and update them with the latest information.

Not Mobile Friendly

Smartphones are now one of the predominant devices people use to access the web. But unfortunately, some website owners are still stuck in an outdated world where the focus was only on pleasing desktop website visitors. This strategy will only result in your website being neglected by a large number of smartphone users. After all, if your site does not load very well on smartphones and it is difficult to use, why would mobile users waste their time on your website? As such, it is necessary that any website you build should automatically load very well on smartphones. And, if you already have a website, then talk with your designer and go for the necessary changes to make the site more adaptable on mobile devices.

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5 Things to Know about Taking out a Loan in Another Country

When getting a loan, most people prefer lending services in their home country. However, what they do not know is that you can sometimes receive convenient loans from abroad. Such loans can go a long way in facilitating your stalled project. Nevertheless, you have to read and understand the terms and conditions of your overseas loan before getting one. Different banks and countries impose different laws and interest rates on their loans. Make sure that you conduct adequate research to avoid any regrets in the future. Here is everything you need to know about taking out a loan in another country.

How to Get a Loan Abroad. You can get a loan abroad through specialized institutions. Unlike your bank, no one will ask for guarantors, collaterals, or information from private credit. Often, people get loans from other countries to by-pass credit queries. Due to the different interest rates in one country, it is easy to secure a loan at low prices. When choosing a foreign lending institution, you should show a healthy skepticism since almost every full-bodied promise has some untrustworthy intermediaries.

Variety. International loans come in several shapes and forms. Such loans provide customers with a high level of convenience. If you prefer an overdraft over a conventional loan, you can talk to your preferred lending institution. You can also go for a personal loan to assist you to go through any difficult time. If you have a struggling business, you can get a business loan that can build your capital. Overseas loans also come with favorable terms. In a bid to attract global customers, most financial institutions offer flexible terms and conditions to foreign customers. You can take advantage of this fact to secure a loan in another country.

Simplicity. The idea of taking a loan in another country sounds exhausting to most people. Depending on your mother country, you are more likely to secure a loan in another country than in yours. Before 2008, U.S citizens could quickly acquire a loan within the state. However, after the vast financial crisis occurred, lending institutions imposed strict guidelines that required borrowers to provide collateral for any loan. You also needed to have a stable source of income and an excellent credit score to successfully secure a loan. As such, getting a loan in another country became a viable option.

Several Banks to Choose from. Human beings love to have choices. People are intrigued by having several alternatives to consider. Getting a loan from another country provides a vast pool of banks to choose from. Nobody restricts you to your country. However, you need to make an informed decision, especially if you are spoilt for choice. As such, it is wise to seek professional advice before making any substantial financial decisions.

Risk. One of the highest risks is to get the wrong provider. That is why most people consider taking a loan from another country only if their credit is bad. Currency fluctuation also makes this type of loan more unpredictable than in your country. As such, it is crucial to check the exchange rates before taking a loan from another state.

Before taking out a loan in another country, check all possible outcomes.

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3 Ways That Big Bank Loans Disappoint Small Business Owners

As a small business owner, you may feel
like the big banks aren’t there to help you. Big banks help big businesses and
can’t do much to help you if you really
need help.

They say the best way to get a loan from a
bank is to convince them you don’t really need one. Meanwhile, if you’re in
dire straights and need a loan to stay afloat, you could be seen as too risky.

If you’re a small business owner who needs
a bit of help (or cash), here are 3 reasons you may not even want to waste your
time applying for a bank loan.

1. Slow
Turnaround Times



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We probably don’t have to tell you that almost nothing involving a bank happens quickly. So, if your business needs cash in a hurry, you’re better off going online and applying at PayvantCapital.com for a merchant cash advance. You can get a response in 24 hours because they’re not limited to “bankers’ hours.”

If you go through a bank, you’re looking at
a minimum of 30-45 days. And there is absolutely no guarantee on getting
approved, even if you do everything they ask. You could be back to square one
after 45 days.

