Category: Brandpoint Business & Finance

2022-06-07T05:01:00

(BPT) – Summer can bring a flurry of activities and experiences. Whether you’re traveling to see friends and family, camping, going to the beach or simply enjoying outdoor summer activities, this time of year can quickly put a dent in your bank account.

Shopping online can help make summer fun more affordable. You can find great online deals on beach and pool accessories, warm-weather clothing and more. However, to make sure you’re getting the best deals, you’ll need to follow some online shopping strategies.

Check out these five tips to help you save time and money this summer.

1. Wait and shop at the right time

If you’ve ever bought something during a Black Friday sale, you know how rewarding it can be to wait and get a big-ticket item at a bargain price. You can use this tactic year-round by becoming familiar with seasonal retail sales.

According to NerdWallet, if you’re looking for fitness equipment for your home gym or TVs and electronics, then take advantage of discounts in January. If you need to replace your old mattress, wait and buy in September around Labor Day.

Make a list of items you’d like to purchase this year and research the best times to shop so you can get the best deal possible.

2. Use online shopping tools for price comparison, cash back and coupons or discounts

There are numerous shopping apps and tools that help ensure you’re getting what you need at the lowest price. Some even offer cash back for simply using the savings tool when you complete your purchase.

It’s even easier if you do your online shopping on Microsoft Edge, the browser with built-in tools designed to save you time and money. No need to download extensions to your phone or laptop! On average, people save about 20% (or around $25) when shopping in Microsoft Edge using features like:

• Coupon alert: You’ll be alerted about any coupons available for the site you’re browsing, which can be automatically applied at checkout.
• Price comparisons: Microsoft Edge will check prices at competing retailers for lower prices.
• Price history: Plan your next online purchase by looking at historical price trends to fit your budget.
• Price change alerts: You’ll be alerted if items you’ve viewed have changed in price.
• Reviews and ratings: Access online expert reviews and customer ratings for over five million products
• Express checkout: Microsoft Edge will autofill your information so you can speed through checkout.

“We want to help people save time and money so they can focus on the things that matter most,” said Liat Ben-Zur, corporate vice president of marketing, Microsoft. “Whatever you’re searching for, whether it’s clothing, gifts or furniture, you can shop confidently with our built-in savings tools and know you’re getting the best deal without all the extra leg work.”

3. Avoid markups by beating dynamic pricing

Have you ever gone to buy a plane ticket and realized that the price has gone up within a matter of hours? Dynamic pricing (also known as surge pricing, demand pricing and time-based pricing) is to blame. This strategy allows companies to adjust the price of an item in real time based on supply and demand.

To avoid markups, delete your browser’s cookies or shop in a private window, especially when buying airline tickets or booking a hotel room. Also, if you don’t need an item urgently, leave it in your cart. You’ll likely get an email the same day or a day or two later that the item you were thinking of purchasing has had a price drop.

4. Use your credit card’s cash back

Are you using your cash-back rewards? If you have a cash-back credit card, you make back some of what you spent on your regular purchases like gas, groceries and household products. While it may not seem like a lot for individual purchases, cash-back rewards can quickly add up, so you can put that money in the bank or apply it toward other purchases.

5. Join loyalty and rewards programs

You’ve probably been asked at grocery stores, clothing retailers and gas stations about joining the store’s loyalty and rewards program. These programs are generally free to sign up for, and you can even do it at checkout in most places that offer them. Simply input your phone number and/or email address and you’ll earn reward points or receive coupons and discounts for future purchases.

Smart shopping pays off. Use these five tips while shopping online for all your summer needs.

2022-06-06T11:53:00

(BPT) – Is your teen starting their first job this summer? Are they already planning how to spend their first paycheck? You can help support your kids during this important milestone by teaching them healthy financial habits. While money used to be a taboo topic, more and more parents are teaching their kids the basics of managing money at home. In fact, 70% of parents surveyed are currently having these financial conversations with their children according to a study from Chase.

“It’s never too early to get started on your own financial journey, or help your kids get started on theirs. Starting your first job is a huge milestone and a perfect opportunity for parents to dive deeper into financial topics with their teens.” said Matt Gromada, Managing Director, Head of Family, Student and Starter Banking at Chase. “One of the easiest ways parents can teach their kids about money from an early age is by opening a bank account to help them learn how to manage their money firsthand. When parents bring their kids into conversations about learning how to budget, save and spend mindfully, it helps build a strong financial foundation.”

