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Business

How Safe Is Your Oxford Business?

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There is never a time when it is okay to ‘relax’ the security measures in place in your business. Criminals are always looking for new and innovative ways to carry out their plans.

So that your business is not the subject of robbery, vandalism, or internal theft, here are some basic measures you can implement.

How secure is your business?

Oxford security experts explain that thefts often depend on the opportunity and that, in a large number of cases, the determining factor is an oversight that the owner of the business has within the business; that is immediately taken advantage of by the criminals.

Therefore, permanent surveillance is one of the main security measures which helps eliminate this problem, but not the only one.

Security planning

First of all, it is essential to have a pre-established security plan. You should hire a professional security technician to plan and install a complete security system that is specifically adapted to the idiosyncrasies and needs of your particular business and its location. This security plan will require some basic elements.

  • In the first place, an adequate indication by means of signs – both in accesses and in the interior of the business – of the existence of specific security measures.
  • A sound alarm system suitable for the business and connected to a reception center with a protected telephone line, not visible.
  • A video surveillance system, with visible (dissuasive) or camouflaged cameras, with recording of images, covering all key (high value/risk) areas of the business.
  • One or several guards in case they are necessary. You should also carefully consider a trusted employee who can take responsibility for the security system and its maintenance.
  • An audible signal and a control system to open the access doors to the business.
  • It is also advisable to reinforce common spaces such as lobbies, landings, and staircases, as well as other elements such as ceilings, floors and partition walls.
  • If the premises are located in contiguity with other buildings; protect shop windows using anti-moon landing pillars, reinforced glass, vibration detectors, etc. Make use of lockable display cabinets for displaying high-value merchandise.
  • It is advisable to install security grilles or blinds, anti-lever and anti-cut doors. Establish with the help of a security expert the best method of securing windows and other access points to the business (vents, skylights, etc.). Also, make sure to install security locks on doors, windows and other access points, and reinforce frames and hinges.
  • It is also recommended to maintain good lighting both inside and outside your business. Take extraordinary precautions if your business operates at unusual times (night shift, 24-hours, etc.).

You have worked hard to establish and grow your business – make sure all your hard work is not for nothing. Secure your business against robbery, theft, and vandalism to ensure your peace of mind.

 

All About IRS Form W7

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The IRS form W7 is an application form provided by the internal revenue services for people who are not subjected to possess the SSN that is the social security number. The W7 form is meant for receiving the ITIN from the IRS so that one can file for the income tax returns successfully. The ITIN number is used by the income tax officers to identify people who pay taxes so that they can easily sort out the list, calculate the revenue and charge people who do not pay taxes on time. The IRS form W7 is subjected to complete and cover two major tasks-

  • To apply for a new itin (individual taxpayer id number).
  • To renew an itin that has either already expired or will be expiring in the near future before one would have to file for the income tac returns for the year.

People who already use the SSN for filing income tax returns doe not have to think or worry about the tax id number because it does not apply for candidates who have SSN. This is meant for those people who do not pass for the SSN regardless of their immigration status. Each and every individual whop earns above a certain amount is liable to file income tax returns once every year to provide the government with their share of revenue.

People who have been paying the income tax also doe not have to worry about applying for an itin but must always be careful about the expiry date of the same. It is recommended to apply for the individual tax id number before it expires or before it is time to file for the tax returns. For those who are new on the list of income tax payers and are stressed out about the various legal formalities to be completed and are wondering how to apply for itin here are the details.

The Irs form w7 helps one in applying for the individual tax id number. This form is available online. One can simply log on to the official web site and find the form there. The web site is very used friendly and easy to understand. It carries answers to all the question a candidate might ever need to know. If there is something one feels like asking about that is not present in the frequently asked question list, then one can simply chat with the customer support online or can also give them a call and get the queries sorted.

One can find the list of documents that are needed for the verification by IRS. The alternative options are also provided. The instruction to fill up the form and arrange the documents are more than enough to apply for the itin. One needs to fill up the IRS form W7 and attach the documents along with the form and send it to the IRS mailing address which is also listed in the web site. Once the verification is done the ITIN will be mailed to the candidate.