This is not ideal if you need the money for
an emergency situation or to take advantage of a sudden opportunity.

2. Stringent
Lending Criteria

In recent years, we’ve seen the big banks approve a record number of small business loans. However, it’s important to know that they’re still saying “No” to almost 3 of every 4 small business owners. That means the odds are better, but they’re still not great.

If you’re a small business owner, you can
be denied a loan because of:

A lack of income, capital or collateral Bad credit (i.e. A low business credit score) or lack of credit historyThe business owner has a low personal credit scoreA perceived lack of prospects

Private funders are far more likely to see
a business as promising, as opposed to precarious.

3. An
Intrusive and Demoralizing Process

On a human level, the process is also
simply not fun for small business owners and it can feel indiscreet and
invasive.

The bank evaluates everything about your
personal history and your business’ history and punches it into their
proprietary formula to see if they deem you worthy of their help.

If they say no, it can be demoralizing and
the tacit message can feel like, “We don’t think this business can make it.”

Alternative funders and lenders are far
more realistic and know that small businesses face challenges every single day.
They’re more interested in your future than your past.

For example, you can qualify for the
merchant cash advance we mentioned above if you have been in business for 6
months and have transactions exceeding $10,000 a month.

At the same time, your repayment terms are
more reasonable. You would pay back the advance by remitting a percentage of
your monthly transactions. This means that when sales are down, your payments
will be lower. When sales are higher, you can make a bigger dent in the
balance.

These are only 3 of the reasons that the big bank system is not really set up to help small business owners. As an entrepreneur, you will probably find that you have far more options in smaller/ private funding or lending.

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How to Get Money for Your Real Estate Investments

Investing in real estate is a great way to turn your dreams of being an entrepreneur into a reality. This is especially true if you chose the right properties and can get financing that won’t break the bank. That’s right you don’t need to have a million dollars in the bank to invest in real estate as you can follow what the pros do and use other people’s money.

With that in mind, here are some tips on how to get money for your real estate investments. These are not “get rich quick” schemes; instead, they are proven techniques to get the financing you need to start investing in real estate today.

Before we get started, keep in mind that no investment is without risk and if you are taking on debt to finance an investment then you need to make sure you understand the situation, how you plan to use the money, and how you will be able to repay the debt. If not, then you might want to pass on an opportunity as it is better to be safe than sorry.

1. Federal Housing Authority (FHA) Loans

While these loans used by most people to finance a purchase of a single-family home, the rules also allow first-time homebuyers to acquire multi-family homes as well – this includes homes with up to four units.  A couple of the advantages of an FHA loan are low, down payment requirements as well as the expanded credit score criteria. Borrowers with a FICO as low as 600 may be able to qualify for these loans.

However, you want to keep in mind that FHA loans are not offered by every lender and they usually have higher closing costs than traditional loans. Besides this you will also want to get yourself up to speed on the requirements for multi-family homes as the cash generated by the rental units can be used to help you qualify.

Also FHA loans require the property to be the borrower’s primary residence as these loans are not meant to finance investment properties. Lastly, these loans are for first-time homebuyers, so while they are an option to finance your first real estate investment, you can’t keep going back to this well.

2. Private Money Loans

These loans are not offered by banks; instead, they come from private lenders and given the accelerated closing processes for both, they are often a preferred option for real estate investors. While private money loans are usually obtained for friends, family, or close acquaintances, they can also come from investment groups who specialize in this sort of lending.

The benefit to friends and family money is that underwriting is usually heavily weighted towards the pre-existing relationship rather than a formal credit application. Though you want to keep in mind that mixing money with friends and family can end badly.

While another growing category of the private loan space. These are those loans offered by investment groups who specialize in lending. These groups are not banks and are usually not licensed to provide loans for single-family homes.

In talking to hard money lenders in NY, Gauntlet Funding, these loans are often used by developers as the lenders “specialize in funding high-risk loans for these unconventional borrowers.” This can be anything from vacant properties to those which require significant renovation before being brought back onto the market.

