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4 Tips to Make a Profit in Crude Oil Trading

Last Updated: August 28, 2024

Often referred to as black gold, crude oil is a very profitable commodity for traders. However, although it can be quite lucrative, trading in crude oil isn’t easy, especially if you don’t have the right information and proper strategies.

The liquidity of crude oil as a commodity, the volatility in prices, and various other factors (such as the costs of isolating Russia, one of the world’s largest oil producers) contribute to fluctuations that impact the price. Consequently, in order to make money from trading crude oil, you need to understand all the factors, as well as all the hidden pitfalls that can eat into your earnings.

To make it easier for small traders to succeed, we’ve put together four tips that will help them make money in crude oil trading.

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1. Have a Trading Strategy

Creating a solid strategy is one of the first and most important steps to consider when trading in crude oil. Not having a strong plan could very easily lead to losses. Trading in crude oil is very different from investing in the stock market. In order to ensure profitability in crude oil trading, you need to have a solid knowledge of the energy sector.

It is highly recommended to work with expert market advisors that are well-informed in the global political and social-economic trends, especially in countries that export the commodity. For instance, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine caused petrol prices to hit another record high. At one point, oil spiked to $139 a barrel, reaching the highest level for almost 14 years, whereas wholesale gas prices for next-day delivery more than doubled.

Keeping an eye on such trends and knowing when drastic changes take place will help you make more informed decisions and prevent significant losses.

2. Learn how Crude Oil Moves

Crude oil moves based on supply and demand perceptions, which are influenced by global output and worldwide economic development. Traders are encouraged to sell crude oil markets when demands are shrinking and there’s oversupply while rising demand and dropping or flat output encourage traders to bid higher.

Strong uptrends can be created by a tight convergence of positive components, like the surge of oil prices to $25.9 per barrel in 2001 and $93.25 per barrel in 2014. Conversely, downtrends can be created by a tight concentration of unfavorable components, like on the day after the USA and allies launched an attack on Iraq when the oil price dropped 33% in January 1991.

3. Try different Trading Strategies

There are four top crude oil trading strategies you can try:

Buy and Hold

which is considered the best and most popular crude oil trading strategy. Traders examine supply and demand factors before taking a calculated position, and then cancel their positions to book profits before expiry if their prediction comes true.

Spread Strategy

which tends to be less risky than outright long or short trading positions. The goal is to profit from the predicted difference in both contracts’ selling and purchasing prices.

Swing Strategy

is a method in which you buy and hold a commodity for a short length of time. It can last anywhere between a few minutes to 3-4 days. To predict the market’s trend, swing traders use short-term variations in demand and supply, candlestick charts, and technical analysis.

Technical Analysis Strategy

This is a method where technical indicators such as trading volume, bar charts, and candlesticks are used by traders to forecast crude oil’s future price movement and make investment decisions.

4. Differentiate between different Types of Crude Oil

It’s crucial to understand the differences between West Texas Instrument (WTI) and Brent crude. The former is produced inland in the United States by fracking, whereas the latter is produced offshore. Due to greater WTI production and output relative to offshore Brent, the previously established price convergence between WTI and Brent has begun to diverge over the preceding decade. If you’re an investor who wants to gamble on both alternatives, you’ll need to understand their unique performance.

Final Thoughts

Whether you are a big corporation or a small trader, trading in crude oil can be highly profitable if done properly. In order to make consistent profits in the crude oil market, traders must have a remarkable skill set. Market participants interested in trading crude oil futures and derivatives must understand the physical differences across grades, the commodity’s long-term price history, what moves it, and, of course, have a solid strategy.

4 Important Things To Consider When Looking For An Online Bank

Last Updated: August 28, 2024

More and more people are tired of the traditional banking methods and are looking for something more convenient. Nowadays, we are all on the go and the cash payment method is slowly fading.

Online banks offer numerous benefits such as on-the-go withdrawals and deposits, analytic tools, money management strategies, mobile applications, virtual and physical cards, and much more.

If you are new to the world of online banking, then we have just the tips for you to make your process of transition seamless. Here are 4 things you should be looking for in an online bank.

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Convenience

Time is money and with today’s fast-paced way of living, nobody wants to wait in a line to make a withdrawal or a payment. In addition to that, most of the time time, mistakes occur during the process of filling out money orders manually which later leads to additional administrative hassles and headaches.

Online banking completely transforms the world of banking by providing all the usual services, adding new services and features, and, ultimately, completely putting queues out of fashion.

Many standard banks indeed offer online banking services but not all of them are up to par. A sign of a great online bank is a properly developed and functioning mobile app and website that will provide you with 24/7 access to your money account, let you make payments on the go, and provide top of the line security and analytic tools.

Withdrawing from ATMs owned by other banks can be quite pricey. An online bank should offer ATMs and bank locators so that you can avoid high fees on other ATMs.

Always look for an online bank that goes above and beyond to offer more. Online banks should offer unique features like money goals that will help you save money and make your spending pragmatically calculated.

Reasonable Fees

Brick-and-mortar banks never hesitate to charge you monthly fees, and high fees for ATM withdrawals and there’s no way to go around them. Online banks, on the other hand, offer lower or no fees as they don’t have to worry about branch maintenance and these are the banks that you should be aiming for. Furthermore, overdraft fees that are sidelined and low ATM fees are indicators of a great online bank that cares for its customers.

