Increasing Your Portfolio Across Borders

Unless you live in a cave, globalization hasn’t escaped your notice. While international trade has flourished, so has international investing. In the old days, international investing was a realm for wealthy and professional investors. It was risky and expensive. Besides, the U.S. was by far the world’s biggest economy, and investing here was better.

In 2017, investors who said that had to eat their hats. Using the S&P 500 as the domestic benchmark, U.S. equities rose by 21.83 percent. That’s not bad, but consider this: The MSCI ACWI EX US, a measure of the world’s stock market performance excluding the U.S., saw a gain of 27.9 percent. Europe, Asia, and the Far East recorded gains of 25.03 percent. Emerging markets enjoyed a stunning 37.28 percent rise.

For international stocks, the party is far from over, according to Nicole Coombes and Paul Fortin, due diligence analysts with Boston Private. “We are particularly bullish on international equities right now. They had a strong year in 2017, and we think that’s going to continue,” explains Coombes. If that prediction holds true, investors have a lot to look forward to in the international sector. Coombes recommends always having a piece of the international market. Here’s why:

1.Diversification

A well-diversified portfolio in today’s era needs to include more than U.S. investments. Investors need to hedge all sorts of risks, including to the U.S. economy and the U.S. dollar.

2.New opportunities

International markets, especially emerging markets, are full of fresh investment opportunities. Gains from fast growing economies, privatization, and loosening trade barriers are projected to continue far into the future.

3.Attractive valuations

No matter how good a company or its products, its stock has to be valued right to be a good investment. The international markets provide much larger opportunities for value investing.

Avoid country bias

American investors have 75 percent of their equities in American companies, even though they own 53 percent of the world’s stocks. This shows a definite bias towards U.S. stocks. Why?

Americans are familiar with American companies. They know Amazon, Microsoft, and the other S&P 500 components. Overseas companies are unknown, but they are where opportunity lies.

Equity prices in the U.S. stock market are looking expensive. Even with some recent pullbacks, the P/E ratio of big U.S. companies, and the valuation of the market itself, are far above the international average. With these high valuations comes the specter of a bubble not seen in international stocks.

Another reason U.S. investors shy away from international equities is a false sense that international investing is too complicated. The real problem may be more in line with international markets being unfamiliar. Though investing in unfamiliar territory causes some justifiable reticence, a ready solution is close at hand.

International stock funds take all the guesswork out of investing overseas. Professional money managers pick the best values, after countless hours of research, so you don’t have to. This takes away the problem of having to worry about investing in something you don’t understand.

The fund managers understand these markets. With the incredible performance of many international markets and their values still remaining low, international funds stand to outpace their U.S. counterparts for years to come.

Increase your profits with options

Options are a great tool to increase returns in flat markets. With the U.S. market seeming to slow down, it’s a good idea to branch out into other investment vehicles. One way to use options to capitalize on placid market waters is through a bull call spread strategy.

This spread involves purchasing a call option and put option on the same stock with the same expiration date, as Investopedia explains. Because volatility is expected to remain low until the expiration date, there is a high chance that the stock price will fall between the strike prices of the call and put. In that case, the investor profits from both positions.

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Investors seeking to invest in private companies will admit that it is not an easy decision, owing to the risks involved, long-term investments and liquidity issues. Whether you are investing in a private company for the first time or you have invested in over 100 companies, it pays to learn the basics so that you don’t make mistakes. For starters, you need to understand what you want to gain from the investment, but don’t primarily focus on making money. Investors seeking to invest in companies should pursue projects that they are familiar with, have a passion for, and have background knowledge on so that they can easily make more money. Besides, investors should also consider these other things before investing in companies.

 

Have diversified strategies

You are not likely to be a successful investor if you put all your money in only three or four companies. Studies reveal that successful private investors invest in between seven to ten companies. In fact, angel investors have about nine years of experience, and they have an average of one investment per year. Therefore, you should identify the amount of money you plan to allocate to that class so that you can diversify your investments to increase success odds and reduce risks.

