Category: Brandpoint Business & Finance

2022-02-08T08:45:00

(BPT) – Consumers who notice inflated prices at the grocery store, gas pump and hardware store may be inspired to minimize the impact of rising prices.

The best place to start could be with a handful of big-ticket items where saving money can put hundreds of extra dollars in your checking account over the course of the year. That may provide a cushion to handle the steady rise in prices on dozens of smaller items.

Here are five, high-impact ways to battle inflation:

1. Rethink auto insurance coverage

If remote work means you are driving less than you did in the past, you may qualify to save money on your auto insurance. These discounts can be available to those driving fewer than 10,000 miles per year and can result in savings as high as 10% off car insurance premiums.

Should very limited driving put your vehicle at lower risk for damage, it may make sense to reevaluate past decisions to purchase comprehensive and collision coverage. It might also be time to increase your auto insurance deductible in favor of lower premiums.

If the amount you drive has dropped significantly, consider a pay-per-mile insurance plan that adjusts your cost according to how much you drive.

To understand how much money you could save by changing the type of coverage you have, CarInsurance.com has a car insurance estimator tool that shows how much a variety of factors can affect premiums.

2. Comparison shop for car insurance

Once you’ve established the auto insurance level that best fits your current needs, exploit differences in premiums offered by different auto insurance companies. Ensure you are paying a competitive rate by comparing quotes from multiple insurers.

This comparison process doesn’t just apply when you need a new policy. Check prices every time you renew. Your driving record and other factors can change over time, and this can affect which company offers the lowest auto insurance price at any given time.

3. Try a 0% balance transfer card

If you’re like a lot of Americans, you may still have some debt left over on your credit cards after the holiday season. Transferring that debt to a card with a 0% balance transfer offer can give you some time to pay down your debt interest-free.

Compare balance transfer credit cards with low or 0% interest offers to pay less interest while retiring debt. Some offer low introductory rates for more than one year. At typical credit card interest rates, avoiding interest for at least a year could save hundreds and possibly thousands of dollars.

The best use of this type of card is to make it part of a plan to pay off your credit card debt within the temporary low or 0% transfer period. That way you can eliminate interest on the debt you’ve built up altogether.

4. Switch to a no-fee checking account

If you pay a monthly fee for maintaining a checking account assess checking accounts without monthly fees. Switching to a no-fee checking account can save money on an ongoing basis. Websites such as MyBankTracker.com research and review the best free checking accounts, making it easy to identify good options.

Banking online is a good way to access a no-fee checking account. Some have little or no minimum balance requirement, so are readily available to most consumers. Making this switch could save you well over $100 each year.

5. Refinance your mortgage

Despite rising last year, mortgage rates are still well below their historical norms. This means many homeowners may still have a chance to refinance at a lower rate.

The gap between 30-year and 15-year mortgage rates widened during 2021. This means it may be especially beneficial to refinance to a shorter-term loan. Refinancing a mortgage can be a way to lower bills not just for 2022, but for years afterward.

Higher inflation makes more demands on your budget, forcing you to make tough choices about what you can afford. Fighting back against inflation allows you to buy more for your family despite rising prices.

To learn more, visit CarInsurance.com, CardRatings.com and MyBankTracker.com.

2022-02-04T08:01:00

(BPT) – During a time when young people have experienced disruptions to their education and witnessed unprecedented changes in the labor market, it’s understandable that students may feel uncertain about their future careers. The good news is, there are many skilled trades that students may not be fully aware of — and they’re in need of talent. In a National Association of Business Economics (NABE) Business Conditions Survey, nearly half (47%) of the respondents reported a shortage of skilled labor in the third quarter of 2021, up from 32% in the second quarter — and this remains an ongoing situation.

While this labor shortage is certainly a challenge for employers, it’s also an opportunity for students or others looking for a productive and satisfying career path. Many of these positions experiencing shortages require skills in the trades, including jobs such as electricians, HVAC specialists, carpenters, plumbers, welders and automotive mechanics.