Not sure how to start financial conversations with your kids? Check out these five lessons you can teach them as they start their first job.

1. Start with the Basics

It’s never too early to start teaching your kids about the basics of money. Parents can offer kids real-world experiences, even before they may be ready for their first official job. For example, provide opportunities for them to earn money for completing household chores to teach them the fundamentals of earning, saving and spending. Having these conversations early and reinforcing these financial lessons can help your child develop healthy money habits.

2. Make Opening a Bank Account a Fun Milestone

Do you remember the excitement of opening your first bank account? Share this fun milestone with your children and help them open their own bank account so they look forward to depositing their first paycheck from their new job. Consider accounts like Chase High School Checking that have benefits and features to help with budgeting and saving, including no monthly service fee, and offer the capabilities of digital banking through the Chase Mobile app.

3. Save Regularly

Encourage your child to set savings goals so they can afford fun items, like concert tickets for their favorite band and trips with their friends or purchase more expensive items like a computer or car. Remind them that even though they have a job, smart savings habits will prepare them for the future and it’s never too early to start saving.

4. Teach Budget Fundamentals

Using real-life experiences as teachable moments can help your teen understand the need for a budget, especially as they get older. Show them how you plan for food and other household expenses and help them create their own budget. This will help build financial skills that will help them balance the costs of needs versus wants.

5. Spend Thoughtfully

It’s important to discuss smart spending strategies with your teen as they begin their first job since they likely already have their next purchase in mind before they even receive their first paycheck. Discuss the purchases your teen wants to make and how these fit into their long-term goals. When they do make a purchase, remind them to look at their bank account first to see how it will impact their overall spending budget. Teens will be better prepared for long-term financial independence if they learn how to spend thoughtfully before they have many expenses.

Teaching your teen these five lessons will help set them up for financial success as they start their first job. To learn more about how you can build money skills as a family, visit Chase.com/FamilyBanking.

2022-06-02T01:01:00

(BPT) – If you’ve found that your expenses are going up each month, you’re not alone. Inflation in the U.S. has hit an all-time high in 40 years to 8.5% over the last 12 months. That means that the average American household is spending an extra $296.45 per month because of inflation, according to a report by Moody Analytics.

Need help making your budget stretch? Check out these three tips to help you save money and afford the important things in life.

1. Reduce your food bill

Food is likely one of the largest expenses in your budget, especially if you’re feeding a whole family. There are plenty of ways to reduce your food bill. Searching for sales and coupons, making a weekly meal plan and buying generic over brand-name products are well-known solutions.

If you want to step up your savings game, try buying more frozen products to reduce food waste. According to a study by William and Mary University, the average American spends about $1,300 per year on food that isn’t consumed. By stocking your fridge with frozen fruits and veggies, you’ll save money and, as a bonus, do some good for the planet.

It’s also a good idea to freeze your leftovers if your family isn’t likely to eat them within a couple of days. If you find meats and seafood on sale, buy and freeze them for future meals.

2. Save on gas

Gasoline is another significant expense for most household budgets. Whether you’re commuting to work, school, or visiting family and friends, it’s easy to spend a lot on fuel. The easiest way to spend less is to drive less, but that may not be possible for your family. Instead, try driving at lower speeds. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, you spend an additional $0.22 per gallon of gas for every 5 miles above 50 mph.

Another way to spend less is to be smart about where you purchase gas. Warehouse or wholesale clubs tend to have gas stations that offer gas at a lower price than regular gas stations to their members. If you already shop at a wholesale club for bulk items, see if you can get additional discounts or cashback when using your member credit card at the pump.

If you don’t have a wholesale club membership or there isn’t one near you, you can still save at your local gas stations. Check around town or download apps that help you find the cheapest gas prices in town. Many major gas stations also offer fuel rewards or discounts, so make sure to sign up so you can save.

3. Manage health care costs

Health care and wellness can be expensive, but there are also some simple tricks to help you manage these costs. If you take multiple medications, ask your doctor or pharmacist if you can switch from a brand-name to a generic medication. Generics work as well as brand-name medicines at a lower price point.