 

Talk to customers

You need to get more customer data so that you make the right investment decision. In fact, you should talk to not less than five customers who use the service or product. It will enable you to understand from the first-hand users of products or services the void that the brand fills as well as what they like about it. When talking to them, find out if there is an alternative product or service that they would use in place of the product or service. You should find out if they would still use the brand if competitors drop the prices, why they would or would not consider using another product so that you can gauge their loyalty to your product. Most importantly, find out from the customers if they can refer other people to use the product. Investors should pay attention to the kind of customers that the company has, and they can feel safe if the customers promote the product.

 

Know the exit strategy

You should understand the exit scenarios of the sector that you want. Consider how big the company needs to be and the margins so that it can go public or have an attractive acquisition target. Also, you should understand the options available to you as the investor when buying or selling specific underlying equity. Investors can be a short or long put strategy based on the rights to sell the specific investment.

 

Talk to an expert

Investors should talk to experts in the sector that they have interest in, to get advice on various issues such as the viability of the industry. You can look for financial experts in that sector rather than in other sectors because the later might not be knowledgeable in your business of interest. Also, you should ensure that you talk to an attorney so that you know legal requirements such as legal documents when investing in private companies. Let your lawyer see all the documents to get feedback. Investors should understand their lawyer’s points even if they don’t care about them.

 

Know the deal

Investors should know how the deal structure and the company’s valuation stack up against other companies in the sector. They need to consider the valuation relative to other companies depending on several factors such as growth rate, capital structure, revenue, risk profile, and net income. You should avoid companies with a high valuation.

 

Understand the business

Investors should invest in what they know, which means that they should use their products or services before they invest in the industry. An investor who understands a business has more confidence in the investment than one who doesn’t know about the company. Besides, you cannot invest in a tech business when you don’t have a tech background. You should understand tech trends and how technology is affecting various industries among other pressing issues before you invest in the tech business.

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There are many ways to increase your investment portfolio, but there are two rules you must follow when you set out on your mission to make more money. First, you must determined to have a balanced portfolio to ward off any dips. Second, you must not ever, ever panic.

 

Most experts say people make terrible mistakes when they panic during a drop. They sell assets low only to give themselves a facepalm when their former stocks dramatically rise later. Building a portfolio takes time, most of it waiting, and you need to be prepared to let your assets simmer over a decade or two to truly build wealth.

 

Conservative Choices for Older Investors

Beyond that, there are some things you can do to increase your wealth and protect your assets. Most experts state you can take on more risk with aggressive stocks when you are younger. The older you are the more you should look to conservative investments like bonds or treasury notes. They offer less in return, but are safe.

 

There is a lot of talk about gold, silver and other precious metals. A diversification into precious metals could be helpful to offset any loss in stocks over the years. Gold goes the opposite direction of stocks because of its inverted relationship with inflation. If stocks are down, gold prices surge. Be aware that gold will more than double, possibly even triple, but it takes 20 years to get the most value out of it.

 

Blue chip stocks, those companies that have been around and are sure winners, are always good to include in your portfolio. They usually have strong growth and carry little risk.

 

Aggressive Investment Choices

Cryptocurrency is the center of a lot of talk because of Bitcoin’s sudden value rise and drop over the past year, but most experts remain wary of investing in the online currency. There are at least 20 different cryptocurrencies to choose from and all have their different advantages. Bitcoin is the most well known, but some of the lesser known currencies like Ethereum and Litecoin deserve some notice. Around 43 percent of those who are into cryptocurrency say the future is in Ripple.

 

Some of the largest growth is coming in new technology like artificial intelligence, according to stock experts. A fund including new tech like blockchains or a GPU database could net big money as the technology grows. Blockchains, which are the tech behind cryptocurrency, are considered by some to be a smarter choice than cryptocurrency itself. GPU databases are showing they offer more functionality than in gaming and should see expansion into other sectors, like the financial or industries wanting to effectively supercharge their databases.

 

Those watching the stock market advice real, serious money will be made by investing in the back-end tech behind new inventions like self-driving cars, virtual medical exams, and water filtration systems. These are all smaller, unknown companies at the moment, but are the ones that make new inventions function.

