Mohit Tater's Blog, page 600

How to Secure Compensation After Being Injured at Work

Getting injured is never fun, but getting hurt at work can be a whole other experience. No matter what type of industry you work in, workplace accidents are always a risk. And the damages of not only the injury itself but the financial impact can be disastrous.

When you get hurt at work, you might end up missing work or incurring lifelong medical complications because of it. For these reasons, it is important that you are compensated. Keep reading to find out how to make sure you are paid what you’re due for your workplace accident.

See a Doctor

This should be the first step whenever you get injured, and it is essential when getting injured because of insurance reasons. Similar to getting in a car accident, going to see a medical professional after will show whoever is potentially compensating you that you are taking the right steps for your health and not just trying to get some cash.

Visiting the doctor on the day of your injury is the best, but if it is not possible, make sure you pay them a visit within the week. This initial checkup will start your recovery process and provide documentation for you to include when going through the insurance claim process.

Visiting the doctor on the day of your injury is the best, but if it is not possible, make sure you pay them a visit within the week. This initial checkup will start your recovery process and provide documentation for you to include when going through the insurance claim process.

Worker’s Comp

If you have never heard of worker’s compensation and have recently been injured at work, it is time to do your research. This is the type of insurance your company more than likely has (most are required to hold it by law) in case someone gets hurt on the job. There might even be a flyer describing it and the process you must complete to claim it available somewhere at your workplace.

Inform Your HR Department

Reading a flyer about how to get compensation might be a tad confusing, so seeing your human resources department or representative is a must. They should not only be well-versed on worker’s compensation but extremely knowledgeable about the specific steps you must take at your workplace.

The Process

Most employers have similar requirements for the process of claiming compensation. Typically, you must let the employer know you will be filing. They will let you know if you are required to do so in writing for documentation purposes. Then you must also let whoever provides your employer’s worker’s comp know that you will be filing a claim.

After that is done, you can fill out your claim and submit it to the insurance company. Some forms may be found at your job or online. Again, your HR representative should give you all this information, but if not, they should be able to answer any of your questions.

Follow Up

After filing a claim, you should follow up with the insurance company. Make sure to check your emails, voicemail, and mail on a regular basis, because they will be sending you updates throughout the process. These updates can include requests for more information and notices about which medical bills they paid or how much of a bill they paid.

To make sure you do not miss out on any compensation, this is an important step. Follow the insurance companies requests for more documentation or verbal statements in a timely manner. If this is done, hopefully everything will go smoothly.

If Problems Arise

If worker’s compensation denies your claim for some reason, or your employer is not cooperative, it may be time to see a lawyer. Look up local accident attorneys, like this one from Tampa, FL if you live in the Tampa area. These types of lawyers specialize in making sure you get compensated for your pain and suffering.

Conclusion

If you get hurt at work and are prompted to see a doctor because of it, you need to at least look into worker’s comp. It may be a process, but so could your recovery. You will not regret gaining some extra money to help pay any medical bills or expenses that were a result of the injury.

The post How to Secure Compensation After Being Injured at Work appeared first on Entrepreneurship Life.

A Manager’s Guide to Effective Meetings

As a manager, it’s important to maintain communication with your employees. Though it may be tempting to fire off an email every time you have news to share, there are certain advantages that come from conducting staff meetings. Meetings help build company culture by bringing teams together to share ideas and questions, and they give employees time to be heard. There are two types of meetings – one-on-one and staff – that keep the channels of communication between managers and employees open.

Both styles of meetings have benefits for employees and managers. In a one-on-one, managers gain insight to what it’s like working as an employee in that company, what challenges they face as well as ideas for improvement. Employees often get direct feedback on performance during one-on-ones, as well as strategize self-improvement or set goals. Staff meetings are important when there is a lot of information to disseminate, which is beneficial to the schedules of everyone involved. Often, group meetings are used as brainstorming sessions.

Tips for an Effective One-On-One


How do you feel about your work?

It benefits your employees to know that you care about their well-being. According to a study conducted by employee engagement experts, nearly 70 percent of people surveyed felt undervalued at work. Asking employees for feedback tells them that their opinions and feelings are important. The information you gain from this question can directly benefit your company, as well. If there’s a pattern to the answers you get, it might be time to make changes in policy or personnel.

Are you meeting your goals or those of the company?

It’s important that your employees connect with your business’ goals, and they will be more driven if they are meeting their personal goals, as well. Goal setting increases self-confidence and improves productivity, so it would benefit you to help your employees meet goals. During regular performance reviews, you can revisit goals, create an action plan of next steps and assist in any way you can, such as provide more training.

What do you love (or not love) about work?

It’s important to employees that they enjoy their work, and it’s just as important to you and your bottom line. A study found that happiness at work leads to a 12 percent increase in productivity. Ask them which parts of the job get them excited and which parts they dread. You may not be able to fix every problem, but there will likely be many you can fix through reorganization or delegation. For example, nearly all your employees dread filling out paperwork, but it’s a preferred task for one of your employees. Shuffling tasks to play to peoples’ preferences and skills increases the likelihood of happier employees.

