Category: Brandpoint Business & Finance

2023-04-12T08:01:00

(BPT) – For small manufacturers, every penny counts. From buying raw materials to paying for equipment and utilities, expenses can add up quickly. That’s why finding ways to save money wherever possible is crucial. One often overlooked method is taking advantage of credit card rewards programs. Using credit cards strategically can allow small manufacturers to earn rewards and cash back on their everyday business expenses, reducing overall costs, increasing emergency savings, and allowing low-income earners to benefit from rewards.

Check out how you can save big when using a cashback rewards card for your small manufacturing business, below.

Reducing costs

Credit card rewards, like cash back, can provide valuable cost savings for small business owners in the manufacturing industry. Small manufacturing stores often struggle to purchase large quantities of products or expensive machinery. These costs can add up quickly, leaving little room for other necessary expenses in the budget. With credit card rewards, small businesses can save money on their purchases and increase their budget. The funds can then offset other expenses, such as rent or payroll, providing additional cost savings.

Increasing emergency savings

Unexpected events in the U.S. economy and recent inflation increases have significantly impacted small manufacturing businesses’ financial stability. Having a robust emergency fund can make all the difference in ensuring the long-term sustainability of a business. Credit card rewards that offer cash back can be particularly useful, especially for small businesses with high costs. Many credit card companies offer credit cards with cashback rewards for purchases made on necessary business expenses, which can help manufacturing businesses accumulate a significant amount of cash back over time.

Invigorating the local economy

Using credit card rewards with cashback benefits can positively impact on the local economy and help support small manufacturing businesses in many ways. Having both consumers and small businesses earn cashback rewards on their purchases allows them to have a larger amount of disposable income to spend. This increased spending, in turn, can help small manufacturing businesses by creating more demand for their products and services. In addition, many payment networks partner with small businesses to offer exclusive deals and discounts for those using credit cards, driving more consumers to local establishments. Credit card rewards programs with cashback benefits contribute to the growth and sustainability of the local economy by supporting small manufacturing businesses.

Ultimately, utilizing cashback rewards from credit cards ensures small manufacturers reinvest in their businesses and expand their operations. Main Street shops should take advantage of the valuable cost savings. Credit card companies empower individuals of all socioeconomic backgrounds to benefit from credit card rewards and support local businesses by offering rewards.

2023-04-12T08:01:00

(BPT) – Whether it’s your local ice cream shop, neighborhood dry cleaners or go-to family-owned grocery store, mom-and-pop shops bring communities together. These businesses foster connections between residents and merchants, provide a more personalized shopping experience and support the local economy.

So how can these local businesses provide the benefits we know and love? The answer might surprise you: credit card rewards programs.

Credit card rewards allow consumers to earn points for their purchases. One example is through cash back, where consumers can earn cash based on their credit card spending. But if cash back isn’t for you, there are other rewards you can earn, like points toward travel, hotels, groceries or gas. With credit card rewards, the possibilities are endless.

The best part about credit card rewards is that they don’t cater to one specific consumer group. In fact, consumers of all income levels use and benefit from credit card rewards every day. According to a 2021 survey from Phoenix Marketing International, 98% of credit cardholders owned a rewards card, including 82% of cardholders earning less than $20,000 annually. And luckily, credit card rewards are a win-win for both consumers and local businesses.

Credit card rewards programs are essential to the success of mom-and-pop shops. They keep community institutions afloat and allow these stores to adopt the latest technological advancements. These programs’ amazing benefits incentivize consumer spending and generate additional revenue. It’s called the ticket lift phenomenon — the availability of credit and rewards actually increases consumers’ spending ability, benefiting local businesses by increasing cash flow. This, in turn, allows companies to invest in themselves, providing shoppers with innovative technology, efficient transactions and an overall better customer experience.

But the benefits don’t stop there. Credit card rewards programs also fuel payment innovation for small businesses. Mom-and-pop shops are able to integrate new technologies like contactless payments, mobile wallets and tap-to-pay systems, making the shopping experience smoother than ever before. And with these advanced payment systems, small businesses can more easily compete technologically with their larger, wealthier corporate competitors. Small business owners can draw customers with the same convenient tools offered by the likes of Amazon and Walmart — all while resting assured that their customers’ credit transactions are safeguarded by top-tier fraud protection.

