Category: Brandpoint Business & Finance

2022-03-21T06:01:00

(BPT) – If you’re an IT professional, you’ve probably experienced times when you feel isolated in your own information bubble. Your daily tasks, on top of your short- and long-term professional goals, are usually more than enough to demand your full attention. But if you haven’t had the opportunity to get outside of that bubble and network with other IT pros, you could be missing out — not only on ways to advance your career, but also to learn about the latest innovations and thought leadership in your field.

As an industry, IT is continually evolving, sometimes at a breakneck pace, so connecting with your colleagues both within and outside your organization is crucial to staying ahead of the game and doing your best, for yourself and your team.

What are the benefits of networking with others in your field? Here are some ways you can benefit from making those connections:

• Staying current on IT news and trends
• Learning about career opportunities
• Building your own personal brand
• Exchanging ideas and insights with peers
• Expanding your IT knowledge base
• Finding resources to boost your skill set
• Meeting leaders in your field who could become mentors

To get started, begin with your own company — then start expanding your networking opportunities outward. Encourage your organization’s peers to do the same, so you can all benefit from the increased knowledge and professional connections you develop.

Connecting within your own team

How long has it been since you brainstormed and shared ideas with your own colleagues about the challenges you’re all facing? When you’re at your busiest, connecting with your peers in your company may consist of brief check-ins, plus requests for assistance or information when needed.

Create opportunities to meet regularly with IT colleagues in your own business to discuss issues and goals, as well as new insights, information and resources some of you may have discovered that could be helpful to the whole team.

Follow and engage with thought leaders

To stay on top of innovations — and challenges — in your industry, subscribe to top IT newsletters, podcasts and webinars that provide useful information and conversations in the IT space. You can even find groups that cater to your exact area of expertise. For example, if you’re a Mac admin, you can follow the MacAdmins podcast or join their Slack group.

Identify high-profile thought leaders in your field so you can follow and engage with them. Don’t be shy! Follow them on LinkedIn and connect with them occasionally by asking questions or commenting on their posts. Email or message them to thank them for their contributions or just to connect on a professional level.

Network on a local and national scale

Attend regional and national industry conferences, seminars and lectures when possible. First search for local meetup or networking IT groups on Meetup.com, or via social networking sites like LinkedIn. Then widen your scope to include national and even international groups. Many IT practitioners expand their networking opportunities by attending conferences like Dreamforce, CiscoLive and London Tech Week.

Join an online community forum

To connect with other IT professionals virtually and stay up to date on industry news and best practices, the JumpCloud Community features conversations about all things IT — alongside sharing best practices, career guidance and news about timely industry topics and products. The community also features a variety of helpful guides and templates for IT admins in their everyday work, career spotlights for those in the field and an IT meetup network which takes place both virtually and in person.

“Continual growth and learning are essential to staying ahead in the IT industry, and there’s nothing better for that growth than making professional connections,” said Becky Scott, head of community at JumpCloud. “IT admins at small- to medium-size businesses in particular will find that they really benefit from networking with their peers throughout the industry.”

Ready to get started with your professional networking goals? Learn more at Community.JumpCloud.com.

2022-03-17T12:01:00

(BPT) – As military members return home from active duty, they face many obstacles reintegrating into civilian life, including finding stable and fulfilling employment. According to the Pew Research Center, only 1 in 4 veterans had a civilian job lined up before leaving active service. While this may seem like a bleak statistic, many veterans return home and choose to start their own business ventures instead of opting for a traditional 9-5.

According to the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), 1 in 10 small businesses in the U.S. are veteran-owned, and these businesses generally hire other veterans. The SBA also found that veterans are 45 percent more likely to be self-employed than non-veterans.

To support the entrepreneurial spirit of U.S. veterans and active service members, Bob Evans Farms established Our Farm Salutes, a national philanthropic mission dedicated to supporting U.S. military heroes and their families. Our Farm Salutes consists of three major initiatives, including one program designed to support veteran entrepreneurs in their business endeavors: Heroes to CEOs.

Heroes to CEOs is an annual grant program that provides hardworking veteran business owners the opportunity for a monetary award, as well as heightened brand awareness and professional business mentoring.

In 2022, Bob Evans Farms awarded three veteran entrepreneurs $25,000 each for their business, totaling $75,000 in funding.