Tips for an Effective Staff Meeting


Less is more.

Inefficient meetings are costly as they pull employees away from work that directly move your company closer to its goals. Creating a timed staff meeting agenda with a well-defined intention ensures you and your team get the most out of the meeting within a reasonable time frame.

Discuss, don’t “dump.”

“Dumping” information on employees without actionable steps is best left for an email. Effective meetings should be kept on a schedule to ensure important topics are covered in a timely manner, and it’s important the staff meeting agenda includes time for discussion. This discussion should include deciding who is responsible for what and setting deadlines. Determining next steps and getting employee feedback is what separates a meeting from a “dump.”

Manage the size.

When it comes to business meetings, “the more the merrier” doesn’t apply. Amazon founder and CEO Jeff Bezos created the “two pizza rule” of meetings and teamwork, which has become an industry standard. The rule states two pizzas should feed everyone invited to a meeting. Limiting the number of people invited to a meeting is shown to increase engagement and communication and reduce frustration.

Other Effective Management Techniques

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, business degrees have become one of the most popular degrees earned. Since 1970, the number of business degrees awarded tripled at the bachelor’s degree level and increased sevenfold at the master’s degree level. Because of this increase, employers have come to expect candidates to have a business degree on some level.

The online BBA program at University of West Alabama offers concentrations in accounting, business administration, management, marketing and computer information systems. Our program is competitively priced, and 80 percent of students receive some type of financial aid. Further your business career with an online MBA in the future. UWA online allows you to study in a convenient setting that allows you to maintain your professional and personal schedule. There are more than 50 online degrees available.

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Choosing the Right Startup Team

The startup team serves as the foundation of any new business. Therefore, it’s crucial for all entrepreneurs to understand how to build one with skill and discernment. Here are some helpful tips for anyone seeking insight into this vital aspect of the enterprise-building process.

Guiding Principles

Every journey needs a map. Before you begin to build your team, it’s important to identify some key principles that will inform and guide your search. Entrepreneur Magazine notes a few:

Commit to all parties being on the same page.

From small projects to the general company mission, it’s important to ensure that everyone involved is ultimately working toward the same goal. Whether fixing a small issue or tackling a company-wide challenge, every person must understand the direction the company is headed and the plan for getting there. Make sure you know this from the beginning and carry it out by example.

Emphasize communication.

Similar to the previous principle, good communication ensures that all parties feel comfortable in the work they do and in sharing their goals and concerns. Make sure you’re ready to foster a culture where partners and core leadership feel empowered to discuss difficult topics and address important issues.

Decide early on your vision and company culture.

What’s your 10-year plan? What are your company values? Will you emphasize your employees’ knowledge and skill development? Clearly define where you want your company to go and what it will stand for. Doing so will better equip you to find individuals who share those beliefs and are excited about your mission.

Stay flexible.

Market conditions, employee needs, financial responsibilities – they all change. Prepare for what circumstances you can, but always be ready to adapt to the realities in front of you, and encourage your team to do the same.

Hiring a Startup Team

A winning startup team is comprised of highly capable individuals who embody a range of skills and talents. According to the Stanford Graduate School of Business, it’s necessary to find people who balance each other. Note that you don’t have to personally like everyone, but because of the intense nature of a startup team, you do have to find individuals who are a cultural fit. It may help to write down exactly the kind of team you’d like. What type of person balances you? Clarifying who you want makes you more likely to find them.

For many entrepreneurs, the hiring process is a new experience. However, it doesn’t have to be daunting. Finding your startup team means following some key steps:

Identify the positions you’ll need and the materials necessary for your search.

Common positions needed in startups include those in technology, sales, marketing and accounting, explained Inc. Make sure you think about what foundational jobs your company requires. Typical job search materials might include job descriptions, talent recruitment methods like job fairs or Internet postings and salary and compensation figures.

Once you’ve found candidates, you need to provide information your potential employees will need to make informed decisions about their employment such as salaries and work schedules.

Start early.

Begin networking as soon as you realize you need a startup team. Invest time and energy in building professional relationships through meetups, conferences and other professional events. The more professional rapport you’ve built, the easier it will be to tap into those resources when you require them.

Sell the vision.

When you meet a desirable candidate, chances are you’re not their only option as an employer. Pitch your vision of the company. Address their unique motivations, concerns and interests to help them see how they can fit into your plan. Also, make sure you have strategies in place for training, promotions and career advancement, as these things may serve as incentives.

Make interviews interactive.

Instead of simply asking questions, give your candidates work to do. Place them in a team setting, for example, and ask them to solve a problem. Doing so gives you a better understanding of their skills and potential rapport with other team members.

Close the deal quickly.

Once you and your candidate of choice show mutual interest, it’s best to offer them the position within twenty-four hours. They should give you an answer within the week.

“Hire slow, fire fast.”

