Reginald Chan

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  • Online attendance tracking: How to choose the right one

    Online attendance tracking: How to choose the right one

    Have you recently been struggling with the adjustment process after beginning to work at home? Maybe you have moved the majority of your business operations online and need a way to log your worker’s hours? Perhaps you are in the process of looking for options to keep track of your online class attendance now that in-person classes have been canceled? If this sounds familiar, then read on for some more useful information. This article will outline a few things that you can do to find the right online attendance tracking system for your business or school. It can be frustrating dealing with new technology if you are not a computer wizard, but using an excellent online attendance tracker can make all the difference. Make sure that your business is ready to meet the demands of online work. 

    Interface

    The first thing anyone notices about a website or software program is the type of user interface used to allow users to utilize the platform. The GUI, or graphical user interface, is something that many computer users take for granted to be easy and intuitive. If you have an old or outdated system for tracking attendance online, then one of the biggest things which usually needs an update is the GUI. You should always strive to use online attendance trackers with a slick and navigable interface system. Otherwise, you might find that some employees will have difficulty getting things to work correctly. 

    Accessibility

    A vital component of any good online platform is the overall accessibility for its users. If you have a platform or website that your employees must use for attendance, you want to make it as painless as a process for all parties involved. Having an attendance tracker which works appropriately on computers, tablets, and mobile phones is essential in the modern age since there is such a wide variety of access points for your employees. A big problem with many programs and websites is that they are not optimized for mobile devices, resulting in difficulties using the platform, excess data use, and several other issues. 

    Time Tracking

    An essential part of any online attendance tracker used for business purposes is the time tracking portion. Many online attendance trackers are great for things like schools but less useful for workplaces since they do not include a timestamp. Using an attendance tracker that logs the exact time that your employees sign in and out, you should have no problem incorporating the system into your online work protocol. Tech wizards at timetrackapp.com talk about the different types of features that leading online attendance trackers use to help businesses accurately and efficiently log their employees’ hours. Make sure that you have an attendance tracker which has been designed specifically with the intent to help out companies like yours. 

    Customer Support

    When you experience persistent issues with a piece of technology that is not working as it is supposed to, it can cause high-stress levels for your management and employees alike. As you pick an online attendance tracker for your business, you should always look at customer service and support offered. BY finding a platform that can help you 24/7 with any issues you encounter, they can rest easy knowing that your employees will be taken care of regardless of their problems. 

    Ease of Use

    It can quickly become extremely frustrating for you and your employees if you force them to use an online attendance tracker, which is not easy to use. You want your employees to spend their time doing work while on the clock rather than trying to figure out how to log their hours at the end of their shift. Be sure to always rigorously test any system which you intend your employees to use. 

    After checking out a few of the previous points, the hope is that you have found some useful tips which will enable you to choose the online attendance tracker which is the right fit for you. The market has recently been flooded with online services and platforms which offer this kind of service. The influx of different options can make it difficult for businesses or individuals to find the online attendance tracking platform which will be the best fit for their needs. By consulting which experts on the subject, you will be able to weed out the undesirable platforms quickly and get something up and running, which will help you immediately.

  • What You Should Do If Your Claim for LTD Benefits Is Denied

    What You Should Do If Your Claim for LTD Benefits Is Denied

    If you are injured in an accident, you are entitled to compensation for your injuries. Different types of accidents like car crashes, workplace incidents, and slips and falls can cause permanent injuries. If you suffered a permanent injury, you can file a long-term disability (LTD) claim to get the compensation that you deserve. However, the insurance company can deny your claim, but there are certain measures that you can take. Read on to learn what you should do if your claim for LTD benefits is denied.   

    Get a Copy of Your Policy

    If you are employed and get injured at work, your employer is legally required to compensate you. To make sure that your claim will go smoothly, you must get a copy of the company’s group insurance policy to familiarize yourself with its LTD policy plan documents. Alternatively, you can request the documents from the insurance company in writing. These documents can only be sent via certified mail. If you are denied compensation or if the employer in question claims that the injury was your fault make sure to carefully study the company’s policy plan documents so you can write back a denial letter. Take note of the reasons stated for the denial of your initial claim. The letter should explain when you can file an appeal and should contain the information required to approve the case.  

