LG V30 Smartphone May be Perfect for Small Business Live Video and Conferencing

With the first F1.6 aperture camera lens, the first glass Crystal Clear Lens, and the first OLED FullVision display, the LG V30 looks to be targeting creators. And if you are small business in need of a professional grade image capturing communications device, the V30 might be the right device for you.

While those firsts the V30 lists are impressive, it doesn’t stop there. You also get Cine Video mode for producing movie-quality videos, premium sound with advanced HiFi Quad DAC, sound tuning by B&O PLAY, and voice recognition.

As more small businesses integrate social media, live video, and conferencing into today’s collaborative workplace, the features the V30 offers make a great deal of sense.

In addressing these particular capabilities, Juno Cho, president of LG Electronics Mobile Communications Company (KRX:066575), said, “With its F1.6 Crystal Clear Lens Camera and Cine Video mode, the LG V30 is designed to help create professional-looking content without professional-level complexity.”

Key Features of the LG V30 Phone

Along with the above features, the V30 comes with everything you expect from a flagship phone.

• Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 Mobile Platform
• 6.0-inch 18:9 QuadHD+ OLED FullVision Display (2880 x 1440 / 538ppi)
• 4GB LPDDR4x RAM / 64/128GB UFS 2.0 ROM / MicroSD (up to 2TB)
• Rear dual camera with 16MP Standard Angle (F1.6 / 71°) / 13MP Wide Angle (F1.9/ 120°)
• Front camera with 5MP Wide Angle (F2.2 / 90°)
• 3,300mAh battery
• Android 7.1.2 Nougat OS
• WiFi 802.11 a, b, g, n, ac / Bluetooth 5.0 BLE / NFC / USB Type-C 2.0 (3.1 compatible) connectivity

Just like the V20, touted as the perfect phone for creators by Verizon, the V30 has a similar pedigree. Cho added, “The V series has always been demonstrating new practical mobile technologies that contribute to high quality content creation and the V30 has not lost sight of its roots.”

When Can You Get It?

On September 21, the V30 will be available in South Korea. Other regions around the world will follow, including North America, but exact dates have not been announced.

The company also has yet to release a price for the new camera phone. However, LG has said it will be in the neighborhood of its G6 and the V20, so you could end up paying $600 to $800.

Image: LG

This article, "LG V30 Smartphone May be Perfect for Small Business Live Video and Conferencing" was first published on Small Business Trends

Tinder hits top grossing app in the App Store on heels of Tinder Gold launch

 Tinder has hit number 1 in the App Store’s top grossing category for the very first time. Claiming top spot in the App Store likely has to do with the global launch of Tinder Gold, which lets users see who has liked them without swiping at all, among other premium features. Tinder’s initial foray into monetization came in 2015 with the launch of Tinder Plus, which lets users… Read More

35 Percent of Small Businesses Worry about Hiring Skilled Talent, Survey Says (INFOGRAPHIC)

Most small business owners consider finding skilled workers to be their biggest challenge, according to a survey by financial services company Reliant Funding. The company surveyed over 1,000 U.S. based small business owners with 5-200 employees.

Businesses Optimistic, Despite Hiring Challenges

The study revealed finding skilled employees is a key concern for 35 percent of businesses, followed by marketing and advertising for 33 percent.

Despite the challenges, the majority of small business owners (63 percent), however, are optimistic about the future. Three out of 4, in fact, say business is good and growing steadily.

Skilled Worker Shortage at Small Businesses

But which are the hardest to fill jobs for small businesses?

According to another recently conducted study by Indeed.com, jobs that require some experience and the wisdom gained from experience are staying empty at small businesses. These include jobs such as Road Manager, Director of Case Management, Mergers and Acquisitions Managers and Sales Advisors.

“Small businesses can have a difficult time finding employees to fill specialized jobs,” said Paul Wolfe, Indeed senior vice president and head of HR for the job site.

Hiring Doesn’t Have to be Difficult

Finding the right people for your small business can be tricky, but it doesn’t have to be a challenge.

If you’re struggling to identify qualified candidates, consider tying up with local colleges and adult education programs. If possible, cast your net wider and look for remote workers in other parts of the state, country or even overseas.