And believe it or not, credit card rewards make this all possible. By bolstering consumer credit spending, rewards programs help fund the very mechanisms that allow the industry to offer its myriad benefits. Data security, consumer privacy protections and seamless transactions all result from a healthy and vibrant credit card economy. And with credit card rewards, everyone wins. Consumers earn the points and cash back they love, while small businesses receive the latest payments and security technology needed to compete in the modern marketplace.

Indeed, credit card rewards benefit not only consumers but also small businesses and the communities they serve. These programs help keep economies humming, shops thriving and locales blossoming. They’re truly a victory for the little guy. So, what are you waiting for? When you’re ready to make a purchase, get rewarded for shopping small.

2023-04-06T12:01:00

(BPT) – It’s that time of year again. Time to renew the commercial insurance policy for your business. When it comes to commercial coverage, liability and property coverages are common but sometimes they’re not sufficient to protect your business from common risks.

“We’re seeing several claims from business owners who incorrectly assumed that their traditional policies covered them for things like cyber breaches or employee theft,” says Brittney Passini, commercial lines product director with Acuity Insurance. “Unfortunately, that’s not always the case.”

With 2022 Acuity data showing commercial claims at a five-year high — up about $3,000 per claim from 2021 and record inflation squeezing businesses tighter — it might be beneficial to put more thought into your commercial coverage this year.

As you think about renewing your insurance policy, consider these four commonly overlooked coverages:

1. Cybersecurity

With larger businesses investing in cybersecurity tools, hackers are increasingly targeting small and medium-sized businesses. In 2021, the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center received 847,376 complaints about cyberattacks and malicious cyber activity with nearly $7 billion (about $22 per person in the United States) in losses, most of which targeted small businesses.

Cybersecurity insurance typically packages cyber liability and data breach coverage. Cyber liability coverage pays if you’re liable for unintentionally spreading malware, and data breach provides coverage to respond to accidental loss or release of customers’ personal and identifying information.

2. Business income and extra expense

After a fire, windstorm or other property loss, a business owner’s immediate focus is usually on repairing buildings and replacing lost inventory. Until those repairs are made and customers start coming back in the door, retailers also may suffer loss of income. This loss of income is not normally covered by a basic business property policy. Business income coverage helps bridge the gap, and extra expense coverage pays for added costs needed to resume operations. Without these additional coverages, businesses that endure a property loss may not have enough capital to keep their business running. While property insurance covers the physical damage, business income and extra expense coverage helps bridge the gap by providing funds to replace the income that is lost while the physical property damage is being restored as well as cover additional expenses, such as rent.

3. Employee dishonesty

A recent study from Zippia shows that 75% of all employees steal at least once, including cash, merchandise and business property. The same study shows that an average of 5% of an organization’s revenue is lost each year due to employee theft, which isn’t covered in typical business property policies. Employee dishonesty coverage protects you against employee theft of money, securities or property.

4. Peak season

While these busy seasons can vary depending on your industry, most businesses experience a few months each year that are busier than most. While some businesses carry extra inventory or have extra staff on hand during these busy months, many business owners overlook these times when setting limits on their property policies. Peak season coverage increases the limit of your business personal property during these times, without needing to carry a higher limit all year.

Ultimately, Passini recommends a collaborative approach to ensure your business is adequately covered.

“Don’t fall into the trap of making assumptions about coverage,” Passini says. “Work with an independent insurance agent who’s dedicated to understanding your business and can provide the right coverages, limits and discounts to fit your business’s needs.”

2023-03-22T08:01:00

(BPT) – With spring comes the desire for a fresh start — whether it’s for yourself, your wardrobe or your home. It’s the perfect time to sport a new look, clear out clutter and swap out tired, old decor for fresh, seasonal colors and textures. Unfortunately, revamping for spring can easily become an overwhelming task or bring a hefty price tag.

But don’t despair — here are some tips to help you prepare for the new season without the added stress:

Set a budget

A spring refresh should be just that — a refresh! But with your excitement about a new start can come a seemingly endless to-do list that prompts you to spend more time and money than you’d like. At the onset, decide how much time you want to devote to cleaning, and set timers or listen to a favorite podcast to help you stick to your time limit. Make sure you also consider how much you want to spend on anything new so you don’t go overboard.

