Pros of Using a Small Business Loan to Expand Your Business

Access to Capital

The most obvious benefit of using a small business loan to expand your business is access to capital. A small business loan can provide you with the funds you need to invest in new equipment, hire additional staff, or move to a larger location. With access to capital, you can take advantage of new opportunities and grow your business faster than you would be able to without financing.

Flexibility

Small business loans are often more flexible than other types of financing. You can use the funds for a wide range of purposes, from purchasing new inventory to marketing and advertising. This flexibility allows you to tailor the loan to your specific needs and make strategic investments in your business.

Building Credit

Using a small business loan can also help you build credit. As you make timely payments on your loan, you can improve your credit score and demonstrate to lenders that you are a responsible borrower. This can make it easier to secure financing in the future and can help you qualify for better terms and lower interest rates.

Cons of Using a Small Business Loan to Expand Your Business

Debt

The biggest drawback of using a small business loan to expand your business is debt. Taking on debt can be risky, especially if your business is not generating enough revenue to cover your expenses. If you are unable to make your loan payments, you could face serious consequences, such as damage to your credit score or even bankruptcy.

Interest Rates

Small business loans often come with higher interest rates than other types of financing. This means that you will be paying more over time for the money you borrow. Before taking out a small business loan, it is important to carefully consider the interest rates and fees associated with the loan and to compare your options to ensure that you are getting the best deal possible.

Restrictions

Small business loans can also come with restrictions. Depending on the lender and the type of loan, you may be required to use the funds for specific purposes, such as purchasing equipment or expanding your physical location. If you need more flexibility in how you use your funds, a small business loan may not be the best option for you.

Conclusion

Using a small business loan to expand your business can be a smart investment, but it is important to carefully consider the pros and cons before taking on debt. By weighing the benefits of access to capital and flexibility against the potential risks of debt, interest rates, and restrictions, you can make an informed decision about whether a small business loan is right for your business. If you do decide to pursue a small business loan, be sure to shop around for the best rates and terms, and make a detailed plan for how you will use the funds to grow your business. With careful planning and smart decision-making, you can use a small business loan to take your business to the next level.

However, there are certain things that everyone should know before investing in IPOs so that they can make informed decisions and maximise their return on investment. The following article will discuss some of the most important considerations when preparing for an IPO investment.

What is an IPO?

An IPO is an Initial Public Offering - a private company goes public by offering its stocks to investors on a stock exchange like NASDAQ or NYSE. This allows companies to raise funds and issue stock to expand their operations and become successful public companies. Going public is complex and involves numerous steps, which we'll discuss in more detail later.

Furthermore, IPOs are often highly anticipated events, and they can cause a lot of excitement among investors who can get in on the ground floor of potentially lucrative investments.

IPO investing considerations

There are many factors to consider when investing in IPOs, including timing, risk level, valuation, research, etc. Let's take a closer look at each of these considerations:

Timing: Timing is one of the most critical aspects of IPO investing - investors must make sure they invest at the right time for maximum benefit. Generally speaking, the earlier an investor gets into an IPO, the better return on investment they will receive. Unfortunately, this also means a higher risk of losing money if the company does not perform as expected.

Risk level: Investing in IPOs is risky, and investors should be aware of this before getting involved. While there is potential for tremendous returns, an IPO could also be a massive loss for the investor. Therefore, it's essential to research the company thoroughly before investing and be prepared to accept the risks.

Valuation: When investing in IPOs, investors must understand how the company is valued. This will help them decide what price they should pay for each share of stock and whether or not the investment is likely to be successful. Investors can use various methods, such as fundamental and technical analysis, to determine a company's valuation.

Research: Before investing in an IPO, investors must do their due diligence and conduct thorough research on the company. This includes reading up on its financials, understanding its business model, examining competitors, and analysing market trends - all of which can help inform investors' decisions when it comes time to purchase shares.

IPO risk management

One of the most important aspects of investing in IPOs is risk management. This means understanding the risks associated with an IPO, as well as having a plan for how to manage those risks. Investors should understand their investment's potential rewards and pitfalls and develop strategies for protecting their capital if things don't go as planned.

The risks involved with IPOs are as follows:

Market risk – the stock market is unpredictable, and IPOs are incredibly volatile. There is a chance that the company's stock price could drop quickly, resulting in losses for investors.

Liquidity risk – IPOs generally have limited liquidity, meaning it can be difficult to sell shares if needed.

Underpricing risk – there is always a chance that an IPO will be underpriced, which means investors may not make as much money from their investment as they had hoped.

On a final note

There are many important things to consider before investing in IPOs. Timing, risk level, valuation, research, and risk management must be considered when preparing for an IPO investment. By taking the time to understand these considerations and develop a sound strategy, investors can improve their chances of success in the world of IPOs.

Ultimately, IPO investing is a risky endeavour. Still, with proper research, understanding of the company and the risks involved, it can be an exciting opportunity for investors to make potentially significant returns on their investment. So, if you're looking to get in on the ground floor of a newly public company, make sure to do your homework first.

Understanding the responsibilities of an insolvency practitioner, as well as the telltale signs your business needs debt advice, is critical for any company owner. Professionals like Hudson Weir insolvency practitioners London will make sure they help your business through financial fluctuations and stay afloat.

In this article, we’ll look at what an insolvency practitioner and the 8 duties they are responsible for and understand when a company needs assistance from an insolvency practitioner.

What Is An Insolvency Practitioner?

An insolvency practitioner is a professional who is trained in dealing with financial distress and managing repayment plans. They manage insolvency procedures, including bankruptcies and voluntary liquidations, and act as trustees during times of bankruptcy.

Also, insolvency practitioners negotiate terms with creditors on behalf of the company and work out payment plans that are achievable while still ensuring all parties are happy with the agreement reached. They can also advise on which assets should be kept secure during insolvency proceedings or restructurings to maximize value for both secured and unsecured creditors.

Insolvency practitioners provide regular updates to stakeholders regarding the progress being made toward resolving debt issues faced by the company in question and assess which creditors are eligible under relevant laws and regulations. They play an important role in helping businesses address issues with insolvency, so understanding the duties of an IP, when you need them, and what key takeaways you should consider are critical for any business currently facing serious debt problems.

8 Duties of An Insolvency Practitioner

As we explained above, Insolvency Practitioners are highly qualified professionals who help companies restructure their debts and manage bankruptcies. Here are 8 duties that IPs take on to effectively manage insolvency proceedings.

1. Identifying Potential Creditors: An IP can advise on which creditors are eligible under relevant laws and regulations as well as assess the validity of claims against the company in question.

2. Negotiating with Creditors: An IP can negotiate terms with creditors on behalf of the company, working out payment plans that are achievable while still ensuring all parties are happy with the agreement reached.

3. Monitoring Performance: An IP will keep track of how well payments are being made by the company, liaising with both sides to ensure everything remains running smoothly according to plan.

4. Assisting with Asset Protection: An IP can advise on which assets should be kept secure during bankruptcy proceedings or restructurings to maximize value for both secured and unsecured creditors alike.

5. Reporting Back to Stakeholders: Insolvency practitioners will provide regular updates on how their efforts are faring so that all parties involved have access to the same information regarding the progress being made towards resolving problems caused by insolvency or debt issues faced by the company in question.

6. Advice on Insolvency Solutions: An IP can provide advice on which types of insolvency solutions are best for the company in question, considering relevant tax laws and other regulations and navigating the complexities to ensure that the most effective solution is selected.

7. Representation in Court: IPs may be required to attend court hearings and make representation on behalf of their clients to present arguments, submit evidence, or answer questions from all parties involved.

8. Administrative Duties: As part of their job, an IP may take responsibility for administrative tasks such as filing paperwork with creditors, issuing notices, or handling the distribution of funds.

