Business

The COVID-19 pandemic brought a shift in the way people carried out their daily lives. Going to work and sitting in an office is no longer a norm. Instead, many of America’s workers faced the transition to remote working. Training sessions, board meetings, and court hearings are now frequently done virtually.

In light of the recent shift in the way Americans work, law firms are opening up to the idea of hiring associates remotely. In addition, many firms are considering carrying out virtual training. Experienced attorneys are now virtually mentoring their associates. Though the transition to a remote-work-based society was tough for many sectors, there may be some benefits attached to remote working, particularly for law firms.

Benefits Of Having Remote Associates

Though the idea was alien in the beginning, there are many reasons why law firms are now welcoming the idea of remote workers.

Flexibility

Stringent traditional office work environments don’t apply to remote associates. A remote associate can work at his or her own pace as long as his or her output is unaffected. This ensures that both the individual’s personal and professional lives are balanced. This balanced work-life system is essential for quality work output, yielding higher productivity from refreshed remote associates.

Work Productivity

An associate working remotely is likely to be more productive than one in the office. Law firms have registered an increase in the work output of their remote associates with employee monitoring software. An associate with the freedom to control his or her work environment has better work output than one stuck in a controlled environment.

Increased Use Of The Virtual Space

The recent pandemic pushed law firms out of their comfort zones and into a new way of doing things. Associate training, for instance, is no longer done in-person, but online. However, this raises the question of how these firms will convey their cultures and values to associates virtually. Virtual training sessions also allow associates an opportunity to engage with senior associates. This all happens with a click of a button.

Additionally, some cases require a lawyer to have a one-on-one sitting with his or her client. An injury lawyer, for example, sometimes needs to assess his or her client. The increased need for remote productivity has led to innovations in the way people work. All of the above can now easily be done through virtual meetings using video conferencing, such as Zoom and Skype.

Improved Inclusivity

Remote work enables law firms to embrace diversity. This happens when they hire associates from different geographic, cultural, and socioeconomic backgrounds. This diverse range of associates comes with different perspectives.

It is challenging to find an onsite job as an associate. Remote working has enabled many Americans to find employment right from the comfort of their homes.

Quality Of Service

Law firms have noted an increase in the quality of service offered by remote associates. These associates are eager to develop productive professional relationships with successful practitioners.

Economic Savings

Hiring remote associates is economical. Both the law firm and the associate save. To illustrate, the associate saves on costs such as transport, lunch, fuel, and other overheads associated with working in an office setup. On the other hand, law firms also see noteworthy cost savings. Remote work enables these firms to save on things like overheads, transit subsidies, and real-estate costs.

As technology continues to evolve, remote working will gain more prevalence than it has already. Law firms should embrace the thought of having their associates work remotely.

 

Some cities offer attorneys a higher variety of career opportunities, manageable costs of living, and more competitive salaries. In addition, the cultural climate may provide a broader client base for lawyers to build their practice. Additional considerations, such as air quality and lifestyle inclusivity, are important considerations for individuals looking to move. The following are some of the best cities for lawyers to consider when planning a relocation.

Best Cities for Legal Career Opportunities

Boston

Boston is among the best locations for beginning attorneys. This is due to its close proximity to Harvard Law School and high salaries. The salary for lawyers in Boston is approximately $149,660.

Washington, D.C.

The nation’s capital is another popular location for attorneys. While the number of jobs is fewer than in a hub like New York City, it has the greatest location quotient of any city. In other words, the demand for attorneys in this city is the highest in the nation. In addition to high demand, another element that may attract many lawyers in D.C. is the Supreme Court, a commonly shared advancement aspiration for those in the legal sector.

Miami

Miami is an affordable choice for relocating lawyers, albeit still more expensive than other areas in Florida, such as Tampa and Orlando. Based on its location and function as an immigration hub, there is an increased number of successful law firms practicing immigration law. Additionally, this city and others nearby feature a high divorce rate, making the state a good place to practice divorce law.

San Francisco

San Francisco is notorious for its high cost of living, but the median salary of $168,990 for attorneys can help offset living expenses. If attorneys are seeking higher salaries, those in the Silicon Valley area stand to earn upwards of $208,000. Ultimately, if a higher salary is the main goal, San Francisco is a great place for attorneys to establish themselves.