As such, these loans are often seen as a fast and flexible way to get financing. However, you want to keep in mind that loans from professional groups might come with higher interest rates than traditional bank loans, though this usually isn’t seen as an issue if the plan is to refinance the loan shortly after acquiring the property.

3. Adjustable-Rate Mortgage (ARMs)

One attraction of these loans is that they generally have lower interest rates than fixed-rate loans. However, just because interest rates are low today doesn’t mean they will remain so in the future.

Some ARMs only offer a low rate during the first three to five years of the loan’s term, from there the interest rate will get locked in at a higher rate. This is what happened to many people during the sub-prime mortgage crisis in 2008 as many people find out could no longer afford their mortgage payments after the rates increased.

If you do choose an ARM to finance your real estate investment, then make sure you have a plan to handle any adjustments in the rate going forward. This is especially true if you are considering holding the property for the long term as an uncertain rate environment could impact your profits.

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How to Build a Business Empire in Logistics

It might not be the most glamorous of industries, but the economy could not survive without logistics companies. These are the companies that move products from farm to table and they ensure that we have food on the shelves at the local grocery store, gas at the gas station, and just about everything else you can think of.

So, how can you cash in on one of the most important sectors of the modern economy? The good news is that you do not need a mountain of cash. The industry is known for its low barriers to entry and getting guaranteed semi truck financing is relatively straightforward.

However, with the easy of entry comes competition and as such those who wish to succeed in logistics need to have a keen eye for keeping costs down while providing world-class service. If not, they risk losing customers and ultimately their business.

If you don’t want this to happen to you, then here are some tips on how to build a business empire in logistics.

1. Service with a Smile

While you might think that logistics is just moving goods from point A to point B, and there is a fair bit of that, the reality is that it is a service industry. This means that the most successful operators need to have good people skills as they not only need to connect with the customer, but also the customer’s team, and in some cases the customer’s customer.

This might not be for everyone, but if you are starting with your delivery fleet you need to keep in mind that getting shipments to their destination on time is only part of the equation. Another part is how you interact with everyone along the chain. This includes the people you meet at the loading dock, to how you communicate that a shipment has been picked up and is in transit, and finally the people you meet when you drop off the delivery.

Your team might grow beyond one truck to a fleet of trucks and a dispatch office, and this means that you will also need to develop a good rapport with your team. Remember logistics is more than just moving goods around and if you want to build an empire in the industry, then you need to focus on delivering service with a smile.

2. Focus on Sales

Don’t assume that customers will come your way just because you have your first delivery truck. You will need to get out there and find business, or you will end up out of business. Fortunately, several apps have emerged to help those in the logistics industry find loads to carry, but don’t assume you are the only one bidding for shipment.

As such, you need to focus your efforts on sales. This includes developing relationships with customers and forwarders in your area in addition to registering on any apps or marketplaces.

Also, refine your process for answering RFQs – Request for Quotations. While these tender offers can be time-consuming getting one or two of these contracts can help grow your business significantly.

You can’t build a business empire without a strong pipeline of the customer, so focus on your sales efforts as this will help you to reach your goals.

3. Invest in Maintenance

While the inclination for some truck owners is to drive their trucks into the ground, this is not the right way to make money in the logistics game. Sure, if you are not carrying a load, then you aren’t earning revenue. But there is also a cost associated with every mile you drive – not only in gas and tires but also the wear and tear you are putting on your equipment.

As such, you need to invest in a solid maintenance plan for your equipment. If you are not adept at turning wrenches there is no need to worry as you can find a local mechanic who can help.

Another thing you can do is to set aside a maintenance reserve. This is a portion of your revenues that are earmarked for any major repairs which might come down the line. Failing to do so might leave you with a massive repair bill and no way to pay for it.

As such, work with your accountant or bookkeeper to breakdown the lifecycle cost for every major piece of equipment you own. From there you can determine the cost per mile driven and use this in your pricing model.  Only in this way can you ensure you have the money needed to pay for major repairs before they happen.