Traditional banks usually require a certain sum for an account to be opened. With online banks, anyone with internet access and the need for convenience can do it easily on their mobile phones.

With such strong competitive rates offered by online banks, it’s no wonder that traditional banks are no longer the go-to banking method.

Customer Service And Alerts

Of course, technology isn’t flawless and sometimes you will find yourself in need of a helping hand with your online banking experience. Check whether the bank provides 24/7 customer service so that problems can be resolved instantly.

With today’s busy schedule, it’s hard to keep track of everything that’s happening with our bank account. To tackle this, the bank should provide e-mail or mobile application notifications for every outgoing and incoming transaction as well as changes in the account balance.

Privacy And Security

You should feel confident that the money placed in the financial institution is completely safe and fraud-proof. As mentioned above, the bank should provide alerts if suspicious activity is noticed. Look for a bank that offers FDIC-insured accounts, which means your funds are protected by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation.

Choose a bank that offers two-step verification to avoid unwanted events if someone manages to breach the first line of defense for your bank account, the password. Some banks also offer Face ID and fingerprint recognition, which are top-of-the-line security measures.

Always look for the padlock symbol in the URL area of your browser when using an online bank’s website. This means that the website is secured by a digital certificate and that any information exchanged between you and the website is secure.

Final Thoughts

Because of their convenience, online banks have taken over the world, and it appears that they are firing on all cylinders as a growing number of people recognize the benefits of online banking. Choosing the right online bank is of significant importance to your financial health. Look for the above-mentioned features as a guide to help you decide on an online bank.

How do SaaS Companies Achieve Product-Led Growth?

Last Updated: May 7, 2022

In the past two decades, the SaaS industry has evolved by leaps and bounds. Since its advent in 1999, the approaches that companies take to market themselves in the industry have changed drastically.

Earlier, the companies relied heavily on outbound marketing techniques like cold calling, and then came the trend of Inbound marketing and sales-led growth. However, these approaches are slowly becoming obsolete, and the industry is shifting its focus toward product-led growth strategies.

It is the strategy that enables a company to acquire and retain customers based on the product’s value. The prospects sign up for the product for free, and if they see any value in the product, they might choose to become a paid customer. A company solely focuses on providing the best value to the users because user satisfaction directly translates to more customers.

Smart solution companies like Toplyne offer advanced tools for SaaS companies enabling them to identify the best free users who are more likely to become their premium subscribers. Using such tools, companies can improve their sales pipeline. The product offered by companies like Toplyneis are easy to implement and offers room for experimentation with go-to-market strategies.

Using such tools can increase revenue, reduce the sales cycle, and reduce waste of resources as SaaS companies can figure out who their potential customers are.

So, how can SaaS companies achieve product-led growth? Read on to know.

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Determine the Value Proposition

The primary step a company must take is to determine the value proposition of the product and the overall business.

The companies must have answers to questions like, what customers get from using the product, what they feel, and how they want to be perceived while using the product.

As the company starts finding the answers to those questions, they will be able to understand the product’s value better. After determining the value proposition, the companies can communicate it with the customers.

Deliver the Value Proposition

The value that is being delivered to the customers can be deemed as the experienced value, whereas the value that the companies promise is perceived value.

So, the experienced value must be the same or more than the perceived value for customer satisfaction. This way, the customers will trust the company more and not hesitate to become paid customers.

Chart an Easy Onboarding Process

When a prospect starts using the platform and begins to explore what value the product adds to their life can be considered an onboarding process. The companies must make it exceptionally easy for the users to onboard themselves on the platform. The platform must have all the instructions and tutorials the users might need to enjoy the product and reap its benefits.

The more time a product requires for onboarding, the more prolonged the experienced value stage is, which can frustrate the user and make them opt for another product.

More Collaboration Among Various Teams

Traditionally, all the teams work independently from each other, but that is now a thing of the past. Since in the PLG approach, the product must be top-notch along with the sales department, and it requires extensive collaboration from all the various departments.

From the developers to marketing and sales, each department must collaborate to improve the value proposition and acquire more customers.

These are some of the ways through which SaaS companies can achieve product-led growth. Using solutions like Toplyne makes the job easier as artificial intelligence helps recognize the people who are already further up in the decision-making process, which also reduces the sales cycle for the company.

How to Claim Car Insurance After an Accident?

Last Updated: August 28, 2024

Insurance is pretty much a part of our lives. Since most states require people to own auto insurance for their vehicles, you would already know what it is. In fact, you also have an idea of how it should work. But things can get foggy when you have to claim car insurance after an accident or a collision.

We’ll explain the types of claims and how to claim auto insurance in case of an accident. Do note that the actual steps and processes may slightly vary depending on the state.

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First Things First

What do you do when there’s been a traffic accident or a collision that damaged your vehicle in some way? The prime step is to check for injuries and call 911. Neither you nor others involved in the accident should have to end up at risk due to the lack of timely treatment.

You need to call the police to file an official report. Calling 911 should take care of medical and police assistance unless there’s another specific number to dial for the police.

The next step is to consider the extent of damage to the car. Will it work on its own, or should the vehicle be towed to the nearest garage? If your car needs towing, you can either call the towing company on your own or ask the police to take care of the issue. Save the receipts to submit when you file a claim for reimbursement.