New York City

New York City is one of the best places for attorneys in nearly all practice areas, from criminal defense attorneys to workers’ compensation lawyers. The median salary may be lower than other cities at $155,020, but many attorneys make more. The number of jobs available for attorneys is at its highest in NYC, with attorneys in every neighborhood.

Los Angeles

California makes it on the list again with Los Angeles, another great city for attorneys due to its high average salary of $161,390. In contrast to San Francisco, Los Angeles features a relatively affordable cost of living and ample job opportunities.

All of these locations are popular among attorneys because of the opportunities they offer when it comes to comfortable living, demand for their services, and good compensation. However, attorneys may want to consider other factors when facing relocation.

Cities with the Cleanest Air Quality

Poor air quality can impact an individual’s lung and cardiovascular health. Continued exposure to pollutants can increase a person’s risk of health complications and lower his or her quality of life. For attorneys looking to preserve their health, air quality becomes an important relocation consideration.

Boasting a placement at the top of the American Lung Association’s cleanest cities list, Honolulu has implemented green initiatives to preserve the air quality for its residents. Though there is a heavy reliance on fossil fuels, the city is pushing toward a goal of 100% clean energy use by 2045. In addition to Honolulu, Charlottesville, VA, Elmira-Corning, NY, Wilmington, NC, and Burlington, VT top the ALA’s list of cleanest cities.

Most LGBTQ+ Inclusive Cities

For attorneys looking to provide LGBTQ+ focused representation, or those looking to reside in an inclusivity-focused community, the degree of social acceptance a city offers may be a consideration of significance.

Seattle

Seattle continually earns high rankings for non-discriminatory practices toward LGBTQ+ Americans. A 2019 study conducted by the Human Rights Campaign provided the city with top scores regarding equality practices in public accommodations, housing, and employment. As a result, Seattle earns the top spot for inclusivity.

San Francisco

Considered the second-best city for LGBTQ+ acceptance, the city presents its residents with ample inclusivity-focused job opportunities. Embedded in the highest-ranking state for same-sex couple population density, San Francisco boasts the highest rate of same-sex marriages.

Portland

With an emphasis on LGBTQ+ friendly housing and youth initiatives, Portland earned a perfect score in the Human Rights Campaign’s study. The city was ranked as one of the best places to live by US News & World in 2019 and holds the fifth-highest rate of LGBTQ+ marriages.

Santa Rosa

Also embedded in the highly inclusive state of California, Santa Rosa provides some of the best laws to protect its LGBTQ+ citizens.

Boston

Located in the first state to legalize same-sex marriage, Boston offers LGBTQ+ workers some of the best opportunities for inclusivity-focused employers. In addition, the city hosts Wicked Queer, one of the oldest LGBTQ+ film events globally.

Regardless of where attorneys intend to move, it’s best for them to consider a variety of factors when looking to relocate. Career health, as well as physical health and social acceptance, are important considerations for individuals looking for a new start. With enough research and planning, attorneys can find the perfect home that meets all of their criteria.

 

If you love children and are interested in caring for them while making some money at the same time, starting a childcare business could be a great option for you. However, starting an actual childcare business isn’t as easy as babysitting for your friends or neighbors occasionally. So to help ensure that you’re up for the task, here are three things you should consider before starting a childcare business.

Figure Out Your Budget And Financial Matters First

Unless you’re doing this out of the kindness of your heart, one of the very first things you’ll want to figure out is if your plan for starting a childcare business is financially feasible.

To do this, a contributor to Small Business Trends, recommends that you put together a budget model for what you anticipate your expenses being compared to how much money you think you’ll be bringing in from your work. You’ll need to make sure you include things like bills, administrative costs, fees, utilities, and potential rent and salaries if you’re thinking about starting a larger business. You’ll also need to put a plan in place for having parents pay you for your services and ensuring that you get paid the correct amount and on time each month, as you don’t want to have to be trying to figure out this part of your business when you’re counting on that money coming in.

Should You Become Licensed?

If you’re thinking that your childcare business will be small and that you’ll mainly be caring for children that you already have some kind of connection to, be it knowing their parents from the community or whatnot, then getting licensed may not be a main priority of yours.