    Hire a Lawyer.

    It is possible to file a compensation claim on your own, but the process can be tricky. Dealing with insurance companies can be challenging since they aim to protect their interests. If your initial LTD claim is denied, you can hire a professional injury lawyer to handle your case. Seasoned lawyers at marksandharrison.com/our-locations/fredericksburg-office/ explain that it is vital to work with an experienced attorney to increase your chances of getting a fair settlement. Your attorney will handle all the paperwork, and will explain the statute of limitations in your state so you can better understand your LTD case.

    Investigate Your Case

    Your lawyer will investigate your case to determine why your claim was rejected. The attorney will collect evidence from different accident experts to determine how much you should get. It is vital to set your administrative record with favorable details that can help support your claim before exhausting the internal insurance appeals process. Under the ERISA law, you may not provide any new evidence that was not initially provided to the insurance company. Your attorney will interview you to get more details to use in your case. This is why you must always try to provide correct information that may not be disputed by the insurance company.   

    Track All Missing Records 

    The administrators and insurers may fail to get all the medical records necessary for your claim. With the help of your lawyer, try to find out the records that may be missing. You must also confirm, with the claims representative, the information that may be required. You should also find out if medical tests could help since insurance companies usually cite the lack of substantial evidence as to the major reason for denying the claim. For instance, blood tests or x-rays could improve the chances of getting better results in your case if they display an injury, infection, or illness that might have been caused by the negligence of your employer or being exposed to harmful materials in the workplace. 

    Expert Testimony

    You can also try to obtain letters or expert testimonies from non-medical professionals like family members to bolster your claim. These letters will contain observations from your family members about any limitations or changes in your lifestyle that were a direct cause of your disability or injury. You should also request that your doctor provides written opinions concerning work-related limitations caused by your injuries. Your attorney can craft specific questions that can help the physician write an expert opinion about your condition. Your doctor may charge a small fee to complete LTD paperwork, but it is worth it. The physician’s opinion is crucial when trying to convince the insurance company to approve your disability claim. 

    Appeal a Denial

    You can take your case to trial if the insurance company insists on challenging the figure requested in a personal injury claim. Experienced attorneys know how to prepare the paperwork and file a lawsuit that will be tried in the law court. When the case goes to court, a judge will preside and offer a final verdict. Therefore, you should make sure that you have everything that is needed to win the case before you file a lawsuit. 

    When you are seriously injured in an accident and you suffer permanent injuries, you can claim LTD benefits. However, these benefits can be rejected by the insurance companies involved. When your claim for LTD settlement is disputed, you should hire an experienced injury attorney to review your case. It is vital to establish the reasons why the claim was denied and take corrective measures to appeal the verdict.   

  • 7 Important Things That a Good Lawyer Can Do to Your Business

    7 Important Things That a Good Lawyer Can Do to Your Business

    Going into business for yourself is the best move that a person can make. It’s much better than wasting away for most of your life while the owners profit from your labor. However, owning a business in the modern era isn’t without risk. You could even lose your own personal assets in the worst situations. Fortunately, there are several ways to make sure that doesn’t happen.

    There are lots of things that business owners do to reduce risk in business endeavors. Maintaining liability insurance, contracted agreements, and incorporation are some of the most common ways that businesses alleviate the burden of risks. 

    Yet, to do these properly, every business should strongly consider retaining a business lawyer. That’s because lawyers can make quick work of complicated filings, navigate risk, and ward off unscrupulous frauds that would otherwise mark your business. The list goes on and having an experienced business lawyer on your side can be the difference between success and failure.  

    1. They Can Help You Choose The Best Business Structure

    Depending on the kind of business you’re in, there’s a perfect business structure for it. Sole proprietorships, partnerships, corporations, and LLCs are all optimized for different features. Each has specific advantages and disadvantages concerning every sphere of business, including liability, worker protections, and taxation.