Struggling to tell how well the job applicants will do once they are hired? Rework your hiring and interview strategy. You may want to conduct multiple interview rounds and create comprehensive pre-employment tests to assess a candidate’s skills and personality.

To attract the best talent, it is essential for your company to be desirable. That’s why it pays to build a positive brand image online and offer prospective employees opportunities to learn.

To learn more, see the infographic below:

Images: Reliant Funding

This article, "35 Percent of Small Businesses Worry about Hiring Skilled Talent, Survey Says (INFOGRAPHIC)" was first published on Small Business Trends

Equity podcast: The Uber saga, delayed IPOs and just what is an ICO?

 Hello and welcome back to Equity, a social experiment regarding how many acronyms an audience can endure before passing out. Each week we dive into the world of venture capital, looking to understand exactly what’s going on behind the money. This week Katie Roof, Matthew Lynley, and myself — Alex! — were joined by Samuel Angus, a partner on the corporate team of Fenwick and… Read More

As Trump Cuts Business Regulations, State and Local Governments Invest in Red Tape (INFOGRAPHIC)

As Donald Trump continues to cut Federal regulations, local and state governments are going the opposite direction by implementing new employer regulations. A new infographic by Paychex highlights five areas where state and local governments are adding layers of regulation on employers.

The Rise of State and Local Employer Regulations

Titled, “The State of Change: Amid Federal Regulatory Uncertainty, State and Local Employer Regulations Are on the Rise,” the infographic looks at:

1. Equal Pay and Salary History Restrictions — Five states have passed legislation to expand equal pay laws while eight jurisdictions have passed rules to restrict salary inquiries.
2. Paid Leave Laws — Five states and one city have passed paid family leave laws and as many as 45 states and localities have passed paid sick leave legislation.
3. Health Care Reform — Potential changes in the Affordable Care Act (ACA) have led 14 states to enact laws about the new state innovation waivers.
4. State Retirement Plans — Nine states have passed legislation to create individual retirement programs.
5. Payroll Cards — Five states have bills pending or have passed laws to govern the use of payroll cards.

The Washington Post has reported the Trump administration plans on pulling or suspending 860 pending regulations. And many businesses are happy he is keeping this campaign promise as they fight mandatory minimum wage and other regulations.

Paychex president and CEO, Martin Mucci, points out the argument both sides are making. For the deregulation point of view, he explains:

“The Trump administration is actively moving forward with its plans to create a more business-friendly environment. Part of that agenda is the reduction of current regulations impacting employers.”

As for why the states are creating more regulations, Mucci adds, “With the intent of advancing worker protections, state and local governments are responding, ushering in a new wave of employer-facing regulations.”

No matter which side of the political spectrum you stand on, there is no disputing the number of federal regulations on the books. And while local, state and federal governments have different perspectives, it’s important to  remember small businesses employ around 60 million people or 47.8 percent of US employees (SBA 2016), so regulating them out of business will not help anyone.

Check out the Paychex infographic below.

Images: Paychex

This article, "As Trump Cuts Business Regulations, State and Local Governments Invest in Red Tape (INFOGRAPHIC)" was first published on Small Business Trends

25 Sites Where You Can Sell Photos Online When Building a Photography Business

Work as a portrait photographer or as a freelancer in advertising or the media aren’t the only options when building your photography business. Whether you’re an amateur photographer with some quality photos you think people may be willing to pay for, or a professional photographer looking to sell your photos on different platforms, the internet is awash with websites where you can sell photos.

Where to Sell Photos Online

If you’re wondering where to sell photos online, check out the following 25 sites.

Shutterstock

Shutterstock is designed for all levels of photographers. Shutterstock users upload images and retain copyright, earning up to 30% of the sales price, dependent on the size of the image.

iStock

iStock is perfect for amateur photographers starting out. The standard royalty pay-out for a photo on iStock is 15% – 45% per download, dependant on the image’s popularity.

Fotolia

Adobe’s Fotolia is great for any type of photographer. For all downloaded photos, the site gives photographers royalties of 20 – 46%.