“Supporting the military has always been part of our heritage,” said Thyme Hill, CMO of Bob Evans Farms. “We established the Heroes to CEOs program to support our servicemen and -women who have come back from active service to launch businesses and need assistance to reach the next level. We are honored to benefit the brave men and women of this country with our ongoing commitment to veteran entrepreneurs.”

Since the inception of the Heroes to CEOs program in 2017, Bob Evans Farms has funded over $450,000 in business grants to veteran-owned businesses and organizations. Below, the three winners of 2022’s Heroes to CEOs share tips for veterans aspiring to launch and manage their own businesses.

Backpacks for Life

U.S. Marine Corps veteran Brett D’Alessandro and his spouse Alexa Modero founded Backpacks for Life, which provides personalized support to homeless and at-risk veterans struggling to reintegrate into civilian life. The organization assembles and distributes backpacks filled with daily essentials, shelter, and mental health counseling care and mentorship for those seeking support on their journey back home.

As you look to start your business, remember the power of networking. “As veterans, we know that ‘team effort’ and networking can build that alliance of mentors, partners, friends and potential customers,” said D’Alessandro. “So many of our successes came from warm introductions following a networking event.” D’Alessandro and Modero urge veteran entrepreneurs to attend industry events, veteran entrepreneurship events, local events for small businesses or startups in your area, as well as webinars and virtual roundtables.

While it might be tempting to dive in headfirst toward entrepreneurship, make sure you work on your business idea while maintaining another source of income until your business idea can become your main hustle.

“Entrepreneurship is a lot about failing but failing forward,” said D’Alessandro. “It’s also a marathon, not a sprint. If you start small, you make small mistakes. Learn from those mistakes and use that to fuel the fire.”

Hampden Farms

Zephrine Hanson, a veteran of the U.S. Air Force, founded Hampden Farms to accelerate food security and community wealth building for underserved neighborhoods in the Denver metro area.

Starting your own business, especially as a veteran returning from active duty, can be exhilarating. Still, it can be easy to ignore your well-being for the sake of your passion project. “Invest in your physical and mental health,” said Hanson. “You can’t build a business if you aren’t building yourself up, too.”

Hanson suggests veteran entrepreneurs support their overall well-being through therapy, coaching, and uplifting experiences. Many programs that support veterans, like Veterans Path and Wounded Warrior Project, are free or low-cost.

In a similar vein, Hanson reminds veteran entrepreneurs to seek out training, incubators, and networking organizations that support the diverse needs of veterans in transitioning to civilian life and business ownership. Organizations and programs that address these issues include The Institute for Veterans and Military Families, Bunker Labs, and Veterans to Farmers.

Finally, Hanson believes that beyond seeking out support, a successful business owner should give back to the community. “Be a servant leader in your virtual, local, and military communities. It’s a priceless experience and well worth the time and effort.”

Sterilogy

Founded by Hal Zaima, a veteran of the U.S. Army, Sterilogy has created the only patented, compact, body-worn personal hand hygiene system designed to reduce infections in healthcare, restaurant, and food production industries.

Zaima stresses that veteran entrepreneurs shouldn’t be afraid to ask for help.

“You’ve heard that it takes a village to raise a child. Well, it takes an army to start a business,” said Zaima. “Along your arduous road to success, you’ll need many people to assist you and to keep the naysayers at bay.”

For veterans looking to start their own business, Zaima recommends thinking about what they’re passionate about and what is profitable. “Once you’ve identified what that intersection of passion and profit looks like, you’ll be tempted to dive in, but just like in the military, you need a plan.” Zaima suggests veteran entrepreneurs write down all the steps in chronological order of what they’ll need to reach their goals. This exercise provides a roadmap that can help determine whether you’re ready to start or need more time to build additional resources and capital.

“If I had to do it over again, I would have sold the sizzle and excitement of the new product early in my entrepreneurial journey to obtain investor funding sooner,” said Zaima. “Funding validates your business, and it will help you accomplish items from your aforementioned list without having to constantly reach into your own pocket.”

Bob Evans Farms believes that leadership, commitment, and courage are just a few reasons veterans succeed as entrepreneurs. This is why the company supports these military heroes as they pursue their dreams after service.

To learn about the Heroes to CEOs program and current and past grant winners, visit BobEvansGrocery.com/ourfarmsalutes.

