Month: April 2023

5 Common Mistakes Business Owners Make That Can Lead to Employment Legal Problems

Home Business Magazine Online

Running a business as the sole employee can be stressful but requires lesser legal issues.

Unfortunately, as your business grows, you will need to hire more hands. As much as this is a sign of progress for your company, it can get you and your business in trouble if done wrong.

Some business owners are unaware of this and usually realize their mistakes after being served by the court.

According to a employment lawyer, Jason Erlich, understanding and abiding by the employment law in your area can save you from many legal suits.

Below are some of the common mistakes business owners make that can lead to employment legal problems.

Misclassifying employees

Misclassification refers to a wrong designation of an employee. It usually classifies an employee as an independent contractor or freelancer, either by mistake or intentionally.

Employees, by law, are entitled to wages or salaries. Contractors, on the other hand, are fully paid upon completion of a project, and they decide on what to work on.

Contractors are not entitled to employee benefits such as health insurance, medical leave, and paid vacation.

The law is against misclassification because it often results in tax evasion, depriving employees of their benefits and breaching their rights.

A study revealed that about 30 percent of US employers might be misclassifying their workers, resulting in billions in lost taxes.

If found guilty of this offense, you may be fined up to $1,000 per misclassified employee and risk jail time of up to one year.

In addition, the judge may order you to pay all wage differences, including benefits, to each misclassified employee. The tax authorities will demand you pay the tax owed on income and payroll taxes for the period of misclassification.

Always regularly check your payroll to ensure every employee is correctly classified.

Ignoring anti-discrimination policies

Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibited employers from discriminating against employees and job applicants because of their race, color, religion, sex, and national origin.

As a small business, you may see no need for this, but it is essential to have anti-harassment and anti-discrimination policies once you have fifteen or more employees.

Always discuss your anti-discrimination policies with employees and job applicants. You may also have copies distributed to your workers. This is vital in case an employee files a complaint against your company.

During an investigation, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) will consider the presence or absence of your company’s anti-discrimination policies.

Being careless with the content of the employee handbook

Although not mandatory, an employee handbook can save your business from losing a legal suit if an employee sues you.

It should contain all information about your company, including performance metrics, an overview of benefits provided to each employee, and how to lodge a complaint officially.

Ensure your employees confirm they understand the handbook’s content and ensure everyone has a copy, if possible.

You must be careful with your choice of language and vocabulary when preparing the handbook. Some courts and employees may interpret the handbook as a contract.

Include language that signifies the company reserves the right to terminate an employee for reasons not stated in the handbook or for no reason at all. Also include certain actions that may be taken and might not be as specified in the handbook.

Failing to respond to employees’ complaints properly

Harassment and discrimination complaints from employees should never be ignored. Document the filed complaint and processes are taken to remedy it.

It is a violation of the law to terminate an employee or punish them in other ways, such as denying them a promotion for filing a harassment or discrimination complaint.

Complaints about workplace settings should also be resolved, such as providing an accommodating environment for qualified employees with disabilities.

Improper interviews

Interviews are part of the process of selecting the best candidates for openings in your company. Even though it is an avenue of getting to know the personalities and abilities of the potential candidates, it should be done in accordance with the law.

At the end of the interview, you should be able to state why a candidate is not hired. This does not necessarily mandate you communicate the same to the employee.

Document all interviews, including the questions and responses from the interviewee.

Desist from asking about their age, race, marital status, children, religion, health status, political affiliation, or preferred sports team.

Asking any of these might indicate an intention to discriminate against them because of their answers, and this violates US employment policies/practices.

The post 5 Common Mistakes Business Owners Make That Can Lead to Employment Legal Problems appeared first on Home Business Magazine.

Original source: https://homebusinessmag.com/management/legalese/5-common-mistakes-business-owners-make-lead-employment-legal-problems/

4 new Instagram Reels features

Instagram has just introduced 4 new features for Reels, including:

  • A dedicated destination to discover inspiration through trending audio and hashtags on Instagram Reels.
  • Easier Reels editing
  • Two new metrics to Reels insights: total and average watch times.
  • Expanded availability of gifts on Reels to additional countries and incorporated a feature that allows creators to acknowledge fans’ gifts.

Find out what’s trending. Creators continually seek new content ideas, and to facilitate this, a dedicated space is being introduced to provide inspiration from the latest trends. This will enable users to view the most popular songs on Reels, check the number of times the audio has been used, and either use or save the audio for themselves.

Users will also have the ability to explore the top trending topics and hashtags on Reels, which can inform their content creation. For instance, the festival season might gain traction earlier than anticipated.

