How to Enter the World of Car Dealership

Setting up a car dealership requires extensive market research and preparation. Make sure you understand the nuances before committing precious resources.

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Avoid DUI At Any Cost to Keep Your Job

Having DUI charges on your record will affect your life and especially the job. Use these tips to avoid getting in trouble in the first place.

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How to Properly Brand Your Next Event

Branding your business at the trade show event is very important especially after you have spent so much money. use these tips to brand it properly.

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What Are Your Rights After Being Convicted of Crime?

Having criminal conviction on your record can harm yo in number of ways, including job search. Make sure you understand what you can do after being convicted.

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Revolut ramps up customer support with plans to hire 400 people in Porto

Fintech startup Revolut has been growing like crazy and now has 6 million customers. The company has to scale its support team accordingly. That’s why Revolut just announced plans to open a customer operations centre in Porto, Portugal.

There are already 70 people working for Revolut in Porto. Eventually, Revolut plans to hire 400 people in the country. They’ll work on customer support, complaints, investigations and compliance.

And Revolut has been quite successful in Portugal so far. There are currently 250,000 Revolut customers in Portugal, and the company is adding 1,000 new customers per day in the country.

It should help when it comes to hiring local talent. The company is also hiring a growth manager, a communication and PR lead and a community manager in Portugal. Ricardo Macieira, the new growth manager, is the former country manager for Airbnb in Portugal. Rebeca Venâncio, the communication and PR lead, has worked for Microsoft in Portugal. And Miguel Costa, the community manager, has worked for Mog and Nomad Tech.

Earlier this summer, Revolut also announced plans to open a tech hub in Berlin. Originally founded in London, Revolut is slowly building multiple offices across the U.K. and Europe in order to attract local talent.

10 Bar Lighting Ideas for Small Business Owners

When starting a bar, it’s important to create a full menu, design the bar top and tables carefully and hire a friendly staff that can provide a positive experience for visitors. But one element that can really tie everything together tends to get overlooked too often — lighting.

The right lighting design can make your bar cozy, vibrant or inviting — whatever vibe you’re trying to create for your business. It can also direct your customers’ eyes to the most visually appealing part of the space, thus creating a focal point and improving the overall design.

Jon Taffer of Bar Rescue said in an interview, “It’s also essential to decide what the focal point is going to be in the room. It shouldn’t be a bright light on top of the POS station or a bad wall or an ugly piece of art. The brightest thing in a room should be a beautiful Wicker display or an open display kitchen something that merchandises and creates appeal with lighting as a key.”

Bar Lighting Ideas

If you’re designing a new bar or trying to improve the look of an existing one, here are some of the top bar lighting ideas to consider.

Pendant Lights

Pendant lights hang down from the ceiling and often include unique shades or glass orbs that turn them into focal point pieces. They’re perfect for arranging along a bar or placed over tables. These pendant lamps from Niche Modern provide some visual interest and illumination over the top of a bar area in Austria’s Hotel Dollerer.

Track Lighting

Track lights are arranged along one long line, making them perfect for accentuating the area directly above a bar. They come in many different styles and levels of brightness. This image from DecorPad shows track lighting mixed with pendant lights over the top of a bar.

Wall Sconces

This type of light fixture is mounted to the wall and often serves both as a source of illumination and a unique decor feature. They don’t often throw a ton of light, but they can work for bars that want to include old-fashioned or dramatic lighting schemes. This Yii product is a modern example of this format. But there are also plenty of vintage inspired and industrial options.

Industrial Lighting

Industrial styles are particularly popular in today’s bars. This type of light fixture can come in a variety of formats, from hanging lamps to wall mounts. But they usually include exposed bulbs, metal and unfinished surfaces. This one from SaveLights is an example of a statement light fixture that fits with this style.

Chandeliers

Chandeliers come in many sizes and styles. There are traditional ones, like this one at the Chandelier Bar in Christchurch. And there are also modern and dramatic options. Chandeliers are best suited for bars that want to really make a visual statement. But many of these fixtures can throw a lot of light as well. They should also usually be placed over tables or bars.

Stained Glass Lamps

Stained glass lamps are perfect for traditional bar decor. They come in a variety of colors and styles. So you can choose the ones that fit with your aesthetic goals or just add an entire array of them throughout the space. These lights serve more as decor than practical lighting, but they can certainly supplement overhead lights or work in a dramatic bar setting. This option is from AliExpress.