 

The Past is Made New Again

There could also be significant growth in sectors that were once U.S. industry leaders, but died off in the global market. President Donald Trump’s deregulation efforts, tariffs and one-on-one agreements will have a significant impact on industries like steel, automotive, and coal. Coal companies are reopening in the Blue Ridge Mountains and steel companies are seeing profit sharing stocks rise. One company saw a 13 percent profit sharing increase since Nov. 8, when Trump was elected. Part of confidence stems out of the promise of protective tariffs and part from dramatic infrastructure improvements.

 

Investing is a smart decision as long as you make it an informed decision. Brokerages have investment funds of solid choices which do the research for you and that is helpful to new investors. In the end, you will find having any kind of investment portfolio is better than not having one at all.

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As a small business owner, you might have at some point chickened out or thought of quitting after facing your competitor in the marketing arena. Also, you might be wondering what it takes to have a successful venture just like your competitors. Businesses can become successful despite the market conditions. Business success is pegged on various grounds and not just good management or having the right service or product at the right time.

Successful businesses have plans and effective execution plans

A successful company has a well-structured plan that lays out short, medium and long-term objectives of how it will get to its destination. They have the drive to attain their long-term goals as laid out in their strategic plans. One of the perfect ways of implementing strategic plans is by aligning short and medium term objectives with long-term strategies. Failure to execute business plans is one of the leading causes of business failures especially for middle-sized ventures because business owners get overwhelmed with daily operations in the business. It is unfortunate that most enterprises that create plans fail to implement them because of capacity constraints such as money or time.

Passion and vision

A successful business knows how its final destination looks like and where it is going. The vision for businesses is about analyzing external factors such as changes in legislation, economy consumer sentiments, and disruptive technologies. They anticipate the changes to external factors and react to them quickly. Besides, vision is not learned or taught, so the business owner needs to have vision. A competitive market requires businesses that have a view for them to thrive well and succeed. Passion sounds simple, but as a business owner, you can never get a substitute for passion and the commitment of showing up to the business every day with the zeal required for success. Business owners who lack the love for entrepreneurship, their products, and services, or the process of working things out in the business then nothing will work out, or the company might end up failing.

Successful businesses have systems in place

Established systems such as payroll systems, documentation processes, data catalogs, and communication systems are recipes for successful companies because they prevent a business from making the same mistake twice. Enterprise data catalogs are corporate resources for storing data where you can easily access the data using locators. The computer technology is rapidly evolving, which means that businesses regardless of their sizes can use technology to enhance systems and ensure business efficiency. Efficient business management systems offer a framework for implementing processes that ensure business success.

Customer and quality obsession

Most unsuccessful businesses pay attention to selling their services or products rather than to their customers. Serious visionaries are obsessed with satisfying their customers by ensuring that they offer quality and ask for customer reviews so that they can know where to improve on and enhance their customer service. You cannot just advertise your brand, sell your services or sell your products because customer obsession comes first for every successful business. Every business needs to remember that they can’t spike their revenues unless they are obsessed with building quality products that will satisfy their clients and encourage client retention. A thriving business internalizes quality packaging, prompt responsiveness to customer concerns, and simple usability.

Since you have the tips for making your business successful, now you need to roll up your sleeves and start working towards your company’s goals. Besides, a thriving business belongs to entrepreneurs who are passionate about their business and those who work hard. Don’t forget consistency is vital for every growing business to achieve success.

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Sometimes it can be difficult to maintain your focus, concentration, and energy. If you have to work long hours, spending long periods of time in front of a computer, it’s easy to get drained pretty quickly. With this in mind, many people turn to quick fixes — things like coffee or energy drinks — as a way to stay at the top of their game. While these temporary boosts may work in the short-term, many would rather seek a longer lasting solution. That’s where so-called “smart drugs” come in. Smart drugs (sometimes called nootropics) is the all-encompassing name used to refer to the drugs and supplements that are designed to enhance cognitive functions like creativity, motivation, memory, focus, and more. It’s not just a niche market either. Some notable names from Silicon Valley have made strides in promoting smart drugs with big investments.

 

Perhaps it shouldn’t be a surprise that Silicon Valley minds have gravitated toward smart drugs. Silicon Valley business experts like to stay on the cutting edge and tap into trends as they’re on the rise. Here are four who are putting their money where their mouth is, so to speak.