Out with the old

Whether you’re looking to update your closet or your home, make room first by removing old clothing or decor. Consider donating what you’re ready to part with, or selling the items with a second-hand retailer like Poshmark or The RealReal to pocket some extra cash.

Remember small changes can make a big difference

You don’t need to overhaul your entire wardrobe or home to feel refreshed. Choose a handful of new items — like vibrant, flared pants or statement earrings — and pair them with your timeless pieces, mixing and matching to create new outfits. When it comes to your home, consider a couple of simple changes or additions to give your favorite spaces a whole new look — like replacing artwork with a large mirror to bring in more natural light or adding new throw pillows.

Shop with a flexible, transparent payment option

Another way to enjoy a spring refresh without losing control of your budget is by paying over time with Affirm. Whether you’re shopping for a fresh floral dress or a new, bold patterned sofa, Affirm gives eligible shoppers the ability to pay biweekly or monthly. Just enter a few pieces of information to check if you’re eligible, and then approved shoppers can spread purchases out in a way that works best for their budget. Don’t worry — you’ll never pay a penny more than you agree to at checkout because Affirm never charges late or hidden fees.

Ready to start your spring refresh? Select Affirm at checkout or download the Affirm app and request a virtual card to use online or in-store pretty much anywhere.

Payment options through Affirm are subject to eligibility and are provided by these lending partners: affirm.com/lenders. CA residents: Loans by Affirm Loan Services, LLC are made or arranged pursuant to California Finance Lender license 60DBO-111681.

2023-03-21T07:01:00

(BPT) – Shopping today is a vastly different experience than it has been historically. Now, you can go to the store or shop online from the comfort of wherever. You can get free delivery, same-day delivery and even at some retailers, 15-minute delivery. Choice, speed, convenience and payment options are plentiful.

For some generations these have been game-changers, but for a massive group of shoppers with growing purchasing power, this is the expectation. Consider a third of the U.S. population is younger than Amazon, which started in 1994. For the teens and adults in this group, one-click ordering, and fast, free shipping are the default.

These expectations are shaping the future of consumerism and smart retailers are taking note. Offering shoppers a seamless experience is essential, no matter where or how they are shopping. In fact, you probably have a few favorite retailers because you know they have what you want, when you want it, and it’s a simple process to get it wherever you are located.

To embrace the future of shopping, many retailers are taking a unified commerce approach. This means they use interconnected systems and data to provide the best customer experience, including inventory, sales, e-commerce, fulfillment, returns, customer relationship management and more.

Manhattan Associates Inc., in partnership with Google Cloud and Zebra Technologies, recently announced the industry’s first real-world analysis of unified commerce. The Unified Commerce Benchmark for Specialty Retail, conducted by Incisiv, assessed 124 retailers across 11 specialty retail segments on the implementation of 286 key attributes of unified commerce.

Based on insight from real purchases, returns, and customer journeys across digital and physical channels, the study reveals the common attributes of successful retailers and the opportunities for others to improve their customer value and modernize operations.

Which companies are the best of the best in unified commerce? Fifteen emerged as overall leaders: Academy Sports + Outdoors, American Eagle Outfitters, Belk Inc., Crate & Barrel, Levi’s, Macy’s, MAC Cosmetics, Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom, Pandora, REI Co-op, Saks Fifth Avenue, Sephora, UGG and Zales.

Some other noteworthy discoveries of the research include findings made by expert secret shoppers. Here are some top shopping habits and retail trends:

Ability to change your mind

Ever placed an order only to change your mind? Some retailers offer the flexibility to modify orders post confirmation. Lifestyle apparel retailers lead the way in this capability with 50% allowing customers to modify orders post-confirmation, far outpacing the retail average (18%). Sporting goods retailers come in dead last in this area, with 0% offering this functionality. And only 15% of retailers will let shoppers change their shipping/fulfillment method post order confirmation.

Easy tracking and delivery confirmation

Wondering where your package is? About three-quarters (72%) of retailers offer customers order tracking and notifications, but plenty still lack this important feature. Athleisure retailers are the worst offenders, with just 60% providing tracking and notifications. Meanwhile, cosmetics and skincare retailers are likely to provide regular status updates — 97% will send you notifications if you’d like them.