How To Identify And Develop Great Sales Managers

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Working as a sales manager is both rewarding and challenging. Unfortunately, it’s also a job with high turnover. According to a September 2015 article published on Openview.com, the average sales manager stays in the position just 20 months. The short time on the job is even less than that of the typical salesperson and many managers are forced out instead of leaving voluntarily. Those who do leave on their own often cite the stress of managing multiple priorities such as hiring staff, administrative duties, and managing a sales team with varying degrees of ability.

It’s important for hiring managers to recognize qualities of a good sales manager as well as for existing sales managers to have the opportunity to improve their skills. When considering the first issues, human resources professionals should understand the top performing salespeople don’t always translate into the best sales managers.

Top Skills of a Successful Sales Manager

When looking for a new sales manager, one with an outgoing personality who can lead and guide others is preferable to someone who has more of an introverted working style. The best sales managers know how to direct members of their team to uncover a problem and then help them discover potential solutions. This is a far more effective approach than simply telling someone what he or she does wrong and demanding that the salesperson fix it. Some other qualities to look for include:

  • The ability to maintain professionalism amongst people the sales manager may consider friends while remaining reasonably authoritative at the same time. This is a fine line because becoming too authoritative can create resentment and mistrust among the team.
  • The ability to manage his or her own strong emotions, especially considering that sales managers must deal with irate customers and discipline underperforming sales personnel. Those situations are already ripe with emotion and don’t need additional fuel added to it.
  • The best frontline sales managers one the ones with good listening skills, who effectively direct their team, consider customer feedback, and work well with other departments.

How Current Sales Managers Can Improve Their Performance

Sales managers who want to stay in their current positions and eventually earn promotions shouldn’t feel afraid to ask for honest feedback from teams they manage as well as superiors and other sales managers. This is especially true of those who have concerns about their on-the-job performance. While the sales manager might not agree with all feedback, it gives him or her a starting point for improvements.

The most successful sales managers embrace learning at every level. That means saying yes to continuing education classes after hours, mastering new technology, and continually searching for additional knowledge. Salespeople look to their managers for guidance. Those who see their manager never feeling satisfied with the status quo are much more likely to take on the same attitude.

Another quality of great leaders is recognizing that they need coaching as well. Whether that’s the sales manager’s own superior or someone in a larger network isn’t important. The key to ongoing performance improvement is learning from those with more experience and asking for help when needed.

Sales management is not an easy job, but it could become a more fulfilling one by employing some of these tips.

 

Why Most People Chose To Register Their Company As An LLC

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Before you can apply for a tax ID, you will need to ascertain your business entity type. Once you have ascertained your business entity type, you can straight away apply for the Employer Identification Number (EIN) with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). To apply, you will have to provide your company’s legal name and social security number of the company’s principal officer for the purpose of the tax ID. The principal officer should be a member of the company.

If you have not decided on your business entity type, you can visit the website of Gov Doc Filing to take a simple survey created to guide you to choose from one of the following entity type. If you have any question, you can contact one of their professionals to clear your doubts concerning your application.

One of the most common business entities utilized by business owners is the Limited Liability Company (LLC) because:

  • It provides a flexible business structure
  • -It protects your personal assets from being at risk
  • It has no taxes at the corporate level
  • It has the flexibility to structure your company to fit your needs.

The owners of the Limited Liability Company are called members and these members may include individuals, corporations, other LLCs, and foreign entities. There is no limit to the numbers of members in forming an LLC. A single member LLC is a lone member establishing the LLC. The LLC members will be taxed as a sole proprietor where profits and losses are passed through the individual’s federal tax return to the IRS.

For a multi-member LLC where there are more than one member, it is taxed as a partnership. The profits and losses are passed through to the individual members’ federal tax returns. They can also choose to be taxed as a corporation instead of a partnership. If the LLC is formed by a husband and wife, they may choose to be taxed as a single member LLC.

The main reason why many choose to form an LLC company is because of the provision of liability protection on their personal asset. Creditors cannot claim the personal asset of members to pay off the company’s debts.