Check with your job and health insurance provider for health programs and discounts. You may even qualify to get money back for going to the gym and other activities you already practice.

One area of health that can be expensive is vision care. If your insurance doesn’t include vision insurance, check out VSP vision insurance.

Visit an eye doctor and save with VSP vision insurance. You can purchase a vision insurance plan at any time without having to wait for open enrollment. Plans start as low as $13 per month and can help you save up to $200 per year and give you access to the largest network of doctors. Other benefits include 20% savings on additional glasses or sunglasses, including lens enhancements, from a VSP network of independent eye doctors within 12 months of your last exam. To find out which vision plan is best for you, visit VSP Individual Vision Plans.

You don’t have to choose between enjoying your life and affording the basics. Use these three tips so you can save money without compromising your quality of life.

2022-05-24T16:35:00

(BPT) – Each year, the U.S. military generates thousands of professionals with highly specialized, transferable skills. Beyond technical and operational expertise, every service member gains skills that help keep teams afloat and foster cohesion and productivity, serving them well in their civilian careers.

During Military Appreciation Month, it’s important to recognize the value of these skills that veterans bring to businesses and organizations that employ them. Microsoft Military Affairs — which helps veterans and transitioning service members get their footing in tech — recognizes veterans’ unquantifiable value and experience in their civilian work.

To help you understand the value-add veterans are to the businesses and organizations that hire them, MMA has highlighted four skills former service members bring to the table.

1. Adaptability

If you ask a veteran what they ‘did’ on active duty, the answer will be impressive. During their time in the military, service members experience continuous on-the-job learning, constantly gaining new skillsets and specialties within new teams and environments. As agile, resourceful learners, veterans can pivot on a dime, bringing tenacity and personal initiative to every challenge.

Cybersecurity, cloud administration and cloud application development are quickly evolving fields that require adaptability, which former service members have in spades. This adaptability allows veterans to thrive in an environment of constant flux and can bridge critical knowledge gaps that drive new solutions to business challenges.

2. Resilience

Resilience is part of any service member’s training. Military service members know how to complete the mission set before them, whether it’s deployment to crisis areas, moving families to a new base or country, sacrificing holidays and time with loved ones, or enormous physical and mental challenges.

A veteran’s experience in overcoming obstacles and “staying on target” served them well during their military service and will continue to serve them as civilian and private sector professionals, particularly as the work environment and customer needs continue to evolve.

3. Teamwork

Teamwork is a critical skill in the military because members must operate in unison for the mission to succeed. This “stronger together” mindset cultivates a deep understanding of the value each member brings to a team and how to facilitate trust to develop cohesion.

Veterans know how to join, develop and empower a team to operate as a unit. These interpersonal skills allow former service members to work productively and establish trust with different groups and personalities, fostering collaboration and teamwork.

4. Leadership

Adaptability, resilience and teamwork are all skills that ultimately make veterans agile, thoughtful leaders on any team. While the pressures they face on active duty are very different from those they’ll face in civilian life, veterans can be relied on to bring decisiveness and poise to even the most stressful environments.

Former service members are steady, focused and equipped to make tough decisions in some of the most stressful situations. As crisis managers, they know how to manage stress, deescalate and provide balance in a challenging environment. This advanced degree of “grace under pressure” allows former service members to push through when a project doesn’t go according to plan, find a solution and lead a team to success.

These are just a few of the core skills veterans bring to their jobs outside of military service. To learn more about how Microsoft is helping former service members leverage their skills in the technology industry, visit Military.Microsoft.com and the Microsoft Software and Systems Academy page or follow Microsoft Military Affairs on LinkedIn.

2022-05-17T14:01:00

(BPT) – Sponsored by Office Depot

If you own a small business, you know that it can be an incredibly rewarding yet challenging venture that requires balance, especially if you’re working remotely. In fact, according to a survey, achieving work-life balance is the most important habit to cultivate to be successful in that environment. Luckily, you don’t have to do it all on your own. Companies like Office Depot support small business owners year-round with products and services to help them build and attract customers, maintain day-to-day operations, save time and much more.

Check out these five services that small business owners can leverage to help empower their success:

1. Copy and Print Services

According to a recent survey by OnePoll on behalf of Office Depot, female small business owners said that next to cash grants (38%), marketing materials (29%) would have helped get their business off the ground. With Office Depot’s print services, you can create and print marketing materials like business cards, presentations, labels, stickers and more.