On the other hand, Alexis Writing, a contributor to Chron Small Business, shares that states have their own guidelines for what type of childcare facilities need to be licensed and registered and what that all entails. So to ensure that you’re legally doing all that you should be for your business to function, make sure you check the laws of your area regarding licensing.

Get The Right Insurance

When you start any kind of business, you open yourself up to risk. Because of this, it’s vital that you have the right insurance in place to protect you and the kids you care for.

Generally, the U.S. Small Business Administration shares that childcare businesses should have liability insurance and accident insurance at the very least. By getting the right coverage and type of insurance for the childcare business you’ll be running, you’ll have protection in case the unthinkable happens.

If you’ve been wanting to start your own childcare business and think that now is the time to do it, consider using the tips mentioned above to help you get off on the right foot.

It’s a good idea to take a look at what we can do to prepare for a disaster. It may not happen, but you never know when it will strike. Whether it’s the threat of a natural disaster or simple, everyday business interruptions, many companies face similar challenges with being prepared for the unexpected.

But regardless of how prepared you think you are, there’s no substitute for proper planning and preparation. Here are some tips on what to consider to avoid loss of productivity.

Maintain up to date contact information

A good first step in preparing your business is making sure you have the right contact information for key people in your business chain and that it is up to date. If the worst happens and your business is affected, it may take time for you to get in touch with customers or suppliers. Make sure that they also have up to date contact information, so making contact post any incidence can be easier.

Create an emergency fund

It may be hard to imagine, but if your business was to suffer damage from a fire, natural disaster, or other events, you would need financial resources at your fingertips. That’s why it’s essential to set aside cash savings for emergency situations. Depending on the scope of your business and its needs, an emergency fund can typically be set up between three and six months of operating expenses.

Get the right insurance

Many times, business owners don’t think they need insurance until they find themselves in an unfortunate situation. The easiest way to protect yourself is to get the right policies and make sure you know how much coverage and what type of coverage you have.

Don’t rely on just one individual

When you create redundancy in your business, you can withstand any adversity. You can literally have several people that can replace the primary person, and the company will still operate successfully without the main individual. If a few key people leave your company, it’s not going to be nearly as bad as if you only had one or two people running the business.

Have a business continuity plan already in place

Analysing how your business works are the first step to understanding how you can protect it and the value that it holds. Business continuity planning will help you create a response plan to enable your business to recover from a disaster and return to normal operations as quickly as possible.

It’s important to know what could disrupt your ability to deliver these services or products when people depend on them, and it’s equally as important to have strategies in place where you can still make deliveries for products of lesser importance.

Final Thoughts

With the above ways to prepare for the worst, your business will be ready to go in no time. However, most businesses don’t have what it takes to make it through the most severe financial disaster. It’s good to always be prepared.

 

Ideally, most business owners want to create a company that will be around for years and years. However, if businesses stay the same over the years and never try to innovate or reinvent themselves, they may not have a great chance of keeping up with the competition or maintaining excitement about their bring.

With this in mind, many companies choose to go through a rebranding process. And while this may be a great idea in some respects, there are things about a rebranding that you’ll need to be careful about.

To help you in figuring all of this out for your organization, here are three things to consider before rebranding your business.

How You Fit Into The Competitive Landscape

One thing you’ll need to think about as you consider rebranding your business is how you fit into the competitive landscape within your industry or field. This is where you’ll really want to work in your brand, since Amanda Bowman, a contributor to Entrepreneur.com, shares that the biggest reason to rebrand is to further set yourself apart from the competition.

As you think about this, consider what about your business differentiates you from others in your industry. These are the things that you’ll want to focus on when you rebrand, as they’ll help people better understand your business as its own entity.

Know What You’re Risking

While you might initially only be thinking about all of the great benefits you could have by rebranding, there’s definitely some risks that come along with this business decision as well.

According to Scott Greggory, a contributor to Forbes Agency Council, doing a rebrand could wind up setting your business back in recognition and trust if you’re not careful. Also, not everyone is going to love or appreciate the changes that you’re making to your brand and your company. So while you might gain some new clients or customers, you could also alienate some of those who have been with you for years. But if you feel like the risks are worth the reward, then it does make sense to go ahead with a rebrand.