This adage is often cited as general wisdom for the hiring process – and it’s true. Startup teams are a long-term commitment, and “breaking up” can get messy. If you realize someone isn’t the right fit, waiting too long to let them go can have detrimental effects on you, the rest of your team and your long-term plans. Make sure to have post-hiring assessments in place and be ready to let people go within three months if you realize there’s an issue.

Consider alternatives to full-time employees.

Startup companies don’t always have the resources to hire people full-time. Explore ways around this. Hire skilled contractors, partner with a larger firm or hire individuals on a part-time basis instead. You’ll have the capacity to get things done, and you’ll simultaneously test to see if those employees are a good long-term fit. If they’re not quite right, you’ll mitigate your risks.

How to Grow Your New Business

To become a successful entrepreneur, the U.S. Small Business Administration suggests a number of steps you can take to get your company off the ground and running. These include tasks like conducting market research, writing a business plan, choosing a business structure and more. Learning these skills, however, takes more than just ambition. It requires skill-building, real-world application, and the right academic degree, often a Bachelor of Business Administration.

To get the training you need to help your new venture thrive, you should consider earning your degree from the University of West Alabama. Flexible online courses are designed to provide you with the training you need to help your new venture thrive in a format that easily fits around your life.

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4 Reasons to Select One Gambling Website Over Another

Gambling is one of the oldest gaming that is adored worldwide considering the attached prospect of gain. There are different forms of gambling, and the era of IT has made gambling even better by enabling easy accessibility online. Different regulations exist on gambling depending on jurisdictions, and many gambling sites are now mushrooming. Efficient gaming requires concise decisions since a vast fortune is at stake. One of the fundamental choices that you will have to make is a choice on where to play.

Loyalty to a single a single gambling site is advantageous to your gambling endeavors as you will be well conversant with the gaming regulations and specific goodies attached unlike when you keep hopping from one website to another.  Critical considerations to make in selecting one gambling site over the many others include:

    1.        Bonuses and promotion

Gambling should be like a business involving a speculative risk. Look at what will make you gain maximum when you play with a particular site. Bonuses and promotions should be in your list during the selection process. Bonus Money With Free Bets alone can get you started and see you win big without investing much. Weigh on the rewarding system of a given betting site and make comparisons. However, the offers should be realistic and not meant to lure you then get empty since both of you are in business.  Welcome bonus, deposit bonus and loyalty bonuses are some of the offers you ought to seize.

    2.        Good user interface

The website forms the playing ground and hitches must be to the lower end to ensure convenient gaming. A suitable gambling site should have a user-friendly website that is mobile optimized allowing you to place your bets on the go. Besides, good practice requires that the website should be interactive, enabling prompt response to queries 24/7. Easy accessibility of the gaming is mandatory in selecting a gambling site. Before committing to a given website, it is prudent that you try navigating through the website and ensure that the process is seamless. Getting started and the registration process should also be easy if possible, anonymity is encouraged.

    3.        A variety of gaming options

Versatility in the number of games available as well as the areas or staking in a given site will allow you to explore different options and find the best games that suit your predictions. Some people may be well vast with a given sporting area thus the high potential of making accurate forecasts in the areas of interest. A good gambling site should contain a variety of games that are available in many markets, and these should be frequently updated.

    4.        Good reliable odds

Highest available odds will increase your earnings from a particular bet. It is vital that you consider what the bookies offer on different sites to gauge which one best fits you. Moreover, such high attractive odds should be reliable since many cons exist and may be trying to entice you into submitting then initiating a change. Consistency is one crucial aspect that a favorable gambling site should assure. Reputation is also integral as you don’t wish to play in a firm that will collapse the following day risking your investments.

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5 Reasons Landlords Refuse Pets in Rented Property

A huge 78% of pet owners have experienced difficulty in finding rented accommodation which accepts their furry friends. For many, it’s a huge obstacle and with a growing number of people having little choice but to rent well into their 30’s, the pressure on landlords to change their policies is stronger than ever.

Research shows that tenants are willing to pay hundreds of pounds extra to rent a pet friendly place to live. So why aren’t landlords answering the demand? Many are beginning to see the potential in the market, but many are still unsure about taking on the issues that can come with housing pets. CIA Landlord Insurance take a look at the pro’s and con’s…

Property damage

Destructive pets are said to cause £600 worth of damage to a property over their lifetime and this damage can reduce its value by up to 5%. It’s not difficult to see why landlords are put off by opening up their properties to pets. Untrained and badly behaved dogs are probably the ultimate culprits for this kind of problem – particularly puppies who are still learning what is right and wrong.

That being said, it differs from dog to dog and the majority of well cared for dogs with responsible owners are likely to be trained and well behaved. If they are being left alone for long periods of time though, this can trigger destructive behaviour so it’s well worth meeting the dog in its current home to assess its nature and chat to the potential tenant about their lifestyle to see if the dog will be home alone for a lot of the day.