Of course, if you have roadside assistance cover, you can directly contact the insurer to send someone to handle it. Remember that invoking roadside assistance doesn’t mean you don’t have to file a claim. They are two different aspects.

Filing a Claim

You can file a claim when you or another person has been injured by the accident. Bodily injury and property damage are both acceptable claims. What if there is no other party involved in the car accident?

Some accidents can happen by the sudden fall of a tree, landslide, rocks rolling down the hills, or even in a garage. Theft is also a valid reason to file a claim on your car insurance. Since the focus of our post is about claims after an accident, we’ll stick to it.

First-Party Claim or Third-Party Claim

The auto insurance claim you file after an accident is of two types. A first-party claim is when you contact your insurance company to reimburse or pay for the expenses. A third party claim is when you contact the driver/another person/ business’ insurer as they are responsible for the accident.

The insurance companies will carry out their own investigation when processing the claim. So, it is always better, to be honest at this stage and file the right claim. If you have caused the accident and inadvertently harmed the other person, you file the first party claim. If you have been injured by another vehicle or person and are the injured member, you file a third-party claim.

For a first-party claim, it’s recommended to open the claim so that your insurance company can investigate and find the truth (especially if the other party declares that you are at fault). This won’t matter if you live in a no-fault state. The insurance companies will get involved no matter who is the cause of the accident.

However, what if the other party was responsible for the accident? In that case, your insurance company will settle the dues after you pay the deductible. Then, it will directly deal with the other party’s insurer to settle the amount and get reimbursement for paying the bills.

When dealing with a third-party claim, you have two options. You can either accept the money they offer or file a fresh claim with your insurer and let the companies work the money matters. This option is for when the third-party insurance company offers very little to settle the claim.

Steps to Follow to File a Claim for Auto Insurance

Call the insurer on the given toll-free number, send an email to customer care, or use the mobile app of the insurance company.
Provide your policy number, date of birth, identification information, and zip code.
Present your version of the events (preferably with a witness on your side).
Collect the necessary documents, receipts, bills, contact information, etc., and share the photocopies with the insurer. Make multiple copies and save the originals carefully.
Meet the insurance adjuster and be courteous.
Don’t go for repairs until the inspections are over.
Keep track of every conversation and update.

Don’t forget that you can always Find a Better Deal on Car Insurance by talking to insurance agents and other agencies. Find the best affordable auto insurance to suit your budget and stay protected on the roads.

Disrupt the Process rather than the Product–Product Manager’s role in disruptive market forces

Last Updated: August 28, 2024

Nearly three decades after the theory of disruption was introduced in business, entrepreneurs, marketers, and design engineers are still grappling to find the correct definition and implementation for it.

Disruptive innovation is broadly defined as designing a novel product or service that addresses the needs of some niche customers and then is scaled up to challenge the established players in the market. Gartner defines it as, “The process of conceiving, defining, delivering, monitoring and refining products in, and withdrawing products from, a market in order to maximize business results.”

The architect of disruption theory, Clayton M. Christensen, and his co-authors say that if product managers fail to understand the disruption theory and are unsuccessful in applying its tenets correctly to their product, then the whole business strategy of a company or business goes haywire.

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Disruptive Innovation

What is moot to the whole disruptive debate and the concomitant disruptive innovation is that it is a process. According to Christensen, healthy “disruption” is not confined to end products, but it disrupts the processes that lead to the end product and creates lasting value for the business.

Innovative disruption is routinely used for any situation that disrupts an industry leader’s position in the market. This means that no distinction is made about the innovation’s impact on a particular industry or situation.

What needs to be kept in mind is that industry disruptions are ongoing conditions and not sudden transient happenings that disrupt and disappear.

Organizations that have agile teams have a competitive advantage, and those who don’t, should focus on building one so that they can become resilient and adapt to a rapidly changing environment.

Product Manager’s Role in Changing Processes

Product managers many times fail to use innovations in the correct context. Conventional product management isn’t geared towards seamless experiences for the customers or giving agile holistic solutions for any disruptive market problems.

Today, product managers are expected to leverage their skills across the board of a product life cycle to impact an organization’s development and strategies.

They have evolved from being mere departmental heads to be now known as the “ground level CEOs” involved in driving a company’s core policies.

Transition to this position by enrolling in product management courses in India and honing your skills. Create strategic value and solutions at both the product level and the processes that shape it.

Customer-centric

This highly data-driven field is customer-centric. Product managers keep an eye on the evolving market and changing customer needs. The pandemic has brought about sweeping changes in customer behavior, Pre-Pandemic, there were clear signals about market trends and customer behavior patterns to follow, but the pandemic has been a great disruptor with consumers demanding easier, accessible, cheaper, and faster products. According to research by Accenture, there was a 30 percent increase in disruption levels between 2011 and 2018, in the consumers’ goods, service, and retail sectors. Post-pandemic, this figure is bound to cross 50 percent.

Multi-focus

They need to have in-depth knowledge of the product’s life cycle so that they can immediately adapt and change courses to meet any unexpected market disruptions.

A product manager needs to be fully conversant with design, engineering, sales, customer services, marketing, budgeting, and product compliance needs. It is a collaborative and interdisciplinary process.

He collates and collaborates between various verticals and streamlines processes involved in bringing the product from the research table to the retail shelves or the end-user.