Before filling in the LLC tax form, the Internal Revenue Service and other agencies have to be informed:

  • If there is a change in your LLC mailing address or business location.
  • If there is a change in the person who is responsible to act on the behalf of the business.

The notification of change is to ensure that the smooth running of your company will not be hindered or disrupted, and that your company continue to receive whatever notification sent out by the government agencies.

Great Ideas For Making Some Extra Money Online

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In these times of austerity, saving money is essential. With household costs continuing to rise, cash-strapped individuals are constantly searching for ways to cut back on expenses. The internet offers a number of money-making possibilities for those who find themselves desperately waiting for pay-day to come around.

Source: Magda S Saltzman via Twitter

Sell Your Old and Unused Technology

Technology is constantly evolving and we can soon lose interest in the latest smartphone or iPad. There are a number of sites which accept unwanted devices and although posting off your old phone is unlikely to pay the bills, it is a hassle-free way of earning some extra cash, which should help keep things ticking over until the end of the month. Services such as Music Magpie will also purchase old CDs and DVDs and it’s usually quick and easy to receive your payment.

Make the Most of Free Bonuses

Top online casino and sportsbooks offer tempting incentives to sign-up for an account and these can be a great way of making some extra cash. Oddschecker has compiled a list of the latest online casino bonuses which includes 50 free spins courtesy of William Hill. If you don’t wish to part with any cash, it is advised to search for operators who are offering a ‘no deposit bonus’. It is a great way of potentially making a profit and is also a tremendously fun way of playing with the casino’s money.

Complete Surveys Online

Companies are constantly requiring feedback from their customers whilst marketing agencies also regularly stage online focus groups. It is possible to make some extra money through filling out online surveys with questions on everything from your preferred brand of toilet roll through to your favourite video game. There are a huge number of websites available and rewards vary from Amazon vouchers through to £20 in cash. It is a great way of earning an extra income without leaving the house.

Source: NECS via Twitter

Enter Competitions

This is not a surefire way of making money but there are an incredible amount of competitions online and you’d have to be terribly unlucky not to win any sort of prize. There are a number of websites which collate online competitions and the majority of them are completely free to enter. Some operators give away cash prizes whilst others offer goods or services. Any unwanted prizes can be sold on sites such as eBay at a later date.

There are hundreds of ways of earning a little extra cash each month and if you’re struggling to make ends meet, it could be worth exploring a few of the options available online. Whether you’re downloading vouchers or selling your unwanted technology, every penny counts and there are plenty of potentially profitable opportunities awaiting on the world wide web.

How Does One Find His/Her EIN?

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Your employer identification number is important when it comes to filing your taxes and conducting different activities for your business. If you misplace it, it is important to find it right away as you are likely to need it again in the future, especially when tax time rolls around. Luckily, there are a few ways you can get this number.

Look at a Tax Return

If you keep good records and have copies of your old tax returns, then you can easily get your EIN from one of them. It should be listed in the top part of the form. Remember the number is nine digits in this format: XX-XXXXXXX. Do not confuse it with other tax identification numbers, such as your Social Security number. The format is important to note as it is the easiest way to distinguish between the different ID numbers.

Look at Other Records 

If you do not have or cannot find your tax returns, other business documents may also have your EIN on them. Look through forms and records to see if you can find the number. This includes bank account documents and business license applications. You may also find this number on employee pay stubs and other payroll documents.

Look at your EIN Application Forms

When you secured your EIN, you had to file an EIN application. In return, the IRS sent you documentation that listed your new EIN. If you can locate these forms, then you can get your number. You can also contact the IRS and ask for the number. It is usually best to call and ask. You will have to verify that you are the owner of the business.

Get Additional Help 

Sometimes you may need to find an EIN for something other than a business. For example, you may need to find the EIN number for an estate. In this case, you may be able to get help from IRS EIN Tax ID Filing Service. Find out more here.

Four Critical Benefits Of Technology

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Amidst the myriad of unique software programs and other forms of technology, how do you know where to start in terms of utilizing technology to best suit your business?