Some landlords may encounter damage with cats as they have a tendency to scratch – but this can usually be solved with a scratching post. Aside from that, they are fairly low maintenance animals and many landlords are happy for tenants to live alongside their cats. The same goes for small pets such as rabbits, hamsters and such alike. However, if they are left to run free at any point then you’ll likely come across chewed wires and carpets so it’s best that these animals are kept caged to avoid damages.

Allergies

Allergies are on the increase worldwide and it is estimated that over 30% of the UK population suffer from allergic reactions – one of the highest allergy rates in the world. This makes pet allergies a big concern with landlords as it may cause problems with subsequent tenants and put sufferers off from renting the property. They may spend their tenancy in discomfort with an itchy nose and eyes or worse, be in danger of an asthma attack if they come into contact with animal hair.

Photo by Paul Hanaoka on Unsplash

Fur can be really difficult to get out of carpets and particularly sofas. However, it’s not impossible and if the property is adequately cleaned, vacuumed and aired between tenants then it shouldn’t be a problem. If there are stubborn traces of fur, it may be a case of getting professional cleaners in which can be quite an expense. If you’re increasing your rent and allowing pets, then that extra bit of money should cover any problem areas.

Infestation

With animals often comes fleas and mites. They are incredibly common. Fleas have been on this planet for approximately 100 million years and there are over 2000 species and subspecies that we know of. No matter how clean a pet is kept, simply a walk in the park or a sniff in the garden can result in fleas. They can even be picked up within homes having been brought in on shoes or clothing as fleas jump and attach themselves to items. They could be anywhere at anytime!

If you start with one female flea at maximum egg production, in just 60 days you could have more than 20,000 fleas in your home. The issue can very quickly escalate and get out of hand. If fleas get onto carpets, curtains, clothes and soft furnishings, they can be hard to remove and if the problem persists after washing and treating with a household flea treatment product, they may even need to be replaced.

Your tenants don’t want a flea infestation to deal with anymore than you do. Fleas are not fun for cats and dogs and can lead to problems such as hair loss, skin irritation and worse. Most responsible pet owners will give their animal regular flea treatments to avoid infestations and keep them happy and healthy.

Fouling and odours

Similarly, the majority of pets are not particularly clean. Here’s some nice facts for you – over a ten-year lifetime, a dog can produce up to half a ton of faeces and cat poo carries the Toxoplasma gondii parasite that, if it makes its way into humans, can be very dangerous and has been known to cause birth defects.

Most adult dogs are likely to be toilet trained and cats will use a litter tray, however there’s not a lot that can be done in the way of stopping birds, rabbits, ferrets or exotic pets going to the toilet whenever and wherever they fancy. It’s not just in the house that this can be a problem; cats in particular may take a liking to going to the toilet in neighbours gardens and flowerbeds which could easily result in complaints and feuds if the neighbours are keen gardeners.

Photo by Sharon McCutcheon on Unsplash

The odours left by pets can stick around for a while and cling to soft furnishings, making them unattractive to the next tenants. If urine alone soaks into wooden flooring or a carpets underlay then it’s very difficult to get rid of the smell. People who don’t have pets and aren’t used to being around animals will probably notice this smell in a property and this may put them off.

Noise

Another prominent issue with pets in properties is the noise and the complaints that neighbours may make. 41% of common issues around nuisance neighbours in the UK are loud noise related.

The main culprits here are dogs and excessive barking. Many dogs bark at a sound intensity level of between 90-100 decibels, roughly as loud as a person shouting. Again, it’s important to gage your prospective tenants lifestyle and find out whether the dog will be left alone for long periods of the day, as this is when barking can begin and become an issue. Very often, excessive barking can be managed and solved with behavioural training, however this is something your tenant will need to take on and take seriously. Plus – interviews with former burglars show that, along with CCTV, barking dogs are the best deterrent for break-ins!

Should you, or shouldn’t you?

Yes, there are a fair few issues that come with pets in the home, but there are also many solutions to these. There are an estimated 51 million pets in the UK, dogs accounting for 9 million of these. An estimated 20,000 homeless dogs a year are put down in the UK and sadly, many landlords ‘no pets’ policies contribute to this number.

Photo by Sharon McCutcheon on Unsplash

The UK’s Labour party are currently campaigning to strengthen the rights of tenants to keep a pet in their rented property. Labour’s plans call for there to be a need for evidence from a landlord that the animal in question was a nuisance in order for permission to be refused. We’re a nation that love our animals and landlords with a ‘no pets’ policy may find themselves left behind.

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How to Destress After a Hard Day at the Office

In the daily life of many entrepreneurs, there is the very real threat of becoming stressed – largely due to factors outside of our control.

From inefficient suppliers to computer/equipment outages, and after those days where tough decisions and phone calls need to be made, many of us head home with a pounding headache and the need to unwind. Unfortunately, the sheer nature of being an entrepreneur, and enjoying the success that that brings, means that we end up working well into the evening/night too, answering emails and setting up our diaries for the week ahead.

But this, simply, is a bad idea. Stress impacts upon our productivity and our ability to think logically and creatively, and if experienced long-term can have significant, detrimental effects on our physical and mental wellbeing.