    Liability is one of the biggest things to consider when it comes to organizational structure. Corporations and limited liability corporations protect the personal assets of the investors against a variety of negative outcomes. Meanwhile, operating as a sole owner can leave your house exposed to claims from debtors and punishments deriving from legal suits.

    Liability and the structure of your business is probably the single most important aspect of your fledgling endeavor. Consulting with legal representation regarding your organizational structure is essential. Make sure you choose a legal firm that is up to snuff, for example

    Alvin Legal is an industry leader and makes a good reference for what to look for in legal representation. Make sure that your choice of representation is specialized in business and not something unrelated. 

    2. Drafting Essential Documents Like Shareholder Agreements

    Lawyers will make sure that you’re protected by drafting the essential documents from the start. Corporations often have multiple members and investors. And these individuals can be the most beneficial or destructive influences on your business. Drafting properly binding agreements can spell out exactly what is allowed and expected from your shareholders, which can go a long way in keeping them under control. 

    A lawyer will help your organization develop bylaws that will protect not only you but your legacy and every member of the organization.

    3. Help You Apply For Trademarks And Related Intellectual Property Issues

    Many businesses are content-oriented and rely on branding for marketing and reputation purposes. There are a variety of content-related intellectual property rights issues that can come up during the course of a business’s lifetime. Depending on your field, IP protections could be the most important thing. 

    Whether it’s protecting your name and trademarked logo, product content, or patents, it’s important to have a shark on staff that can hit violators hard and fast to minimize damage to your company and profits. 

    4. Lawyers Minimize Liability

    Attorneys are known for this one and liability is one of the main reasons that businesses fail. They are in a special position to know what actions and words open you and your business to legal claims and culpability. Chances are that having a lawyer all but guarantees that you’re maintaining liability insurances. However, a lawyer will also dissuade potential claimants from even filing in the first place.

    Lawyers scare off would-be manipulators and thieves. 

    5. Contract Review

    Contracts are legally binding and can protect everyone involved. Lawyers will make sure your contracts are water-tight. That means fewer surprises and more protections for the parties that adhere to the contract terms. Having poorly-constructed contracts leaves you open to all kinds of problems from vendors, employees, and customers alike. 

    6. Damage Control

    If something does happen due to your own negligence or the negligence of one of your employees, lawyers can do a lot to minimize the damage to your business. It’s not that having a lawyer helps you escape responsibility when you’re at fault, it merely ensures that your claimant can’t bleed you dry and open you up to sharks brought in by the freshly-chummed waters.

    Legal counsel also deters slanderers and organizations that are looking for the opportunity to knock you down a peg.

    7. Tax Strategy

    It’s a well-known fact that lawyers can do wonders for your tax situation. Only a lawyer can offer you lots of different tax strategies with confidence. They know which strategies are legal, grey, and illegal and whether or not they’re likely to draw the gaze of auditors. Essentially, they know how it works and what is and isn’t acceptable in the real world. They also can provide advice regarding holdings and your exit strategy.

    Retaining A Lawyer Is One Of The Best Things To Protect Your Business

    The things mentioned here are just scratching the surface. Having a lawyer for your business provides more advantages than can possibly be listed here. And only one disadvantage – cost. However, unless you’re the luckiest person alive, that cost will recoup itself 10 times over if your business is the target of even one lawsuit or audit. Especially if you’re not even liable in the first place due to your type of incorporation. Lawyers make a successful business iron-clad and much more stable.

  • Crucial Skills Every Business Owner Must Have

    Crucial Skills Every Business Owner Must Have

    Even if we are not engaged in any sort of entrepreneurship we are very much aware of how difficult it can be to run a business. And sure, we are reminded very often that most small businesses will not even get a chance to celebrate the third birthday. There are many reasons for this, a big part being how the economy works, and how the bigger fish will eat smaller fish, but a great part also is that so many business owners just do not have the proper skills to run a successful company.

    The skillset required is very diverse and most people do not possess all of it, some of it needs to be learned and practiced if it doesn’t come naturally. Nevertheless, having and mastering all of this expertise is valuable as life skills too, but for business owners they are necessary. So here are some of the crucial skills that every would-be-successful business owner must have even when starting a new company.