 

Marc Andreessen

 

Marc Andreessen is a co-founder of Andreessen Horowitz, a Silicon Valley venture capital firm. You’ve likely heard his name before. He’s a billionaire who has invested in such notable companies as Skype, Airbnb, Twitter, and Buzzfeed. So Andreessen has a pretty good record when it comes to backing successful ventures. One of the smart drug companies he’s invested in is Nootrobox, a startup based out of San Francisco. Nootrobox is founded by Michael Brandt and Geoffrey Woo, and the investment is meant to help in further research of nootropics along with increasing production of their offerings. Andreessen and his venture capital group clearly see the potential in this field.

 

Steve Farber

 

Steven Farber is the president and founder of The Extreme Leadership Institute, which helps develop leaders within education, the business community, and non-profits. He’s also a best-selling author and a motivational speaker focused on leadership. Since he’s so connected with business leaders, he also is in tune with the demands on Silicon Valley entrepreneurs. In dealing with these demands, he eventually discussed nootropics with Daniel Schmachtenberger, one of the founders of the Neurohacker Collective. As Farber puts it, he came away from the discussions so impressed that he became a channel partner for the company. The Neurohacker Collective looks to provide nootropic supplements designed to help people focus, improve motivation, and enhance overall brain health.

 

Marissa Mayer and Mark Pincus

 

For this entry, we’ll return to the company Nootrobox, which not only got backing from Andreessen Horowitz but two other notable Silicon Valley leaders: Marissa Mayer and Mark Pincus. Mayer was a long-time executive of Google before becoming the president and CEO of Yahoo!, a position she resigned from in 2017. Pincus is the co-founder and former CEO of Zynga, the company behind top social media games like Farmville and Words With Friends. Both Mayer and Pincus were attracted to the idea of smart drugs and jumped on board with a $500,000 investment each. The two have other connections with Nootrobox as well. Mayer originally hired one of the company’s founders back when she worked at Google, and Pincus worked next door to Nootrobox at the time the investment happened.

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Entrepreneurs know how important it is to keep up with the latest trends. These trends reflect consumer interests and how they are making purchasing. Those companies who are not staying updated with relevant research are likely to be outstripped by the competition.

The User Experience

Consumers tend to make purchases indirectly. They are not interested in watching a product advertisement. Give them something they want. This will contribute to brand repetition. When your audience needs a product from your industry, you will already be on their mind. Marketers refer to this as inbound marketing.

There are a few ways to accomplish this. Some marketers advise implementing games. Of course, users have a high expectation for video games since there are so many high-quality platforms. Another option is to write blog posts. Draw consumers to your website with information. Depending on your industry, you could hit on emotional themes throughout your blog. If you write about something related to the home or family, that could create emotional avenues.

Further, if you are focusing on the user experience, you will have to ask who the user is. If you are targeting millennials, the user experience will be a little different than if you were targeting an older generation. Millennials typically have a short attention span. They are going to leave your site if it loads too slowly or if there are big blocks of text.

Shoppable Videos

Consumers are generally more likely to watch a short video than read a short article. They do not require as much intellectual energy. Shoppable videos are in their infancy, but many predict expansion within the next few years. There might be PayPal checkouts within a video. It is difficult to anticipate exactly what this technology will look like, but it will be there.

Data

Data is obviously not a new trend. But the way businesses collect and interpret data is changing. There is technology known as a low-code platform. It categorizes all of the information relevant to your business so you can decide your future. Many platforms such as cloud foundry Kafka have capabilities that better help you improve your business strategy, market research, predictive analysis, portfolio management and much more. Since many of your competitors are using this technology, you will need it if you do not want to be left behind.

Collecting Information

When users purchase your product or play a game that you created, you should require some contact information. Of course, many will get impatient if there is a long form. You should just request their email addresses and names. Email addresses are more lucrative than you might think. Many entrepreneurs gather them to create newsletters. A newsletter will be a direct line of communication between you and your audience. This will be important if something ever happens to your social media accounts.