Additionally, if you need indoor or outdoor signage printed, you can choose from a wide selection of custom business signs like yard signs, flags, floor decals, magnetic car signs and more. Simply upload your designs or choose from templates and tailor them to your business using a variety of colors and sizes. Several pricing options are available, so you can choose what works best for you and your budget.

Not sure where to start? Visit officedepot.com/print or a local Office Depot or OfficeMax store near you to learn more.

2. Design

Don’t have a graphic designer on your team? Choose from thousands of professional and visually appealing design templates from Canva to create customized marketing materials within a few clicks. From flyers announcing special deals and seasonal products to brochures advertising special events, it’s simple to create professionally designed materials that stand out and help you connect with your customers. Best of all, you can design as many options as you’d like, and you only pay for what you print. Visit officedepot.com/print to get started.

3. Tech support

Tech support services can help to simplify your IT, anticipate challenges and needs, and empower you to scale, grow and manage your business. Office Depot offers 24/7 remote tech support subscription plans for total tech peace of mind, along with services for computer repair, in-home and office computer and tech installation and setup, technology protection plans, and more. Never miss a beat or spend copious amounts of time troubleshooting, so you can focus on what you do best.

4. Shredding and Storage

Don’t let your documents be a liability for you or your customers. Safe document storage helps you preserve the information you need and frees up space, while proper shredding services can help you destroy documents you don’t need, plus you can feel good about having them safely recycled. Office Depot offers a variety of options to help businesses securely manage documents to help prevent identity theft, stay compliant with industry standards, and more.

5. Same-Day Services

As a small business owner, usually, time is of the essence! That’s when same-day services and quick and convenient order fulfillment options can really make a difference. At Office Depot, Same-Day Services are available on full-service solutions in-store and can be purchased online for in-store pick up. This includes printing items such as posters, flyers and business cards as well laminating and binding services.

In addition, Same-Day Delivery is available for a wide assortment of eligible office, cleaning and tech products in select markets. And if you’re really in a pinch, Office Depot offers free in-store and curbside pick-up in 20 minutes.

Whether you need business services to save you time or supplies to help you get the job done, you have options to succeed. For more about small business services and products that can keep you balanced for success, visit OfficeDepot.com. And small business owners interested in obtaining discounts on business essentials, including paper, ink, toner and cleaning and breakroom supplies can learn more about the benefits of becoming an Office Depot^® OfficeMax^® Business Select member here.

2022-05-17T09:01:00

(BPT) – If you’ve dreamed of becoming an entrepreneur, you may think success is a straight road from one success to another until you’ve “made it.” But a recent survey reveals what small business owners have learned: Making mistakes is not the end of your entrepreneurial career. More likely, it provides the key to ultimate success.

“Good business fundamentals and hard work, combined with planning, organization and surrounding yourself with supportive people who can offer an honest opinion, can be the essential drivers to success,” said John DeSimone, president of Herbalife Nutrition. “In business, just like in life, what matters most is seizing the opportunity to learn and improve.”

Here are the biggest takeaways from the study:

1. Learn from your failures

Survey respondents said it took an average of two failed business ideas before they figured out what worked. The key is not to let failure discourage you but to allow your mistakes to help you learn, grow and succeed in future endeavors. Almost 90% of small business owners said they learned valuable lessons from each unsuccessful venture, and 38% advised entrepreneurs not to be afraid to make mistakes.

2. Prioritize effectively

Over 30% of survey respondents said learning to prioritize work is critical. Many business owners make lists, then become overwhelmed by their workload — leading to procrastination. Beyond making lists, entrepreneurs must dig deeper to understand what tasks are most essential, and why. Ask each day: What tasks are essential for your business to succeed? If inventory is low, ordering goods is a top priority. When revenue is stalled, sales calls may be highest on your to-do list. Similarly, another top recommendation was to make a solid business plan (41%).

3. Be goal oriented

The importance of entrepreneurs learning to be more productive was high on the list of lessons learned. Over 40% of small business owners said productivity was critical to success. How do you achieve higher productivity? By first setting attainable goals. Unlike employees who have goals and deadlines set by others, entrepreneurs need to learn how to set attainable goals for themselves to be more productive — then tackle them, one step at a time.