2022-03-15T13:33:00

(BPT) – Sponsored by Office Depot

According to a report commissioned by American Express in 2019, there are approximately 13 million women-owned businesses in the U.S. One key element to these entrepreneurial accomplishments is having a mentor, according to a recent survey* of 1,013 female small business owners, conducted by OnePoll on behalf of Office Depot. The survey also found that 3 out of 4 women entrepreneurs (75%) credited their mentor with the success of their business. And many, especially women of color, understand their importance as role models, with 39% of the women of color surveyed expressing interest in “inspiring other women” with their business. Eighty-two percent of these women also said they wanted their success to show others it is possible to overcome stigmas and social imbalances in order to be a successful business owner.

Another crucial component to success is having access to funding and other vital resources. Survey respondents cited lacking funds (47%) as one of the toughest hurdles to overcome, along with trying to maintain a work-life balance (38%). Especially for women of color, over half (53%) said there weren’t enough resources available to them along their journey.

Fortunately, helping businesses start, manage and grow is at the heart of Office Depot’s mission. In addition to offering cash grants and educational opportunities to diverse small business owners through the Elevate Together™ powered by Round It Up America^® initiative, they are also partnering with Brit + Co to present Selfmade — a 10-week online course designed to enable women to start and grow their own business. Three sessions are scheduled for spring, summer and fall, hosted by Brit + Co co-founder Brit Morin, with dozens of other female founders, experts and investors enlisted to teach the curriculum with topics on social media, branding, fundraising and more. Office Depot is sponsoring 200 scholarships per session in 2022, focusing on women of color, women from underrepresented communities and women in need of support to help them trailblaze.

Here are five tips to consider when starting a business from recent Selfmade alums:

1. Be willing to adapt to change

“Sometimes you need to pivot from your original direction and use your creative energy to stay the course or find another path,” says Maisa Mumtaz-Cassidy, founder of the sustainable fashion marketplace, Consciously.

Being resilient and adaptable is crucial as a business owner, as you never know what could come your way. Overall, women entrepreneurs exemplify this quality: Of the 417 survey respondents who started a business just in the past two years, 61% said the pandemic played a big factor in their decision. In other words, they were able to make the most of challenging times by turning adversity into positive action.

2. Set micro-goals

“It’s easy to become overwhelmed by the never-ending lists of to-dos, so I try to break them down into micro-goals and ensure that my days are set up to work toward achieving them,” observes Jill Apgar, founder of Coco Beans. Apgar began her business by designing a set of silk crib sheets with her daughter’s hair and skin in mind.

3. Listen to your customers

Wanting a cleaner beauty routine after giving birth to her child, pharmacist Lily Rostami of Dr. Lily Ros Organics made her own products and shared them with friends. What served as a personal need turned out to help others, too.

“I turned homemade beauty formulas into a thriving business by listening to customer feedback,” Rostami notes.

4. Market your brand

“Be consistent with social media posting and constantly create fresh content,” says Sigal Cohen, the creative force behind Shop Sigal, an ethically crafted resort wear line. “Constantly create fresh content, telling the story of the brand over and over again.”

5. Network

Founder of MiniAlps Diane Le designed a blanket/backpack combo for her family hikes and picnics, but after testing the concept found it had broader appeal. Not sure where to start the manufacturing process, she asked for help and learned through Selfmade that networking gets you everywhere.

“Networking has been the best strategy for us. Whenever we run into a challenge, we’ve reached out to our networks to ask, ‘Does anyone know someone who knows XYZ?’ and we’ve met many amazing people that way,” says Le. “I’m a big proponent in paying it forward as well. If there’s some help someone is looking for, I’m happy to share any information or potential leads with them.”

For more Selfmade success stories and advice, visit OfficeDepot.com/SelfmadeStories.

*Survey methodology:

This random double-opt-in survey of 1,013 female small business owners (including 505 who identified as White or Caucasian and 508 who identified as Asian or Pacific Islander, Black or African American, Hispanic or Latino, Native American or Alaskan Native or other) was commissioned by Office Depot between February 3 and February 7, 2022. It was conducted by market research company OnePoll, whose team members are members of the Market Research Society and have corporate membership to the American Association for Public Opinion Research (AAPOR) and the European Society for Opinion and Marketing Research (ESOMAR).