Your Timeline

Once you get the idea to do a rebrand, David Rodnitzky, a contributor to Inc.com, it’s wise to try to expedite the process and make swift decisions that will allow you to roll out the rebrand quickly. The longer you wait to unveil your new branding pieces, the more time people have to get your old brand and image ingrained in their minds, which means you’ll just be making your future job harder.

If you’ve been toying with the idea of rebranding your business, consider how the tips mentioned above can help you successfully go through this process and prepare your business for whatever the outcome may be.

Many people are intimidated at the prospect of running a business. Despite the financially rewarding nature of starting an enterprise, it comes with a lot more challenges and considerations. And because even the slightest error or oversight can have massive repercussions that could affect the profit potential of your company and its ability to grow, the task of running and managing these types of enterprises can be more than a little overwhelming.

But as the saying goes, there’s always a solution to every problem. The key to keeping away from traps and pitfalls is knowing exactly where they are, and we’ll discuss some of the mistakes that every entrepreneur must avoid.

Not asking for assistance

Many entrepreneurs are used to getting everything done themselves. After all, it is the business owner who thinks of the idea and turns it into a money-making enterprise. While this mindset might work in certain fields or trades, it can get you in a lot of trouble in specific industries. The fact of the matter is that there are bound to be things that you won’t fully grasp or understand. And if you insist on doing it all yourself then you’ll be more susceptible to making potentially costly mistakes that could affect the business’s image and finances.

As such, you must never let your pride keep you from asking for assistance. Requesting outside help, be it from experts or suppliers, won’t just help you build contacts in your industry, but more importantly, it will make it easier for you to succeed.

Skimping on new technology

These days, almost every industry is dependent on new technology. After all, it minimizes the likelihood of mishaps and errors from happening and reduces the safety concerns of its operational processes. It also improves its overall efficiency, leading to more productivity. It is because of this reason that you must invest in new technology whenever possible. It may sound like a lot of additional expenditure now. But the right tech, be it software or machinery, can help you achieve greater returns on your investment.

Keeping all the work in-house

Let’s face it, running a business is expensive. There’s no getting around this fact. And you’ll risk your outlays eating your profits if you try to keep all of the work in-house. Instead, outsource certain jobs that you are unable to take on yourself. Waste disposal, for instance, can be costly. So you’re better off leaving the job of recycling any waste to the likes of langleyrecyclingkc.com if you’re in a business that deals with a lot of waste because they’ll do a better job at it. More importantly, you won’t have to commit a sizable amount of financial resources to the process.

Success in business can be incredibly rewarding from both a financial and personal level. However, it isn’t easy to thrive and flourish. But by avoiding the mistakes that are listed above, you’ll give your business more opportunities to grow and succeed.

If you don’t want to get burnt, you can study some simple “laws” before diving into the stock market, learning more about cryptocurrencies, or trading forex. There are several ways to trade, but most people don’t do their homework first and then whine about how they were duped.

The reality is that if you do your homework correctly, you are incredibly unlikely to become a victim of a scam. There are some excellent investing tips that we want you to be aware of to become a successful investor. If you’re not doing so, it’s a good idea to refresh your memory to see what’s changed.

Are you a day or a swing trader?

What kind of shopper are you? Are you prone to making rash purchases when you’re depressed or overjoyed? When you’ve got the cash? Or do you keep track of your monthly expenditures and adhere to a budget? Perhaps you fall somewhere in the middle. It all affects how you view trading. Supposing you have a regular income source (such as a monthly paycheck), trading stocks is a smart idea. Forex is for those who don’t want to restrict themselves to a single trading session and prefer various buying and selling options. Cryptocurrencies are fantastic if you do your homework to figure out which ones are likely to last and which ones are the most liquid. Trading can be seen as an investment. It could be for your kids, a new car, retirement, or simply a road trip. Whatever it is, you are spending your money in the hopes of making a profit over time.

Education

Make sure to look up websites that act as regulators and read their trading lists. Enroll in a trading course (many are created in 2020 on famous studying platforms for free). Learn the fundamentals of the economy and politics (yes, both are important!). Participate! Soon enough, you’ll be able to link the dots and see how interconnected politics, the economy, and trading are. Most importantly, you can better understand where your money comes from and how to handle it properly.