4. Get organized

When small business owners were asked what advice they’d give someone just starting out, a top tip was to get and stay organized (42%). What does that mean? Organization entails both ordering your things (files, equipment) and structuring your time:

• Documents should be clearly labeled and easy to access, whether stored digitally or on your desk.
• Color-code items — for example, red for urgent, blue for today and yellow for later completion — to help identify hot activities.
• Organize your workday by making a list of tasks and prioritizing those to be completed first.
• Set a timer to dedicate yourself to each task before taking a break. Knowing you have time constraints — and something to look forward to — can help you complete tasks faster.

5. Keep learning

Entrepreneurs believe ongoing learning is essential for innovating and developing new ideas. Nearly one-third (29%) of them believe continuing education is the secret sauce that helps business owners stay on top of their game.

How can you fit learning into your busy schedule?

• Read articles and attend virtual events during breaks or evenings, thanks to content being available on demand.
• Review news stories, industry blogs and research to help you brainstorm new ideas to keep you and your business fresh.
• Keep a “spark list” handy, where you can jot down thoughts and ideas to help you grow.

The survey, commissioned by Herbalife Nutrition and conducted by OnePoll, asked small business owners and employees to share lessons they’ve learned through workplace mishaps — and how those lessons shaped their entrepreneurial journey. Insights from 8,000 small business owners and employees across 15 countries, including 2,000 Americans (1,000 small business owners and 1,000 employees with 10 years or more of experience), can teach a great deal about what it takes to succeed as an entrepreneur.

Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey? Visit IAmHerbalifeNutrition.com to learn how.

2022-05-16T11:01:00

(BPT) – The digital economy is defined as the intersection of technology and finance. As we continue to use the internet and digital technologies to work, live, and play, we are collectively impacting the “traditional” financial system, and creating a digital-first economy.

As with any new industry, the digital economy presents a compelling and potentially lucrative opportunity for savvy individuals who want to invest at the early stage of the industry’s development. While understanding the most important themes within the digital economy and finding ways to invest can be challenging, here are three things to consider:

1. Crypto is here to stay – and we need to learn about it

Crypto, also known as cryptocurrency or digital assets, means digital currencies that are secured by cryptography. Many cryptocurrencies run on decentralized networks based on blockchain technology, which is a distributed ledger enforced by a network of various computers. Some believe that crypto’s utility for exchanging value with anyone, anywhere, electronically, instantly, and without the need of traditional intermediaries like banks, has the potential to fundamentally reshape the global financial system.

Companies directly involved in crypto mining, payments, finance, and infrastructure use these digital assets and their associated networks as the foundation for a digital economy where technologies that encourage interaction, development, and rapid growth within the financial industry can be built.

2. Technology will continue to connect us and help us live more efficiently

When visiting a store or a restaurant nowadays, there is often an option to pay using the tap of a card or your mobile device, or quickly receive personalized financing options. Small conveniences and efficiencies can add up to save time, money, and stress. Even in just the past five years, technology has transformed the way we think about the world, and even more so how we do business and pay for things.

In the digital economy, companies build upon those innovations using digital asset infrastructure by developing and providing technology that facilitates communication, commerce, and collaboration. These organizations include household names like digital payments processor PayPal*, as well as newer entrants that are having a huge impact in driving the growth of the digital economy, like Coinbase, one of the most popular crypto exchanges.

3. Financial institutions will exist but may look different

You may be familiar with traditional financial institutions like banks, asset managers, exchanges, brokerages, and financial advisors. These days, institutions have technology like online banking and exchanges and apps for accessing your investments and accounts, but built on the same centralized databases and legacy systems.

Institutions in the digital economy use new networks, protocols, and cryptocurrencies to offer a digitally native, cross-border financial experience. With enough duct tape, you might get your car to float, but it’ll never have the maneuverability of a speedboat. Rather than retrofitting old systems, the digital economy represents a ground-up rebuild of the ways we exchange value. Participation in the digital economy by these institutions adds momentum to technology that powers it forward, pioneering the future of finance.