2022-03-15T12:01:00

(BPT) – The threat of cyberattacks has never been a higher priority for businesses. According to DarkReading.com, cyberattack attempts had already reached an all-time high during the fourth quarter of 2021, but these threats show no signs of slowing down. Malware attacks, phishing emails, account breaches and account takeovers are on the rise in the financial world, so having a secure but user-friendly authentication process for consumers is no longer nice to have, but a necessity. Banks and other financial institutions are investing heavily in authentication solutions to help keep customers safe. Spending over $1 billion a year (representing approximately 30% of their total security budget), banks are leading investors in these types of technologies.

But banks and corporations are no longer the only target. Increasingly, small-to-mid-size businesses are also at risk. All companies, regardless of size, should enhance security protocols to prevent breaches before they occur.

Boosting authentication protocols

The first step in securing financial accounts is authentication — making sure each person accessing their account (or the network) is who they claim to be. While usernames and passwords are popular and convenient methods for accessing bank accounts and other financial apps, they are not the safest ways to protect customer information. What’s more, if you use only one factor of authentication without including additional security methods, you’re putting your financial details — and that company’s network — at risk.

Cybercriminals are always seemingly one step ahead. If a fraudster is ever able to get a hold of your username or password, it can have lasting consequences on your financial future. The solution is requiring more than one means to verify your identity.

Multi-Factor Authentication 101

What are the best ways to protect your financial information? Identity and security experts at TeleSign, global leader in digital identity and fraud prevention, recommend applying what is called Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) to help ensure your accounts are truly safe. MFA is a combination of multiple factors to prove that the one accessing the account is the owner of that account.

The easiest way to improve the security of your online accounts is to set up a second factor of authentication, also known as 2FA. It works like this: When you log into your account, an SMS One Time Password (OTP) is sent to your mobile phone. You enter this code in the login process, which shows that you have both the username and password, and possession of a phone that was registered to the account. That way, if your username and password is compromised, no one can access your account unless they have physical possession and access to your mobile phone.

This type of security is better than using a knowledge-based challenge like a password or your dog’s name, because both can be easily compromised. So much personal information is floating around the internet in today’s digital world, which unfortunately makes life easier for would-be hackers. For example, if you share your dog’s name on social media and then use that name to verify your bank account, it might create an opportunity for fraudsters to access your account. Simply stated, adopting 2FA is still the easiest way for you to protect your financial accounts.

Behind the scenes, financial companies are increasingly adopting digital identity checks that can quickly validate signals about your identity as well. These include how you last logged in, the device that is receiving the SMS code, or the IP address that is logging in. These “silent” factors help protect you as well to signal when something has changed and where access should be restricted or challenged to protect your information and accounts.

Worth the effort

Providing extra steps in the process of accessing accounts can be cumbersome but protecting your personal information in your bank account and other financial apps is critical to ensuring that your assets remain safe. Unfortunately, all types of accounts are potentially at risk for fraudulent activities, including buy-now-pay-later apps, investing platforms, insurance, and mortgage companies plus tax filing programs. While MFA security methods may seem time-consuming or inconvenient, taking those few extra minutes will help keep your most precious information secure, at the same time making business safer for everyone.

Companies need to strengthen their defenses

TeleSign’s technology uses complete in-depth data analysis to identify and prevent possible breaches, helping businesses set up and prepare fraud prevention solutions to create a frictionless, end-to-end customer journey. TeleSign’s solutions are trusted by some of the world’s largest platforms.

To learn how businesses can protect their networks and customers from fraud, cyberattacks and identity theft, visit TeleSign.com.

2022-03-07T08:01:00

(BPT) – Every time you go grocery shopping or fill up on gas you notice rising prices, and it may have you worried. Even if the current inflation is short-lived, it takes its toll, chipping away at your income and savings. While that’s frustrating when you’re careful with your budget, for many Americans living paycheck to paycheck, rising costs are extremely challenging. When you need basic necessities for your family, you don’t have much choice but to eat that extra cost.

Fortunately, there are steps you can take to help offset some rising costs — and handle your money smarter. Spruce has partnered with personal finance expert Lynnette Khalfani-Cox, The Money Coach, to help you keep your cool while the economy is hot. As one of five children raised by a single mother, she knows from personal experience what it’s like to struggle financially.

“The current financial situation may be just the nudge you need to revamp your household budget, or create one if you haven’t used one before,” said Khalfani-Cox. “And today there are many online tools that can help you develop a workable budget.”