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Editing Reels, easier. Instagram is streamlining the process of editing reels on Instagram by consolidating video clips, audio, stickers, and text into a single editing interface. This enhancement allows users to more visually align and time elements of their reels to the appropriate moments. As they continue to invest in developing methods to simplify and ease the editing process, users can look forward to additional exciting tools. This feature is accessible worldwide on both iOS and Android devices.

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Updates to insights. Instagram is enhancing Reels insights to provide a better understanding of content performance. Two new metrics are being introduced: total watch time and average watch time – and they are simplifying the process of viewing insights directly on users’ reels.

Total watch time records the cumulative duration of time a reel was played, including any replays. Average watch time calculates the mean time spent playing a reel by dividing the watch time by the total number of plays. For instance, if the average watch time is 17 seconds, it means that on average, viewers watched 17 seconds of the Reel. This information will help users identify where their audience is engaged or where they might need to develop a stronger hook to retain viewers for a longer period. Additionally, they are introducing a new method to track how reels contribute to user growth. Users will now receive notifications regarding new followers gained from their reels.

Improving and expanding gifts. Instagram has made gifts available to more creators by expanding to additional markets in the coming weeks, including Australia, Canada, France, Mexico, New Zealand, and the UK.

Additionally, they’re introducing a feature that displays which fans have sent a gift, enabling creators to acknowledge their supporters. By tapping the heart icon next to their supporters, creators will send a notification to the fans, letting them know that their gift has been seen and appreciated.

Dig deeper. You can read about Instagram’s new features here.

Why we care. Instagram’s continuous improvement and expansion of features create a more interactive environment for creators and users. These enhancements also help advertisers better understand user behavior, identify trending content, and develop targeted campaigns that resonate with their audience.

The post 4 new Instagram Reels features appeared first on Search Engine Land.

Original source: https://searchengineland.com/4-new-instagram-reels-features-395632

Advertisers slow to return to Twitter despite Musk’s claims

Twitter’s ad revenue recovery appears to be slower than its owner, Elon Musk, claimed earlier this week in an interview with the BBC. Data from research firms Sensor Tower and Insider Intelligence, as well as statements from multiple companies, indicate that many advertisers are not rushing back to the platform.

Ad spend down roughly 20%. Twitter’s top 50 advertisers spent a combined $83 million over the past two months, down from $102 million in the same period last year. Insider Intelligence has also slashed its forecast for Twitter’s global ad revenue this year by 37%, to $2.98 billion, representing a 28% decline from its 2022 ad revenue of $4.14 billion.

Scaring off big brands. Before Musk’s acquisition of Twitter in late October, major brands such as Mondelez International, Unilever, and Coca-Cola were among the platform’s top 10 advertisers. However, these companies are no longer listed in the top 50 advertisers in the past two months, according to Sensor Tower. Mondelez CEO Dirk Van de Put had previously cited concerns over their ads being placed next to “wrong messages,” including hate speech.

Some advertisers, including AT&T, Volkswagen, Stellantis, and Mars, have confirmed they have not resumed ads on the platform. Several others, like Merck & Co, Google, Kellogg, and Meta Platforms, have not responded to requests for comment on their ad spending.

Twitter’s ad portal also experienced an 18.7% drop in web traffic in March compared to the same time last year, as reported by research firm Similarweb. The firm added that Twitter’s ad business is “eroding” and its subscription product, Twitter Blue, is only moderately successful.

The platform faces the added challenge of competing for brands’ marketing budgets during a time when companies are cutting or reevaluating their ad spend due to economic concerns. Enberg noted that advertisers are focusing on platforms that can offer the highest return on investment, and Twitter has not been that platform.

Dig deeper. Review the entire article from Reuters here.

Why we care. Twitter is still a popular platform with millions of users, offering potential for targeted ad campaigns and engagement with a wide audience.

However, they need to weigh the risks associated with the platform’s recent controversies, management changes under Elon Musk’s ownership, and the overall decline in advertising revenue. Brands should make informed, educated decisions on whether to invest in Twitter advertising or allocate their marketing budgets to platforms with higher returns on investment and less controversy.

The post Advertisers slow to return to Twitter despite Musk’s claims appeared first on Search Engine Land.