If this is of interest and you find yourself wanting to learn more about potential investments in the digital economy and the future of finance in a user friendly and secure way, you can visit www.grayscale.com/gfof/ for more information on their newest publicly available investment fund, Grayscale^® Future of Finance (symbol: GFOF). GFOF is available across the U.S. through any platform where you can buy and sell stocks, for investors who want to invest in the future of the digital economy, easily and securely.

Important Information

Investors should consider the investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses carefully before investing. For a prospectus or summary prospectus with this and other information about the Fund, please call (833) 903-2211 or visit our website at www.grayscale.com/GFOF. Read the prospectus or summary prospectus carefully before investing.

Investments involve risk. Principal loss is possible. Unlike mutual funds, ETFs may trade at a premium or discount to their net asset value. The fund is new and has limited operating history to judge.

Fund Risks: Non-diversified, Foreign securities, Emerging markets, Small to mid-capitalization companies.

The Fund will not invest in digital assets directly or through the use of derivatives. The Fund also will not invest in initial coin offerings. The Fund may, however, have indirect exposure to digital assets by virtue of its investments in companies that use one or more digital assets as part of their business activities or that hold digital assets as proprietary investments. Because the Fund will not invest directly in any digital assets, it will not track price movements of any digital assets.

Future of Finance companies rely heavily on the success of the digital currency industry, the development and acceptance of which is subject to a variety of factors that are difficult to evaluate. These companies may be subject to theft, loss or destruction of cryptographic keys (required to access a user’s account when transacting on blockchain). Blockchain technology is new and many of its uses may be untested. The development and acceptance of competing platforms or technologies may cause consumers or investors to use an alternative to blockchains. Digital assets that are represented on a blockchain and trade on a digital asset exchange may not necessarily benefit from viable trading markets. Digital commodities and their associated platforms are largely unregulated, and the regulatory environment is rapidly evolving. Companies that are developing financial technologies that seek to disrupt or displace established financial institutions generally face competition from much larger and more established firms.

“Future of finance” is defined as the intersection of finance, technology and digital assets. GFOF is distributed by Foreside Fund Services, LLC and Grayscale Advisors, LLC is the adviser.

*As of 05/13/2022, 9.84% of GFOF is invested in PayPal.

2022-05-09T08:01:00

(BPT) – Do you have a boat you’re thinking of selling? Maybe you want to upgrade or are taking a year off. No matter your reason for selling a boat, now is the ideal time to list it, sell it quickly and make top dollar for it.

The global market analysis report from Boat Trader found the surge in consumer demand for boats that began at the start of the pandemic continued to surge through 2021. The wave continues into 2022 as more people look to get out and enjoy time on the water with friends and family.

Although there are plenty of interested buyers, boat inventory remains low, which means boats are selling much faster and for higher prices. In 2021 compared to 2020, days on the market were down globally by 100 days and by 50 days in the U.S. What’s more, the overall value of sold boats skyrocketed across the globe, surpassing 2020 values by 34%.

Demand and boat values are expected to increase throughout 2022, particularly for preowned boats. Inventory constraints continue, creating a limited supply of new boats, so as more people want to get on the water, they are looking to preowned options to fill their water lust.

Many boat manufacturers have reported they are sold out of inventory for at least the upcoming season. In future years, they are hopeful supply chain issues will resolve and more inventory will be available. Additionally, some market experts expect interest rates to increase in the future, which will likely drive down the value of boats.

What does this mean if you’re a boat owner thinking of selling or upgrading? Now is the time to take action so you can get the most money while demand is high and values are up.

“People can get top dollar for their preowned boats as demand continues to outpace supply,” said Brian Wolf, chief operating officer, at Boat Trader, America’s largest boating marketplace. “The key is to list your boat in a way that boosts appeal while providing ample information to anyone actively looking to buy.”

Listing on a marketplace like Boat Trader that specializes in only boats helps target highly qualified shoppers. This trusted website has a 30-year legacy of helping people sell their boats, with advanced fraud monitoring and tools to make listing your boat simple. The site’s extensive reach to interested people around the country means more leads and the ability to list your boat for a higher price, not to mention dedicated customer service to help you at any time.

To help sell your boat faster and for top dollar, Wolf shares some insider tips:

Go into the details: Listings without much information are confusing to potential buyers who may not have the time to reach out for the details. Therefore, make sure your listing has critical information. Boat Trader makes this easy with its B.L.A.S.T. data feature, standing for Build Listings And Save Time, which populates listings with manufacturer specs and photos quickly.