“Now is a perfect time for students to consider a career in the skilled trades given the high demand,” said Andy Strom, vice president of Product Development and Manufacturing at Northern Tool + Equipment. “In addition to helping fill the national labor shortage, people who choose to pursue careers in the trades are met with a variety of practical benefits ranging from statistically higher job satisfaction to lower levels of student debt.”

Parents, teachers, career counselors and other mentors can help expand awareness of these opportunities for a career in the trades. Here’s why this could be a great option.

Job satisfaction among the trades is high

According to a study by Angi, the marketplace for home services, 83% of tradespeople reported being either somewhat or extremely satisfied with their choice of work. Taking pride in your skills, and what you are able to build or repair, is a large component of that job satisfaction. Plus, the nature of most trades careers forces the work to be left at the job site at day’s end, allowing for more clarity in work-life balance.

Pursuing a trade leads to less student debt

With the continually rising costs of a four-year college or university education, the idea of training for a career without incurring a mountain of debt is increasingly appealing. A trade school education is typically much less expensive than pursuing a four-year degree, and usually takes less time to complete. In addition, pay for skilled trades workers can be high compared to other vocations, and is becoming increasingly competitive.

Companies needing skilled trades are helping to train the workforce of the future

Some companies are proactively addressing the skilled labor gap by helping to encourage and support students who are interested in careers in the trades. Northern Tool + Equipment recently rolled out a “Tools for the Trades” program in partnership with several schools across Minnesota, with plans to roll out similar programs across the country later this year.

This initiative supports trades programs with donations of professional-grade tools and equipment to improve high schools’ career and technical education programs.

“It’s critical to get students involved with their schools’ trades programs and that’s why we are working hard to provide these important classes with the resources they need,” said Strom. “Trades instructors need quality tools to help lead their classes to prepare for the future of skilled trades, and our hope is these donations further improve the in-class experience and give the students hands-on training experience working with professional-grade equipment.”

The trades are hiring a more diverse workforce

Today’s industries are also looking for more women and people of color to be trained and hired for a wider range of positions than ever before. To that end, many are offering opportunities for training, scholarships and apprenticeships in order to help ensure a more diverse workforce in the future.

The demand for workers is not letting up

A number of factors are contributing to the already-high demand for skilled workers in a variety of trades, including the fact that many older tradespeople have retired or are soon retiring, as well as the sudden surge in industries such as home construction and renovation. In addition, newer fields such as renewable energy are creating more skilled jobs every day. It’s clear that education and training in the trades will help workers stay gainfully employed, now and well into the future.

If you or a member of your family is looking for a career change or are about to begin a career after graduation, consider exploring the opportunities in your area to train for a career in the trades.

2022-02-03T07:01:00

(BPT) – One of the most dramatic changes of the past two years has been the growth of distributed organizations — workplaces where employees are now working remotely 50% or more of the time. While employees and employers have come to appreciate that flexibility, a major concern with distributed organizations involves heightened cybersecurity risks. One of these risks is that employees working from home, coffee shops and other locations could be using unsecure networks. To help ensure that all workers are logging into company networks securely, it’s vital to have a rigorous security strategy that can adapt to evolving threats.

Here are tips to help close potential security gaps for your employees, no matter where they’re working.

1. Educate employees on security best practices

Your IT department needs to keep employees updated on the latest network security protocols, as well as alerting them to new threats. Make sure they educate all of your employees on a regular basis, so everyone keeps cybersecurity top of mind.

One of the biggest risks to your company is employees connecting to your network using an open home Wi-Fi network or unsecured public Wi-Fi network. Train employees on your organization’s best practices and protocols when accessing your company’s network.

Make sure everyone understands your company’s security measures when using their devices, plus best practices for avoiding phishing scams, reporting lost or stolen devices, creating password complexity and using multi-factor authentication.

2. Implement multi-factor authentication

Everyone has experienced forgetting a password — and may have reused passwords occasionally to avoid forgetting them. There’s even a name for it: password fatigue. But using complex passwords is even more crucial today, with cybercrime on the rise. Fortunately, there are ways to avert the risks created by password reuse. One tactic is to use a password manager, which generates complex passwords and keeps track of them for you. Another is to implement multi-factor authentication (MFA).