Source: Pixabay

Working into the night will naturally lead to a lack of sleep too, and as reported by the NHS in the UK “regular poor sleep puts you at risk of serious medical conditions, including obesity, heart disease and diabetes – and it shortens your life expectancy.”

Simply put, many of us will be too unwell to enjoy the fruits of our labor.

So, we need to find ways to unwind after a hard day at the office. Those don’t include procrastinating over the wording of an important email or trying to figure out if it would be legally sound to fire Andy from accounts due to his daily lunch of egg and tuna sandwiches.

Here are a couple of ideas that might aid you in boxing off your work day.

Get a Hobby

So many entrepreneurs complain of a lack of time to pursue their interests, but for a healthy, balanced lifestyle you simply have to make time.

Think of life as one giant pie chart: a third should be reserved for sleep, a third for work and a third for hobbies and passions away from the office.

Joining a gym could actually boost your workplace performance. Exercise is proven to improve mood, tackle stress and anxiety, and it could also help enhance your productivity in the office with one study finding that after six weeks of exercise, 36 healthy participants showed reduced levels of fatigue in their daily lives.

Source: Pixabay

Finding your endorphin hit that doesn’t revolve around sales figures and Excel spreadsheets; Rediscover a love for sport, dust off that old mountain bike, treat yourself to art classes, learn a new language or enjoy casino games online. If you opt for the latter, take the time to read casino reviews, as here you will learn which sites are worthy of your time and which should be avoided. You’ll also find out about welcome bonuses and promotions, as well as loyalty schemes where you can unlock rewards and prizes.

Say No to Technology

There have been all sorts of research studies carried out into the impact of technology on our health…. and the results are not exactly encouraging.

The physical ailments of over-use of technology include bad posture – which can lead to spinal issues down the line and so-called “tech neck”, while studies have also shown that over-exposure to heavily-lit screens can lead to short-sightedness.

Professor Larry Rosen of California State University has even coined a phrase to categorize the psychological problems associated with technology and social media. His “iDisorder” is a term phrase coined given the increasing symptoms of “a psychiatric disorder such as OCD, narcissism, addiction or even ADHD, which are manifested through your use—or overuse—of technology.”

It would be fair to say that many of us spend too much time on social media, and the gratification in receiving likes or retweets feeds into our dopamine-led reward cycle.

Step away from the tech as much as you can outside the workplace… Your health will surely benefit.

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Four Tips for Making an Impact at a Tradeshow

Whether you’re a new entrepreneur who is just wading into the business waters, or a seasoned entrepreneur who is fully immersed in running a company, tradeshows can be a crucial part of cultivating brand awareness and building strategic relationships.

Tradeshows are competitive, and increasingly expensive. In order to get the most out of your tradeshow spend and maximize your efforts, try these tips to create an impact for your business.

Make it Yours

The golden rule of marketing is to know your target audience, and this extends to tradeshow booths. Your booth is a reflection of your brand, but it is also a hook to draw in decision-makers and potential clients to your business. Creating a booth and an experience that appeals to this demographic is important.

Draw up a customer profile for your target audience and get specific. What do they like? What do they do in their spare time? What aesthetic most appeals to them? This profile will shape your booth, and will help you choose everything from design and lighting to color palettes. Ensure your branding is consistent, and that people can see it when they approach from any direction.

Offer Great Giveaways

It sounds simple, but it works. People love swag, and remember where they got it from. For us, it’s stickers, but for your company it could be anything that relates to your brand, or is useful to your audience, such as special discounts or exclusive offers. When we hand out stickers at tradeshows, we see people returning to our booth for more, often bringing others along.

Hire the Right People

Brand ambassadors can make or break your tradeshow efforts. Do your research and hire brand ambassadors that are personable, professional, friendly, and well-spoken. Make sure that you provide them with the coaching and materials they need to accurately and effectively represent your brand, and give them enough lead time so that they can absorb the information. Give them branded shirts, badges or other identifiers so it’s easy for people to recognize who to approach for information on your business. Encourage them to actively reach out to passersby, and engage with people who stop by your booth.

Don’t Forget to Follow Up

Attending a tradeshow can be overwhelming for attendees. Many of the people who stopped by your booth will have trouble remembering specifics as they likely stopped by many booths during the day. Ensure that they don’t forget your brand, and reinforce what they learned about your brand with a follow up email. Thank them for their attendance, remind them of your brand and what you can offer them, let them know about any upcoming events, and offer the option to join your social media followings or email newsletter.

Tradeshows are an exciting opportunity any entrepreneur to expand brand awareness and make essential connections to grow your business. It’s worth it to invest in creating an impressive tradeshow presence as part of a forward-thinking marketing strategy that produces results.

Author bio: StickerYou Founder & President, Andrew Witkin

As the founder of a global e-commerce leader in custom-printed, die-cut products, Andrew Witkin is widely recognized as a leading authority on e-commerce, customization, startups, marketing and the tech economy. Witkin has also served as VP North American Licensing for Nelvana/Corus Entertainment and Director of Marketing for MegaBrands/Mattel.