According to the Product Management Trends and Benchmark Report 2020, company profits can increase by 34 percent with a fully optimized product manager.

The Disruptive Process

Product management is an iterative process that depends on making decisions based on data analysis, feedback, and outcomes.

Product managers need to be data-driven to separate fads or transient trends from true disruptions. Data analysis helps to identify and anticipate market conditions or potential value additions for future product success.

The product management approach is about building product road maps for better strategies. It is about taking a holistic approach to a problem by making use of cross-functional teams focused on outcomes. This ensures a solution-focused approach that transforms disruptions into opportunities.

Companies with this approach can afford to build on long-term growth goals without being affected by any sudden upsets in the market.

This is because the roadmap works on building processes that can withstand sudden headwinds and ride the tailwinds in the market.

If you want to be a part of the process and meet the challenge of being a mini CEO, join our product management course.

Online Side Hustles: 10 Tips to Get Started

Last Updated: August 28, 2024

Today, many people find it difficult to depend solely on their salary to meet their personal and family needs. With the current cost of living, relying on only one source of income makes you feel like you’re not making any headway.

Aside from that, you may have debts to pay, and a percentage of what you earn is deducted to cater for those loans. For that reason, you’d want to bring in some extra income by starting an online side hustle.

Having a profitable side hustle can assure you of financial security and eliminate the constant fear of job loss. With a bit of creativity and commitment, you’re sure to have additional cash to supplement your current budget. That said, have a look at some of the tips to get started:

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1. Choose A Suitable Online Hustle

For starters, there’s a long list of online side hustles and you need to pick one that suits your line of interest. Have time for self-reflection to establish your outstanding skills or even a hobby.

For instance, if you like reviewing products, you can spend your free time filling out online paid surveys. Luckily, it’s not difficult to get one since you only need to register and have a profile and portfolio on a reliable platform. Afterward, the operators contact you the moment they find a survey that suits your profile.

Here are some of the benefits of doing paid surveys as a side hustle:

They’re entirely free to take part.
You can work from the comfort of your home.
They pay very well.
You have a choice of selecting the type of surveys you prefer.
Your opinions count since businesses take them into consideration.

2. Determine Your Start-up Capital

All online hustles have a start-up cost. Thus, it’s wise to draft your budget early enough to get ample time to build up enough savings.

That said, here’s a list of items and expenses to include in your budget:

Data or reliable Wi-Fi for internet connection
Accounting software for bookkeeping
A smartphone and laptop
Office equipment, if needed
Advertising costs
A payroll structure if you require workers to assist you with your hustle

To be safe, try to cut your costs to conserve your starting capital as you grow. For more insight, consider seeking advice from friends running similar gigs. Alternatively, you can get ideas by listening to podcasts, attending online events, and visiting reliable professional networking platforms such as LinkedIn.

2. Plan Your Schedule

Most workers are under pressure in their workplace and might find it challenging to manage a side gig. However, it’d not make sense to have a side hustle that you can’t make time for. Aside from your daily job routine, you have to keep in mind that you have other commitments to attend to.

For that reason, consider having a to-do list and allocate your non-working time to each task. Having such a healthy schedule helps you plan ahead of time and balance the workload. Nevertheless, you’ll prevent unnecessary burnout if you make time for self-care.

4. Know Your Trade

Understanding your market is your best chance of achieving customer satisfaction. People have different tastes and preferences, which is one of the primary things that drives them to settle for a particular item or service. Clearly, you can’t sell a commodity without first finding out your customers’ likes and dislikes.

For instance, suppose your online side hustle involves website development. Your potential clients typically have some features they want to be integrated into their online platforms. Be sure you know exactly what your client wants before you accept the job.

Besides, if you go ahead and fail to meet their specifications, this might cost you an important client. In addition, you’ll receive negative reviews, which is very bad for business. Therefore, make a point of learning more about your trade to improve your service.

On top of that, you should communicate constantly and make relevant inquiries to help you identify if something is missing and what needs improvement. This way, you can address your current shortcomings and establish a long-term relationship.

5. Set Practical Goals

Every business person must work hard to attain their daily or weekly objectives. Starting an online side hustle requires commitment for you to earn some extra money aside from your full-time job. Therefore, you should generate a reasonable amount of revenue to cater to your expenses and, at the same time, earn considerable profit.

For a start, don’t put too much pressure on yourself by targeting a figure so high that you can’t hit it. On the other hand, don’t aim at making a small profit because it may not be feasible in the long run. In other words, you should be smart in setting your goals.

Aside from the cash aspect, you also need to set goals regarding your work output. For instance, if you’re into proofreading, you can have a work goal of two articles a day. If you stick to your plan, you’ll make handsome profits with time.

7. Make Time For Training

Depending on the nature of the online hustle you intend to take, you may have to consider some formal training to acquire the requisite knowledge.

For instance, if you want to offer online bookkeeping services for clients, you must have a basic knowledge of using accounting software like QuickBooks. Therefore, you can consider enrolling in relevant courses if you’re dealing with such technical side hustle.

Remember, it isn’t mandatory to go for paid courses. Right now, there are dozens of free online tutorials you can take advantage of. This helps you get equipped with relevant skills, experience, and wide-ranging content about your particular industry.

But if your choice of side hustle is a bit complex and there are no free tutorials, make a point of attending a comprehensive online course to get the best training. With a good background and a willingness to grasp new content, you’ll undoubtedly experience quick results.