Multi-factor authentication is a digital identity verification system requiring users to pass more than one authentication checkpoint. To log into systems configured with MFA, you first enter your username and password, then you’re prompted to enter something else, like a one-time access code sent through an authenticator app via email or text. MFA is a fairly easy-to-implement system that can increase security systemwide, making it harder for bad actors to penetrate your network.

3. Use patch management

Patch management is a critical pillar of cyber defense, yet many organizations struggle with patching in their hybrid work environment. This is due to the lack of visibility into user devices, the frequency of new patches introduced by software vendors — and the need to leverage complicated workflows to manage patching across multiple operating systems.

Fortunately, Patch Management from JumpCloud gives IT admins greater insight into system vulnerabilities, allowing them to deploy automated patch updates and strengthen overall security. IT admins can use Patch Management to report on operating system patches and versions and see patch versions across their remote fleet, managing Mac and Windows updates and patches from the JumpCloud console easily and quickly.

“We know users don’t update their devices with bug fixes or security patches with any regularity,” said Greg Armanini, senior director of product management, JumpCloud. “This creates huge security gaps for every organization, especially those that are distributed, which is almost every organization today. Patch Management solves this problem, and delivers robust updates that improve security and enhance organization protection.”

“JumpCloud has been essential in consolidating our cloud directory, single-sign on, multi-factor authentication, mobile device management and more,” said Ricky Jordan, senior computer systems admin at Primitive Skate. “Patch Management removes a huge IT burden and lets us fortify our cyber defenses with greater control over, and insight into, system vulnerabilities. I can’t imagine trying to manage a modern workplace without JumpCloud.”

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

2022-01-25T15:01:00

(BPT) – Being a leader in sustainable farming is more than just ensuring that your company’s supply chain is clean, you must work to change the industry for the better. Since its founding in 1976, Theppadungporn Coconut Company Ltd. (TCC), makers of Chaokoh brand products, has been an industry leader in sustainable agriculture practices and food processing and has committed to improving animal welfare across the industry.

As the world’s leading manufacturer of coconut milk, coconut water and other coconut products, including Chaokoh, TCC is fully committed to responsibly tracking and purchasing coconuts from reliable parties that avoid monkey labor and fully comply with Thailand’s animal welfare laws. We have put in place standards for our farmers that ensure we do not buy or support the use of any animal labor in harvesting coconuts.

TCC is committed to improving animal welfare and that commitment extends well beyond how we conduct our business. No better example highlights this more than TCC’s partnership with the Wildlife Friends Foundation Thailand (WFFT).

On July 1, 2021, TCC partnered with WFFT to support the rescue and rehabilitation of abused monkeys in Thailand. As part of TCC’s vision for monkey-free cultivation, which includes the expansion of its external auditing to maintain the highest standards across its supply chain, this partnership with WFFT aims to aid mistreated monkeys by establishing an effective rescue and rehabilitation system that enhances monkeys’ quality of life and well-being. To learn more about WFFT, please visit www.wfft.org.

TCC is helping WFFT to operate new communication channels, developed by WFFT, specifically for receiving reports of monkey exploitation. Anyone with knowledge of monkey labor or abuse can call WFFT. The foundation will respond to confirmed complaints by sending a special veterinary ambulance, sponsored by TCC and equipped with specialist tools tailored exclusively for this monkey rescue effort, to pick up the abused monkey and bring them safely to WFFT’s monkey rescue shelter.

The rescued monkeys will receive a thorough health check at an animal hospital, and once cleared of any medical issues, they can retire peacefully at the WFFT sanctuary to be lovingly and properly cared for alongside other rescued monkeys.

TCC’s collaboration with WFFT sets a new standard for Thailand’s agricultural and industrial sectors. It sets higher ecological and animal welfare ethics and duties, with the aim of paving the way for other companies to implement similar best practices and progressing local agriculture toward a more virtuous future that is free of monkey labor.

On top of the partnership with WFFT, TCC is consistently taking steps to ensure its own supply chain is free of monkey labor. TCC requires all of its suppliers and farmers to sign a memorandum of understanding that commits them to monkey-free coconut cultivation. Regular inspections as well as third-party audits by an international certifier Bureau Veritas, verify that the contracted coconut farmers comply with TCC’s standards and avoid monkey labor harvesting.