When Does Your Business Need An Insolvency Practitioner?

Insolvency can be a difficult situation for business owners to manage and if not addressed properly, can lead to serious financial repercussions. Therefore, it is important to be aware of the signs a business is in danger of insolvency.

One of the first signs that a business may be in danger of insolvency is having difficulty keeping up with its financial obligations. This includes missed payments on loans, delayed payment to creditors or employees, and unpaid taxes. If a company is finding itself behind on these types of obligations, it should take steps right away to address the issue or seek advise from an Insolvency Practitioner.

Another indication that a business may be in trouble is when shareholders or directors begin arguing over how they should make financial decisions or where funds should be allocated. Most likely this is indicative that something isn’t working within the organization and getting advice from someone outside the company might help bring clarity to any underlying issues.

If sales suddenly decrease and no amount of marketing or promotions seem to improve the situation then this could also signal that something else needs to change within the company's structure for it to remain viable. Consulting with an Insolvency Practitioner could reveal possible solutions such as debt restructuring options or other strategies for improving cash flow.

Finally, if there are legal proceedings like court orders against the company then this could be a clear indicator that everything associated with running the organization needs to be reviewed because it has already become too late for minor adjustments.

Key Takeaways

Overall, it is clear that there are many different scenarios where an insolvency practitioner can be of immense help to a business. The key is to recognize the problem early and take decisive action.

An insolvency practitioner has specific duties, ranging from preparing cash flow forecasts and financial statements to consulting creditors on restructuring options for your business. Lastly, make sure you find an experienced and reputable insolvency practitioner to assist you with their expertise and guidance when the need arises.

In the long term, taking such action can prove beneficial for your business’s future performance. With the right knowledge and guidance from an insolvency practitioner, businesses can struggle through financially tough periods and thrive again in the end.

Electric vehicles seem to be overtaking good old internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles fast. Although electric vehicles have gained lots of attention recently, they first came into existence as early as the late 19th century. Interestingly, electricity was among the preferred methods for motor vehicle propulsion at that time as gasoline cars of the time weren’t comfortable and easy to operate. Then improvements in ICE made them commonplace, and electric vehicles got restricted to some niche areas, such as electric trains or small vehicles.

After more than a century’s dominance, ICE vehicles look set to be replaced with EVs. Environmental concerns, advancement in battery and EV technologies, falling costs, and governmental support have once again made electric vehicles mainstream. There is no stopping to the growth of EVs now - the genie is out of the bottle!

Global warming has created several alarming issues across the globe in the last few decades. One of the reasons for global warming has been the emission of greenhouse gases. According to a report by PwC, transportation accounts for approximately 23% of global energy-related greenhouse gas emissions, and road transport makes up 72% of that. So, to combat climate change, governments across the globe are trying to have more stringent emission limits for light-duty vehicles. This is one of the main reasons why there is a strong growth in EV adoption.

The number of electric cars on the road has tripled in just three years. Chart 1 below shows how the use of electric cars has increased over the past decade.

Chart 1: Global Electric Car Stock

Source: IEA website

The chart below shows the growth in EVs across selected geographies in 2021. China leads in terms of EV sales.

Chart 2: Electric Cars Sales Picking Up in 2021

Source: IEA website

EV market is forecasted to grow enormously by 2030

In the coming few years, the number of electric vehicles is bound to increase substantially. A study by McKinsey estimates that the U.S. will have 48 million EVs on road by 2030. Passenger cars are expected to be the dominant part with an estimated number of 44 million, followed by light commercial vehicles (3.8 million), trucks, and buses.

Chart 3: Estimated EVs in the U.S. by 2030

Source: McKinsey & Company

Additionally, one can expect more automobile brands to offer electric options going forward. According to IHS Markit, by 2023, 43 brands will offer at least one electric option compared to just 14 brands in 2018. One can also expect to have more players entering the electric vehicle market by 2030. Various OEMs are trying to create a roadmap to capture a slice of the EV pie.

As seen in the figure below, major automakers are understanding the importance of EVs and are aligning their businesses to cater to this trend. Volkswagen expects 40% of its global sales to be electric by 2030 whereas Toyota aims to sell 5.5 million EVs by 2025.  With all major car manufacturers having a roadmap for their EV transition for the coming decade, buyers will certainly have more options to choose from.

Chart 4: Timeline of Strategic OEM Targets for EVs

Source: Deloitte

Range improvement and charging infrastructure growth will boost the demand for EVs

Two of the main hurdles in the rapid adoption of EVs are range anxiety and a lack of charging infrastructure. Traditional gasoline-powered vehicles have support of a robust network of gas stations. This makes them a viable transportation medium for all kind of trips. Electric vehicle charging network is still in its nascent stage with most charging points being concentrated in the urban area currently. Additionally, with an average range of less than 400 kms, EV drivers are anxious of travelling to remote areas where there might be limited or no charging options available.

With range anxiety being one of the major hurdles of EV market growth, it is evident that EV adoption can improve with better charging infrastructure and improved range. To be fair to the EV industry, there has been good improvements in the EV range in the past decade. Energy density - the total amount of energy in a system per unit volume - is key to ensuring that EVs have sufficient range. Energy density of batteries for EVs has been rising over the past decade, and now some of the highest performing battery cells can reach energy densities of over 300 Wh/kg, up from around 100-150 Wh/kg a decade ago – meaning that for the same weight, electric cars can now travel twice as far. This progress has been made due to continuous improvement in battery chemistry and cell design. With further advancement in battery chemistry and cell design, one can expect to have still improved ranges in the coming decade.

Chart 5: Evolution of Average Range of Electric Vehicles by Powertrain

Source: IEA website

Broader EV adoption will need a robust charging infrastructure

Publicly available EV charging points increased in 2021 as compared to previous years. 500,000 public charging points were installed in 2021, which is more than the total stock of chargers available in 2017. China has the maximum publicly available chargers, accounting for about 85% of fast chargers and 55% of slow chargers worldwide.

Chart 6: Fast Public Chargers	Chart 7: Slow Public Chargers

Source: IEA website

The EV sales and EV charging infrastructure present a “chicken and egg problem”. Without a good charging infrastructure, one cannot expect to see a rise in EV sales, as this makes the buyer uncomfortable, especially on long trips. However, it is difficult to develop a charging infrastructure unless the market for EV increases meaningfully and there are significant EVs on the road.  

Government initiatives for EV charging infrastructure

The governments across the world are trying to improve the EV charging infrastructure with various schemes. This surely gives potential EV buyers some comfort in making a buy decision. With a rise in number of EVs, there will be an accompanying growth in the EV charging infrastructure too, giving rise to a chain reaction. Cumulative EV charging infrastructure investment in the U.S. and Europe is projected to be around $60 billion by 2030 and $192 billion by 2040.

The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law provides $7.5 billion to develop EV-charging infrastructure in the U.S. It aims to have 500,000 public chargers nationwide by 2030.

Meanwhile, China and Europe have the largest EV charging networks in the world. According to a report by the IEA, both China and Europe are looking to enhance their charging infrastructure further. China has two goals: It aims for having a charging infrastructure sufficient to meet the needs of 20 million EVs and it plans for 60%-80% of the country’s expressway services to have fast charging stations by 2025. In order to achieve this, the government aims to install community charging facilities, construct urban and rural public charging networks, improve facility maintenance, and enhance power supply. Various regions throughout China offer subsidies for EV charging infrastructure.

The Sustainable and Smart Mobility Strategy of the European Union aims to deploy 1 million publicly accessible charging points by 2025 and 3 million by 2030, up from about 290,000 public charging points today. In 2021, a number of EU member states allocated significant funding to EV charging infrastructure, making use of the EUR 672.5 billion ($796 billion) recovery stimulus package provided by the European Union. In India, the National Highways Authority of India has set an objective to install EV charging stations every 40km-60 km along national highways, covering 35,000 - 40,000 kms of highways by 2023.