Pictures and video tell a story: With clear, enticing visuals, people can truly experience your boat even if they live many miles away. Upload multiple photos to encourage engagement, targeting the 10-30 range. With more people looking online, consider adding video tours that can really showcase your boat to potential buyers, which can increase listing activity.

Market price: With the market changing so quickly it can be difficult to determine the best price for your listing. Too low and you may lose money. Too high and your boat will get overlooked. To determine an accurate price range for your boat, look at listings for similar boats in similar condition. You can also try out boat pricing tools online.

Be responsive: Demand is high, so take advantage of any interest by responding to inquiries in a timely manner. This will help you build trust with potential buyers and sell your boat sooner. Responding within 24 hours is ideal, otherwise that potential buyer may sail on to different seas.

2022-05-05T06:01:00

(BPT) – If you run a small to medium-sized business, you may think your risk of cyberattacks is slim to none. But just because your business is smaller and you have your data stored on-premises does not exempt you from risk. According to the Ninth Annual Cost of Cybercrime Study by Accenture, 43% of cyberattacks are now aimed at small businesses — but only 14% of those businesses are prepared to defend themselves. Since the pandemic, cybercrime has increased by 600%, according to Embroker.com. And the cost of cyberattacks — from business disruption and lost data to system downtime, damage to your company’s reputation and even legal liability — is higher than ever. Cyber defense needs to be a major component of your business strategy.

What can your business do to help prevent these attacks in the first place?

Types of cyberattacks

It helps to understand where cybercriminals are most likely to strike, which is at most companies’ biggest point of vulnerability — the human factor. The Ponemon Institute’s State of Cybersecurity Report has identified the most common types of cyberattacks on small businesses:

• Social Engineering/Phishing (57%): This can take the form of an email that appears to be from a trusted source, like a co-worker or supervisor, asking for help and requesting you click a link or download something.
• Compromised/Stolen Devices (33%): Devices without sufficient security safeguards in place can be vulnerable.
• Credential Theft (30%): Hackers obtain usernames and passwords to access accounts. Having strong, unique passwords and multi-factor authentication to access accounts can help prevent unauthorized access.

Strategies to safeguard your business

No matter the size of your business, you can take practical steps to help defend against cyberattacks, which will save your company time, effort and money in the long term.

Here are 5 tactics that should be on your cyber defense checklist:

1. Educate your employees about security best practices

Make sure everyone in your business understands common cyberthreats, and is well trained on how to identify typical phishing and social engineering scams. In addition, help remote employees secure their home networks by offering training on setting up secure Wi-Fi.

2. Keep business and personal devices separate

Especially as many employees continue working remotely all or part of the time, reduce security risks by emphasizing the importance of everyone in your organization using only company devices for work purposes.

3. Beef up security measures for employee accounts and network access

Require only strong, unique passwords for employee access, as well as implementing multi-factor authentication practices for an extra layer of protection.

4. Get a unified software platform for security and patch management

Make sure your entire system is more secure by using a single, effective software platform that can manage identity, access and devices in the cloud — as well as managing security upgrades and patching. For example, JumpCloud offers IT admins at any business the ability to control and manage a wide variety of configurations with Zero Trust security to secure your organization.

JumpCloud provides an easy, frictionless solution for small to medium-sized business requirements to hedge against increasing cyberthreats, with several security features to help your business improve its security posture, including:

• Multi-Factor Authentication
• Single Sign-On
• Device Management
• Zero-Trust
• Patch Management

Even better, JumpCloud lets customers use all premium features for free, for up to 10 users and 10 devices.

“Any business owner today needs to be aware of and take active measures to protect against cyberattacks,” said Benjamin Garrison, technical evangelist at JumpCloud. “For any size business, JumpCloud provides an effective solution, all in one place.”

5. Monitor for security breaches

In case of a cyberattack, your business will recover and overcome the loss much more quickly the earlier you can detect the problem. Set up a system for frequent monitoring of your network for any potential breaches, and keep working to defend against them with regular updates and trainings for all staff.

Don’t wait until a security breach happens to get serious about cyber defense. Being proactive about the security of your business will be well worth it to defend everything you’ve created.