TCC continues to look for opportunities to ensure sustainable farming and monkey-free labor practices are consistent around Thailand and that their consumers around the world are getting a product that is sustainably sourced. TCC will continue to commit time and effort to work toward a supply chain that is completely free of monkey labor.

2022-01-25T07:01:00

(BPT) – The new year is often a catalyst for setting goals and making life changes — from switching jobs to moving to a new home to making lifestyle changes. Yet, as the global pandemic stretches into a third year, nearly nine out of 10 people who want to hit a reset still face at least one barrier to making a significant change in their lives, according to a recent Prudential Financial survey*.

With 75% of Americans considering a major change, it can be challenging to stick to a resolution, start something new or overcome an obstacle.

Lack of money (35%), discomfort with uncertainty (22%), fear of the unknown and lack of confidence (both 21%) are among the top barriers preventing people from reaching a goal. A strong foundation of support could make the difference in achieving personal goals and changes. Among those considering a change, 63% say that support from friends and family would help them move forward to make the change. People find that lift and source of confidence through the “rocks” in people’s lives, who encourage them to take that leap, root for them when they face their fears, and give them confidence to achieve their dreams.

These themes and sentiments are reflected in Prudential’s new commercial, “Rock Moments,” which celebrates the small, yet pivotal, moments when the strength and reassurance of the “rocks” in people’s lives propel them to become unstoppable. Rocks provide a strong foundation of support — whether a friend, loved one or mentor — to empower people to do great things, big and small.

The new commercial underscores the importance of optimism and forward momentum. It mirrors how so many of us are feeling right now during these challenging times — ready for a reset, ready to take a leap — but we need a friend, a mentor, a family member to cheer us on.

*The survey was conducted on YouGov Direct; 1,200 U.S. adults 18+ were surveyed on Nov. 16, 2021, between 2:49 p.m. and 4:45 p.m. Eastern time. Data is weighted on age, gender, education level, political affiliation and ethnicity to be nationally representative of adults 18+ in the United States. The margin of error is approximately 2.8% for the overall sample.

2022-01-24T10:41:00

(BPT) – It’s difficult to change what you don’t track. Fortunately, it’s easy to make the necessary changes before your next major financial decision by tracking your credit score using free monitoring services, like Chase Credit Journey. According to new research from Chase, consumers are already taking advantage of credit monitoring services.

2022-01-20T09:01:00

(BPT) – Sponsored by Office Depot

Working and learning at home can be a challenge even in the best of times, and while many of us have been making do with our temporary home offices, now is the perfect time to review your current office set-up and routine to help become more focused, refreshed and ready for whatever comes your way.

Here are some ideas to help you refresh and renew your remote work environment for 2022.

1. Feel better while you work

You’ve probably heard that sitting all day is bad for you, but have you explored alternative options? It’s not hard to set up a more active workspace to improve your workday. Standing or varying your work position throughout the day can improve productivity and energy levels.

Try some of these options to promote a healthier work environment:

• Active Workstations, like exercise bikes that double as desks, can help bring light exercise to your workday, all while you’re accomplishing daily tasks.
• Standing desks or standing desk converters will move you from sitting slouched at your desk to a more upright position. Challenge yourself to stand at your desk several times each day.
• Active seating, like balance ball chairs, can help you stabilize and strengthen your core.
• Anti-fatigue mats provide added comfort while standing.

Check out more active workplace furniture solutions at OfficeDepot.com.

2. Update antivirus and utilities software

Remote work makes it even more important to keep your antivirus and security software up to date. To make sure you have enough protection for your computer or add protection to smartphones and tablets, Office Depot carries a wide range of antivirus, antispyware and internet security suite software so you can find the right choice for your needs.

While you’re at it, help your computers operate at their best by installing applicable computer updates. For example, consider upgrading eligible Windows 10 PCs to Windows 11.

Pro tip: Finding your home computer screen difficult to work with? Consider an extra monitor to maximize productivity and visibility.