Mobile Commerce

Mobile browsing has actually overtaken desktop browsing in recent years. This has led many entrepreneurs to develop ecommerce stores that are compatible with the smartphone. However, some have noticed that there are not a lot of mobile conversions. That statistic might be a little misleading. Many consumers feel more comfortable making a purchase from a computer. People typically have both a smartphone and a laptop. You should optimize for mobile and do not be discouraged if you are seeing unbalanced conversions.

Develop Customer Loyalty

Consumers are not as interested in discounts as they used to be. Today, they are more compelled by useful technology and responsive websites. Further, many consumers will give their business to companies who share their values. Follow social trends and write about non-controversial issues. This will show your audience that you are more than a corporate entity.

It would have been difficult to predict how much the digital era has changed marketing. But it has a lot of potential. You can get the most out of it by following the trends and adapting your methods accordingly.

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Predicting the future trends in the world of business requires a lot of hubris. As a result, it requires being met with loads of skepticism. Technology has taken the world by storm and has had an impact on every part of our daily lives. From the office set up to the way we socialize, advancements in tech have made life easier and more interesting. We can now talk to our friends and family, sometimes thousands of miles away in real time using Skype and social media platforms which allows us to get an almost instantaneous feedback. The birth of the internet just over a decade ago has transformed the way retailers conduct business in the 21st century.

 

E-commerce and online retail outlets have emerged in a robust way that anyone who fails to adapt to such new trends risks struggling or being edged out of business. A recent study by the Harvard Business Review suggests that business organizations that will adopt technology are going to see their sales volume increase by over 70% in the next three years. On the other hand, the study also suggests that companies that remain rigid and continue with the status quo by failing to incorporate technology into their business operations will see a 35% decrease in their consumer base. This will automatically lower their sales volumes, profit margins and return on investment. In this article, we are going to highlight the most efficient technological innovations that are going to change the game forever.

 

Blockchain technology

Blockchain technology is the basis on which cryptocurrencies operate. It is basically a distributed ledger system that has certainly carved out a distinct place in the future of business technology regardless of the market value that Bitcoin or any other cryptocurrency is trading. Blockchain can be defined as the heart of cryptocurrency that operates in a decentralized manner where a distributed records ledger allows the user to verify records in good faith without requiring the services of a middleman. Its basic use in 2017 and before that was in the verification of cryptocurrency transactions. However, system developers have come to the realization that blockchain technology can be used for many other purposes outside the finance industry. Records of all the transactions are protected cryptographically and then distributed to all the players. This eliminates the need for human involvement in the verification of many transactions in a manner that is more impervious to infiltration or compromise by third parties.

 

Cloud and Edge computing

The term “cloud” has almost become a cliché today in the world of business. However, many people do not realize the potential that this technology has to transform their businesses and multiply their returns on investment. Multiple retailers have embraced this technology such as the petabyte scale data warehouse service by Retail giant Amazon known as Amazon redshift. When used in collaboration with edge computing, the cloud is set to become a necessity rather than a reserve for big corporations.

 

Cloud computing stores millions of bytes of information that are generated by a businesses on a daily basis in thousands of virtual servers that are located all over the world. The processing power of computer systems is spread over multiple machines by edge computing technology which serves as a replacement for distributed computing. When you use this two technologies together, a business is able to eliminate the need for the traditional hard drives used for data storage together with their high costs of maintenance. The employees and managers of a company can be able to access information regarding the business from any geographical location with internet access using cloud computing. This makes it easy for company employees to beat their deadlines as they are able to even work from home.

 

Augmented reality

Augmented reality has stormed the industry and brought a significant impact that is set to change the way we do things forever. For instance, the clothing and design industry can now customize mannequins that will match the consumer’s body shape and have enough virtual inventory on the display all thanks to augmented reality. AR experiences will be created by companies in their product packaging and display demonstration videos for consumers the moment they take a look at a certain product that they are interested in. this will go on to create a competitive edge for such a business in the market.

 

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Opening an IRA to save for your retirement is an exciting prospect, but it can also be a little intimidating with so many investment strategies open to you. In most cases, people stick with mutual funds and individual stocks, but they may be unaware that they can diversify their holdings among a wider range of investments. By taking full advantage of the opportunities available to you, you can increase your chances of achieving greater returns and a more positive outlook for your future.