Sure, it’s important to keep your mind sharp and focused on the cutting edge of your industry, but it’s also essential to know how to exploit the innovation of others. This, of course, includes technology.

Technology, by nature, is constantly growing and evolving. Knowing how to tap into it effectively can result in significant growth for your small business. Not only that, you’ll find yourself saving time, money, and a great deal of effort as well.

As a small business owner, we know that you’re accustomed to “wearing multiple hats”. However, multi-tasking won’t pay off as much as you think it might. Understanding new technologies and using them to your advantage is your best bet.

Let’s take a closer look at the following four ways that technology can help your business.

Optimal Marketing Software

Using effective marketing software will allow you to develop, grow, and connect with your customer base. Outside of online advertisements, email marketing software provides critical tools such as follow up, shopping cart recovery, and relevant digital advertising programs.

Digital POS Systems

You bet. The ability to accept credit cards online as a form of payment has allowed many businesses to sustain growth. In the past, many businesses only accepted payment in the form of cash or check. Now, with systems like Square and Shopify, companies are flourishing.

The other really great benefit: Square, for example, provides you with customer shopping/spending analytics so you can modify your sales strategy appropriately. 

Effective Invoicing Software

It’s important to integrate modern invoicing software into your business so you can effectively request and manage your invoices.

Not only will you save a great deal of time, but you will also be able to see your cash flow.

Project Management Software

From BaseCamp to Outlook, there is no doubt that your small business can and will benefit from better organization and a central location for all important matters and projects.

With the right project management software, you will be able to track who is assigned to which projects in addition to the degree of progress that has been made. Furthermore, you will also be able to manage calendars, appointments, and critical documents in the same system.

Sure, there are many different software programs and new forms of technology that can enhance your business, but these four are great starting points. Utilizing these key technologies to your advantage will improve sales and, ultimately, grow your business.

Check out Global Resources LLC Reviews to learn more.

Richard Blech – Online Security Risks Which Your Business Must Be Aware Of

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One aspect of my job which I really love is working with online businesses to bring about awareness of the huge range of security threats which exist to them. In fact the best aspect of being able to create an online business, in terms of the digital capability, is also the Achilles heel, which can be manipulated by those with bad intentions, to create huge damage to online companies.

Last week I was speaking with the highly knowledgeable Richard Blech, who works with top security company Secure Channels. During the conversation we talked about the cutting edge approach which the company is taking against a wide range of security threats, and how his company can offer a great option for online businesses to protect themselves. If you have an online business and you aren’t aware of the importance of security, here are just some of the risks which you could be facing.

Identity Theft

When your customers give you their personal information, they do so under the premise that you will protect their private details, and keep them safe. Whilst you may think that this doesn’t pose to much of a risk, you couldn’t in fact, be more wrong. Identity theft is one of the most common forms of cybercrime and the consequences of this happening to you company, with your customer’s information, could be catastrophic. These kind of attacks have happened on a grand scale in the past with the likes of Apple and Sony falling victim, if it can happen to them, it can definitely happen to you business. Whilst these industry giant were powerful enough to repair their reputation following the attacks, a smaller business could succumb entirely after such a sober attack.

Data Theft

Take a second and think about what kind of information your business’ computer and cloud systems have stored in them. Email conversations, private negotiations, business plans, employee data and any a huge range of other confidential information is likely to be stored on your systems, just imagine if they got into the wrong hands. This is a very real threat that hackers and even your competitors can pose in terms of your private data, giving you yet another reason to look into how you can best protect that information, and ensure that it stays private.

Computer Damage

Software and malicious attacks are so potent these days that they have the power to actually cause damage to your computers and its systems, something which could end up costing you an incredible amount of money to repair and replace. Attacks such as trojan horses, malware and spyware are easy to obtain and easy to use in terms of damaging your computing equipment. The worrying aspect about this kind of attack is that they are becoming more frequent, and more advanced. The best way therefore to protect the systems that your business is using, is to employ smart security strategies.

Does your Company have Untapped Potential?