Original source: https://searchengineland.com/advertisers-slow-to-return-to-twitter-despite-musks-claims-395637

Healthy Tips For Lower Blood Sugar

Tips for Lowering Blood Sugar Levels Naturally.
So, how can we lower our blood sugar levels naturally? Here are some tips that have been shown to help:
Increase Fiber Intake:
Fiber helps slow down the digestion of carbohydrates and the release of sugar into the bloodstream. Try to incorporate more fiber-rich foods into your diet, such as whole grains, fruits, and vegetables. Some great options are oatmeal, apples, berries, and legumes.
Get Moving:
Regular physical activity can help lower blood sugar levels by improving insulin sensitivity. Aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate exercise, such as brisk walking, every day. You don’t have to be a gym-goer to make a difference, simply taking a brisk walk after a meal can help lower your blood sugar levels.
Reduce Stress:
Stress can increase blood sugar levels, so finding ways to manage stress is important. Consider trying activities such as yoga, meditation, or deep breathing to help manage stress levels. Exercise can also help with stress management and has the added bonus of improving insulin sensitivity.
Limit Refined Carbohydrates and Sugar: Foods high in refined carbohydrates and sugar can cause blood sugar levels to spike. Try to limit these foods and instead focus on eating whole, nutrient-dense foods. Instead of reaching for that bag of chips or candy bar, try some fresh veggies with hummus, a handful of nuts, or a piece of fruit.
Stay Hydrated:
Drinking enough water is important for overall health and can also help regulate blood sugar levels. Aim for at least 8 glasses of water per day. Dehydration can cause blood sugar levels to rise, so make sure you’re staying hydrated throughout the day.

More Businesses Are Relying on VoIP Systems and Here’s Why

Home Business Magazine Online

Many businesses are taking advantage of a new telephone system that offers more capabilities and an attractive price point. The Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) phone systems are some of the more popular business telephone networks.

VoIP uses voice data that is collected in a digital form and then transferred through internet lines. The system does not rely on the traditional telephone company, but can be provided through systems such as OnSip hosted VoIP. This type of phone network has become quite popular, with as many as 30 percent of all businesses now using the system.

While VoIP has been around for several decades, the technology has improved quite a bit. Concerns about call quality have been resolved, making it better than most landlines. And the VoIP system offers more capabilities for businesses, particularly those expanding more into digital commerce.

Why are more businesses switching to VoIP?

As the popularity of VoIP continues to grow, businesses are finding that phone systems offer a number of benefits, including:

  • Call quality: Evolving technology means VoIP systems now can benefit from advanced high-definition codecs, which have greatly improved voice quality. These systems now surpass the quality of landline calls.
  • Low upfront costs: Small businesses find VoIP easy to use without the need for the installation of a telephone infrastructure or special equipment. Cloud-hosted VoIP offered by vendors do not require equipment or specialized technicians to install and maintain the system, only an internet connection.
  • Easy to use: VoIP systems do not require tech support and do not experience downtime to maintain, which landline networks can experience.
  • Simple scalability: Cloud-based VoIP makes upgrades and additional lines easy. As a business grows and hires more workers, additional lines can easily be included on the network and plugged into an Ethernet port.
  • Remote functionality: Many businesses have turned to cloud-based VoIP as they have transitioned into hybrid and remote workplaces. The VoIP system allows workers to use a mobile system app to make and receive calls from anywhere without callers knowing the workers’ location. This offers companies flexibility in how they meet the needs of workers who prefer the flexibility of remote functionality.
  • Cost flexibility: More businesses are switching to cloud-based VoIP because of the cost and the ability to control expenses. Traditional phone networks hosted by telephone companies often charge by the minutes used in calls. Most VoIP vendors charge businesses a flat monthly per-user fee, and in some cases, businesses can get free access to limited features. There also are no upfront equipment costs.
  • Expanded capabilities: VoIP systems offer businesses expanded capabilities, such as videoconferencing, call recording, and other features. That is in addition to the typical features, such as call hold, transfer, forwarding and caller ID. These digital features give businesses more control over monitoring customer service and how they engage with external callers.
  • Optional integration services: Some VoIP systems offer businesses the ability to integrate some of their existing communication tools, such as chat services and email. This offers more control and oversight of communication between employees and customers, in addition to internal communications. Some systems also offer conferencing capabilities, including video call integration.

The future of VoIP services

As technology improves, businesses will gain access to even more capabilities in VoIP systems.

For example, VoIP systems will soon benefit from the use of artificial intelligence and sentiment analysis. This trend offers businesses AI-fueled analytics that use natural language processing to provide sentiment analysis. Businesses will have the ability to analyze every customer call and interaction, using the insights to determine how customers feel about service, products, and other aspects of the business. The AI-powered analysis uses the calls to make those insights actionable, whether it’s for customer service quality, advertising impact, or product sentiment.

Future VoIP systems will also help organizations use call data to develop a unified customer experience through an omnichannel approach. This is particularly important as businesses expand their digital commerce strategies. Organizations will be able to assess the customer experience along any point of the customer’s journey, using data obtained to provide actionable insights. No matter where the customer is, the future VoIP system should be able to provide seamless communication for more productive interactions.