    Technical Know-How

    As a business owner, you will need to know how to surround yourself with people who are the best in their field and constitute the best team that makes the engine of your business going.

    And very often, you will find yourself in a situation to verify the right tools to make your dream team work the best it can.

    For example, in order to have smooth communication between the team, with clients, and all around the globe – SIP Trunking is something you should definitely consider. With big savings, thanks to free calling to the UK fixed destinations and connected sites including international locations, secured numbers, and legacy proofed, it is a technological feature that will benefit everybody because with easiness in communication with clients and teams comes the easiness in leading the business.

    Professional Communication

    A business owner needs to have a firm knowledge of SEO, social media marketing, online advertising, and more to guide the business’s growth.

    Communication through your website is an excellent example of how you can drive even more traffic to your company and perceive a higher professional, manageable, and responsible vibe around yourself and the trade. Make sure you are always updated and aware of the thoughts, reviews, messages, and mentions about your business and your employers – that way you will invariably be the business owner who knows it all. 

    Leadership 

    Leadership skills can be expressed in many forms, not all of them suitable for a company meeting. One thing is leading soldiers on the front, and another motivating people to work harder at their desks, but both share some similarities. 

    Charisma, as an important trait, is needed by everyone who works above other people and needs to lead by example or boost their morale. Knowing and feeling how to position yourself while delivering a report, giving orders, or negotiating with a client is something most people are not good at naturally but can be practiced to perfection. 

    Strategic Planning

    On the other hand, it is not just you surrounding yourself with the right people, and not participating in one-to-one communication with the clients or directly affecting the productivity of your own business.

    It is you who defines your company’s direction and goals and you should always have that in mind. These ambitions should guide you in making all of your decisions, projections of your company’s future performance, and keep you prepared when things don’t go according to the plan. Ups and downs in the business sure are normal and inevitable, but it is you whose reaction everybody will look at when downs happen.

    Sales Skills

    Yes, you can have a sales team, but every business owner needs to know how to sell as well. You have to know how to sell your products and services, how to listen to your customers, partners, or investors, and finally, how to sell yourself.

    Essentially, and eventually, knowing how to persuade all collaborators is the key to running a successful business. 

    Social Intelligence and Control

    How many times have you heard that somebody is called a good boss and somebody not? It is possible that you’re not concerned with the opinion of your inferiors, but let us just say that their judgment is more than important.

    To keep the respected image, you need to consider getting to know your employees, talk to them, hear their thoughts, complaints, and ways of improvement; if possible meet their needs and try to implement genuine care, concern, and interest. Work on your social and emotional intelligence as the people’s control means business control. 

    Being Self-Aware

    This is connected to control, as well, but the self one. Being aware of your best sides, virtues and qualities are one, but admitting to your blind spots is something completely different. The true skill is knowledge of self, and the ability to realize when you need improvement, rest, advice, and help.

    Most of the time, the biggest problem is time management – it leaves you no space for all the areas you need to be displayed. Learning how to manage your time, your focus will end up shifting to activities more likely to bring out your value. If you thrive, everybody around you will thrive also.

    Human and Resource Management

    Having very good management and HR service is relevant, yes, but as a business owner, try to learn how to develop and implement systems that manage daily operations and support the growth of your trade.

    Imagine a business pyramid with sectors and work levels depending on the ones above them. As the top of this pyramid, all stages depend on you – your motivating, charging, and mobilizing teams in an earnest and relatable way.

    All these benefits in more productivity, with teams of employees, investors, and partners combining to push your business operation so much above. 

    Nevermind if you’re a business owner for some time already or just starting your own ownership – there are some skills of yours that define, set, and determine what kind of business are you going to lead, and, at the longest point, how successful is the business going to be.

    But no one is born a boss, you become that as you mold yourself out of education, people management, experience, and necessity. These crucial skills are absolutely needed to consider, in order to become a leader, respected and looked upon, and to grow as a person, nonetheless.

  • 6 Practical Tips for Finding a Job in Another Country

    6 Practical Tips for Finding a Job in Another Country

    Working in another country will help you learn a new language, expand your views, and ultimately give you the necessary tools to start your international career. The experience you’ll get is incomparable to anything else, and it will show you how strong and independent you can be.