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Investment entrepreneur Freddie Achom talks Entrepreneurship, Blockchain and Rosemont Group Foundation

Meet Freddie Achom, the man behind the internationally renowned venture capitalist investment company, Rosemont Group. Describing himself as a “traditional” businessman, Freddie began his entrepreneurial career when he was 20. Taking inspiration from a varied list of mentors, from the likes of Muhammed Ali to Richard Branson. Freddie now focuses on tech investment, financial services, hospitality, renewable energy, luxury goods and services.

Freddie Achom is British-Nigerian, he operates his businesses from offices in London, Paris and New York. He heads Rosemont Group Capital Partners and overseas the group’s investments into early stage tech start-ups and is particularly interested in disruptive technology and innovation. His private equity arm focuses on more established traditional investment opportunities and companies.

Rosemont Group’s recent investments include Bookee, Dabbl and Vivid Technology, a new cloud voice platform delivering customer services, based in Pakistan. In 2015, he lead the first tranche of investment in AppyParking, London’s leading parking App, which has just raised £10 million pounds and is valued at £50 million.

Now 44, Freddie has enjoyed more than 20 years at the forefront of investing in innovative start-ups and entrepreneurs. He’s committed to giving something back to help others become just as successful. To this end, his foundation aims to support and fund the next generation to ensure that “the less privileged can have a shot at succeeding in life.”

We caught up with Freddie at his family home in Paris, where he talks about expanding his investments during the rest of 2018 and into next year, where fintech and blockchain remain his specialist interest sectors.

Our fascinating Q&A reveals the secrets of Freddie’s business success, and his predictions for the future.

What’s your primary focus for the rest of this year and into 2019?

Blockchain remains the focus of business conversations in just about every sector. The technology is becoming ever more important to Rosemont as well. No-one can ignore it, and we want to capitalise on it.

We’re seeing more start-ups and entrepreneurs buying into the idea of creating tokens. The idea is to create an alternative or secondary commercial value. And the opportunity is very much there for start-ups, entrepreneurs and new businesses who properly grasp the technology that underpins blockchain tech.

As we move into 2019, more business sectors are recognising how important blockchain tech is. More major disruptors are exploring this avenue, and we’re even seeing governments and multinationals implementing it in ever-more innovative ways. Obviously, soon it will be a crowded market sector, but at Rosemont, we have the right experience to carve out a niche for ourselves. As our focus is primarily on fintech and virtual currency, this should tie in nicely.

Right now, we’re working with three tech companies using blockchain. I’m sure this will increase as our deal flow is growing exponentially.

Which markets do you specifically target?

We have always, and will continue to, focus on fintech. We’re aiming to build on our presence in emerging markets such as India, Pakistan, Africa and South America. Our presence in these markets is already solid, but we’re looking to be more active. These are the regions in which we see massive growth potential and the possibility of oversized return on investment.

What motivates you as a CEO and entrepreneur?

I thrive on being involved right at the start of a project. I’m energised by being an active part of the creative development that early stage start-ups go through. This gives me the same level of interest and excitement as when I first starting out.

The spark of a new idea, an innovative solution, advising and guiding start-up founders and entrepreneurs is my motivation as a CEO, entrepreneur and investor. At Rosemont, we’re prepared to engage with founders from the ground up. Depending on their status, we’re prepared to be as involved as necessary. Often, we become sort of virtual co-founders, and it’s this part that I love! Developing concepts and ideas, working with talented, innovative ideas… it never gets old.

How does the Rosemont Foundation benefit new talent?

It’s important to me that my foundation promotes new talent and gives young people a chance. I grew up always believing in myself and that I could own a business. I knew that I could achieve, and I was never concerned about my future.

This was my everyday normality. But I know it’s not the same for every young person, particularly for those from less well-off backgrounds. Many young people grow up cut off from the potential that lies in the business sector, and it doesn’t need to be that way. The Foundation aims to bridge this gap. We work to show every young person that there are opportunities for them within the corporate sphere. No matter their background. We all need more diversity in the boardroom and in every day working life.

There is a lot more work to be done in order to make it a level playing field. I love working with new talent, young people with fresh ideas and to help them understand that they can realise their potential. Aspiration and self-belief are equally important, and we try to help young people develop both.

I often see people with phenomenal ideas that they have developed while working for someone else. They’re often not able to share it within their role or to implement the idea as an employee, and this is a bit heart-breaking. Most people live to make someone else’s business dream a reality. Taking the right kind of risk is key for people like this.

Of course, there is a lot of stress and many sleepless nights involved when you start out alone. But running your own business and becoming a successful entrepreneur is incredibly satisfying. We are focusing on these benefits and promoting the positive sides of working for yourself.

How can schools help to nurture this raw talent?

I certainly felt that there was nowhere near enough encouragement when I was at school. It was incredibly limiting in terms of support for a corporate career. Back then, education was more about pushing you into a box of a career, in which you were expected to stay until retirement.