The post More Businesses Are Relying on VoIP Systems and Here’s Why appeared first on Home Business Magazine.

Original source: https://homebusinessmag.com/home-office/office-equipment/more-businesses-relying-voip-systems/

Tips for Growing Your T-Shirt Customization Business

Home Business Magazine Online

If you want to start a t-shirt customization business, there are some key tips you should keep in mind for success. The first step is to create a plan for your business. This should include the type of products you will offer, how much they will cost, and how you will market them. Once you have a plan in place, it is important to research the competition and understand what other businesses are doing that could help or hinder your success. You should also consider what materials and equipment you need to purchase in order to run your business effectively.

Once these steps have been completed, it is time to begin marketing your wholesale t shirts by creating an online presence through social media and a website where potential customers can view products and make orders. Attending trade shows or hosting events can be beneficial for growing awareness about your company’s services.

Exploring Different Methods of T-Shirt Customization

One popular method of customizing t-shirts is screen printing, which involves using a mesh screen to transfer ink onto the fabric of the shirt. This method works best with bold designs that have few colors and require precision. Another option is heat transfer printing, which uses heat to transfer an image or design onto the shirt. This method works well for intricate designs with multiple colors and details. You can also use embroidery to add texture and dimension to your t-shirt design. Embroidery requires special machines that stitch thread into the fabric of the shirt in order to create a pattern or design. You can also use dye sublimation printing, which uses heat and pressure to transfer dye directly into the fibers of the fabric. This method allows for vibrant colors and detailed designs that won’t fade over time. No matter what type of customization you choose, it’s important to consider how it will look on your t-shirt before committing to it.

Increasing Your Brand Awareness Through Unique Customized T-Shirts

Think about what makes your brand special and use that as inspiration for your unique design. You can also consider incorporating elements such as logos, slogans or images into the design to further emphasize your message. It’s important to choose quality materials when printing customized t-shirts so that they last longer and look better. This will help ensure that people wear them more often and keep them in good condition for longer periods of time, thus increasing their visibility in public spaces. Don’t forget to include contact information on the t-shirt so people know how to get in touch with you if they want more information about your products or services.

Tips for Maximising Profits with a T-Shirt Customization Business

To maximize your profits, it’s important to focus on the quality of your products and services. Invest in high-quality materials and equipment that will help you create unique designs that stand out from your competition. Make sure you have an efficient production process in place so that you can quickly turn around orders without sacrificing quality. You should also consider offering discounts or promotions to encourage customers to purchase more items from your store. Don’t forget about marketing. Use social media platforms like Instagram and Facebook to showcase your work and reach potential customers.

The post Tips for Growing Your T-Shirt Customization Business appeared first on Home Business Magazine.

Original source: https://homebusinessmag.com/businesses/success-tips/tips-growing-t-shirt-customization-business/

Make money from speechwriting

Reading Time: 4 mins

Make money from speechwriting.

Writing speeches for public figures to use is quite a niche profession but it absolutely pays dividends for the right candidate. Speechwriting tends to be a very competitive market but if you make, or have made, the right preparations, you might find yourself qualified to become a professional speechwriter.

Before we share the best places to find jobs, let’s have a look at the following steps you can take that will improve your chances of getting hired.

 

Get Your Qualifications

You need at least four GCSEs at grades 9 to 4, or A* to C, including English and Maths, as well as a complete set of A-Level qualifications to increase your choice of your next steps.

There are no specific further education requirements to becoming a speechwriter but having a degree in a relevant subject might help make your CV more noticeable to potential employers. You might consider the following subjects:

  • English
  • History
  • Media
  • Communication Studies
  • Film
  • Creative Writing
  • Journalism
  • Politics
  • PR
  • Marketing

See what each of the universities you’re interested in applying to is looking for, and if you don’t have the right A-Level results or subjects, think about a foundation year – which is four years instead of three – and usually focus on developing your research skills, written communication, critical thinking and argument building: all things that are essential to speechwriting or jobs that lead to speechwriting careers.

There are also plenty of short online or in-person courses that are sometimes run by speechwriting experts, which can give you a valuable chance to develop the speechwriting skills you’ll need.

GAU Tbilisi PR School

Experience

It’s always a lack of experience that flummoxes potential candidates, even if they’ve studied. And a lot of employers simply won’t hire you if you haven’t had relevant experience. So how do you gain experience relevant to speechwriting? Well, you might consider volunteering your services to charities, community organisations or small businesses, and those smaller roles will essentially provide for you a portfolio of experience. Anything you can grab in copywriting, publishing or journalism – including running your own blog – will serve toward proving you have the skills to become a speechwriter.