The chart below shows the government funding across some countries for public charging infrastructure normalized by light-duty vehicle stock. Governments globally are investing significant amounts to develop a robust EV charging infrastructure, which is a pre-requisite for widespread EV adoption.

Source: IEA website

McKinsey estimates that the U.S. would require 1.2 million public EV chargers and 28 million private EV chargers by 2030

The federal target is to have half of the U.S. vehicle sales to be electric by 2030. If that is achieved, the country will need around 1.2 million public and 28 million private EV chargers by that year.

Chart 9: Cumulative Charger Demand by 2030

Source: McKinsey & Company

Look at the chart above carefully. The huge black colored boxes are residential chargers. Chargers that are used only by the respective EV-owner. These 1.3 million residential chargers are lying idle when the owner is not using them. At the same time, there are thousands of current and potential EV drivers who face range-anxiety. Some are delaying their EV buying decision, as they fear that an EV may not meet their needs - if they travel a lot or long distances. Others, who own EVs, may not take their EVs for long trips, fearing they might be stuck at some place where there are no chargers around.

Imagine if all the above residential chargers are made available for everyone’s use! The homeowner would be happy to share his charger, for a small fee. EV drivers will be confident of taking their EVs for long trips, without range-anxiety. What’s more, people who have been putting off their decision to switch to EVs would easily make the choice.

Power Hero is Trying to Accomplish This Goal

The good news is: Power Hero is working to make this goal a reality. What’s more, the company has already achieved several significant milestones to make residential chargers available to everyone and they have 4 issued patents with several more pending!

Power Hero is passionate about clean energy and making it possible for everyone to own an electric vehicle. EV growth is greatly held back by the inability to grow the charging grid. The company is determined to prove its Peer-to-Peer economy-sharing platform can solve this capacity problem.

The company’s goal is simple: To unlock the full potential of the electric vehicle market by networking power points that already exists!

Power Hero’s innovative Cameo^TM adapter can turn any home charger into a networked one! Here’s how it works:

Smart Platform for Making Electricity Public

• Power Hero’s cloud-based P2P system allows anyone to list, find, reserve, and broker electricity.
• EV owners can list their private charging stations for other members.
• When you list your private station, you get access to all other private stations on the network for free (others pay monthly membership).
• Members can then access a much larger network of chargers when outside of metro areas - 10 times the number of regular stations.
• Additionally, anyone who owns access to parking near a standard power outlet can list and price an overnight charging spot.
• Members can book overnight parking for short or long-term periods.
• Smart hardware enhances the platform by connecting any charger or electrical outlet to the company’s system for dynamic scheduling and pricing.

Minimal investment

Power Hero focuses on scaling the existing grid with minimal infrastructure investments. It is the only company combining economy sharing and IoT to solve this problem. A Power Hero host will not require replacing his/her entire EV charger. All the homeowner has to do is sign up to Power Hero’s PowerNet^TM service as a “Hero” (host) and they will get a small Cameo adapter in the mail that they just plug onto their charger’s J1772 nozzle, and bingo! his/her charger would become reservable and compatible with any EV.

Power Hero’s IoT hardware will enable the most cost-effective level-2 chargers and ordinary outdoor power outlets to be controlled by its smart network for reservations and brokering.  This will make it easy for any homeowner, landlord or business to offer EV charging.

Power Hero has been working on its Cameo product for years. Finally, it is here, and patented!

• February 2017, the company raised $150K in seed funding, one month after incorporation.
• March 2017, IBM awarded the company with free use of its cloud platform Bluemix.
• June 2017, a working prototype of ePort^TM was unveiled which converts an ordinary wall outlet into a smart reservable outlet.
• December 2017, began partnering with Arrow Electronics for hardware sourcing, development and middle-ware IoT support.
• February 2018, began development of their PowerNet^TM cloud platform for their mobile app.
• September 2020, granted U.S. patent by the US Patent Office for their PowerNet network and ePort.
• February 2021, granted U.S. patent for their Cameo.
• June 2022, granted Australian patent for PowerNet and ePort.
• August 2022, U.S. patent issued for mobile charging station that you can summon to rendezvous with your EV to charge at a site of your choice.
• October 2022, the Cameo (prototype) demonstrated to function flawlessly with two public Level 2 charger and a Level 2 home charger.

Experienced management team

The company has a proven and experienced team with strong supply-side and distribution partnerships.  This will help ensure success, scale quickly, minimize costs, and generate significant returns. All C-level members have successfully managed start-ups and growth-phase companies in the CEO role, with a proven ability to scale businesses both domestically and internationally. 

• Esmond Goei - CEO, Chairman & Co-Founder. Esmond is a serial entrepreneur with many successful startups and turnarounds spanning 30+ years. He started Power Hero, on a full-time basis, in January 2017 after selling a modular solar powered battery systems company, which he founded in 2009 and was CEO until it was sold in 2016. He has participated in several other emerging companies with successful gains upon their IPO or sale such as a multi-media messaging company (IPO), a wireless hospital bedside information systems company (IPO and subsequently acquired), an organic baby foods company that was sold to Heinz, and an electronics toy company (IPO). He has delivered outstanding gains on investment to his investors with many IPOs and sales of his invested companies some of which garnered valuations over a billion dollars. Esmond is an electrical engineer with an MBA from Western University.
• Rob Kent - CMO, Vice-Chairman & Co-Founder. Rob joined Power Hero in August 2017 as a Director and was appointed as Vice-Chairman and CMO in February 2018. He is an IoT innovator in the medical device sector where he served as CEO for O2 Concepts (2014 -2017) a manufacturer of networked portable home oxygen devices. Partnering with Verizon, they were the first to offer remote monitoring and device tracking – generating 5X growth while deploying over 20,000 units. He has experience building and managing rapid growth businesses in highly regulated environments. He is particularly adept at leveraging partnerships with developers and manufacturers to rapidly bring products to market, and strategically positioning technology for unique competitive advantages. Rob holds a BS in Economics from the US Naval Academy and an MBA from UC Irvine.
• Howard Kim - Director & Corporate Advisor. Kim is a veteran in the communications industry with more than 30+ years’ experience. His tenure includes executive management stints at Sycamore Networks as its Managing Director of Asia-Pacific Operation, as the Vice President and General Manager of Asia-Pacific Operations for Hypercom Network Systems, and as Regional Director of Sales of Asia-Pacific Operations for Cascade Communications (since acquired by Lucent Technologies). He has also served in various sales, marketing, and technical positions with some of the leading communications and networking companies, including, StrataCom (Cisco Systems), Ungermann-Bass (UB Networks), Compression Labs, California Microwave, and GTE Corporation (Sprint Communications). He has been an advisor to Hitachi Japan on global M&A and investments for 10 years. Mr. Kim holds a BS in Electrical Engineering from Texas A&M University, and an MBA from the University of Phoenix.
• Armando Castro - Director & Legal Advisor. Armando has been a Partner with Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP since 2014. His industry background includes financial technologies and payment systems, cyber security, software and wireless technologies and has worked with high profile clients include Facebook, Chevron, and Deutsche Bank. Armando is a Stanford Graduate, with a JD from Loyola Marymount. He is also a certified public accountant (CPA).

Here are the top 8 reasons to follow Power Hero!