Once you have a clearer picture of your expenses and income, you can take steps toward handling your money better now, to ensure a rosier future.

1. Take stock

Budgeting is fundamentally about knowing how much money you’re taking in — and how much is going out. First you need to list your income, then all your expenses. To be more accurate, you may need to review the last several months to see where your money has been going. Then differentiate between necessary expenses (like rent/mortgage, utilities, debts, insurance and food) and discretionary expenses (entertainment, leisure).

2. Use today’s technology to track and manage your money

If you want to improve your money management skills, Spruce is a new mobile banking platform designed to help with saving, spending, budgeting, planning and building daily healthy financial habits. It helps you stay in control of your money through spending and savings accounts backed with technology that provides you with automatic saving options and financial insights to help you be good with money. Spruce, built by H&R Block and powered by MetaBank^®, N.A., combines some of the best features of the leading neobanks with H&R Block’s trusted brand and knowledge gained from helping millions of customers every year.

“Spruce helps people set savings goals and keep them,” said Khalfani-Cox. “From paying for school to buying a car, Spruce is there every step of the way. There are even options to set up automatic transfers towards savings.”

Spruce helps you visually track your savings progress and financial goals through personalized savings tools, helping you see your full financial picture and predict cash flow so you can better prepare for your family’s future.

Visit SpruceMoney.com to learn more.

3. Make smart substitutions

One way to spend less on necessities like groceries is to shop smarter. “For example, you can save a lot by choosing store brand products,” Khalfani-Cox said, “not just for food, but also for health and hygiene products, and household cleaners.”

If you like buying in bulk, shopping at membership chains can also add up to big savings. Many people even save on furniture by frequenting local discount stores instead of big box retailers.

4. Refinance existing debt

If you’re carrying high-interest or variable-rate debt such as a mortgage, credit cards or student loans, this is a good time to consider locking in a better rate, before rates go up again.

“You may also want to consolidate multiple loans or lines of credit into one fixed monthly payment,” Khalfani-Cox said.

5. Negotiate for a raise

“We’re still in the midst of an historic worker’s market, leaving many employees holding the cards,” Khalfani-Cox noted. “If you didn’t receive a sufficient pay raise in 2021, make 2022 the year of negotiating for what you’re worth.”

Using some of these strategies, you can feel more confident heading into the future, whatever it may bring.

Infographic Footnotes

Spruce^SM is a financial technology platform built by H&R Block, which is not a bank. Spruce Spending and Savings Accounts are established at, and the Spruce debit card is issued by, MetaBank^®, N.A., Member FDIC, pursuant to license by Mastercard International Incorporated. Mastercard and the circles design are registered trademarks of Mastercard International Incorporated.

See full description of fees and features at SpruceMoney.com.

¹ Spruce Rewards are powered by Dosh. Cash back offers and amounts may vary by user, merchant location and offer period. Check the Spruce app for offer availability. Cash back earned by qualifying purchases will be deposited in the Spruce Savings Account. See Spruce Rewards powered by Dosh. Terms for details.

² Other fees apply for certain uses of the Spruce debit card and accounts. See www.SpruceMoney.com/fees for details.

³ There is no fee to withdraw money at Allpoint ATMs. There is a $3 fee at other ATMs, plus any additional fee charged by the ATM operator.

⁴ Early access to funds depends on the timing of the payer’s submission of the payment. These funds are generally made available the day the payment instruction is received, which may be up to 2 days earlier than the payer’s scheduled payment date. To be eligible, account holder must receive $200 in direct deposits over the relevant 35-day period, not including tax refunds.

⁵ Credit score is FICO Score 8 based on Experian data. Lenders or insurers may use a different FICO Score than FICO Score 8, or another type of credit score altogether. FICO is a trademark of Fair Isaac Corporation. This is a separate service from Spruce Spending and Savings accounts provided by MetaBank^®, N.A., Member FDIC.

⁶ Courtesy Coverage is only available for purchase transactions, ATM withdrawals, and over-the-counter withdrawals using the Spruce debit card. It is not an extension of credit; it is a courtesy exercised at the bank’s discretion. To be eligible, account holder must receive $200 in qualifying deposits over the relevant 35-day period and opt in. Negative balances are limited to $20 and must be repaid within 30 days. See Spending Account Agreement for details. See full description of fees and features at SpruceMoney.com.