123RF

Both amateur and professional photographers can upload images on to 123RF. Depending on how much they contribute, sellers can expect to earn between 30% and 60% in royalties.

Flickr

Flickr is one of the biggest images sharing sites, allowing experienced photographers to sell their creations as royalty-free images. Once images are approved by the site’s editors, photographers earn a 20% royalty on all bought images.

Fotomoto

Fotomoto provides professional photographers with a widget they can place on their own site, enabling them to sell photos. Fees range from 0% to $25 per month, as well as a transaction fee of between 10 – 22%.

Can Stock Photos

Sellers on Can Stock Photos have to be approved first and therefore need to offer a high standard of images. Once approved, photographers can earn up to 50% in royalties for each image.

ZenFolio

Professional photographers can create a portfolio of their work on Zenfolio and display their images for sale. All plans include unlimited photo uploads on this all-in-one ecommerce photography platform.

TourPhotos

TourPhotos enables tourism companies to share or sell the photos professional photographers have taken of their activities. Such activities include paragliding, scuba diving, rafting and more.

Alamy

Photographers receive a 50% royalty payment for each photo sold on Alamy. This popular photo-selling website has more than 60 million images and videos for sale. Photographers can also sell their images elsewhere.

Crestock

Photographers can open an account for free on Crestock and begin earning royalties for each photo they sell. All images are evaluated by the site’s editor, so are required to be of a quality standard.

Snapped4U

Snapped4U is designed for professional photographers who take photos of weddings, festivals and other events. For photos sold for over $5, photographers will need to pay a 10% commission. For images less than $5, the site charges $0.50 for every image sold.

PhotoDune

Photographers and stock illustrators should consider using PhotoDune as a site to sell their creations. Accepted images can be edited with ease on PhotoDune.

BlueMelon

Photographers of different standards can upload photos and videos on BlueMelon. Users can set their own prices on this site. Plans start from $70 annually, and users can earn 92% in royalties.

Red Bubble

Hailed as being suitable for photographers whose images are more Instagram-friendly than of studio lighting quality, Red Bubble is a great place for amateur photographers to sell their images. Users can also sell other products such as canvases with their images.

FineArtAmerica

Photographers can create portfolios on FineArtAmerica and sell prints of their shots. Photographers can make their images into posters, canvases, prints and greeting cards on FineArtAmerica.

500px

Experienced photographers can showcase their work and licence their photos on 500px. The site also enables photographers to take part in contests or simply sell their images on this online marketplace.

Dreamstime

Photographers selling their creations on Dreamstime need to be of a certain level, as all uploads have to meet certain technical, aesthetical and commercial standards. Once the images are approved, sellers can receive 25 – 50% in royalties, as well as a $0.20 bonus for each submission that’s approved.

SmugMug

Photographers of all levels of experience can sell their images on SmugMug and keep up to 85% of the revenue. SmugMug Pro users can take advantage of the site’s lab to create prints, cards and books from their images.

PhotoMoolah

PhotoMoolah enables photographers to submit photos to various contests. Competition winners receive payment for the photo and retain copyright of the image.

PhotoShelter

Photographers of varying abilities can upload their images onto PhotoShelter. Users can opt to either have their orders fulfilled or fulfil them on their own. Plans on PhotoShelter start from $9.99 to $49.99 a month.

Picfair

Amateurs, Instagrammers and professional photographers can use Picfair to sell images. The site doesn’t charge the photographer, but adds 20% onto the sale price for the buyer.

Big Stock

Photographers can earn between $0.50 and $3 per sale on Big Stock, as the sites takes a 50% commission. Photographers of all abilities can list their photos in a range of categories and tag them with keywords.

Stocksy

Stocksy is proving to be a popular choice for new photographers looking to start selling their images. The site is generous with its pay-outs, offering 50% commission to photographers for images that sell.

Etsy

Amateur and professional photographers alike can sell their images on the popular art and craft selling site, Etsy. The site keeps 20 cents on each item sold, as well as 3.5% of the sale site.

Have we missed any out? Let us know if you know of any other websites where you can sell photos online.