 

Adding Precious Metals to Your Portfolio

You might already have invested in precious metals through your choices in stocks and funds, but maybe you would feel better about actually purchasing the metal itself. Whether your preference is for coins, gold bars, or silver, there is a process that makes it possible to add these products to your IRA portfolio. It will require you to obtain an IRA specialty custodian, before you can proceed.

Next, you’ll be required to complete an application and fund the account with the money you’ll use to buy the metals. This is important, because you cannot use precious metals already in your possession, according to IRS stipulations. The third step involves choosing the metals for your investment. For instance, you might choose gold bars, which will require you to negotiate with as gold broker. Once you settle on the price and quantity, you’ll contact your specialty custodian, who will execute the deal and issue payment.

 

Real Estate Presents a Number of Investment Opportunities

Trust deeds are one way to go in which your funds are loaned to a borrower with their real estate put up as collateral. In this scenario, you’ll essentially become the banker for this one property with your IRA account loaning the money. This is a secured loan, because your money is backed by the asset of the real estate property, though you won’t see a profit, if the value of that property happens to rise. Still, the rate of return is significantly higher, when compared to other investments.

Another option is to buy real estate directly with your IRA funds, but check with your administrator before you act. Some IRAs won’t allow this type of investment. Additionally, all expenses must be paid with your IRA funds, because the IRS prohibits mixing non-IRA funds with your investment. You’re also restricted from buying property for your own personal use, or you may face penalties.

 

Buy Interest in a Business

Here is another option that you might want to consider, especially if you know of a business that you believe will succeed and grow in the coming years. Again, there are some IRS stipulations that complicate this type of investment. The government prohibits you from benefitting from the business in any way, prior to your retirement. This means you cannot draw a salary or share in gains directly. Similarly, your close relatives are also prevented from making transactions via the IRA.

While the potential for gain is certainly present, this can also pose a greater risk than other investments. Instead of dividing up your funds among the various companies supported in a fund, everything is invested in the success of this one business. If the company fails or even shows a minimal profit, you may either lose all of your investment capital, or your gain could be far less than that which you had anticipated.

There are many other options for investing your IRA funds, aside from the traditional mutual funds and individual stocks. Before choosing any investment strategy, it’s important to educate yourself about the IRS stipulations concerning that type of investment, as well as the risks you’ll be facing. If you feel confident that the investment will bear out and you’re comfortable with the risk, proceed with the opportunity. Whether it’s investing in rare items, like artwork and coins, or in business ventures and real estate, it’s up to you to pursue a strategy that will ensure an adequate nest egg for your retirement.

 

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So you have a startup and you’re looking to grow and expand your business? You want to become a giant in the industry you work in, like one of the corporations with headquarters in a major city and a network around the world. If so, the path won’t always be easy. But one thing is certain, you can achieve it if you use the right steps that are proven to get your better results faster. Don’t miss out on key growth opportunities. Instead, use the advice below to go from startup to giant company the right way:

Accounting

The revenue and expenses are the lifeblood of your company. Without enough cash to pay the bills, you can’t grow. In fact, you could face bankruptcy. That is why a great accountant is key. Professional services accounting firms and freelancers focus on your startup and allow you to see exactly what is happening with the financials so you can have peace of mind, plan for the future, and get better ROI from your funds. It’s one of the key metrics to being a big company: the way you manage your money.

Design

Have you ever noticed the difference between the design on a blog of a new blogger, startup company, or freelancer vs. a giant company? It is night and day. This is not by accident. Mega corporations invest heavily in web design. They understand that their site is their business card, marketer, and sales person all in one. It has to do the work of thousands of employees or even millions in order to deliver a great, consistent experience to customers all over the world and answer their questions. It needs to be easy to use and fast too. Finally, it should be complete with proper SEO design that lets your site rank higher in the SERPs like Google and Bing. Don’t hesitate to get a designer on board to help you grow more rapidly.

Sales

Your website helps customers understand more about your brand. However, sales people still have a niche. They are the ones who put their energy into helping customers understand why your product is better and why they need to buy right now, instead of putting it off. After all, if you have the best product or service in the world but no one buys it, then your company can’t grow. A sales team is worth their weight in gold, so pay them accordingly.