Sources:

H&R Block independent research

https://finhealthnetwork.org/2021-finhealth-spend-report-shows-financially-coping-and-vulnerable-households-spent-255b-for-everyday-financial-services/

https://www.cnbc.com/2019/07/20/heres-why-so-many-americans-cant-handle-a-400-unexpected-expense.html

2022-03-06T07:01:00

(BPT) – National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW) is a time to raise awareness around consumer rights and to be protected from frauds and scams. The U.S. Postal Inspection Service, alongside the Federal Trade Commission and other collaborators, provide tools and resources to help consumers better protect themselves from fraud. As part of NCPW, each agency alerts consumers to different fraud or scams that are on the rise. This year, Postal Inspectors are warning consumers about “Work-from-Home” scams.

In 2021, the Federal Trade Commission’s Consumer Sentinel Data Book lists “Business and Job Opportunities” as its fifth most reported consumer complaint nationally, with losses totaling $206 million. The figure highlights the continued need to alert consumers to this most important fact: “Anyone can be a victim of a scam, with the right pitch,” said Chief Postal Inspector Gary R. Barksdale. “That’s why prevention is one of our most important pillars in the mission to protect consumers and bring fraudsters to justice.”

While the job market is ever changing, the coronavirus pandemic, accompanied by the rise in digital and online technologies, created a perfect atmosphere for criminals to target consumers with fraudulent remote job opportunities.

Postal Inspectors report many of these job offers target consumers with clever wording on social media or listed on websites where legitimate job offers usually don’t appear. Oftentimes they start with a hook, such as “be your own boss” or “make $1,000 per week from home!”

Consumers should look out for these red flags:

• Guaranteed jobs with little or no work experience
• Hired on the spot with no interview
• Minimal details provided
• Requested to move money around

So how do you protect yourself from these Work-From-Home Scams?

• Never send money to unknown individuals for employment.
• Don’t deposit checks into your bank account as part of your job description or open a bank account for someone you don’t know.
• Check directly with the company to certify its legitimacy.
• Obtain a job offer in writing.
• Verify a potential employer by checking the Better Business Bureau, your state’s Attorney General’s Office, and your state’s consumer affairs office.
• Confirm any unexpected compensation to determine whether a check or money order is valid.

For more fraud prevention tips, visit http://www.uspis.gov/ncpw-2022. If you are a victim, or have witnessed a mail-related crime, alert Postal Inspectors by calling 877-876-2455.

2022-03-01T06:01:00

(BPT) – According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the “Great Resignation” saw more Americans leave their jobs last year than even in 2020. If you’re one of the many Americans who recently left — or lost — your job, or if you’ve been searching for better opportunities, consider making a difference by helping others through an in-demand career. Celebrating its 100th anniversary this year, State Farm^® is experiencing historical growth and seeking caring individuals — both with and without prior insurance experience — to fill thousands of vital roles.

Because this Fortune 50 company aims not just to recruit but to retain employees long term, you will find surprising benefits and levels of flexibility. Many positions offer work-from-home capability, in addition to competitive pay, access to tuition assistance programs and a welcome bonus.

Sound intriguing? Here are just some of the top reasons for considering a career with the U.S. insurance industry leader.

1. Making a difference

Insurance claims professionals often help people during the most difficult times of their lives. Whether due to a catastrophic event or natural disaster, people who have suffered losses to their home and property require empathetic service. Any experience in the field of customer service or helping others often provides the transferable skills needed, to include: the ability to listen, have patience and empathize with the customer and their situation. These roles are significant, in that they help make the lives of customers better, in situations when they need it most.

Are you bilingual? Employees at all levels are needed to help customers who speak Spanish, Cantonese, Vietnamese, Mandarin and Korean.

2. Location, location, location

Because there are thousands of claims positions to fill nationwide, there’s a good chance you can find a job near you. While most of the entry-level positions may be found near one of the company’s hub cities in Atlanta, Georgia; Bloomington, Illinois; Phoenix, Arizona, and Dallas, Texas, there are also claims field positions available for experienced individuals at locations all across the country, including Colorado, Tennessee, Pennsylvania, Florida, Ohio — and elsewhere. If you have a background in the insurance or construction industries or you simply appreciate the rewarding challenge of helping people in the aftermath of severe weather events and other disasters, you may be able to find just the right location to suit your needs.