This was never of interest to me, and never featured in my plans for the future. In a way, school just wasn’t relevant to the path I took and my career successes. No one ever asked me what I actually wanted to do, or told me that there were other paths to take to achieve my ambitions. There is no doubt that we need much more education surrounding entrepreneurship and starting a business – and it needs to be of a higher quality.

These days, kids have to get lucky with the right sort of teacher to benefit. The current system is just not set up to produce the kinds of young, hungry, ambitious entrepreneurs that we know are out there.

What would you say to a start-up looking for investment?

I get a lot of pitches, and definitely have advice for start-ups who are on the look out for investment. Be concise and sharp. Demonstrate the depth of your understanding and knowledge. These are absolute musts.

And, if you can answer the following ‘killer questions’, then you’re ready to make a pitch:

What is the user-problem, or ‘pain point’ your product or service solves? Do you really understand it in depth?
Who are you really and why do you care about this problem?
Can you succinctly explain your value proposition? What makes it unique?
Do you understand the business landscape?
Do you have a plan for effective distribution of your solution? Does it target your customer? Why should they care and why is it better than your competition?

The post Investment entrepreneur Freddie Achom talks Entrepreneurship, Blockchain and Rosemont Group Foundation appeared first on Entrepreneurship Life.

Entrepreneur Frederick Achom on the secrets of his success and his plans for 2019 and beyond

Meet Frederick Achom, the man behind the internationally renowned venture capitalist investment company, Rosemont Group. Describing himself as a “traditional” businessman, Frederick began his entrepreneurial career when he was 20. Taking inspiration from the likes of Muhammed Ali and Richard Branson, Frederick now focuses on tech investment, financial services, hospitality, renewable energy, luxury goods and services and more.

Frederick is British-Nigerian, operating from offices in London, Paris and New York. He leads the Rosemont Group into early stage tech start-up investments and is particularly interested in disruptive technology and ideas.

Rosemont’s recent investments include Appy Parking, London’s leading parking App. and Vivid Technology, a new cloud voice platform delivering customer services, based in Pakistan.

Now 44, Frederick has enjoyed more than 20 years at the forefront of investing in innovative start-ups and entrepreneurs. He’s committed to giving something back to help others become just as successful. To this end, his foundation aims to support and fund the next generation to ensure that “the less privileged can have a shot at succeeding in life.”

We caught up with Frederick at his family home in Paris, where he talks about expanding his investments during the rest of 2018 and into next year, where fintech and blockchain remain his specialist interest sectors.

Our fascinating Q&A reveals the secrets of Frederick’s business success, and his predictions for the future.

What’s your primary focus for the rest of this year and into 2019?

Blockchain remains the focus of business conversations in just about every sector. The technology is becoming ever more important to Rosemont as well. No-one can ignore it, and we want to capitalise on it.

We’re seeing more start-ups and entrepreneurs buying into the idea of creating tokens. The idea is to create an alternative or secondary commercial value. And the opportunity is very much there for start-ups, entrepreneurs and new businesses who properly grasp the technology that underpins blockchain tech.

As we move into 2019, more business sectors are recognising how important blockchain tech is. More major disruptors are exploring this avenue, and we’re even seeing governments and multinationals implementing it in ever-more innovative ways. Obviously, soon it will be a crowded market sector, but at Rosemont, we have the right experience to carve out a niche for ourselves. As our focus is primarily on fintech and virtual currency, this should tie in nicely.

Right now, we’re working with three tech companies using blockchain. I’m sure this will increase as our deal flow is growing exponentially.

Which markets do you specifically target?

We have always, and will continue to, focus on fintech. We’re aiming to build on our presence in emerging markets such as India, Pakistan, Africa and South America. Our presence in these markets is already solid, but we’re looking to be more active. These are the regions in which we see massive growth potential and the possibility of oversized return on investment.

What motivates you as a CEO and entrepreneur?

I thrive on being involved right at the start of a project. I’m energised by being an active part of the creative development that early stage start-ups go through. This gives me the same level of interest and excitement as when I first starting out.

The spark of a new idea, an innovative solution, advising and guiding start-up founders and entrepreneurs is my motivation as a CEO, entrepreneur and investor. At Rosemont, we’re prepared to engage with founders from the ground up. Depending on their status, we’re prepared to be as involved as necessary. Often, we become sort of virtual co-founders, and it’s this part that I love! Developing concepts and ideas, working with talented, innovative ideas… it never gets old.

How does the Rosemont Foundation benefit new talent?

It’s important to me that my foundation promotes new talent and gives young people a chance. I grew up always believing in myself and that I could own a business. I knew that I could achieve, and I was never concerned about my future.

This was my everyday normality. But I know it’s not the same for every young person, particularly for those from less well-off backgrounds. Many young people grow up cut off from the potential that lies in the business sector, and it doesn’t need to be that way. The Foundation aims to bridge this gap. We work to show every young person that there are opportunities for them within the corporate sphere. No matter their background. We all need more diversity in the boardroom and in every day working life.