1. The number of electric vehicles on the road is rising fast. The U.S. is expected to have 48 million EVs on the road by 2030, up from about 2 million (including PHEVs) at the end of 2021.
2. The growing number of EVs need a robust charging infrastructure. The current charging stations is far too few to meet the growing demand for charging.
3. Development of EV charging infrastructure is a key government priority. A robust charging infrastructure is a pre-requisite for the growth of EVs.
4. Power Hero’s Cameo can convert any home charger into a networked one, at a very nominal cost. It offers the first dynamic peer-to-peer marketplace for EV charging.
5. The Cameo (prototype) is demonstrated to function flawlessly with public Level 2 chargers.
6. The company owns the U.S. patent on the Cameo and 3 other issued patents, with more pending.
7. It has an experienced management team with strong supply-side and distribution partnerships.
8. EV charging is a second chance to participate in the EV Boom while stock prices are low, and Power Hero is a company to follow.

Sources:

https://www.pwc.com/us/en/industrial-products/publications/assets/pwc-merge-ahead-electric-vehicles-supply-chain.pdf

https://investors.chargepoint.com/why-invest/default.aspx

https://www.mckinsey.com/industries/public-and-social-sector/our-insights/building-the-electric-vehicle-charging-infrastructure-america-needs

https://www.iea.org/reports/electric-vehicles

https://www.iea.org/reports/global-ev-outlook-2022/trends-in-electric-light-duty-vehicles

We all have heard the terms "estate plan" and "will" thrown around in conversations. They may seem like they have similar meanings, but are they the same thing?

Find out the difference and similarities between planning a will and estate planning and how they ultimately compare and contrast.

Estate Plan

An estate plan can be a simple list of instructions for your children, or it can be an extensive document that you and your legal counsel provide for the purpose of conveying specific instructions about where your belongings should go and how your assets should be managed.

By comprehensive estate planning, you can save money on taxes because it will reduce the amount of estate taxes owed to the government. The more detail you give in your estate plan, the lower the total tax owed will be.

Estate planning can also reduce the amount of time it takes for your legal affairs to be straightened out after you have died. Having a detailed estate plan can help your next-of-kin, and family members easily understand the specifics of how you want your property distributed to each individual and what the wishes are for managing certain pieces of property.

Will

A will is simply a legal document that states who gets what you own when you pass away. If a person dies without a will, they're said to have died "intestate." In other words, the local or federal government determines how their assets will be distributed.

A will is typically created at the end of your life when you are in good physical health. A will is useful for those with minor children and those who do not want to leave their assets to their spouse. A will makes it clear who should get what you own, thus avoiding any legal complications after your death.

Since a will can be created and executed at any time during your life, it's important to see a good lawyer and have them review your will to ensure that it is clear, complete and legally valid. A lawyer can help you craft a will that meets all requirements.

Advantages of Estate Plans over Wills

There are a number of advantages to the use of estate planning over a will. For example, it can help save money on taxes since a detailed estate plan will reduce the amount of tax that is due in the future.

When you create an estate plan, you will have the ability to save on taxes. Your tax savings will be based on how much money you have saved within certain accounts and how much that money is worth.

And speaking of savings, another advantage of creating an estate plan is that it can help your family members better understand where their money should go after your death. This can make the process a lot easier for them, and it may avoid a lot of bitterness during a family dispute over the distribution of property.

Estate planning can also be useful for those with minor children who don't want them to inherit from an unfit parent. Having a detailed estate plan ensures that your minor children will be in the best position possible after your death.

Disadvantages of Estate Plans over Wills

Just like there are advantages to creating an estate plan over a will, there are also disadvantages. The biggest disadvantage of estate planning over a will is that you are gambling on the quality and nature of your loved ones. If the people close to you have opted to not have a detailed estate plan, then there's nothing you can do to force them to create one. An issue that can happen when your loved ones don't follow their instructions after your death is that they might not know what they should be doing.

Conclusion

While it's true that both estate planning and wills can simplify matters when it comes to your legal affairs after you die, both should be considered as part of a comprehensive plan. If you don't have a will, then it is wise to create an estate plan. The more detail you put into the estate plan, the lower the total tax owed will be. And if your loved ones are unable or unwilling to follow your instructions after you die, they might not know what they should be doing.

The language can be intimidating, but it’s really quite simple. A dedicated server, in plain terms, is a type of private, remote server that is exclusive to an individual or group of people who hold the lease on that server; therefore it isn’t shared with anyone else. 

Comparatively, a public server is accessible by anyone regardless of location. If you connect to a public server, your IP address can be seen by anyone else connected to that server, meaning your data can be accessed by others as well. 

In regards to gaming, the goal of a dedicated server is to provide an exclusive experience for a gamer or group of gamers to improve performance, reduce lags, and improve gameplay stability, without interference from other players. Common benefits of using a dedicated server in gaming include an excellent gaming experience, high amounts of CPU (central processing unit) power and RAM (random access memory), various customization options, around-the-clock support, and a boosted level of cybersecurity. 

What Are The Most Popular Uses for Dedicated Servers? 

Dedicated servers are most commonly used for high-traffic websites or applications with high levels of risk or numerous tasks that can be complicated. Companies want to ensure that their data is as private as possible. Dedicated servers can provide peace of mind in beefing up your data security. 

Companies often like the ability to configure their servers without restriction. This provides an added layer of control and security over their data. Security breaches in dedicated servers are highly uncommon and ensure that there's nobody on the outside trying to get to your information. 

Similarly, gamers like the ability to boost their control, security, bandwidth, and performance by opting for a dedicated server or dedicated hosting. Online streamers need to ensure that their streams go smoothly without interruption or being compromised. These servers are “self sufficient”, allowing gamers and streamers to continue playing even when offline, and provide a seamless and uninterrupted gaming experience. 

Dedicated servers are also popular in email services. In this case, owners can allocate company email addresses, monitor communications, and set file attachment limits. This provides security in data sharing between employees in a company, and is particularly important for highly sensitive information, like in healthcare companies for example. 

Are There Disadvantages of Dedicated Servers?

Not everyone is in need of a dedicated server. Managing these servers requires a level of technical expertise that most people don’t have. Public servers do a lot of the heavy lifting for people that can afford a hands-off—or less strict—approach to their data storage. 

Public servers are often less expensive than private dedicated servers and are highly secure in their own right. Dedicated servers require a lot of maintenance and operations costs that public servers do not. 

Dedicated servers do provide a higher level of security, but the owner is responsible for monitoring that security manually. A dedicated server is generally monitored and managed by an in-house IT team that knows its ins and outs. This can be expensive and time consuming, and most smaller companies or individuals don’t have these resources. 

Conclusion - What Is A Dedicated Server?

Though not everyone needs to use a dedicated server, if you can afford to do so, have the expertise to manage and monitor it correctly, and are in need of better performance, higher security and customization options, and better support 24/7, it’s a very solid option. 

For high-level gamers and streamers, you won’t find better gameplay execution on a public server. Customize your experience, reduce lags and performance issues, and seamlessly cruise through a night of gaming with peace of mind it will go uninterrupted. 

What is meant by an Online loan?

Online loans let you complete the entire borrowing process, from prequalification to loan funding, without even setting foot inside a bank branch. You also have the convenience of online installment loans with monthly payments.

When to consider an Online Loan?

Consider the reasons why you should get an online loan:

•       When you're not sure how much money you'll receive or whether you'll qualify for a competitive rate, you can apply for prequalification to get an online loan.
•       When you require the cash in less time or immediately, you can opt for an online loan
•       When you don't have an existing relationship with a bank, you can apply for an online loan and lend money easily.
•       When you have a low credit score or no credit history, you can opt for an online loan.  Some online lenders consider factors other than your credit score to determine eligibility. 

What are the Pros and Cons of Online Loans?

Online loans have various benefits, such as:

•       No Collateral: Online loans are helpful because you may not always be required to put up any property as security for the loan.
•       Flexible Repayment: Many online loan applications provide flexible repayment options to make it more convenient for you to pay back your loans.
•       Growing credit limit: The applications offer larger maximums as you continue making on-time payments.