7. Decide Where To Work From

Online side hustle comes in two categories. You can opt for a passive income remote gig or choose one that offers an active income. The good thing about having a side gig that generates passive income is that it only requires a few hours of your time.

Most people do it for fun and generate some income out of it. On that note, if you prefer this, you shouldn’t be worked up about setting up a workstation. For instance, bloggers, YouTubers, and Instagram influencers can work from the comfort of their homes.

However, online jobs that generate active income are very demanding and might require you to hire a team of professional workers. For this reason, you’ll need to have an office setting to manage your operations effectively. They include:

An E-commerce store
Animation and video making
Web designing

8. Market Yourself

Marketing is an essential aspect of the business world. If you can’t reach your target audience, you may not do any meaningful business. Since you’re dealing with online activities, you’d want to use online marketing to promote your gig. This way, customers can easily find you and consider your product or service.

Below is a breakdown of ways to market your online hustle:

Create a website.
Embark on search engine optimization (SEO) for readers to quickly find your site on search engine results pages.
Post your product or service on popular social media channels.
Develop a good portfolio.
Request your current clients for reviews and referrals.
Start a blog.

9. Differentiate Yourself

Competition is unavoidable in the business world. Indeed, you’re not the only provider of a product or service in the market. You’ll be positioning your online hustle against a pool of established competitors in the industry.

Nevertheless, most of these players will make a move to try to outmatch your performance. This is common as most existing businesses view entry into the market as a threat. On the other hand, customers always demand the best, and you’ll need to give them a reason to choose your services.

Therefore, to avoid such market frustrations, make a point of having a competitive advantage. Make sure you’re excellent at what you do to provide something unique and outstanding. Here’s an outline of some of the differentiating factors:

Pricing Strategy: Charge reasonable prices depending on your market evaluation. Also, don’t reject low-priced contracts because they initially help you get experience.
Remarkable Customer Service: Keep your customers coming back by fully satisfying their needs.

10. Prepare For A Challenging Opening Period

Successful businesses don’t take a month or two to build from scratch. The owners most likely invest their resources and time in laying a good foundation. In that regard, it’d be good to be emotionally prepared for such challenges initially.

An online hustle has its share of challenges, especially at the initial stages. Problems are meant to be solved, and like any other businessperson, you need to step up to the task and find a way out of it. You have no reason to quit the moment things take a rough turn.

However, it might take a while before you get your first contract or the right traffic for your channel. Consider consulting the experts in your field or using the internet to help you find the answers.

Furthermore, be patient enough and give your hustle a growth period for consistent long-term performance. This could potentially be your full-time job in the future.

Conclusion

An online side hustle could be the solution to your limited budget. This is a stepping stone to being your own boss, gaining additional experience, and achieving ultimate financial freedom.

Getting started on one shouldn’t be a complicated process. Make sure to take into consideration the above tips and others to have your online side gig up and running. Besides, make a point of selecting a side hustle that matches your interests and skills.

Eight Valuable Skills You Need as a Construction Contractor

Last Updated: August 28, 2024

Are you considering a job in the construction industry? The industry is known for high job satisfaction, and for being tailored toward those looking to make lifelong careers for themselves. However, before taking advantage of the opportunities the construction industry provides, there are some essential skills you’ll need under your belt to score jobs (in addition to licenses and certifications which will differ wildly depending on where you live). To get you started, here are eight valuable skills you need as a construction contractor:

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Hand-Eye Coordination and Dexterity

Having an excellent grasp over your limbs, and your ability to use them with finesse and precision is key to being a successful construction contractor. Hand-eye coordination helps prevent mistakes, ensures precision, and helps prevent accidents on the job site. Without a strong grasp of how to properly line up a nail and hammer, after all, you’ll be having a hard time getting by day to day on a construction job site.

Knowledge of Power Tools

For the majority of construction workers, some type of power tool or advanced-level tool is needed to complete their tasks. If you’re not already familiar with these tools, studying up on them and getting practicing for the exam before and looking for work is crucial. The more knowledge you have in this area, the better, as these tools can help you perform a job to the best of your ability (a quality that will help you retain excellent, well-paying jobs).

Excellent Reading and Math Skills

People often forget just how much math and reading are involved in construction contracting. Physical strength and the ability to work long hours will not matter if you do not understand how to properly carry out instructions. Those instructions will often have measurements and other specifications that will require a strong grasp of both math and reading skills to execute, so if you’re lacking in this area, you’ll need to do some extra studying before going to get your certifications.

Memorization Talent

There are always a lot of tasks that need to be carried out on construction sites at any given time. When you’re given tasks and instructions, your ability to remember them without needing constant reminders and additional instruction is key to keeping the job going smoothly. There’s no way to get on your manager’s nerves faster than slowing operations down due to a bad memory, or a lack of dedication to keeping your instructions firmly in the front of your mind, after all.

Communication Skills

Teamwork is one of the most important skills you can bring to the construction site, and communication skills will be crucial for you to work with a team. Knowing how to take and give out information and instructions adequately will help you climb the ladder in the industry effectively as well. Whether it’s verbal or written, knowing how to communicate in a professional, efficient, and clearly-stated manner is a must for any professional construction worker.