There is a lot more work to be done in order to make it a level playing field. I love working with new talent, young people with fresh ideas and to help them understand that they can realise their potential. Aspiration and self-belief are equally important, and we try to help young people develop both.

I often see people with phenomenal ideas that they have developed while working for someone else. They’re often not able to share it within their role or to implement the idea as an employee, and this is a bit heart-breaking. Most people live to make someone else’s business dream a reality. Taking the right kind of risk is key for people like this.

Of course, there is a lot of stress and many sleepless nights involved when you start out alone. But running your own business and becoming a successful entrepreneur is incredibly satisfying. We are focusing on these benefits and promoting the positive sides of working for yourself.

How can schools help to nurture this raw talent?

I certainly felt that there was nowhere near enough encouragement when I was at school. It was incredibly limiting in terms of support for a corporate career. Back then, education was more about pushing you into a box of a career, in which you were expected to stay until retirement.

This was never of interest to me, and never featured in my plans for the future. In a way, school just wasn’t relevant to the path I took and my career successes. No one ever asked me what I actually wanted to do, or told me that there were other paths to take to achieve my ambitions. There is no doubt that we need much more education surrounding entrepreneurship and starting a business – and it needs to be of a higher quality.

These days, kids have to get lucky with the right sort of teacher to benefit. The current system is just not set up to produce the kinds of young, hungry, ambitious entrepreneurs that we know are out there.

What would you say to a start-up looking for investment?

I get a lot of pitches, and definitely have advice for start-ups who are on the look out for investment. Be concise and sharp. Demonstrate the depth of your understanding and knowledge. These are absolute musts.

And, if you can answer the following ‘killer questions’, then you’re ready to make a pitch:

What is the user-problem, or ‘pain point’ your product or service solves? Do you really understand it in depth?
Who are you really and why do you care about this problem?
Can you succinctly explain your value proposition? What makes it unique?
Do you understand the business landscape?
Do you have a plan for effective distribution of your solution? Does it target your customer? Why should they care and why is it better than your competition?

The post Entrepreneur Frederick Achom on the secrets of his success and his plans for 2019 and beyond appeared first on Entrepreneurship Life.

What Should You Do When the Market is Flat?

Sooner or later every market turns flat, and it can feel strange not being able to find any good trading opportunities. In fact, many investors keep trying to find opportunities when the market is moving sideways, but that’s usually not advisable because a flat market can be unpredictable.

However, it does not mean that there is nothing you can do but rather the opposite. When the market flattens, you will have the opportunity to do all of those tasks you never get to do otherwise.

What Indicates a Slow Market?

Any given market can move in three directions; it either moves up, down or sideways and it’s the sideways market that’s often referred to as a flat market. The problem with a flat market is that it’s characterized by low volatility and as a trader, you want to be focusing on high volatility markets. Another problem with a flat market is that it can be very unpredictable and many times your regular trading strategies won’t work as efficiently which means the risk of you losing increases.

If you can’t trade when the market is flat, then what should you do?

Review Your Performance

As a professional trader, you should always strive to review and evaluate your past performances. You can either have a journal where you make notes of your trading while it happens, or you go back and look over your performance every once in a while. By doing so, you will be able to figure out which strategies have worked the best for you and which instruments you tend to make the most accurate analyses for. In turn, you can use that data to optimize your performance for the future.

Now, when the market is active and there is high volatility, you probably won’t have the time or incentive to do this which is why it’s perfect for the days or weeks when the market is moving sideways.

In other words, when the market stagnates and starts moving sideways, it’s time for you to start evaluating and optimizing your strategies based on past performances.

Investors Should Consider Trading

If you are a stock investor that mostly opens positions that stretch for long periods of time, a flat market could create some unique opportunities.

As mentioned, a flat market is far from optimal for trading purposes due to the low volatility, but there are exceptions. Even during the calmest circumstances, there are usually a few instruments that are moving, and you can always try to make a bit of profit from them.

For example, CFD trading is a great option for the long-term investor looking to benefit from smaller market movements during a flat market. CFD is short for contracts for difference and is usually offered by a broker.

Analyze the Market for the Future

A flat market will also give you plenty of time to perform in-depth analysis of instruments and markets so that you are well-prepared when the market takes off again.

We suggest you spend the time performing fundamental and technical analysis of the instruments you usually trade with. This will help you prepare for the next time the market starts moving, and it will also help you predict when that will happen.

A flat market is no excuse to not get stuff done but an opportunity to ensure that you are ready when the market starts moving again.

Final Thoughts

Don’t let the next flat market put you off balance and don’t see it as a waste of time where all you do is wait for the next move. Instead, try to make the best of it by optimizing your future performances and planning for the next time the market moves.

Flat markets happen, and there is nothing we can do to stop that so we might as well use them to our advantage.

 

The post What Should You Do When the Market is Flat? appeared first on Entrepreneurship Life.