Choose the appropriate broker

If you’re just getting started, the most important thing to remember is to keep your risks to a minimum. You can do so by learning about trading and finding the best Forex broker to support you along the way. It’s a good idea to read broker reviews first to see which ones are right for you. A good Forex broker will change the way you think about trading and even help you achieve your objectives. Finally, a certified Forex broker is someone who has the expertise you can pursue and who truly wants to see you succeed as a trader. You can always pay for online trading software to keep track of everything, but it won’t provide you with much insight on its own.

Stick to your strategy!

This is a crucial move because it’s proven that people lose a significant amount of money if they: Invest too much money all at once is a bad idea. They don’t want to learn but rather react and trade on an impulse and regret it later. Please don’t follow their trading strategy/plan because, in reality, they don’t have one.

In conclusion

The trading goal isn’t for you to be in “survival mode” all of the time. Instead, it’s to become a source of passive income and something you can watch and decide when to buy or sell without feeling rushed. Please don’t bring more money into it than you’re prepared to lose. That doesn’t mean you’ll do it; it’s just a good idea. Your broker will most likely tell you the same thing, so you won’t panic if the market shifts. It’s vital to be patient, watchful, and wait for the right opportunity.

 

Josh Melick is an entrepreneur who is passionate about creating strategies and tools for businesses to increase their NPS-based customer satisfaction scores. Melick is vocal about his top tips for businesses to decrease their number of unsatisfied customers and to increase their number of customers who will promote their products and services to their family, friends, and colleagues.

Improving Customer Service

Josh Melick believes that every business should offer a premium concierge service that will increase customer loyalty. As customers are far more likely to continue doing business with a business that offers a concierge service. This is why Apple’s Genius Bar is so popular and customers at the First Republic Bank have access to a personal banker, regardless of the amount of money which they choose to save or invest with First Republic Bank. As if customers’ expectations in regards to customer service are exceeded, they are likely to recommend a business to everyone that they know.

Although businesses have to plan ahead in order to offer concierge-type services, they will be rewarded with higher sales and a higher retention rate of customers.

Melick often speaks about how most companies try to offer too many customer service options and need to cut down on the options which they offer in order to focus on a few carefully selected platforms. One platform which Melick encourages the businesses which he consults to stop wasting resources on is Twitter. As far more individuals would prefer to get in touch with a business’ customer support team via a chat-based messaging system. As chat-based customer support is becoming more and more popular with every year that passes. Especially as fewer individuals want to physically call companies and most individuals are familiar with chat-based messaging as they use chat-based messaging systems on an everyday basis.

Melick is vocal about how important it is for business systems to be linked properly and for information to be available in the cloud. So that if customers have issues with their account or a particular transaction their information can be requested at the drop of a hat.

While Melick started his career as an engineer and has a practical way of thinking he does admit that the human factor still plays a huge importance in raising a business’ NPS score. This is as if a customer has a positive experience with a customer service representative they’ll likely to continue shopping with the business in question. Whereas if they walk away from an experience feeling dismissed or attacked, they’ll unlikely to purchase another product or service from the company in question.

Melick believes that businesses need to continually remind their employees of the importance of giving each customer exceptional customer service and that businesses should not be afraid to fire any employees who fail to provide their customers with a high level of customer service. As employees who don’t take customer service seriously are a liability and can negatively affect customer’s beliefs about a brand.

Every business owner will have one overall goal, to make profits. That is, in fact, the main reason why most people get into business. Despite that, some businesses still fail, and the most common reason is usually the fact that they suffer a great deal of losses. For a business to be successful, you just have to reach your set goals, and the most important one is ensuring that revenue is more than expenditure. Just keep that bottom line in check, and you’ll be good to go.

It may sound as easy as ABC, but it is far from that. Revenue management is more than ensuring what comes in is more than what goes out. There’s a lot of factors that need to be considered, and that is why most financial experts will advise you to hire a revenue consulting firm. They can play a huge role in your financial management and, in the long run, bring a great deal of success to your company. So why hire a revenue consultant? Here are some of the reasons.

You Will Benefit from Their Expertise

Since it is the field in which they are trained and have years of experience, a revenue consultant is set to have an in-depth knowledge of everything to do with finances and management. They will know what steps need to be taken for you to successfully manage your finances and how to go about everything. In addition, it helps if the consultant has background experience in the specific field that you deal in because they will know the market trends and what it takes to succeed in that market in particular. 