Drawbacks of Online loans include:

•       Higher interest rates: A higher interest rate will apply since the loan is unsecured.
•       Loan limit: Low maximum limit.
•       Hacking: Due to the online nature of the entire loan procedure, they might be vulnerable to data hacking.

What do you mean by an In-person loan?

These loans are obtained in person at a physical location with their bank with proper documentation and proofs.

When to consider an In-person loan?

You can go for an In-person loan for the following reasons:

•       You want to be safe from online fraud and hacking.
•     To obtain favorable rates if you have a lengthy history with your bank. In-person loans are the best option if you want a face-to-face transaction.
•       If you're not in a rush, the slower in-person loan application procedure can work for you.

What are the Pros and Cons of an In-person loan?

The pros of in-person loans are:

•       Instant customer service: You may meet with a lender face-to-face and ask questions to understand the lending procedure better.
•       Better terms and rates: You may be eligible for loyalty discounts or other special rates
•       The capacity to offer context: When you meet with a lender in person, you may easily discuss any problems regarding your loan application. You can also explain anything that could make the approval process more difficult if you don't convey it.

The cons include:

•       Longer application procedure: Filling out an application for a loan in person includes visiting the loan institution, either waiting in line or scheduling an appointment.
•       Higher restrictions: Because banks are often subject to more regulations than internet lenders, they may have stricter requirements for borrowers' eligibility to get a loan.
•       Eligibility for applicants: Credit unions usually only accept loan applications from current members.

Which one should you choose: an Online or In-Person Loan?

You can only decide to opt for an online or in-person loan after acknowledging the reason for taking a loan and the market research considerations.

If you require a loan very quickly or urgently online loan is better. These loans are comparatively flexible and facilitate easy payments. You can opt for multiple loans at the same time by being prequalified. Suppose you require a large amount, need guidance from the loaning authority, and have an existing relationship with the bank to enjoy loyalty benefits and customer-only rates. In that case, in-person loans are best suited for you.

Conclusion

Think about your finances before choosing the loan you want to apply for, and then select the best application strategy for you. An online loan is the best option if you seek speed and convenience. An in-person loan can be preferable if your demands are more complex and you have an excellent working relationship with your bank. Additional factors include APR, fees, loan terms and rates, and penalties. Good credit is one of the finest methods to obtain a loan, and the choice depends entirely on the purpose of your loan.

Promote Sharing

When it comes to enhancing transparency internally, consider having an open-door policy. This lets employees know that you value their input. Therefore, they are more likely to share their feelings, thoughts and ideas with the organization. Similarly, you can encourage sharing in business meetings by offering opportunities for employees to speak. This can help staff members open up and express their views and ideas.

Moreover, you can also share information about business performance with staff members, such as statistics and analytics. No matter if the data that’s presented is good or bad, it can help employees feel included and informed regarding the business’s operations.

How to Improve Transparency With Customers

Keep communications open. Whether it’s via phone, email or social media, it’s important to stay in touch with patrons, since they appreciate staying up to date on orders, services and even company changes with products or pricing. Most importantly, be sure to listen, respond in a timely fashion and encourage feedback. This lets your customers know you care and value them.

Provide a Peek Inside the Business

You can be more open with customers by showing them your operations. For example, you can add more windows to your business or post videos on social media showing how you create a product. This enables customers to get an insider’s view, allowing them to feel more engaged and connected with your brand.

Sometimes mistakes happen, and when they do, it’s crucial to own them. Inform patrons as soon as possible and express how you plan to remedy the issue. The sooner you address the problem, the better. Customers will most likely appreciate the transparency and see you as a trustworthy organization.

Say Thank You

Lastly, be sure to thank your customers for their loyalty. Whether it’s through email, social media or even letters, thanking your patrons makes them feel appreciated. They are also more likely to remain a loyal fan of your brand.

Consider trying some of these practices within your workplace. For more information on how to improve transparency internally and with your customers, see the accompanying resource.

Infographic created by Track Your Truck, a GPS tracking provider

Highgate Hill

If you're looking for a quiet suburb in the city that's not too far from everything, Highgate Hill is the area for you. With a median home price of under $500000, you can find a great place to call home in this area. And if you're an investor, you can benefit from the excellent rental returns, as well as the future growth of the suburb.

Yarrabilba

Located between the Gold Coast and Brisbane, Yarrabilba is a master-planned community being developed by Lendlease. The area will have more than 17,000 residential dwellings and approximately 45,000 people. It is an affordable suburb with lots ranging from 192 to 448 square metres. Land blocks can have frontages ranging from 10 to 18 metres. Yarrabilba can be a great investment.

Carina Heights

If you're looking for a new place to buy in Brisbane, consider Carina Heights, an area just 8km south of the CBD. It's a leafy suburb that's known for its Whites Hill Reserve. It's also close to Westfield Carindale, and there are several bus services that connect the suburb to the CBD. Great for families and close enough to amenities for families using Sunshine Coast removalists to move to Carina Heights.

St Lucia

St Lucia is one of the most sought-after suburbs in the city. This leafy suburb boasts a beautiful riverfront setting and a convenient location to the city's amenities. The suburb is also popular with university students, young professionals, and families who enjoy the convenience of city living. It also has strong rental demand, making it a great place for property investors. St Lucia also has great public transport options, including the Mooloolah train station and the city's buses. An excellent area in demand from working professionals and students.

Taringa

Taringa is an inner-city suburb of Brisbane, located 6.1km from the city's CBD. It is an ideal place for those who want to live in a quaint and quiet neighborhood while still being close to the city and university precinct. It is also known for its pre and post-war homes, which have individual character and flair. In addition to the typical suburban feel, Taringa also features a good mix of public and private schools and is a great location for families. With a registered median house price of $1,537,000 and an annual capital growth of over 28%.

Ascot

Ascot is one of the best areas to buy property in Brisbane, and there are a number of reasons why. The location is great and there are plenty of schools, parks, and cafés within walking distance. Families, choose to live in Ascot for the schools that fall within the catchment zone. The area is also close to the city centre and the new Brisbane Airport. This makes Ascot an excellent place to raise a family and live, leaving you as an investor only highly reliable prospective long-term tenants to rent to.

Logan Central

Logan Central is a great location to buy a property. This suburb is surrounded by green space and is a good choice for families, first-time buyers, and investors looking for a place to call home. A median house price of $475,000 provides an affordable entry for investors and first home buyers. Logan Central is also home to a number of commercial agencies that can help you find a suitable property.

Sandgate

In Brisbane, Sandgate is one of the most desirable suburbs for property owners. This beach-side suburb offers a relaxed beach lifestyle. If you're after a bargain beachfront property, Sandgate is a great choice. You will frequently see motorcycle movers dropping off motorcycles in Sandgate for ride days. A median house price of $1,150,000, Sandgate has really had a run rising 34.7% over the last 12 months. Luckily, the suburb offers plenty of opportunities for investors.

Choose the best sectors for your huge investment:

Africa is one of the best places with a growing population, splendour and strength, where there are a lot of financial potentials both with the people and the resources. The economies of the countries such as Nigeria, South Africa and Kenya have prompted an inevitable rise in the amount of revenue the continent generates as a whole. The people can choose the best sectors to invest in Africa where they can benefit from it. The new market potentials are coupled with the continents and the resource-filled lands that have many experts to deduce that Africa could become a major economic player on the global stage.

Effective Sectors to invest your amount:

It will be useful for them to run their firm in Africa effectively. Some of the best sectors to invest in Africa include:

Transport and logistics:

Several sectors can tie directly into the population growth of an economy. Transport and logistics are among the best industries that can be useful for investing their money. Interstate and overseas travel is at an all-time high, and local transportation has never been in such high demand.