Flexible payment options

A whopping 93% of leaders allow shoppers to Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL), but non-leaders aren’t too far behind: 82% offer this option. Additionally, half of leaders let shoppers use mixed payment methods (e.g., pay partially with a gift card, partially with a credit card). However, most retailers — leaders or not — do not offer the ability to check out with Apple Pay or Google Pay, leaving room for improvement.

Sustainability efforts

If the environment is important to you and influences your shopping habits, you’re not alone. The study found only 20% of shoppers are satisfied with their preferred retailer’s sustainability practices and 40% of shoppers are actively looking for, and willing to spend more for, sustainable and ethically sourced products. Companies are appealing to sustainability as a growing consumer priority by publishing detailed content on sustainability practices: 87% of leaders do this, far outpacing the share of non-leaders that do the same (58%).

Consumer needs are always evolving and the most successful retailers are the ones who have the ability to keep up with these changes. By embracing unified commerce, retailers can give today’s connected consumers the information and personalized shopping experience they are increasingly demanding. Read more at RetailBenchmark.Manh.com.

2023-03-21T07:01:00

(BPT) – It seems like every day we hear about a new technology that will improve some part of our lives — from AI at work to smart devices at home to cars that remind us to stay in our lanes. As technology advances, many of these innovations are becoming more mainstream and accessible — helping to improve our lives, our work and our connections to each other.

From new satellite technologies to enhancements in video streaming, here are five tech trends to watch.

AI keeps advancing

Artificial intelligence (AI) may sound like something out of science fiction, but you’ve probably already encountered it. If you’ve asked your phone a question (and it answered) or chatted with a customer service agent on a website, you have actually used AI. Recently, tools like ChatGPT — an AI engine that anyone with a computer can try — have gained popularity for their remarkable accuracy in answering questions and offering up surprisingly natural information. As AI becomes more ubiquitous, it will change the way we work and interact with each other. Moving forward, look for AI to become more integrated into the software you use at work.

Augmented reality gets real

You’ve probably heard about the “metaverse.” Although it sounds like a cartoon universe, the metaverse is real in that it’s a digital world where people communicate using augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR). Some predict the metaverse will evolve to become the next iteration of the internet. While the metaverse is likely years away from showing up in every living room, some of its features, like AR and VR, are growing more common for entertainment, education and training. For example, National 4-H, America’s largest youth development organization, is using augmented reality to help make complex topics like satellite technology more fun and engaging, as in this activity answering the question, “How Does Satellite Internet Work?” presented by HughesNet.

Streaming services go mainstream

People everywhere have become dependent on streaming video services — whether subscription-based or free. In fact, up to 80% of all internet traffic is video! While this appetite shows no sign of slowing in 2023, market dynamics could change how streaming services serve up video content to consumers. With some introducing advertising into their content and others restricting password sharing, consumers should be on the lookout for changes to their subscription services. In 2023, many viewers will likely return to traditional services like cable TV.

Rural America gets more options for high-speed internet

For decades, rural America has relied on a host of options to get connected to the internet, including DSL, fixed wireless and satellite internet. Thanks to new innovations, these services are getting better — and one is poised to change how communities beyond the reach of fiber access high-speed internet. New multipath technologies like HughesNet Fusion Plans combine satellite and wireless technologies to deliver a high-speed, reliable internet experience with reduced latency. The plans use the best connection for online activities at any given time to deliver a fast and more responsive internet experience. Equipped with more data than ever, expect multipath offerings like HughesNet Fusion Plans to grow in popularity in 2023.

Consumers get serious about cybersecurity

Nowadays, almost every aspect of our lives can be found online. From banking, to shopping, social media and work, our online footprints are larger than ever. Not surprisingly, so is the threat of cybercrime. Everyone must beware of Internet fraud, identity theft and tactics like “phishing” — where cybercriminals send emails designed to trick us into sharing personal or financial information. But with the help of new tools and technologies, such as password managers and multi-factor authentication, we can better protect ourselves from bad actors online.