You Get an Independent Perspective

Most business owners are usually invested not just financially but also emotionally into their business. Who can blame them? This is like a project you’ve created right from the start and seen it grow. In as much as it can be beneficial for the sake of the business to have that emotional attachment as it pushes one to do everything they can, it can sometimes be a disadvantage and could blind someone from seeing what is right for their business.

With a consultant, you get the perspective of an independent third party. They will be objective and might find it easier to spot any problems that need changing. They can also help you change some traditions that you have long been reluctant to change because you think they are part of the company’s “DNA.” 

Reduces Staffing Costs

Hiring a consultant as opposed to employing someone to do the same job could end up saving you loads of money. You might be required to pay the consultant, but that’s where it ends. There aren’t any additional costs in terms of investing in the right technology. Also, because they technically aren’t your employees, you don’t have to worry about welfare benefits such as insurance, healthcare, and pension, things you would all have to cater for if you got a full-time in-house consultant. 

Streamlines Operations

A revenue consultant is set to streamline all the operations within the company. Their work is to look at areas in which you can minimize spending and also find ways to increase the amount of money coming into the company. For example, if the company has some unnecessary stages in its supply chain, the consultant would try and streamline that and find a way in which you can eliminate these unnecessary stages without affecting the final product. Something that is gained through experience and working with different companies. 

Brings In Strategies For Growth

Growth is one of the most important things for businesses to observe. As long as you are growing, then you are on an upward trajectory, and the chances of failure are minimized. Through revenue consulting, you get an opportunity to grow. By evaluating your business and looking at the industry in which you are in, plus the market trends, they will be able to come up with strategies that can help your business reach its short-term and long-term goals.

With all these benefits, there is no reason why you shouldn’t hire a revenue consultant to reevaluate your business’ spending habits and revenue streams.

 

 

Brine makers that are prepared specifically for the contractor market are starting to appear. Given the many advantages of making one’s brine deliver, it is an equipment addition any contractor that is serious about brine application should fully consider.

Control Supply

One major challenge for some to get brine for sale is sourcing the brine itself. The advantages of brine for sale have been touted to the contractor market for the past decade, and many are convinced it needs to be added to their winter maintenance repertoire. But when materials aren’t readily available, it doesn’t matter how great the process works, and it’s simply not an option.

As the method has become more popular, availability has improved. Now, many equipment dealers and granular salt suppliers are beginning to offer brine for sale, as well. Still, there is hesitancy about material availability.

For any contractor, the key to success can service customers when needed. They cannot tolerate a lack of materials.

By adding a brine maker to an operation, contractors don’t need to worry about sourcing a supply. Brine makers work with standard rock salt to create the solution, so as long as a contractor has access to salt and water, he/she can make the brine. Furthermore, it is easy to store. Contractors can make groups well in the motion of a weather event to be ready when required.

Control Costs

Another reason to put brine on sale is to lower material costs. The practice of applying brine already offers cost savings, as it can reduce salt usage. But, of course, when you make your materials, you forgo any margin an outside vendor will naturally add to the purchase price.

One ton of rock salt, at $60 per ton, can generate 870 gallons of brine. And the cost of necessary water for that batch is relatively negligible, with the top rate in the United States at about $4 per thousand gallons. That comes to about 7 cents per gallon to make the brine.

Establish a New Profit Center

Decreasing costs is one way to boost profits, but adding another product or service to sell is also better. As previously mentioned, a primary reason for making brine in the house is the difficulty in finding a reliable supply of materials. So, why not flip this new experience to become part of the supply solution, brine on sale to other contractors for profit?

One of today’s brine makers’ attractive qualities is that they don’t require a lot of hands-on activity to operate. Once the machine inputs are set (water and salt), it works to mix and produce the finished brine. And again, brine can be efficiently stored for later use.

Conclusion

If you put brine on sale, it will eliminate the handling or disposal of insoluble, reduces human resources requirements, provides a dependable and convenient supply, eliminates salt dusting and caking problems, and many more. So do not think anymore and put your brine on sale now and enjoy its benefits.