Assistant

As much as you may pride yourself on being everywhere in your business and getting results, you can’t be all places at all times. You need someone to relieve you of standard every day details that aren’t important for the higher level picture. Everything from ordering lunch to scheduling meetings to making sure your dentist appointment is penciled in is crucial in your overall life but not something you need to use your valuable time planning. Let an assistant arrange the small stuff so you can grow your business from the mountain top.

Technology

Without proper IT security, your banking info is compromised. The same goes for your customers. If you want to avoid press beatings about how you got hacked, then invest in a great tech team from day one.

Marketing

With proper marketing, you can scale rapidly. Instead of sending sales people out into the field to reach every customer, you can leverage paid and free advertising online. It’s one of the things that giant companies excel at.

 

Not every startup goes from being small to being huge. However, the ones that fail all have one thing in common: they don’t use the right recipe. They try to do it on their own instead of investing in the tools, people, and other resources to get them where the want to go. So take a look at the list above and make a schedule for implementing each addition to your company for faster growth and less disappointment.

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Within the last few years, many acquisition leaders may have heard about hiring diversity and the trend has the potential for exponential growth in the near future. Talent leaders who have a progressive school of thought have embraced the concept of diversity despite the fact that it has drawn controversy in the political arenas in many parts of the world. Human resource experts have listed inclusion efforts and diversity as one of the top priorities for business organizations and government institutions as we move forward in 2018 and beyond.

Social inclusion has had a significant influence on numerous trends that have been making headlines in both small and medium enterprises and big corporations across the globe. In 1965, the Equal employment opportunity Commission was established to open the doors for minorities and women to secure decent job opportunities that paid a livable wage in the American job market. New programs and visa categories to facilitate the entry of IT professionals, management and business professionals, scientists and technical consultants from countries in all continents have led to an even more diverse workplace. In this article, we are going to highlight how businesses benefit from hiring workers from different cultures, perspectives, and backgrounds.

Diversity of ideas and thought

Diversity can be defined in a much wider spectrum apart from the traditional terms of gender, race or age. Many business enterprises, both the small companies and big corporations, have put in place incentives to promote the diversity of their working environment. However, they have often forgotten about the overall inclusion of the workplace which means that all workers in all departments have a spot at the table. Due to the fact that employees always think differently and have a problem-solving approach that is different from the team, they should always be pulled in whenever the company is making major decisions to move forward.

Sometimes, you may find that most employees in a certain company are young and are well versed in new technology like GPU database. Other times, employees are a bit older and have had experience in a certain field for many years. It is however quite difficult for businesses in some fields to achieve diversity due to intellectual capability restrictions. For instance, tech corporations have a problem with diversity hiring as they employee students from specific schools and universities. Companies that employ people from different backgrounds and cultures have a greater variety of ideas and has a greater level of collaboration as compared to enterprises that are less diverse.

Provides a marketing boon

Having a diverse business enterprise offers a great opportunity for marketing your products and services. A company that has a more diverse face serves to attract more and more consumers from different backgrounds and upbringing. This is particularly so if the business concentrates on different ideas and teamwork that is brought to the table by a diverse workforce. Companies that do not embrace a universal human resource are going to miss out on such opportunities and lose an edge to competing businesses who may capitalize on inclusion and diversity to kick you out of business. For instance, tech giant AirBnB has had controversies in the recent past for diversity problems including allegations that some tenants of a certain racial or ethnic backgrounds have been discriminated upon or profiled.

Enhances your talent pool

A business organization that embraces diversity hiring attracts a wider variety of candidates who apply for employment opportunities that arise from time to time. Such companies have an appealing public appeal to prospective and qualified candidates as a business that appreciated the skills and expertise of people from all walks of life. It is only natural that as the number of people who have applied for a certain position increases, the chances that the human resource department will identify and hire an employee who is qualified and proficient at the job increases too. Diversity is also very helpful in employee retention as workers prefer working for an organization that respects and appreciates their backgrounds, cultures, and religions and promotes equality in the working environment.

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