To explore all of the open possibilities in your area, visit Jobs.StateFarm.com.

3. Welcome bonuses

New claims hires will be eligible to receive up to $2,000 in tiered welcome bonuses during their first year of employment. This includes a bonus paid after 30 days, plus additional bonuses throughout your first year of employment.

4. Competitive pay

In addition to industry-competitive salaries, the company offers employees annual merit increases and incentive programs. Each employees’ salary and incentive opportunities are regularly reviewed to maintain competitiveness. You will have opportunities to grow your salary over time and earn promotions, differentials and overtime where applicable. You may also earn special cash rewards for special contributions or exceptional accomplishments.

5. Tuition assistance

Have you always wanted to finish your degree or work toward an advanced degree to boost your career even further? State Farm encourages your personal and professional growth by providing comprehensive tuition assistance programs for continuing education.

Above all of these offerings, the company seeks and supports a diverse workforce, and considers everyone in the organization to be an important part of the State Farm Family.

“We’re very proud of the recognition we’ve received for being an inclusive employer,” said Cheryl Logue, Talent Management Executive at State Farm. “Acknowledgements such as AnitaB.org’s Top Companies for Women Technologists, LATINA Style’s 50 Best Companies to Work, Black Enterprise Magazine’s Best Companies for Diversity, G.I. Jobs Magazine Top 100 Most Military-Friendly Employer and Disability Inclusion’s Best Companies to work for, affirm that we are on the right track to ensuring that State Farm is a great place to work, for every single employee.”

Ready for a positive change? Kickstart a thriving career by visiting StateFarm.com/Careers.

2022-02-23T07:01:00

(BPT) – This year, many people are making financial wellness resolutions. From budgeting better to saving for a big-ticket item or investing more income into a 401(k), there are plenty of financial goals to choose. However, one that you’ve likely overlooked is whole life insurance.

According to the American Council of Life Insurers, 90 million families in the U.S. rely on life insurance policies for financial and retirement security. In addition to protecting dependents from financial hardship if the policyholder dies, many policies also accumulate savings that can be used to cover needs beyond funeral expenses.

Whole life insurance provides financial protection for as long as the insured policyholder lives. A whole life insurance policy, like that offered by Boston Mutual Life Insurance Company, is a type of permanent life insurance that accumulates value throughout your life.

Benefits of whole life insurance

There are three main benefits of investing in a whole life insurance policy.

1. Guaranteed cash value

Unlike term life insurance, whole life insurance accumulates a cash value that you can dip into during your life if a financial need arises. More importantly, as long as you pay your premiums, the cost of your policy will not increase, and the face amount and the interest rate are guaranteed.

To access the value of the account, you essentially take a taxable withdrawal or tax-free loan you can pay back. You can use the money as needed — such as to buy a car or put a down payment on a house. Even if you never access the cash value during your lifetime, it will act as a safety net that can be used in financial emergencies.

Whole life insurance can also supplement your existing retirement accounts, like your 401(k) or IRA account, helping you enjoy your golden years.

2. You own the policy

The policyholder owns their whole life policies for themselves and their family members, not their employer. If the person who holds the policy changes jobs or retires, they can take their policy with them and pay their premiums directly to the insurance carrier.

3. Support loved ones

Whole life insurance is guaranteed coverage for your whole life and can help support your beneficiaries. Depending on the size of your chosen policy, your life insurance policy can help set beneficiaries up for success and financial security by contributing toward college tuition, a home mortgage or short-term expenses such as funeral costs.

Also, life insurance payouts are not considered taxable income. If you pass while your coverage is in effect, your beneficiaries do not have to report the death benefit on tax returns.

Boston Mutual Life Insurance Company’s whole life insurance policy allows you to choose the amount of insurance or premium that best suits your needs and budget. Other benefits include:

• Family coverage. Family coverage is available to cover spouses, children and grandchildren.
• Guaranteed premiums. As long as you pay your premiums, the cost of your life insurance policy will not increase.
• Portability. If your employment changes or you retire, you can keep the coverage and pay your premiums directly to Boston Mutual.

Invest in your and your family’s peace of mind. To learn more about life insurance products to fit your needs, visit BostonMutual.com.