Photographer Photo via Shutterstock

This article, "25 Sites Where You Can Sell Photos Online When Building a Photography Business" was first published on Small Business Trends

How to Hire a Real Team Player

Normally, when I talk to budding cartoonists, one of the pieces of advice I give is to keep things simple. Don’t draw more than you need to draw.

Typically you have about 7-10 seconds for the reader to understand the scene, meet the cast, read the joke, and put it all together.

So simple usually equals better.

That being said, sometimes you just can’t help drawing a cityscape in the background, a stack of paperwork, and the correct markings on a snake.

This article, "How to Hire a Real Team Player" was first published on Small Business Trends

The First Things Your Small Business Should Do After a Hurricane

Hurricane Harvey made landfall Aug. 25, resulting in what’s likely the worst disaster Texas has ever experienced. Officials estimate the recovery will take years, and small-business owners in southeastern Texas face many challenges to rebuilding, even if they had a solid emergency plan.

The Small Business Administration will release a list of local resource partners who can help business owners as soon as the agency can confirm that the partners — many of whom were also evacuated — are up and running, Mark Randle, lead public information officer for the SBA, said Tuesday. The resources will be available Hurricane Harvey, along with information regarding the SBA disaster loan program.

What to Do After a Hurricane

In the meantime, you can take some steps to start the recovery process.

1. Call Your Insurance Agent

Contact your insurance agent as soon as you can. The Insurance Information Institute has a step-by-step guide to help you prepare for the claims process and the adjuster’s visit. Have your policy number handy when you call, along with backup contact information so your insurer can get ahold of you as quickly as possible during the process. It’s essential you file an insurance claim to document that a disaster occurred.

2. Organize Your Records

Gather and organize your business records, which will be helpful when dealing with your insurance agent or applying for disaster relief funding. If your records were destroyed, there are ways to reconstruct them. Don’t access your business until it’s safe to do so, even though this may go against all of your entrepreneurial instincts.

Focus on:

• Invoices dating back at least a year
• Bank statements that can be used to track deposits and determine sales revenue
• Last year’s federal and state tax returns
• Purchase agreement, if you purchased your business from a broker
• Business contracts
• Budgets

3. Research Recovery Financing

The SBA’s disaster loan program provides low-interest loans to businesses of all sizes, private nonprofit organizations, homeowners and renters.

As a business, you may apply for up to $2 million in assistance, which will be made up of a business physical disaster loan that covers real estate, inventories, supplies, machinery and equipment, an economic injury disaster loan to cover working capital needs, or a combination.

According to Randle, the SBA tries to make a decision on each application within two to three weeks. Applications are reviewed on a first-come, first-served basis, so submit yours as soon as you can.

Online alternative lenders might offer faster financing, but they’ll likely charge higher annual percentage rates than what you’d receive with the help of the SBA.

4. Watch Out for Scams

Natural disasters often bring out the best in people — but they can also bring out the worst.

“It’s a time when there’s a lot of help available — volunteers, faith-based groups — so you can kind of get in that mode where everyone is just good and helping,” Randle says. “But unfortunately, there’s a lot of wolves in sheep’s clothing.”

Randle advises asking for identification and doing your due diligence before working with contractors, business financial lenders or anyone offering assistance. All SBA employees have official photo IDs and do not charge for any services regarding the disaster assistance program.

Randle also suggests considering local businesses that were serving your area before the disaster to avoid possible scams.

FEMA and local authorities will also release scam alerts as they learn about them.

Republished by permission. Original here.

FEMA Photo via Shutterstock

This article, "The First Things Your Small Business Should Do After a Hurricane" was first published on Small Business Trends

Online Fashion Portals – Present vs. Future

Online fashion portals have changed significantly in the last few years as popularity of e-commerce has increased. Here is your present vs. future guide.

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How to Ensure the Quality of Your Product Business

Quality of the products you sell can determine if your business will be able to grow or die. Here are tips to ensure the quality of your products is superior.

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Basis Set Ventures gets real to get to the heart of AI startups

 Lan Xuezhao has spent the last few months pulling together $136 million for her new machine intelligence-focused venture capital fund, Basis Set Ventures. I met Xuezhao for tea on a park bench in Potrero Hill earlier this week to chat about her strategy for the fund. Read More