Drone Flight Abilities

Drone technology is becoming more and more integrated into construction workers’ day-to-day tasks. Especially on large, commercial construction sites, drones allow you to see your site from useful, previously unavailable angles. This additional information can help keep the job going smoothly and will improve the quality of the project overall. If you already know how to pilot a drone, the skill can be used to help you gain jobs in the construction industry, where even seasoned workers might not have had the time to develop this newly-in-demand skill.

Problem Solving and Critical Thinking Skills

Instructions that you’ll be following on a construction site will not always be detailed in a step-by-step, 100% set out for you manner. When you are between moments where you can talk to a manager, having the problem-solving and critical thinking skills needed to keep work moving is crucial. Many unplanned problems and issues will arise during each contract you take on as well, so strong critical thinking and problem-solving skills will ensure you’re able to overcome them effectively.

Physical Strength and Endurance

Even if you have a skill set that includes all of the other qualities above, it can be difficult to work effectively as a construction contractor without physical strength and endurance. While there are jobs that can be done by those who are not blessed in this area, the majority of construction contractors will need to exert themselves in a fairly intense manner on a near-daily basis to do their jobs.

Your Future Career Awaits You

With these eight skills under your belt, you’ll be a dream hire for many construction industry employers. Even if you cannot manage each of these eight skills, having even half of them will ensure you’re highly employable. With the right grit and determination, you can kickstart your career in construction by the end of 2020.

How to get started with Instagram Stories for Business

Last Updated: August 28, 2024

Almost 50% of the population are Instagram lovers and thus it becomes easy for you to extend your reach through Instagram. Instagram users are always aware of the new products currently trending on Instagram. To match up with their followers or to be active on the social platform, they prefer to get such a brand.

Therefore, Instagram stories have been a huge hit for a decade for promoting products and services in the market. To make it successful more than four million brands have started using their Instagram stories to increase their customer base.

If you are launching a startup or introducing new products or services in the market or are trying to extend your distribution channel through Instagram you can try out the Instagram stories for the same. For getting a complete understanding of getting started with Instagram stories for business, you can take a small look at this article.

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5 Tips to use Instagram Stories for Business Successfully

Creative Ideas

Try to be creative with your ideas. Always remember that you have only a few minutes to get the attention of your targeted Instagram leads. If you try to reuse any content, the artificial intelligence of Instagram will automatically identify the same and will put you into a different format.

Therefore you need to plan very well the vertical format of your stories and initiate from the start. Try to use mobile phones to shoot such advertisements to make it look like regular content for all Instagram users.

You can also try to blend it with the expectations of your leads to make it more expressive and impressive. Again, you can use the status of Instagram to showcase your mobile shot videos so that the residents can connect with your product or services.

Length of the Videos

Keep the videos short and simple on the Instagram stories. Always remember that you are using Instagram stories to gain a wider reach on your customer base. To make your stories or posts effective you can try to keep your video shorts up to 15 seconds.

And the images should not last more than 5 seconds. If the videos are quick and moving, they can get into the eyes of your leads. You can use the motion features to add effects to the still images and can try using different animated stickers for extra effects.

Again, make sure that the whole idea of your new launch should get immensely covered in that 15 seconds video otherwise it will be of no use. The key message of your product should hit the minds of your customers. This is one such strategy that is used by the iPhone company during all its new launches.

Maintain an Identity

When hitting the Instagram stories, try to maintain your color scheme and logo so that you don’t get lost in the crowd. It will not only help your targeted customers to identify you but will elevate your brand image. Try to use Instagram templates to give it a kickstart.

The artificial intelligence of Instagram understands the needs and the minds of its users and thus has designed templates that can easily hit their customers’ minds. Therefore, to keep your brand’s tone universal, you can either use the pre-designed template or can get something new. Whatever it is, always try to be consistent with it whenever you are posting on your Instagram stories.

Make the Posts Attractive Using Instagram Tools

You will find a wide range of Incognito stickers on Instagram to woo your customers with your posts. You can also use such stickers on your stories to make them look attractive and to get popular on Instagram.

Again you can also try to tag the location of any desired store or place on your posts. It will make people’s search a bit easier. Whenever they click on such a link, they will be redirected to another post or the location they are looking for.

This will boost your brand’s marketability. You can try using certain characters on your videos played by any of your customers and all employees to promote your business better on Instagram.

If any good investor or ambassador is following your profile, they will get influenced and impressed by your work and launch and can offer you a better platform or can help you to increase your popularity on Instagram either to save their future investment or to strengthen your business relationship.

Introduce Poll/Contests for feedback

You can introduce contests or votes on Instagram to get the feedback of your targeted customers. This will not only give you an idea about your current market profile but will also give you a suspect about your customer’s preference and changing terms.

Try to keep such polls very simple and interesting. Include certain fun facts in such polls or contests so that the responses are recorded at once.

Conclusion

Since millions of users visit Instagram daily, it can become a great platform to gain brand awareness. Apart from these five tips to get started with Instagram stories and gain wider reach on Instagram you can curate many other interesting ideas to get started with your business with your Instagram crowd.

Furthermore, you can also track other businesses and their progress on Instagram and can save their highlights as strategies for your future reference. Always remember to keep a regular track of your posts hit so that you can improvise it daily either yourself through your team members.