Real estate:

Real estate is the market directly tied to an economy's population rate. The best thing is that it is more needed for housing options, land ownership, real estate investments and infrastructures. It is the best co-working space provider on the continent, which is a prime example of what success looks like as a corporate real estate company.

Telecommunications:

The internet penetration in Africa is deplorable, to say the least, which is why the future of this market seems more encouraging. As technology becomes more accessible and affordable, more people in this universe have no choice but to get updated according to the world. Telecom companies are ranking billions of dollars in annual income, which will be the best sector for your investment.

Agriculture technology:

It is an interesting sector to key into the sweet spot where agriculture meets tech to create tech-driven solutions for various needs in the African agricultural sectors. This digital solution acts like a ripple effect in the young minds to make more contributions. The best way to invest in the Agri tech sector is recorded as the largest fundraising field for more people.

Bottom line:

Therefore there are more different sectors where a person can invest their amount. You have to choose a growing commercial business and then invest your money in it to gain considerable benefits. 

Regardless of whether it is a modular, construction, or custom home, constructing a new one requires a significant financial investment. Purchasers of new homes want to avoid financial hazards so they don't end up paying far more than they can afford. Here are some financial mistakes that you should try to avoid.

Don't take out a mortgage loan in full

It doesn't necessarily make sense to devote up to 36% of your monthly salary on your loan and accompanying expenditures simply because the bank says you should. Make absolutely sure you have a big enough buffer for life's unforeseen costs. Consider keeping your monthly housing expenses, including PMI, homeowner's insurance, and property taxes to no more than 25% of your gross monthly income. If you'd prefer, you may decide to spend even less. A lot of debt can be incredibly distressing. Your new residence ought to be a delight, not an overwhelming financial strain.

Prior to applying for a loan, try to raise your credit ratings

Clear off your debt first if you currently have a lot of credit card or student loan debt to qualify for a mortgage with a significantly better interest rate. Over the course of your home loan, you might save thousands of dollars in interest.

Don’t choose the lowest-priced provider

You could be able to persuade yourself that selecting the builder with the lowest quote will free up more funds for the building of the house. For instance, you may use the additional cash you wind up saving to construct a deck. But when it comes to constructing a home, you frequently get what you paid for.

It is a recipe for disaster to select the lowest bidder merely because they are the lowest. The lowest bidder could not be telling the truth about how much the project would cost and is instead just bidding for the work. The very last option you want is for them to use lower-quality components and cut shortcuts during real building through a change order process. Make sure your builder has been carefully reviewed.

Don’t neglect to evaluate the selling value before even beginning with the building process

Assume that you might sell your house at some point, even if you have no intention of doing so and want to leave it to your heirs.

The majority of us don't really foresee where we'll be in 10 or 15 years.  A real estate agent whose customers had constructed a five-story custom home told me t they adored it, but when it came time to sell, they had to lower the price by hundreds of thousands of dollars and sell at a loss since no one wished to purchase a property that required them to climb stairs all day. So create your ideal home, but don't end up making it someone else's worst dread.

Bottom line

You can prevent overpaying for a new home if you do your research. Building a home is a significant financial and personal choice for your family. Make sure you understand exactly how much you can stand to spend each month before you build a residence, and strive to stay within or even under your budget.

If you own a small business, you can enroll in a 401(k) plan to help yourself and your employees save money for a financially secure future. The pricing for 401(k) plans differs based on your financial needs and the number of employees working at your company. Most retirement plans offer a flat, affordable fee and a stress-free way to start your savings fund within minutes. The type of small business plan you choose for your company is customized according to your needs and purpose-built to minimize administrative bloat. Read on as we take a closer look at the types of 401(k) plans you can choose for your small business.

Single(k) Plan

The Single(k) plan is a solo 401(k) plan meant for individuals who are the sole proprietors of their small businesses. It is also ideal for self-employed workers, including freelancers, independent contractors, entrepreneurs, and more. By enrolling in this type of 401(k) plan, workers can contribute both as employers and employees, which enhances their savings limits by nearly twice. Individuals with this plan can contribute up to $60,000 annually to their 401(k) account.

Saver(k) Plan

The Saver(k) plan might be the ideal retirement plan for small businesses with multiple employees. These plans are excellent options for companies that want to provide their employees with competitive savings options for their retirement funds and create a high-morale and highly competitive workforce. The plan has multiple provisions for employee convenience, including automatic recruitment, financial wellness assistance, online customer support, and a tax credit of up to $16,500.

Custom(k) Plan

Each business has different financial needs that are unique to its workforce. When it comes to selecting a pre-made 401(k) plan, the 'one-size-fits-all' approach might not suit every company. In such cases, companies can craft their own customized 401(k) plans according to the needs of their employees and employers. Custom 401(k) plans allow employers to have a greater degree of control over their finances, including fund transfers, loans, tax payments, and more.

Conclusion

In an increasingly competitive employment landscape, providing employees with desired benefits has become crucial to ensure high morale and talent retention. A 401(k) plan is the perfect tool to achieve these goals while securing the futures of all employers and employees working at your small business. Depending on your business needs, you can choose between multiple plans, including solo, saver, custom, and reserve 401(k) among others.

Outside of your regular savings, your emergency fund, and your retirement plans, you can also make some smart money moves with a one-time investment that either grows on its own or continues to grow with regular contributions. It starts with the first thousand dollars. 

Not sure where to invest 1000 right now? Here is some reliable advice.

Invest In Real Estate 

Real estate is always a smart investment because property is a great hedge against inflation. It’s also less risky because a piece of property, whether we’re talking about a residential rental home or a commercial unit, is a tangible asset. It always carries value, regardless of how the market is performing. 

You might wonder how you can possibly invest in real estate with only $1,000. It’s not impossible. Take your money and buy into a Real Estate Investment Trust, or a REIT. The REIT is composed of other small investors and it buys income-producing property. Shareholders receive at least 90 percent of what the trust earns. You can become a real estate investor for just $1,000, and you don’t have to assume the entire risk associated with a piece of property. 

Put $1,000 In A High Yield Savings Account 

A solid budgeting plan will make space for savings. But, how can you save in a way that earns you money? A high yield savings account is a great idea. If you want to invest $1,000, but you don’t like the risk that’s associated with stocks and the market, put that money in a high yield account, where rising interest rates are actually working to your benefit. 

You’re earning significantly more money with this type of account, so it’s a surprise that only 21 percent of Americans use them. The longer you keep your money in an account, the higher your yield. Right now, you can find online and traditional banks offering more than three percent APY on your $1,000. It’s a smart investment, and it keeps your money accessible. 

Invest In A Roth IRA

Opening a Roth IRA is a smart investment strategy even if you already have a retirement savings plan through your employer. With a Roth, you’re taking your $1,000 after taxes, which means you won’t have to pay taxes on that money when you withdraw it. Your money grows tax-free while it’s invested in the Roth. 

Here’s another reason that the Roth is so smart for investors. While your earnings cannot be deducted until the age of 59-½, you can withdraw any contributions you make at any time without penalty. So, the initial $1,000 that you deposit into your Roth IRA is available to you before your retirement date. All of your contributions can be taken out without taxes or penalties. 

Put Your $1,000 in an ETF

Mutual funds often make the most sense for investors, and while those are a great idea for your $1,000, consider investing in an exchange-traded fund, or an ETF instead. Most of the ETFs available will follow a benchmark such as the U.S. bond market or a stock market index. The brilliance of an ETF is that they often focus on a specific industry or sector of the economy. You can look for a technology ETF or a renewable energy ETF. If you’re concerned with social justice or corporate responsibility, you can target those specialized ETFs. 