From AI to AR, new technologies are improving our lives in ways we never could have imagined. Just as technology evolves, so will the ways we work and interact and collaborate with each other.

2023-03-20T00:01:00

(BPT) – Since the onset of the global pandemic there has been a paradigm shift that work is what you do, not where you do it. As workers increasingly return to traditional offices, the need to transform the space into more dynamic and collaborative business centers grows.

According to Forrester, 70% of U.S. and European companies will pivot to a hybrid work model post-pandemic. What’s more, 75% of CEOs expect their office spaces to shrink, so the space that is retained must be intentionally created with hybrid in mind.

“The problem is that while many American employers have embraced this model for their employees, they have not fully implemented collaborative strategies and the necessary technologies that help workers remain productive, creative and inspired in and out of the office setting,” said Shannon MacKay, general manager of WW Smart Collaboration Business Group, Lenovo.

Adopting the right technologies so employees can seamlessly work in the office, at home or elsewhere is key to the success of hybrid work. When done correctly, it can set an organization up for success: According to a recent Lenovo study, a majority (77%) of employees and IT decision-makers believe that productivity and collaboration tools have made or will make their business more efficient in the long run.

When done poorly it can diminish productivity, culture and ultimately, the workforce: According to the Adobe State of Work Report, 32% of workers (nearly a third) have said goodbye to an employer whose tech was a barrier to their ability to do good work — up from 22% pre-COVID.

Hybrid work will require new ways of collaborating to ensure an inclusive environment that attracts and retains top talent. This is particularly important considering in-person meetings will drop from 60% of total enterprise meetings to just 25% by 2024, according to Gartner’s 2021 Digital Worker Experience Survey.

Unfortunately, the Lenovo study shows large enterprises report an average of three unified communication/collaboration applications in use at their companies. This makes collaboration complex and a daily pain point for workers. Not only does this restrict communication, so many of the important interactions between people that build company culture and teams are lost.

“Hearing the live reactions, or impromptu exchanges going on at the end of the table is the difference between feeling like an equal citizen at a hybrid meeting and feeling like a second class one. What about if those microphones can auto-adjust to the positioning of the participants in the room and upweight the sound of those on the right of the room in the right-hand speaker to make it as realistic as possible for those at home too?” said MacKay.

Purpose-built technology like Lenovo’s new ThinkSmart One, the world’s first Windows-based completely integrated collaboration bar, anticipates the continued growth of hybrid meeting spaces as businesses strive to find innovative ways to work together in a distributed workforce. Designed to easily equip small meeting rooms, the bar offers an exceptional audio-visual through eight microphone arrays with echo and noise cancellation, 15-Watt stereo speakers and an integrated high-resolution camera with wide field of view.

There is no one-size-fits-all solution when adjusting to hybrid work. It is critical for IT leaders to reassess their technologies and best practices to ensure all participants have an equal opportunity to collaborate, share ideas and influence decisions. Companies focused on a successful ‘return to work’ plan must implement customizable technologies to make sure their office setup matches their employees’ needs.

2023-03-15T10:01:00

(BPT) – In the wake of many global changes post-pandemic, most communities are facing changed populations and economies and new, unexpected challenges.

Funding gaps have put important community projects on hold and nonprofits struggle to balance financial strain while demand grows. There’s no easy solution, but some are finding relief from unexpected sources — private companies dedicated to investing in America.

Twofold challenges

The pandemic brought sudden change to communities of all sizes across the country. Hardest-hit were small and rural communities but all experienced shifted budgets to combat COVID-19 and related issues. Meanwhile, more people decided to leave cities for suburbs and rural areas due to the growth in remote work, increasing populations and demand on local resources.

At the same time, communities continue to be tasked with doing more with less and are striving to find innovative ways to bridge funding gaps so their residents — both new and existing — can thrive. Fortunately, some private companies with ties to rural communities are stepping up and showing they care about more than business by helping fund a variety of needs.

“Our local Kubota dealers are uniquely connected to the communities they serve and are keenly aware of local challenges people face. They aren’t just serving customers, they are helping friends, family and neighbors. It’s important for us to bridge funding and resources to our local dealers so they can make a difference in their community in ways that matter most,” said Todd Stucke, Kubota North America, and Kubota Tractor Corporation’s Senior Vice President.