4 Tips To Convert Instagram Engagements Into Sales

Last Updated: August 28, 2024

Imagine these scenarios: company essentials = 5,000 comments per month, bills payment = 2,000 likes per month; employee salaries = 15,000 shares per month. How easy life would be if these are possible, but the bitter reality is that we can’t convert Instagram engagements to pay for our bills or any other bill.

However, it doesn’t mean your engagements are useless. Improving your Instagram marketing strategy and making it effective can convert these comments, shares, and likes into sales. Yet before diving further into details, it’s crucial to understand the power of selling on Instagram.

In case you don’t know, more than 50% of Instagram users follow different brands. Around 500 million active users visit at least one brand per day. The same goes for other social media platforms, but Instagram has better potential than them.

Instagram is more than just a tool you can use to catch up with your family and friends. Most of its one billion users use it to communicate with their favorite brands, research new items, and purchase influencer-approved products.

Now that you understand how effective Instagram generates sales, it’s time to look at some of the most effective tactics that convert engagements into sales.

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Use Instagram Automation Tools

Responding as quickly as possible to customer queries may seem impossible sometimes, especially when you’re out of business hours. Fortunately, some tools can automate repetitive processes, such as real-time responses to customers’ comments and messages.

You can provide relevant answers to your customers with these tools, even if you’re not around. Likewise, don’t forget to include destination links in your automated response that will redirect your customers to your site once they click it.

In addition, automation tools will help you become more efficient to stay on top of the growing and intense competition in the market. However, not all tools available in the market are the same. Therefore, it’s critical to choose only the best Instagram automation tool to help meet your needs.

Optimize Your Bio

Customers will visit your page if they want to know more about your brand. With this, the first thing they’ll see is your bio. Instagram bio is similar to your calling card; it’s brief and includes everything prospects should know firsthand.

A successful bio converts engagements into customers and generates potential prospects. However, it’s not easy to construct an effective bio that drives conversions and sales. In that case, you might want to look at the tips and tricks below for creating the best Instagram bio:

Use It To Target Ideal Users

Write a bio that discusses what your ideal audience would want to hear. It will help them understand your business more. Should they find your bio meets their interests, they’ll unhesitatingly click that ‘follow’ button.

Add Call-To-Action Statements For Your Link

When writing a call-to-action statement in your bio, let your audience know what’s inside the link in your bio. Here’s an example: “Check out our tips, guides, and tools below.” Moreover, don’t be afraid to use some icons and emojis to highlight your link and add a touch of personality to it.

Add Your Contact Details

Don’t forget to include your contact details in your bio to allow prospects to reach out to you in the manner you prefer. You may add your email address, website link, local phone numbers, etc. Here’s an example you can use: “PLEASE EMAIL ONLY, NO DMs: youremail@example.com.”

Set Up Your Instagram Shopping

If you have an E-commerce platform, you can use Instagram shopping to boost your engagements and increase your conversions. It will allow you to upload your entire product selection directly on Instagram. This feature lets viewers browse your products and make purchases without leaving the social media platform.

If you’re not satisfied, how about this: around 140 million users visit Instagram shopping every month. Therefore, you’ll miss out on the opportunities to increase your sales if you’re not using it. Indeed, it can help you boost your page traffic up to 2,000%.

Here are the simple steps to set up your Instagram shopping:

Link your Instagram business account to your Facebook page.
Then integrate your E-commerce website account and create a product catalog using Commerce Manager.
Connect your product catalog to your Instagram business account and wait for the approval.
Once approved, you may start tagging your products from the catalog every time you post new content, reels, or stories related to your products.

When people see your posts, they’ll see a shopping bag icon below. Once they tap it, tags will show up, and they can tap them again to see other details, such as prices and product names.

Create Reels

If you’re serious about converting your engagement into sales, you need to avoid repeating the same strategies. Instead, look for new tools and features that may generate better yields. One of the best examples of this would be Instagram’s Reels.

Reels work the same way as Instagram Stories. Both will let you add stickers, emojis, music, overlays, and other elements. However, Reels aren’t gone after 24 hours, unlike Stories. They remain on your profile permanently so that new followers may see them anytime.

On top of that, Reels have a 2,200-character limit for captions, giving you a lot of opportunities to produce educational content that encourages every viewer to engage.

Some tips and ideas to use Reels effectively are as follows:

Show the reality of your business through behind-the-scenes footage, even if some may look bad. You may also show expectations vs. reality to garner more attention.
Tell the story of your business and introduce yourself and your brand to everyone, especially to your new followers.
Post educational content, such as tips, guides, etc. Make it as comprehensive as possible to keep your audience engaged.
Release a sneak peek or teaser trailer of products you’ll be launching soon.

These ideas can help up your engagement and possibly convert them to sales. Try and test each of these ideas and see what will benefit you the most.

Final Words

Instagram is a powerful social media platform that can take your business to the next level. One of the purposes of using it for business is to improve brand awareness through engagements.

However, gaining engagement alone is not enough to boost your sales. Instead, mix the appropriate techniques and strategies presented here to convert these engagements into sales and transform your Instagram into a profit-making platform for your company.

8 Gifts For Your Employees To Make Them Feel Appreciated

Last Updated: August 28, 2024

Although you may feel like your employees work hard and are always putting in a day’s worth of effort, they might not express that same appreciation back to you. It is important to give your employees something that will make them feel appreciated. A company gift for employees can be anything from a coffee mug or sweatshirt to a gift card for a store of their choice. This will show your employees that you care about them and recognize their hard work. In this article, we will discuss 8 ways to show your team members just how much their efforts mean to you without going out of your way.