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No matter how will you think your company is doing, Marc Leder believes there is always room for improvement. So if you’re keen on finding new ways to increase your company’s revenue and profit, continue reading to discover how to identify any untapped potential which your company may have.

1. Compare your business’s success with your competition’s success

One simple way to see whether there is potential for your business to grow is to compare the current success of your business with your closest competition’s success.

As an example, if a similar business offers to double your product range, it’s likely that there is a high demand for the products or services which you offer and that your business could greatly benefit from increasing your product range.

Alternatively, you may find that a similar company has double the number of retail spaces as your company. Which could be a sign that your company should consider investing in a brand new retail space.

2. Take inspiration from other companies

While the last thing you should do is to poach other companies ideas, there’s nothing wrong with taking inspiration from other companies, especially companies who operate in a completely different field. As an example, while your company may be focused on selling high-quality furniture, you may see an advertisement campaign for a restaurant, which may give you ideas on how you can overhaul your current marketing plans.

After all, sometimes it’s hard to hard to see how you can improve your company, without taking a look at what other companies are doing right.

3. Search for unbiased reviews of your company online

In order to gain an outsiders opinion on whether there are areas which your company could currently improve upon, it’s well worth conducting a quick Google search to find honest, unbiased reviews which have been left by your past customers or clients.

As an example, you may find several negative reviews which give the impression that your company needs to improve it’s customer service skills. If so, don’t see negative reviews as an attack on your company, instead see them as invaluable information, which can help your business achieve future success.

After all, if customers had negative experiences with your company and none of them left a review, you’d have no idea about the areas of your business, which you should work on.

4. Try to find a business mentor

If you’ve never hired a business mentor in order to help your business achieve success, it’s well worth finding a reputable business mentor who’ll be able to share their wealth of knowledge with you and who may be able to help identify the areas in which your business has untapped potential to flourish.

It’s even well worth reaching out to two business mentors, in order to be presented with double the advice and suggestions, which will help your business flourish.

Regardless of whether you believe your business is doing well or needs a lot of improvement, it’s well worth identifying your business’ untapped potential!

A Better Approach Towards Business

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Retail business owner and restaurant owners would connect to the fact that managing several customers at the same span of moment can be a difficult task to carry out efficiently. Specially the customers in a restaurant look out for a good quality service that does not only consist of high quality tasty food but behaviour of the hotel crew members and their efficiency to attain the needs of the customers be it any.

The task of an employee in a restaurant other the cooks is not restricted to just bringing in food or cleaning the table after a customer leaves. It starts all the wat from greeting the visitors to taking their orders, explaining them with their enquiries about a dish, take complaints of any and also provide them with the demanded mode of payment. Along with all these duties one also needs to make sure that all the work is done with in an efficient and convincing span of time without having the visitors wait for too long.

Some customers might turn out to be cranky about late serving of food or payment related issues and things really get out of control if someone gets stuck with such customers. Some people are too choosy about what they order and ask enormous questions while placing the order so that they can get the right food on their table. A person who is preparing the food knows the details, but servers do not always know about everything, drawing a bridge between the cook and the consumer is also done by these employees.

It is not the case that these things are new and have never been managed before but advancement of technology can make the work easy and smooth. Smartswipe pos support help restaurants with its extraordinary features that are meant to serve for easing up the entire process of how a restaurant survives on good remarks.

Smartswipe pos login help people in manging various time at a time that too from just one device. Smartswipe pos login is developed to create a manage station of sale that works by installing one core point to manage sales while one can access the same from various devices. It is a blessing to the restaurants because of its technology advantages–

  • It makes making a payment easy. Card payments are made easy without having to carry the card to the counter. One can just bring the device to the table and swipe it then and their and get done with the payment in seconds.
  • The device can act as a storage for menu and pantry. Additionally, one can simply tap on a dish that the customer needs to enquire about the provide the customers with all the details without having to disturb the cook.
  • One can upload the orders instantly as the customers mention with their demands. This helps in avoiding a rush in the kitchen area and makes it easy to serve food faster.

Smartswipe pos admin is easy to install and is a user-friendly support provider for retail business and restaurants.