    Though getting a job abroad can be a long process, once you understand the basic might help you ease the stress and ensure you’re focused on the right things. In this guide, we’ll share some of the most important tricks on successfully landing a job abroad.

    Find the Right Country

    There’s a lot of countries that offer jobs for qualified candidates. However, some are more popular than others. If your mother tongue is English, the easiest option is to look for a career in English-speaking countries. On the other hand, if you can speak another language, then you can apply to more countries.

    Another thing to consider is how far you want to be from your family and friends. Some people enjoy staying close to their loved ones so they could visit them or travel together. Others enjoy going to another continent as farthest as possible from their country. As long as you can get a job and have the right qualifications, you can land a job in almost any country.

    Keep in mind that even if you love some countries, it doesn’t necessarily mean that you’ll find a job there. Some countries don’t like to have too many foreigners, and you should be discouraged if they reject your application without any explanation.

    Prepare All Necessary Paperwork

    Because some employers require you to have a visa or a specific work permit to apply for a job in their company, it’s incremental to start the process on time, even before moving to the new country. In some cases, the company will offer compensation to help you with relocation expenses.

    You’ll have to go to the embassy as they’ll provide you with all the information about the process of getting a working visa. In some cases, you’ll have to gather all your university certificates as proof that you’ve finished your studies and translate them using dependable machine translation services. Also, if you’re a working student, you’ll need a paper that proves your student status.

    Consider the Type of Job You’re Looking For

    Before you find interesting job postings and start sending CVs to various companies, you have to decide on the industry you want to work in and a few positions that would be interesting for you. Making a final choice is never easy since there are many options and jobs you can apply to. Furthermore, you can always start a blog and write about your experience during the process.

    One of the best ways to determine what kind of job you want is to take a piece of paper and write ten jobs that you would like to work. Then, try to see which one of them best suits you and cross the ones’ that don’t. Now that you have only a few of them on your paper, you can continue to the next step.

    Research Available Positions

    Once you have a clear idea about the positions you’re interested in, it’s time to research all available ones in the country you want to move to and start sending your applications. You can start by creating a LinkedIn account as it’s a platform with an abundance of job ads in every country.

    You can also use your social media accounts to share that you’re looking for a job abroad if one of your contacts has some information on how to do it. Or you can research some of the companies you like and visit their careers pages to see whether they have something available.

    Online job fairs or platforms that collect all the available positions from the companies they work with are another way to find the best spot. Using various filters to select the country, city, company size, and language, you can get to interesting positions. These platforms can pinpoint your ideal job or provide a quick overview of the options you have available.

    Tailor Your Resume and Apply

    As with any job, it’s of utmost importance to tailor your resume to match the position you’re applying for. You can’t simply send a dozen CVs to different companies without changing a letter. Every time you decide to apply, use the keywords used in the job description and showcase how your previous experience or education fits the position.

    If you know someone who already got a job in a similar position, ask them to look at your CV and check for spelling mistakes. Plus, they can tell you whether your CV would make potential employers interested or you out to change something.

    When you have everything ready, make a list of all the companies and click Send.

    Do Your Homework

    Once you decide to go to a country, start watching their TV channels and follow the local media. This way, you’ll better understand how they live and their important news and current events. You can even use some of those references in your interview to show them your interest.

    If you have a friend or a family member in that country, it would be great to go there and spend a few weeks getting to know the city and its culture. This way, you’ll have a chance to go to all the interviews and meet your potential employers. And, at least, you won’t be entirely alone.

    Seek for New Opportunities

    Working in another country provides you with a unique life experience that could shape your whole career. Not only that you’ll live in a new culture, experience their lifestyle, food, but you’ll also become very independent and adaptable.

    A job abroad allows you to understand global markets and give you valuable insight into various business practices. Getting a job abroad can increase your flexibility since you’ll have to work with international clients, use two languages every day and travel more than ever.  