Logistics is a highly competitive industry, but if you deliver top-notch service, focus on building sales, and invest in maintenance, you can have a business empire in no time at all.

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How Busy Entrepreneurs Can Relax When The Working Day Is Done

It’s estimated that there are 400 million entrepreneurs in
the world and that number is going up, and up, and up.

With so many rival business
owners around for you to compete against, it means your life isn’t about to get
any more chilled.

This means it’s essential that
those moments when you’re away from your business must be used to rest,
recharge, and relax – without this, you’ll crash and burn, sending your
business up in flames.

I’ve picked four great ways
for busy entrepreneurs to relax and I’ll tell you now – I’ve tried them all and
they work.

Recommended reading: How To Start A Blog In 2019 – A Detailed Guide

Learn to play an instrument

There are a few hobbies that are known to make you smarter,
and one of these is learning how to play an instrument. As a busy entrepreneur,
you need to get value from every activity you undertake (even those on your
R&R schedule) and learning an instrument really gives this to you.

Learning an instrument accesses multiple parts of your brain and enhances your cognitive functions – it’s why it’s such a valued form of therapy. Playing an instrument has even been shown to increase your IQ by up to seven points.

I play an instrument myself (guitar) and while the learning
process is testing, it’s a skill I really value having – it gives me a creative
outlet, provides me with a way of relaxing, makes me more disciplined, and
helps to order my thoughts.

But the really great thing about learning an instrument is
that it’s a social exercise – learning with a teacher is socialable and playing
with and for others is even more so.

Play online poker 

Being an entrepreneur is about love – love for the work
you’re undertaking, people you’re managing, and imprint you’re leaving on your
industry. But we all need to eat and some of us (myself included) like to eat
damn well. It’s for this reason that being an entrepreneur is about a love of
making money. So, wouldn’t it be nice if there was a way of relaxing that also
made you money? Friend, there is – playing online poker.

I was introduced to online poker by my best friend. When we
lived together our rooms were next to each other (I’m talking two feet away,
with the doors parallel). Consequently, we talked a lot while we relaxed and
his way of doing so was playing poker – I was intrigued.

My pal explained the principle of the game and I gave it a
shot. It was a lot of fun – it’s competitive, fast-paced, and uses a surprising
amount of skills (logic, math, reasoning, assertiveness, and humility). I also
made some money from it, though, and I’ll make this very clear, the main reason
I played was for fun – the money was just an added bonus.

I recommend you start with No-Limit Texas Hold’em. Why because it’s the simplest type of poker to master. Before you play a game, get acquainted with the basics of the game – you can start with this article from Online Casinos and then watch a video from one of the games masters, Doug Polk, to develop your heads-up game:

Go to a life drawing class

Life drawing is something that might not sound too relaxing,
especially if you have limited artistic abilities – you’re on a timer to turn
your pencil weavings into something resembling a person, and I get that this
could be stressful for you. But hear me out – life drawing is pure relaxation
and it gives you something tangible at the end.

You need to begin on a simple premise – to hell with your
technical skills, just get lost in the moment and be happy you’re trying (and
believe me, you’d have to be really
bad to be the worst in your class). Once you’ve kicked over this hurdle, the
benefits of a life drawing class are clear:

Challenges and relaxes you Gives you something tangible at the end It’s an opportunity to meet new people

So, give life drawing a try and don’t worry if your picture
sucks, it’s almost certainly not the shabbiest of the bunch.

Watch the Wes Anderson collection

I accept this is a niche method of relaxation, but, hell, you
know yourself that being an entrepreneur is all about niche interest – if you
don’t have one then your business is destined to make itself indistinguishable
from the crowd. Wes Anderson is a filmmaker whose films have a delicate style,
employ effortless storytelling, and cut through the stress of life with acerbic
wit.