You’ll pay fewer fees than you would with a mutual fund, and there’s more flexibility with how often you move your money around. 

If you haven’t already, download some personal finance software and get an idea of how your $1,000 can best work for you. 

AUTHOR BIO:

Shawn Manaher is a former financial advisor, has founded 5 online businesses, and is a coach, speaker, podcast host, and author.

He's been featured on Forbes, The Consults Corner on TAE Radio, The Writing Biz, What's Your Story, and more.

He loves to share his personal finance tips and money management wisdom with others on his website, ShawnManaher.com, to help them find financial freedom.

Author Pic: https://shawnmanaher.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/shawn.jpg

If you have any questions about managing your equity holdings and wealth management, don't hesitate to get in touch with GLP Financial Group.

Designating Your Heirs

The few minutes it takes to name beneficiaries for your Roth IRA accounts might greatly impact your heirs' financial futures. When you start a Roth IRA, you may be asked to provide the names and addresses of beneficiaries. That's why it's crucial to plan for who you want to inherit your wealth and how you want them to handle it.

You and Your Spouse

A spouse who inherits a Roth IRA has the greatest options available to them since they can simply treat the account as their own, a process known as a "spousal transfer." Your spouse can keep postponing any needed payouts till the end of their life. Your spouse must be the sole beneficiary of the first Roth IRA, but they will be able to choose their own beneficiaries later on. This alternative aids in extending the tax-free accumulation period.

Beneficiaries who are not spouses

If someone other than your spouse receives your Roth IRA as an inheritance, they will be required to take withdrawals either in a single amount or spread out over 10 years. This non-spousal beneficiary group has ten years from your death to disperse all of the account's assets. However, the whole account balance must be distributed after the ten-year term, even if there are no annual RMD requirements. 

You can give your heirs the option to receive their payouts in a lump amount if they like. All of these payments will be made to your heirs free of federal income tax if the account has been open for at least five years before your death.

Excepted Successors

Eligible designated beneficiaries are a special category of inheritors who are allowed to spread out payouts from an inherited Roth IRA over their own life expectancy without violating the standard payout limitations. Included in this group of recipients are:

• The account's new owner must be the deceased account holder's spouse.
• Anyone no more than ten years younger than you.

1. Accidents with Machinery

There are several ways in which accidents with machinery can cause serious injury to employees. Sometimes it would be while driving a loader and other times it is getting caught in the machinery’s mechanisms. These can be quite serious and if you wonder why, you might want to think about what it would be like to wrestle with something 10 or more times your weight.

According to information on https://www.rblaw.net/practices-construction-injuries, many are severe enough to render you virtually disabled going forward. This is why so many injured construction workers file claims against their employers and the employer’s insurance. If they will be unable to work in the future, they will need to be compensated so that they aren’t left penniless on the streets.

2. Falls

You probably wouldn’t want to think about falling off the scaffolding on the 20^th floor of a high rise you are working on which is why safety harnesses are so important, but even falling from the second floor can result in life threatening injuries. No matter from what distance you fall, injuries are likely to happen.

3. Vehicular Accidents

Whether driven on the road or on a construction site, vehicular accidents are some of the most common do result in injuries. In some areas of the country, roadwork uses pilot cars to lead traffic through areas where only one lane is opened at a time. Impatient drivers are known to skip the line leading to a head on collision with that pilot car, and these injuries can be life-threatening as well.

4. Building or Ground Collapsing

The kind of injuries sustained from a building or ground collapse often make the news. Although they are not as frequent as some of the other kinds of accidents listed here, they usually involve several people which is why they are so newsworthy. Also, they can lead to serious injuries rendering those employees incapacitated for working construction in the future – if they even live, that is!

5. Electrocution

If you have ever wondered why DIY projects necessitate a licensed electrician, this is your answer. Even experienced, licensed electricians can be electrocuted as can any of their peers standing close to them. Bear in mind that many buildings are raised on metal rafters which means that they are super conductors of electricity. Some workers even on another part of the room or floor can be electrocuted without even knowing they were exposed to current.

Although this may offer little consolation, sometimes lawsuits filed for injured construction workers can give them enough capital to invest, hoping to make a profit if they are unable to work in the future. Always get the best representation you possibly can when suing your employer’s insurance. It is in place for just these reasons, so don’t think that you can’t file a claim for just compensation. If you can’t, your attorney surely can!

If you’ve spent any time watching “Shark Tank,” you might think you need to be flashy or quirky to get the attention of investors. However, the truth of the matter is that in real life, there’s no substitute for an honest, straightforward value proposition. Investors by and large want to know you’ve put in the effort to plot out every conceivable detail, and most of them can spot a long-shot pitch a mile away. If you want to secure your funding round, you’re going to need to be able to deliver the goods.

Building Your Pitch

Winning your capital begins with choosing the right investors to target. Just because someone has the money to invest doesn’t necessarily mean you should approach that person. Having a solid lead backer means others will be more inclined to follow suit, because a savvy investor instills confidence that you’re a safe bet.

When it comes time to make your pitch, you need to begin with what you think makes it appealing. You should figure out what makes your idea unique and how your team and plan are poised to make the most of it. From there, cut right to the chase. Being clear and concise about your target market, solution and competitiveness is critical. Trying to appeal to emotion might make for a good story, but investors will be focused on the bottom line.

To that end, you need to have strong financial forecasts as part of your presentation. Do your research and make sure your projections demonstrate an understanding of the industry. On top of this, you must be able to give an accurate timeline showing when you expect revenue to make the venture profitable. This level of forecasting is far more important to the majority of investors than a novel idea or some type of gimmick.

Finally, you need to show that you can build the team that is necessary to execute all your ideas to their fullest potential. Once the capital is in your hands, who will be on the front lines in charge of bringing your plan to fruition?

It’s impossible to do much of anything in the world of business without the right funding, and that means being able to pitch is crucial. For more ideas on funding your next round, take a look at the accompanying resource.

Infographic created by Donnelley Financial Solutions, an SEC reporting software company

Electric vehicles are speedily replacing ICE (internal combustion engine) vehicles. According to a report by the International Energy Agency, just 120,000 electric cars were sold worldwide in the year 2012. This number is less than the average number of electric cars sold every week in 2021.

At the end of 2021, there were about 16.5 million electric cars on the world’s roads, three times the number in 2018. Still, electric cars constitute less than 2% of an estimated more than 1.4 billion cars in use globally. Despite strong year-over-year growth, it’ll take several years for ICE cars to be replaced by electric ones.

A key factor restricting the growth of electric vehicles is the availability of robust charging infrastructure. Governments globally recognize this, and that’s why they are allocating billions of dollars for developing public charging infrastructure. In the U.S., President Biden has set an audacious target of making half of all new vehicle sales in 2030 to be electric. Further, the bipartisan infrastructure bill provides for $7.5 billion investment in EV charging infrastructure.

There are more than 100,000 publicly accessible EV chargers in the U.S. However, this number pales when compared to China. The number of public EV chargers in China is roughly eight times that in the U.S. Bloomberg New Energy Finance recently stated that there will be a need of between 340 million to 450 million EV chargers by 2040.

Leading EV charging companies are trying to fill the gap

EV charging companies including ChargePoint (NYSE: CHPT), Blink Charging (NASDAQ: BLNK), EVgo (NASDAQ: EVGO), and Volta (NYSE: VLTA) are constantly innovating to make EV chargers more accessible. They are using different models (owner/operator/hybrid), are targeting different segments and markets (fleets/ commercial properties/ universities/ employers/ and so on), and are exploring different revenue options (advertising).

Despite all the efforts, the companies are still not profitable. But that isn’t necessarily a big concern. The companies are focused on gaining market share and expanding footprint. As EVs grow, these companies should benefit immensely from their investments today.