END-95(ESO)(20/21)

335-4947 2/22

2022-02-15T07:01:00

(BPT) – At some point, most of us will need to make final arrangements for someone we will miss. Coupled with overpowering grief, making even the simplest decisions about a funeral or cremation service can be confusing and overwhelming, especially since those decisions often need to be made in the days immediately following a death. Occasionally, decisions are made in haste and leave loved ones feeling like they didn’t do enough to truly honor and celebrate a unique life.

By working with a funeral professional to plan your service ahead of time, you give your loved ones peace of mind and comfort, as well as remove a potential financial burden. Here are four reasons to plan your own funeral or cremation.

Your loved ones can focus on healing. When you pass, you will leave behind people who are deeply saddened by your absence. The days and weeks right after your passing will be emotionally difficult. Having all your arrangements in place and your final wishes documented will help relieve some of the stress involved in planning your memorial service and allow those who loved you most to concentrate on coming together and comforting one another.

It’s a good financial decision. The cost of living has increased over the years, and so has the cost of the average funeral. By planning ahead, you can lock in today’s pricing. A burial space in a beautiful, serene section of your local cemetery could increase in value before the time of your passing. When you pre-arrange your final arrangements that burial spot will remain the same price as it was when you bought it, protecting your loved ones against rising inflation.

You can plan almost every detail in advance. Prepaid funeral plans typically include almost every aspect of your final arrangements, from the services of the funeral director to the casket of your choosing to the venue you select and more. Often, you can even select flowers and mementos for family and friends. And, by documenting all of your wishes, your family will know to incorporate additional special touches, such as song selections, special readings or videos.

Your final wishes are recorded. Perhaps you would prefer a small, intimate memorial service, but your loved ones envisioned a flashy, expensive send-off. Planning final wishes ahead of time takes the guesswork out of the equation and could alleviate feelings of guilt your loved ones might have down the road if they second-guess their decisions about your memorial service. Instead, they will take solace in knowing that your final arrangements were “exactly what mom wanted.”

To learn more about the benefits of planning a funeral, cremation or final resting place ahead of time, or to find a provider close to you for more information, visit DignityMemorial.com.

2022-02-11T15:01:00

(BPT) – Now more than ever, it’s important to understand and learn more about the most widespread scams impacting families across the country. Here are a few of the most common scams taking place today:

Fake Bank Fraud Specialist

What it looks like: Consumers receive a fraud alert via text or email that appears to come from their bank. The message asks to validate whether they made a certain purchase or sent money.

After saying “no,” the recipient gets a call from someone claiming to be from their bank’s fraud team. The phone number may even appear to be real and valid.

How to stop it: Unfortunately, scammers target consumers from many banks and they are very good at disguising themselves by “spoofing” or making their phone number appear legitimate. Consumers should never share their banking password, temporary identification code, ATM pin or send money to someone who says that doing so will prevent fraud on their account. Bank employees won’t call, text or email consumers asking for this, but crooks will. To confirm you are talking to someone from your bank, call the number at the back of your credit or debit card or visit your local branch.

Grandparent Scams

What it looks like: You’ll get a call or email from a grandchild (or other relative) saying that they’re in trouble and need money fast for bail or medical expenses.

How to stop it: Call your relative directly. If you can’t reach them, contact another relative who knows them and may know their whereabouts and circumstances. Whatever you do, don’t send money, purchase gift cards, or share any of your personal information, including your banking username and password.

Online Shopping Scams

What it looks like: Scammers set up fake websites or fake ads claiming to sell products but send out fake products — or nothing at all.

How to stop it: Beware of retailers claiming to sell luxury goods for unrealistic prices. Also, make sure to check independent reviews for a site you’ve never purchased from before.

Tips for Detecting and Preventing Fraud

Below are several valuable dos and don’ts from Chase for dealing with today’s scams.

• Educate yourself on the most common scams and share your knowledge with family and friends on how to stay safe
• Monitor your credit score with Chase Credit Journey. It’s free for everyone – no Chase account needed.
• Set up account alerts to help you detect unusual transactions^[1]
• Ask your telephone or cellular service provider to enroll you in their scam and spam call protection service

• Click suspicious links from emails or texts.
• Share personal information. Banks won’t ask for username, password, PIN, etc.
• Transfer money to someone claiming to be from your bank.
• Pay someone using gift cards, especially when they claim to need them to remove a virus from your computer, stop fraud on your account or to buy plane tickets to visit you.

[1] Delivery of alerts may be delayed for various reasons, including technology failures and capacity limitations.