Wes currently has nine feature-length films in his catalog:

Bottle RocketRushmoreThe Royal TenenbaumsThe Life Aquatic with Steve ZissouThe Darjeeling LimitedFantastic Mr. FoxMoonrise KingdomThe Grand Budapest HotelIsle of Dogs

My strong recommendation is that you start from the
beginning and watch them in chronological order. This lets you see how an
artist develops their craft and it will also offer some subtle lessons that are
relevant to your status as an entrepreneur:

How to find your individual voice How to get your message across How using the same employees helps build your businessHow to deal with the trappings of successHow to evolve when you’ve achieved your initial goalsHow to continue giving your audience what they want

One of the best things about Wes’ films is that they’re all under the two-hour mark – with some falling considerably short of this. So you could comfortably watch one an evening during the working week, then complete the set with two apiece on Saturday and Sunday. My personal pick? Rushmore:

You might have your own ways of relaxing and if you do that’s brilliant. But it’s always good to try new methods because you may find they work even better for you. I’ve tried each of the four approached mentioned in this article and confirm that they help me relax. So give them a shot and give yourself the R&R you need.

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The Importance of Mounting, Binding, and Lamination Inside the Office

Many technological advances have been introduced since the turn of the new millennium. The rise of the internet, the introduction of smart devices, and the rapid use of automation and AIs are some of the technological advancements that are changing society as we know it. From homes to offices, these changes are evident, and they are expected to bring more changes as we head into the next century. Despite the availability of high-tech devices that can be used at home or in the office, some companies still prefer to use classic equipment to help them with their everyday tasks. Binding, mounting, and lamination procedures are still using the same equipment that has been used for decades, and many companies seem to stick to their old preferences. Why not? These products will continue to be needed on an everyday basis. 

Why is classic mounting, binding, and lamination equipment still used?

There are advanced mounting, binding, and lamination devices that are sold in the market right now. Some companies still prefer the classic ones because of the familiarity of the workers on how to use them. If something has worked for a long time, why change it out for a new one? Instead, they rely on classic ones because it is more affordable, and it can save them a lot of money and slash down their expenses. However, things do break and there are amazing lamination and binding machines available to buy from USI Laminate when that happens. They have the best models to choose from. Contact them to find out more.

Another advantage of using the classic equipment for mounting, binding, and laminating would be the simpler prep time. Brick and mortar businesses in the United States just want equipment that is going to work properly and give them the final result that they need.

Mounting and Lamination

Mounting and lamination work hand in hand. For you to effectively laminate something, you need to carefully mount it so all of the edges are equal. Mounting and laminating equipment has been around for decades, and many offices are still using them because it is user-friendly. The difference between the two is that mounting would refer to the act of putting the material in place to ensure that it would be laminated correctly. Lamination refers to the use of plastic and heat to make a material (especially paper) be more durable and resistant to many elements. Companies like the USI Laminate specializes in these services and business owners can contact the company to order the best user-friendly lamination equipment that is sold at a lower price. Business owners can also check their website to see if there are any active promotions that they can find.

Binding

Binding pertains to the act of securing multiple pieces of documents into a single book, using different binding materials like adhesives, springs, or slides. Binding is an effective way of sorting out documents and collecting them into a single place. Many offices are using a classic binding machine to accomplish this task. Most of the time, the binding machine does a perfect job. Compared to the binding machines in the present which can bind more books in a split second, many companies still rely on the classic ones because it is cheaper, easier to use, and has a simpler maintenance requirement.

Some items cannot be replaced even by advanced technology because the classic ones have become the staple for most people. Office workers like to be able to mount, bind, and laminate documents. These processes come in handy for many different areas in an office. If you need to hand out information about your company in a hand-held version, having a binding machine is just what you need. If you have employee ID cards that need to be laminated, you can do that quickly and easily with your lamination machine. Anything that is laminated is going to last a long longer than something that is not. 

You will find lamination and binding equipment in most offices these days. These machines have been tried and tested through the years and are a staple in most businesses across America today.

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