JumpCloud gives IT admins a single cloud directory platform to secure all their users in any device environment, wherever work happens. Visit JumpCloud.com to learn more.

2022-05-03T13:01:00

(BPT) – In the past two years, small business owners have been forced to reimagine their entire business model and pivot their operations to survive pandemic social distancing and shutdowns. Recovery and growth are now top of mind, according to a new Chase Small Business survey, as nearly half of U.S. small business owners (48%) feel more upbeat about their business since the beginning of this year, and 73% feel optimistic about their long-term future.

Ahead of Small Business Week, Chase surveyed 1,000 small business owners to understand their financial and business priorities after two years of uncertainty, and how they planned to manage current economic volatility, like inflation and a tightening labor market.

The new survey focused on four key areas that small business owners identified as critical to driving their business forward through the pandemic.

1. Financial

Access to capital — particularly during times of global and macroeconomic uncertainty — is essential for new and legacy small business owners to keep their business afloat. Rising wages, for example, continue to be a growing challenge for businesses who say their business is struggling to pay employees.

According to the survey, the majority of small business owners today (55%) strongly believe they have adequate access to new funding or credit should they need it. Aside from a traditional loan, business owners often use business credit cards to support their business. 53% of small business owners with a business credit card say it allows them to more closely monitor business expenses, and 45% look for good cash-back rewards. Nearly two-thirds of small business owners (64%) who have business credit cards rank cash-back rewards in their top three most important credit card benefits, more than 20 points higher than the next reward category.

Chase recently extended its popular Pay Yourself Back redemption categories to allow eligible Chase Ink cardmembers to redeem points worth as much as 25% more on business expenses related to internet, cable and phone services — categories small business owners are spending the most in right now.

2. Purpose and vision

Small business owners, new and experienced, find expert advice and mentorship increasingly important as they navigate ongoing inflation, workforce and supply chain challenges. Nearly three-quarters of small business owners (71%) are interested in mentorship to help run their business, and 65% say they are likely to work with a financial or business advisor in the next year.

Chase for Business recently reintroduced its Business Insights Series with expert speakers in 30 U.S. markets to help entrepreneurs outthink the competition, embrace uncertainty, improve customer loyalty and win sales. The bank also offers accessible education, coaching and technical assistance for minority entrepreneurs through one-on-one coaching in nearly 20 U.S. cities.

3. Workforce

Voluntary and involuntary turnover created by a tightening labor market and changing workforce dynamics are challenging the stability of small business owners’ workforces. Nearly seven in 10 small business owners cite a shortage of employees overall (67%) and shortage of employees with necessary skills (69%) as challenges.

To combat these challenges, approximately two-thirds of small business owners say they are likely to hire additional staff in the next year (65%), 64% are likely to expand benefits to their workforce, and 66% are likely to increase employee pay. About two-thirds say they are likely to hire additional staff (65%) and invest in training and development for their workforce (66%).

4. Operations

The key to the resilience of small business owners over the last 24 months has been their ability to be agile and nimble in an ever-changing marketplace. Many small business owners credit technology to help them adapt, with 60% strongly believing they have the right technology in place today to help their business run efficiently.

The pandemic fueled consumer demand for contactless, digital and speedier payments that continue to drive innovation in the payments industry. Whether it’s payment processing, a new digital feature or customer insights, three in four small business owners (73%) plan to continue their investments in technology by implementing new tech in the year ahead.

To reduce the complexity of digital and contactless payments at point of sale. Chase Payments Solutions recently launched its Smart Terminal, which offers small business owners the flexibility to accept debit and credit card payments at the counter or when moving around their business.

“Small businesses are at the heart of every community. They create jobs and support their neighborhoods in good times and bad,” said Ben Walter, CEO of Chase Business Banking. “We are inspired by their resilience, ingenuity and service to others, and are here to offer the support, solutions and service they need to thrive.”

During the month of May, to celebrate Small Business Week and beyond, Chase for Business plans to introduce new tools, offers and events for small business owners across its suite of products including Chase Business Checking, Chase Ink credit cards and Chase Payments Solutions.

To learn more about how Chase for Business is supporting the resiliency of small business owners, visit www.chase.com/smallbusinessweek.