Bridging funding gaps

Projects put on hold. Programs cut indefinitely. Nonprofit organizations continue to face increased demand without increased budget as a result of funding gaps.

One example of a rural organization making a difference despite challenges is Homesteads for Hope, a 55-acre community farm located along the Historic Erie Canal in Rochester, New York. The nonprofit is an inclusive community farm for individuals with and without disabilities to learn, work, live and grow in nature’s classroom.

While many nonprofits in the special needs community did not survive the pandemic, Homesteads grew over the last few years and needed to take in people who had nowhere else to go. This growth required increased funding for expansion and the organization decided to look at financial awards from private national companies with local relationships.

Funding from unlikely sources

That’s right, private companies are coming to the rescue for many in the form of private grants and charitable giving.

Homesteads for Hope, for example, applied for the 2022 Kubota Hometown Proud™ grant and received $100,000 in funding which will be used to expand their Social Garden Program for those with more challenging needs and mobility-based disabilities; double their 80-plot community garden and the program’s impact; and renovate the estate home with new doors and windows to weatherproof the main program spaces for year-round use.

This project was also awarded the 2022 Kubota Community Choice Award, which is an additional grant that will enable the organization to finish the renovation of their 18th century historic barns. Together, the funding from Kubota will allow Homesteads to triple the number of people they serve and move closer toward their goal of creating an inclusive housing village, which will give 250-300 people of all abilities a place to call home. So, even though some of the communities they help might be “small,” there is nothing small about the impact of these private grants.

Continue the momentum in 2023

Need continues to grow in many rural communities, and private companies like Kubota can use their local ties to make a big impact and strengthen the fabric that makes small towns and rural counties so special. In fact, the company recently announced the third year of the Kubota Hometown Proud community grant program, which invests five $100,000 grants (with the Community Choice Award, a total of $600,000) to help local organizations make an impact in their own communities and not only survive but thrive.

“We are grateful for the important part our iconic Kubota equipment plays in farming and food production, in building and maintaining our communities, and in enhancing our overall way of life,” said Stucke. “We continue to build out our network, invest in our dealers, equipment and our employees, while also giving back to America’s small towns to share our thanks for allowing us to be part of our customers’ lives, doing more to grow together for today and well beyond.”

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. A PURCHASE WILL NOT INCREASE YOUR CHANCES OF WINNING. Open only to legal residents of the 50 United States (D.C.) 18 years and older. Void where prohibited by law. Sweepstakes begins on or about 12:00 AM CT on March 1, 2023, and ends at 11:59 PM CT on September 6, 2023. For Official Rules visit KubotaHometownProud.com.

2023-03-08T15:01:00

(BPT) – Shopping for a car is exciting, but inflation and rising interest rates are top of mind for many consumers considering a vehicle purchase.

In 2021, pandemic-related supply chain issues, including a shortage of microchips, made it difficult for car manufacturers to keep up with the demand for new vehicles and drove consumers to used cars, causing a significant increase in prices across the industry. Fortunately, according to the Consumer Price Index, the used car industry is seeing a drop in prices. According to the December 2022 report, the cost of a new car increased 8.9% over the 12-month period, while used cars and trucks decreased 8.8%.

How to find a car that fits your budget and lifestyle

While vehicle prices may be decreasing across the used car industry, rising interest rates can still have an impact on monthly payments. That’s why it’s important to take time to understand your budget before shopping for a car, and research what vehicle features and functionality will best fit your needs.

Once you have an idea of your budget and what kind of car you want, it’s time to find a financing option and determine what you can afford.

Upfront, transparent financing terms will save you time when searching for a car you can afford. CarMax, the nation’s largest used car retailer, offers pre-qualification online, allowing you to shop for a car nationwide across CarMax’s inventory with personalized financing terms, with no impact to your credit score.

Within minutes, you can get pre-qualification results with your budget in mind at the beginning of your shopping journey and feel confident you are on track to find the right car.