3. Master time management

Use available time management tools to stay on top of appointments and to-dos as well as short-term and long-term goal planning. Block out time for uninterrupted periods for work that requires more focus, and be more intentional about how to use short time blocks before and after meetings.

Office Depot carries convenient tools like monthly desk pads so you can check your schedule at a glance and weekly/monthly planners to help you make the most of your time and stay organized.

Pro tip: Schedule regular breaks to focus on your personal wellness to help prevent burnout. By setting regular appointments to get up and move, stretch or relax, the rest of your workday will feel even better.

4. Improve connections with colleagues

If you don’t have regular times to connect with people in-person or virtually already arranged as part of your workday, consider creating small and large group meetings with team members, plus one-on-one meetings to touch base and help build trust and camaraderie within your team. These can be informal, short “lunch get-togethers” or “virtual happy hours” to just enjoy each other’s company with no set agenda.

5. Reduce distractions

Remove items unrelated to work from your office area, so you can keep home and family life separate from work. If you don’t have a separate room for your home office, consider using a portable partition or curtain to help visually divide the space. You can also create a “Do Not Disturb” sign to let family or roommates know when you’re in meetings, to minimize interruptions using print services available at Office Depot.

Pro tip: House too noisy? Invest in good quality noise-cancelling headphones to help you stay focused if you don’t have a separate office or quiet space.

6. Consolidate errands

Whether you need to stop by the post office, pick up office supplies or run other errands, consolidate trips as much as possible to save time. To help with this, find sources that offer quick and easy services like online ordering or home delivery. Whether you need to order supplies or have something printed, packed or shipped, Office Depot can help you get it all done quickly with same-day delivery, free 20-minute in-store or curbside pickup, free next-day business day delivery on qualifying $45 orders and more.

Use these tips and ideas to help make this year your most refreshed, focused and productive year ever, no matter where your office is located.

2022-01-19T10:37:00

(BPT) – If you are facing some steep credit card debt in the wake of recent spending, it may be possible to pay down those balances before interest charges make the problem worse.

Balance transfer cards, when used correctly, can be a useful tool in managing credit card debt. Specifically, these cards can provide a window with a very low interest rate and may even charge no interest during that time. That may be more important than ever now, with interest rates rising sharply.

Rising interest rates make paying down debt important

It’s common for consumers to run up credit card debt during the holiday season then spend months paying down those bills.

In the meantime, interest charges on what is owed can add to the problem. The annual holiday financial hangover could be particularly bad this year because interest rates have been rising. According to the Federal Reserve, rates charged on credit cards rose by more than a full percentage point in just six months during mid-2021.

Assess how a balance transfer credit card could help reduce your interest payments.

How balance transfer credit cards can help

A balance transfer card is a credit card that offers a special low interest rate on any balance amounts you transfer from other credit cards.

This can work to your advantage if the new card’s interest cost is cheaper than that of the old card. Since some balance transfer cards offer a 0% interest rate for an introductory period, you could save a substantial amount in interest charges.

However, since the 0% interest period is time-limited, it doesn’t eliminate the problem of interest charges unless you pay off the balance before the introductory window closes.

What you should know when choosing a balance transfer card

There are plenty of balance transfer credit cards to choose from. Knowing what to look for can help you select the offer that is most helpful to you.

Four things you should know in order to pick a balance transfer credit card:

1. Length of the 0% interest period. A 0% interest offer sounds great and the longer that introductory period lasts, the better. This determines how much time you’ll have to pay down any debt you transfer before interest charges apply.
2. Interest rate after the introductory period. After that initial 0% interest period is over, you’ll start to pay a regular interest rate on any balance you still have on the card. That rate is subject to change, but comparing the ongoing rate before you sign up can give you an idea of how competitive the new card is with your current credit card. If the rate is high, it is very important to pay off your debt before the introductory period is over.
3. Balance transfer fees. Besides ongoing interest charges, some cards charge a one-time fee on any balances you transfer onto the card. If you were going to pay off your balance quickly anyway, it may be cheaper to stick with your current card than to pay a balance transfer fee.
4. Your plan for paying off the balance. Balance transfer cards work best if you pay off the debt completely before the introductory interest rate expires. So, have a plan for how you will pay down your balance month-by-month within the introductory period.