  • 5 Guerrilla Marketing Strategies for Cheap Customer Acquisition

    5 Guerrilla Marketing Strategies for Cheap Customer Acquisition

    When traditional marketing strategies aren’t cutting it or when you just want to make a big impression without breaking the bank, it’s time to bring in the guerillas. Guerilla marketing can be an inexpensive and highly effective way of promoting your brand, growing awareness of a new product, or hyping up an upcoming release.

    What is Guerilla Marketing?

    Guerilla marketing, not to be confused with gorilla marketing, is a creative (and sometimes unorthodox) marketing tactic used to create a big buzz around a product or brand. Originally popularized by Jay Conrad Levinson in his 1984 book, Guerilla Marketing, the term, and the book have been used extensively since then to great effect.

    Sometimes described as the perfect bridge from online to offline, guerilla marketing is all about ditching the usual and thinking outside the box. This ain’t your regular promoting your business online type of thing. At its heart, guerilla marketing is a way of connecting with your audience in a lasting and memorable way, by creating a strong and usually unexpected impression.

    #1. Occupy & Pop-Up Events

    Occupy and pop-up events are key strategies in guerrilla marketing. These types of events bring the point-of-sale (POS) directly to your customers, rather than having them come to you. Although events may sound expensive, they can be done on a small budget if you’re able to negotiate free space, use an existing shop, or even build your own space as part of a tactical PR stunt.

    #2. Giving Away Free Samples of a Product

    Free samples are a surefire way to get your product into the hands of consumers. Depending on your product, this could be quite inexpensive, as one product could be turned into a handful of samples for potential customers.

    This strategy works for two main reasons:

    • People love free stuff
    • People often feel obligated to do something for you when they’ve received something for free. This might mean that they’re willing to listen to a short talk about the product or even make a purchase.

    One of the most famous examples of this was when Samsung decided to give away free Galaxy S9 units to the inhabitants of a small Dutch village called Appel. Using a slogan, “Appel Community Switches to Samsung,” they may have gotten under Apple’s skin, but definitely got some attention.

    Free samples can be a part of your marketing strategy at a festival or event or can be incorporated into an influencer strategy: giving samples to influential people to distribute on your behalf. Either way, your samples need to be great and need to give potential customers all of the information they will need to find you later.

    #3. Urban Art, Graffiti, Posters, and Street Propaganda

    Let’s face it, advertising space is expensive. For small businesses and companies on a budget, getting creative with visual marketing can be a great way to get the word out to lots of eyes without spending a fortune.

    One of the most successful forms of this type of advertising is called event ambushing. Even if you’re not having your own event, there’s no reason you can’t utilize the space outside the event to get your brand or promotion in front of lots of eager eyes.

    Businesses can get extremely creative with visual advertising of this kind, creating street art, outdoor installations, or urban hacktivism like Dublin’s Park(ing) Day.

    #4. No Deposit Codes

    Online casinos of all sizes are always on the lookout for new players. One of the best ways to get new players through the “door” is offering no deposit codes. These codes usually come as part of a Welcome Bonus (or Signup Bonus) and allow new customers to try sites or games without having to make an initial deposit.

    Two key elements made no deposit so successful. Firstly and most important is that it’s 100% free and has no strings attached and second, is its simplicity of use. Offering customers the option of testing out a product or service with no risk to them, while at the same time, costing the operator very little, is a great example of low-budget marketing with tangible results.

    #5. Sticker Marketing

    Sticker marketing goes hand-in-hand with giving away free stuff. With a great brand, an attractive design, and a nice adhesive, you can transform regular people into walking billboards for your company.

    People love to put stickers on their laptops, helmets, video game consoles, and street signs — showing off the places they’ve been or the products they use. Their possessions become a canvas for advertising your brand, a freakishly effective and inexpensive marketing technique.

    Cheap strategies that pay off

    Finding the best ways of promoting your business online can be challenging and, quite often, expensive. The benefits of guerilla marketing are its incredible reach and virality, although usually on a smaller, localized scale.

    The key to guerilla marketing is to get creative, transforming everyday spaces and things into powerful messages for your audience and brand. With the right message, a great location, and a little luck, guerilla marketing can help you to achieve the maximum exposure your business needs.