Other actors are playing their part too

The innovations in the EV charging space aren’t limited to big players. PowerHero has made an adapter that gets attached to any home charger to make it a networked charger. The homeowner can then make its charger available for use to other drivers, for a fee. Like Airbnb (NASDAQ: ABNB), this concept can revolutionize the EV charging landscape by making over a million home chargers available for public use. This can potentially speed up EV adoption drastically. PowerHero’s Peer-to-Peer economy-sharing platform can solve the problem of limited public charging capacity.

A lot to look forward to

In all, existence of a robust charging infrastructure is a prerequisite for widespread EV adoption. Companies operating in this segment are finding it difficult to make money just be selling electricity. The key lies in collaborations with commercial property owners, employers, and so on, who offer EV charging as a perk. Fleet operators are also expecting increased pressure to go electric, and form another key customer segment.

Ad revenue, platforms like PlugShare, and efforts to make home chargers networked are some other avenues which companies are (or can potentially) monetizing.

Finally, we are also seeing lots of consolidation in the segment. EVgo recently acquired PlugShare, an app to locate EV charging stations, and review them. Blink Charging is also focused on acquisitions to fuel growth. Recently, it acquired SemaConnect, which significantly expands its EV charging footprint. The EV charging space should see further consolidation in the coming years. Overall, we expect exciting times ahead for EV enthusiasts and investors.

This article explains different ways you can use contactless payments at your business, and also covers some of the key benefits that this payment technology offers – both for clients and for merchants.

How to use contactless payments

Contactless payments rely on a shortwave radio technology, known as near field communication (NFC), to establish a wireless connection between a client’s credit card or mobile phone and a merchant’s POS device. NFC is similar to Bluetooth, but it only works across very short distances.

Once contactless payments are enabled, your clients simply wave or tap their NFC-enabled payment device over your POS terminal to initiate a transaction – whether that payment device is a:

• Credit card
• Debit card
• Smartphone
• Tablet
• Wearable device

Most modern POS terminals come equipped with NFC capabilities – along with standard support for magstripe and chip cards. As such, you may be able to start accepting contactless payments without making substantial hardware upgrades. Even if your current terminal doesn’t support the technology, many smartphones and tablets can be converted into portable POS devices that can pair with inexpensive NFC-enabled mobile card readers.

What are the advantages of using contactless payments?

Contactless payments offer several benefits for clients and merchants alike.

• At a time when many Americans have concerns about handling cash, contactless payments represent a convenient option. In fact, clients can ditch their wallets entirely if they have their credit, debit, or gift cards stored in mobile wallets on NFC-enabled smartphones or wearable devices like smartwatches or fitness trackers.
• Similar to QR code menus in restaurants, contactless payments help to promote a more health-conscious environment, which is increasingly important in a world where people are a lot more concerned about touching communal things.
• Contactless payments are up to 10 times faster than other payment options, which can help lead to shorter lines, higher overall satisfaction among your clients, and more sales per hour.

Conclusion

Contactless card payments are expected to grow by 800% from 2020 to 2024, and this staggering number doesn’t even include contactless payments made through mobile devices, wearables, and other fintech innovations.

For many businesses, this growth is reason enough to begin offering contactless payment options to their clients. In fact, there’s a good chance that most of your clientele already uses some type of contactless payment technology for personal or other business-related purchases.

If you’re looking for additional reasons to offer contactless payments, download the free infographic below. It covers some of the driving forces behind contactless payment’s growing popularity across many different industries.

Infographic created by Clover, a POS system provider

1. What alternatives do I have to sell my Annuity?

Everyone should ask this question as they review their options, which is crucial. It is vital to ask for the alternatives available from a trusted financial and tax advisor with experience. They may have other ideas they’ve seen successfully used that are better options to handle whatever situation you’ve found yourself in. Selling your future structured settlement annuity payments is a significant decision.

2. Can I sell just a portion of my Annuity, or will I have to sell all of it?

Selling annuity amounts depends primarily on your reason for selling and the required amount. Selling all your annuity will help provide you with the maximum lump sum amount at once. However, if the need requires you to spend a lesser amount, such as a down payment on a house or paying off an unexpected debt, you can choose to sell just a portion of your annuity. A partial annuity payment allows you to sell your just some of your future structured settlement payments allowing you to receive periodic payments again down the road. For example, if you have 20 future payments from your annuity, you might decide to sell the next 4 of them, and when the timeframe for your 5^th payment comes the payments will kick back in.

3. How much money can I get?

You must ask this question when evaluating your potential annuity buyer company. Knowing what the company is offering will help you decide if you will proceed with the sale or not. Many aspects affect the lump sum you will receive. These factors include when you are scheduled to receive your annuity payment, the value of the payment, interest rates along with other factors as well. Also of course, the payment you receive will depend on how much of your future payments you decide to sell. The more the payments, the higher the lump sum you receive. Don't forget to evaluate different companies to ensure you get the best deal.

4. How long will it take for me to get my payments?

You should ensure you question to know when you can expect to receive your payment if the transaction is approved by the courts. This is vital for your planning and the need you want to solve.

5. Must I face the Judge?

When selling a structured settlement, you will have to face a judge and explain why you need to sell your annuity. The Judge helps to protect your wellbeing as best as possible and to ensure you are selling your annuity for a valid reason.

To conclude

These questions are a few of the vital ones to help you understand the deal. Always ask any question you think of or terms you don't understand. You want to be sure you are completely comfortable with the deal and the factoring company you are working with.

Structured settlement

This is a settlement where the money is paid in instalments for an agreed period, maybe years or months. The parties come to an agreement and the money is paid out almost always by way of an annuity set up with an insurance company. It is usually used for larger settlements.

Advantages

A structured settlement is almost always tax-free. Some structured settlement companies may charge different fees dependent on the arrangements of the agreement.

It encourages money management, saving, and spending adequately since one will receive a small amount of money after an agreed period. It also helps avoid making poor investment decisions.

A structured settlement allows a steady flow of income since one is sure they will receive the agreed upon sum of money on time. Depending on the agreed payment period, one can plan their spending to coincide with the time of payment.

Disadvantages

The plaintiff will not be able to access the entire value of their settlement if any unexpected expenses or investment opportunities arise.

You are locked into the payment schedule as agreed upon at the time of the settlement. The only way to access the value of your settlement is to sell the future payments to one of the structured settlement companies.

Lump sum settlement

This type of settlement is where the beneficiary receives the total settlement pay-out all at once. It is usually used for minimal or moderate compensation situations.

Advantages

A lump sum settlement gives you the freedom to control where and how a certain amount of money should be used. You can manage your investments and cater to unexpected expenses easily, unlike in structured settlements, where you have to wait for some time to get your cash.

It can potentially benefit critically injured beneficiaries who require enough funds to cater to their costly treatment and medical bills which could vary over time depending on how their health fluctuates. Their recommended treatments and living accommodations could change over time requiring access to a larger sum of money than initially thought at the time of the settlement occurring.

The beneficiary could also see nice financial growth if the money is invested in things that see nice value gains.

Disadvantages

Receiving a lump sum of money, especially for people used to handling a small amount, can lead to mismanagement and spending the money on unnecessary things.

Investing a large sum of money all at once has the potential to be a good thing, should the investments go in a positive direction. Still, it can lead to significant losses if the investment goes unexpectedly, unlike in structured settlement where you would only be able to invest a smaller amount based on your annuity payment schedule and decide to reinvest depending on the initial investment results.

Both structured settlements and lump sums can be beneficial depending on your situation. If you are locked into a structured settlement and find yourself in need of a larger lump sum you can always attempt to sell your future payments to a structured settlement company which would require court approval.