Choosing the right balance transfer card can ease the interest burden on your credit card debt, with more of your money going toward paying down the principal. For more information, see CardRatings.com: https://www.cardratings.com/best-balance-transfer-credit-cards.html.

2022-01-19T09:01:00

(BPT) – As scammers become more savvy, consumers must take extra steps to avoid fraud. A new survey by Chase offers tips on common scams and how to protect yourself and your family.

2021-12-31T23:01:00

(BPT) – Think of everything you use in an average day. From your favorite slippers to the computer you work on to the package that arrives at your door with food for tonight’s dinner, almost everything you use has made its way to you thanks to the logistics and supply chain industry.

The people who work in logistics and supply chain help make sure that everything from your kids’ backpacks to the food on your table makes its way from point A to point B. Plus, with more people shopping online, even for same-day grocery delivery, ecommerce is booming.

Rapid growth means job opportunity

The supply chain and logistics industry, which was already growing at a rapid pace, has accelerated further due to the pandemic. In fact, according to a 2021 survey by Emarketer, the industry experienced 26 percent year-over-year growth in retail and ecommerce sales from 2020. This fast growth means supply chain and related jobs are in high demand.

Experts predict these trends will continue, which provides a unique opportunity for job seekers who want job security while working with innovative technology. There are also other perks that may suit your lifestyle, such as flexible scheduling, remote work and the opportunity to travel. Whether you just graduated, have ample experience or are looking for a career change, this field provides myriad open jobs for a variety of positions — from engineers to customer service.

Who works in supply chain?

Supply chain managers and logisticians analyze and coordinate an organization’s supply chain. Employment of logisticians is projected to grow 30 percent from 2020 to 2030, much faster than the average for all occupations, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

While these analysts play a critical role, they are far from the only jobs necessary for a thriving supply chain. Whether you prefer to work at a desk or want a physical job that keeps you moving — or a mix of both — there’s something for every talent and personality type in supply chain.

A few examples of job types in supply chain:

• Engineering
• Software and technology
• Installers such as electricians
• Inventory and quality control
• Warehouse operation
• Customer service
• Information technology
• Transportation
• Risk management

Dematic does that

Job opportunities in supply chain are plentiful, including at one of the world’s largest global logistics and warehouse automation companies, Dematic. Their employees help large and emerging brands deliver what consumers need when they need it. The company has more than 10,000 full-time employees in nearly 25 countries and 200-plus years of experience. The company’s size and experience allow for workplace stability, investment in innovation and ample employee resources.

Many of Dematic’s customers — including companies in apparel, general merchandise, grocery and food and beverage — are growing quickly. This means Dematic is actively hiring, having added more than 1,000 employees in the Americas just this year, with projections to continue growing at a rapid pace. In 2022, this growth will continue with opportunities available nationwide, particularly in a few key locations: Atlanta, Grand Rapids, Milwaukee and Dallas.

“The future of Dematic is exciting,” says Kitrek Riese, director of software who has been with the company for more than 15 years. “We’re investing in software and staying current with the latest technologies. We work with many emerging brands and names you’d know, which means we are always innovating.”

Learn more about supply chain job opportunities at Dematicjobs.com.

Questions job seekers should ask

No matter where you are in your career journey, the current job market creates opportunity for those who want it. When looking for a new position, consider some questions specific to supply chain to help guide your search so you get the right job for you:

What is the position, where is it located and when is the target start date? Make sure these answers match your needs.

What is the size of the company? Larger companies may have more employee resources including in-demand benefits.

When did the company start and what is its history? Companies that have been around for a while have more experience and often more stability.

What brands does the company work with? Established brands bring reliability and emerging brands may bring innovation. A mix of both is good.

Is there growth opportunity at the company? Understand opportunities for upward movement within the company so you’re always growing your skills.

“There is a huge amount of opportunity in supply chain positions,” said Jenny Ferrell, VP, Human Resources for Dematic. “At Dematic, our people are what help our company shine — we’re proud of our teammates who help power the future of commerce.”