Unlike a credit application, the pre-qualification process uses a soft credit inquiry to build upfront financing terms across multiple lenders without impacting your credit score. Best of all, this pre-qualification capability is integrated with CarMax’s “Compare Feature,” allowing you to compare car features, monthly payments, and personalized APRs of your favorite vehicles that you’re pre-qualified for, all in one place. “We continue to elevate the used car buying experience by building tools that help improve the car shopping and financing process and make it easier and more efficient for our customers,” said Bill Nash, CEO of CarMax. “Our industry-leading online finance experience and pre-qualification capability, that leverages multiple lenders, saves customers time and provides an added layer of confidence in their journey to find their perfect vehicle that fits both their lifestyle and budget.”

Buying a used car in the current economy has its challenges, but consumers have options that can help them take control of their financing. To learn more about how you can finance your next car at a price you can afford, visit CarMax.com.

2023-03-07T08:01:00

(BPT) – The last few years have been a rollercoaster for workers in the U.S. The country saw its greatest job loss since the Great Depression and almost a year later faced the challenge of not having enough workers to fill job openings. It’s an experience experts say has changed the American workforce and workers.

As a result, 45% of employers are shifting their hiring practices and focusing more on skills and competencies versus degrees. So what jobs can help build the right kind of skills that will open more doors? Try roofing.

Whether the interest is in finding a side hustle, a fresh start or learning about different career paths, roofing helps build skills that translate across industries and sectors from building and construction to manufacturing, human resources, sales and more.

From side hustle to business owner

Erasmo “Mitos” Fuentes started his career as a teacher and got into roofing as a way to bring in extra money — but after his first day on a roof, he knew he could grow it into a full-time job. He made his way up from roofer to business owner and now works for the largest roofing manufacturer in North America.

It all started when Fuentes was purchasing roofing materials and met a representative from a manufacturer whose expertise helped open new doors. “He explained the differences between shingles without dismissing any brands; he was just there to help me,” said Fuentes, who found a mentor in his fellow roofing professional as he built his business.

Passionate about sharing his knowledge with others, Fuentes later became a trainer at GAF’s Center for the Advancement of Roofing Excellence (CARE) where he teaches courses in Spanish to roofing contractors. He and other industry experts guide more than 364,000 professionals across North America, teaching them everything in roofing — from installation to sales techniques. The courses are provided in both English and Spanish and range from live, hands-on training in centers across the country, in locations such as Minneapolis, MN, Michigan City, IN, Dallas, TX, Parsippany, NJ and more, to virtual seminars that cover the industry’s best practices and trends.

Today, Fuentes is referred to by his peers as The Maestro because of the way he’s helped and impacted others through roofing. A teacher, roofer, business owner and CARE trainer, he represents the roofing community’s passion for lifting others up.

No formal education? No problem, in roofing it’s all about the training!

Roofers are among the construction industry’s unsung heroes — they help families and communities protect what matters most, starting with the roof over their head. There’s a need for skilled roofers and demand for 19,000 new jobs is expected by 2028.

Roofing is a profession with few barriers — no degree or schooling required and national programs like GAF Roofing Academy help people of all backgrounds get into the field. The free course combines classroom and on-the-roof training in residential, commercial and solar roofing, led by expert instructors that prepare students for an entry-level position. After completing the program, graduates have access to job opportunities from thousands of certified contractors in the company’s network nationwide.

The program has trained over 2,000 graduates to date and more than 20 trainings are expected across the country in 2023 from Baltimore, MD, to Kansas City, MO, and beyond.

Roofing teaches you skills in construction — and beyond.

The roofing industry opens the door to multiple career paths — some don’t even require you to get up on a roof every day. Kelvin Thomas, for example, got his start at a GAF manufacturing facility in his hometown of Tuscaloosa, AL. He has enjoyed a 44-year career in roofing operations and held 16 different positions that helped expose him to opportunities in manufacturing, maintenance, quality, supply chain and human resources in multiple cities.

“Sometimes our qualifications don’t check all the boxes, but if you keep trying and have faith in yourself, someone will be willing to take a chance on you,” explains Thomas.

Roofing is an often-overlooked opportunity for anyone interested in starting a career with endless opportunities for professional and personal growth. It’s also a chance to make a meaningful impact on communities, helping neighbors to protect their homes and build resilience that can have a lasting impact on their families and lives.

More information about roofing programs and opportunities can be found at www.gaf.com/LearnToRoof.