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A Day at the Spa

Employees often go through tough times at work. It can be difficult to focus on work when you are feeling stressed or unhappy.

To make your employees feel appreciated, give them a day at the spa! This will allow them to relax and rejuvenate themselves.

There are many different types of spas that offer a variety of services. You can choose to go with a traditional spa, or you can choose to go with a more holistic approach.

Whatever you choose, make sure that the spa offers a variety of treatments that will make your employees feel special. They will appreciate the thoughtfulness and effort that you put into making their day special.

A Gift that Makes Them Happy

It can be tough to find the perfect gift for your employees, but there are plenty of options available. Here are some ideas for gifts that will make your employees happy.

A funny mug or T-shirt: A funny mug or T-shirt is a great way to show your employees that you care. If they have a sense of humor, they will love receiving a funny mug or T-shirt as a gift.

A plant: A plant is a great gift for any employee. Not only does it make them happy, but it can also help to improve their indoor air quality.

A food truck voucher: Food truck vouchers are another great way to show your employees that you appreciate them. Food trucks offer unique and delicious dishes that your employees are sure to love.

A day off work: Giving your employees a day off work is a great way to show them how much you care about them. It can be difficult to find the time to give everyone an equal day off, but this is one way to show your appreciation.

Something They Can Use Everyday to Maintain Their Health

Employees are the lifeblood of any business. They are the ones who keep everything running smoothly and who make all of our hard work worthwhile.

It’s important to show your employees that you appreciate them and what they do for you. One way to do this is to give them gifts that they can use every day to maintain their health and well-being.

Some of the best gifts for employees to keep them healthy include fitness equipment, health supplements, and healthy food items.

Fitness equipment can help employees to stay healthy and fit. Health supplements can help improve their overall health and well-being, and healthy food items can provide them with the nutrients they need to stay healthy.

Whatever gift you choose, be sure to think of something that will benefit your employees and make them happy. Thank them for everything they do for you, and give them a gift that will make a lasting impression on them.

A Great Plaid Shirt For The Man in the Office

If you’re looking for a gift for your employees, why not consider giving them a great plaid shirt? A plaid shirt is a classic office wear item, and it can make your employees feel appreciated.

Choosing the right plaid shirt can be tricky. You don’t want to buy something that is too formal or too casual. Somewhere in the middle is ideal.

Another thing to think about when buying a plaid shirt for your employees is the size. You don’t want to buy something that is too small or too large. The size you choose should fit comfortably, without being too tight or too loose.

When you give your employees a plaid shirt, they will love it! They will feel stylish and stylish, and they will know that you appreciate their hard work.

Coupons for Popular Dining Places Near The Office

Giving your employees a gift is a great way to show them how much you appreciate them. There are many different types of gifts that you can give your employees, and some of the most popular gifts include coupons for popular dining places near the office.

Coupons for popular restaurants can be a great way to show your employees that you care about their well-being. They can use these coupons to enjoy a delicious meal without having to spend too much money.

Giving your employees a gift that is related to their interests is also a great way to show them how much you care about them. For example, you could give your employees tickets to a concert or a show that they are interested in.

If you are not sure what type of gift to give your employees, consider giving them a coupon for one of the popular restaurants near the office. These restaurants have excellent food and beverage options, and they will love receiving a coupon in lieu of a traditional gift.

A Fun Way To Learn About Technology and How It Helps Businesses

There are many different gifts that you can give your employees to show them how much you appreciate them. Here are six ideas that will have a big impact on their lives and work:

A computer or laptop: This is a great gift for any employee who uses technology regularly in their work. It can help them to be more productive and efficient, and it can also help them to stay up to date with the latest trends in the industry.

A smartphone or tablet: These devices are becoming more and more popular, and they can be a great tool for employees who need to stay connected with their workplace and with their friends and family.

An iPad or similar device: These devices are perfect for entertainment purposes as well as for working on projects in the office. They can also be used for educational purposes, which is something that many employees appreciate.

A nice camera: Many businesses now use photography as a way to capture memories of special events or meetings. A nice camera can make this process much easier and quicker than it would be without one.

A new computer or laptop sleeve or case. This is a great gift for any employee who is starting a new job.

An Activity That Will Improve Their Mental Health and Wellness

Employees can really appreciate a gift that is designed to improve their mental health and well-being. Consider giving them an activity that they can do together as a team. This will help to build bonds and create a stronger workplace culture.

Some of the most popular activities that can be used in this way include healthy cooking classes, mindfulness meditation, and stress relief workshops. These types of gifts are sure to improve the mental health of your employees!

Gifts

Giving your employees gifts can be a great way to show their appreciation for their hard work. There are many different types of gifts that you can give your employees, and there is no wrong way to do it.

Some of the most popular gifts include gift cards, flowers, and chocolates. It is important to choose the right gift for the person, and you should also consider their likes and dislikes.

If you are not sure what to give your employees, you can always go with a gift card. This type of gift is versatile, and it can be used anywhere in the world.

Giving gifts to your employees is a great way to show them how much you appreciate them. Make sure to choose the perfect gift for them, and don’t forget to thank them for their hard work!