 

Networking

As with many communication roles, networking is essential both to meet people and create opportunities, and also to get your name out there and make yourself known. Speechwriting is all about knowing and working with people. If it’s political speechwriting you’re keen to get into, you could for example get involved in local election campaigns and build your professional contacts in the industry this way. Introduce yourself to as many people as you can, and let people know your skills and career goals when you can.

 

Writing

You must make sure your writing skills are excellent, and that you’re able to present, clear, concise, compelling paragraphs and pieces that successfully communicate your ideas. Read a lot of books and newspaper features, listen to speeches and analyse why they’re good. Go on Twitter (but not for too much of the day) and pick out several long-form pieces of writing to study. See what you find persuasive and good or bad examples of writing.

You may, after reading all this, realise you’re already qualified. Whether or not this is true, here are a few tips that could prove useful:

  • Speechwriting is surprisingly difficult as the longer, more complex phrases and sentence construction don’t necessarily translate when spoken out loud. The most important thing you can do with a speech is to stand up and read it aloud, as if to an audience. If it’s hard for you to say, it may be hard for the speaker to say.
  • You may find that sticking to clear, simple language, expressed in short sentences that are easy for the speaker to deliver and the audience to follow, is the best method.
  • No speechwriter can be expert on every single topic and style of speech. So, with each speech, give yourself a chance to gather and read as much material as possible. Or, work with a researcher to get more relevant context.
  • The News is everywhere all at once these days, so you’ve got just about every single idea and style of communication at your fingertips every day, BUT be careful not to burn out and consume too much reality. You need to know your stuff if you’re going to be a speechwriter but it’s also possible to watch,
  • Listen to and digest much of what’s going on in the world, so maintain some distance from the material and work out how to break it into chunks of time.

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Job Openings

Try Indeed for some current UK jobs involving speechwriting. LinkedIn is also a great community to discuss and find jobs with like-minded candidates and employers. There are daily updated speechwriting jobs in London at TotalJobs, and similarly at Jooble.

Those are just some examples. Have a Google around and visit the websites of the relevant companies you might be keen to work for.

 

Do you have speechwriting experience? Let us know your top tips below!

The post Make money from speechwriting appeared first on MoneyMagpie.

Original source: https://www.moneymagpie.com/make-money/make-money-speechwriting

Harness the power of customer data to stay ahead of the competition by Cynthia Ramsaran

Structured data

Attracting interest in a tool or product may be the easy and fun part of building a business, but converting inquiries to purchasers is when it gets hard. So many brands today continue to struggle with acquiring, converting, retaining and creating loyal customers for life. Yet leading companies across the globe seem to be accomplishing all of that and then some.

Want to know how? Register and attend “Harnessing the Power of Customer Data to Stay Ahead of the Competition,” presented by Tealium.

Click here to view more Search Engine Land webinars.

The post Harness the power of customer data to stay ahead of the competition appeared first on Search Engine Land.

Original source: https://searchengineland.com/harness-the-power-of-customer-data-to-stay-ahead-of-the-competition-395582

Google Marketing Live registration opens

Google has opened registration for Google Marketing Live – the company’s annual event for showing off its newest ad formats, products and updates.

When is Google Marketing Live. Tuesday, May 23, starting at 9 a.m. PT.

The agenda so far. The event will explore how Google’s AI-driven ads solutions can amplify your marketing skills and generate impressive business outcomes in the evolving economic landscape.

The pre-show starts at 8:55 a.m. PT, followed by the opening keynote at 9 a.m. PT. Technology Broadcast Journalist Laurie Segall and Google VP Jason Spero will then lead an in-depth session discussing Google’s latest product unveilings, complete with a Q&A featuring the teams behind their creation.

Google Marketing Live 2022. Here are links to our coverage of Google Marketing Live 2022:

Reaction at SMX Advanced. Join us for SMX Advanced 2023 for a roundtable discussion on GML 2023 and hear reactions and insights straight from Google Ad experts. Here’s our panel from SMX Advanced 2022: Google Marketing Live 2022: Reactions from the experts.

How to register. You can register for Google Marketing Live 2023 here.

Why we care. In the fast-paced world of digital marketing, staying up-to-date with the latest tools, technologies, and strategies is crucial for maintaining a competitive edge. Google Marketing Live 2023 is a free event and allows advertisers to stay ahead of the competition and on top of industry trends and changes.

The post Google Marketing Live registration opens appeared first on Search Engine Land.

Original source: https://searchengineland.com/registration-is-open-for-google-marketing-live-395602