Pool Table Lights

Plenty of bars have pool tables or similar activities that may require their own special lighting. Pool table lights tend to have their own unique style. These large lights are often statement pieces that feature stained glass and beer or liquor brand names or images. Others, like this example from Amazon, feature images or visual designs.

Ambient Lighting

Some bar lights are a bit more subtle. With ambient lighting options, like the options included in this example from Lightology, you can illuminate spaces like the area underneath the bar and along the edge of the floor. This can serve as supplemental lighting or as a dramatic option for bars that prefer a dark vibe.

Uplighting

Make your bar top stand out with light that actually illuminates from the top of the bar. You can even make it stand out with colorful uplights like those pictured here from Ice and Lime. This option may be best suited for trendy bars or nightclubs.

String Lights

String lights are usually better suited as decor than as your main source of light. But they do add some variety and visual interest to a variety of spaces. They can even work for bars that have outdoor patio spaces. You can find small twinkle lights or strands of lights with large statement bulbs. This example comes from PartyLights.com.

Image: Depositphotos.com

This article, "10 Bar Lighting Ideas for Small Business Owners" was first published on Small Business Trends

29% of Small Businesses Spend Less Than $1,000 on IT Security Annually

The digital and network footprint of small businesses is continually growing. Online commerce, social media, remote workers, and cloud-based IT infrastructure are just a few of the examples. With such a large digital presence, cybersecurity has to be a top priority for everyone. But businesses are not spending enough on security to combat the clear and present danger they face.

2019 SMB IT Security Report

The 2019 SMB IT Security Report from Untangle reveals 29% of small businesses spend less $1,000 on IT security annually. This is despite the fact that 80% of the businesses in the survey say IT security remains a top priority.

Granted not every small business can afford to pay more than their budget allows, but a security breach can shut your business down permanently. So, cybersecurity has to be prioritized with the urgency it deserves and within the limitations of your budget. And this is what Timur Kovalev, Chief Technology Officer at Untangle, addressed in the press release for the report.

Kovalev says, “Despite several limitations including budgets, time and workforce constraints, SMBs are now, more than ever, reassessing their investments into IT security.”

“In addition to must-have SMB IT features, such as firewalls and end-to-end network security, cloud-based services and distributed workforces have highlighted the need for SD-WAN solutions to establish secure connections between globally dispersed locations, offering further network-wide control and visibility for threats and attacks.”

Survey Takeaway

The 2019 SMB IT Security Report is a survey of more than 300 SMBs around the world. According to Untangle, the goal of the survey is to learn more about the state of IT security of SMBs. This includes IT trends on budget and resource constraints, breaches, IT infrastructure, cloud adoption, and the general state of IT.

As the report rightly points out, attacks on small businesses are continuing to increase. And it goes on to say, there needs to be a cost-efficient and scalable unified threat management solution for them.

So, how much are small businesses spending on IT security?

Close to a third or 29% spend less than $1,000 annually and an almost equal number (26%) say they don’t know their budget. This means 55% are either not spending enough or don’t know what they are spending on one of the most important facets of a company with a digital presence.

Image: Untangle Moving on, 19% say they spend less than $5K a year followed by 16% who spend more than $10K a year, and 10% spend less than $10K a year.

Whether companies are spending more or less, they are aware of the threats they face. As 56% of the respondents pointed out, recent security breaches affect their strategies and security roadmap moving forward. One of these strategies includes taking proactive measures to protect a remote workforce and physical locations.

Protecting More Locations

In the survey, 39% of the respondents say they now have at least five employee locations. Another 12% identify more than 25 employee-based locations. And as more small businesses continue to use remote workers, the numbers are going to increase.

Image: Untangle This brings a host of challenges for companies in certain industries. Financial and healthcare segments have to abide by strict regulatory compliances. Protecting how the data is transmitted and stored is critically important to not violate the regulations.

At least 24% of the respondents have or plan to implement an SD-WAN solution to mitigate their risk. But the future will require a more vigilant SMB community to protect and ward off the eventual attacks.

The Future

The threat landscape in the digital domain is not going to slow down. For business owners, it means staying well informed and implementing the best solutions available to them within their budget.

As a company which specializes in optimizing and protecting the network, data, and devices of SMBs, Untangle has some recommendations. This is what its NG Firewall and Command Center network security management solutions provide.

• Protection at the gateway to block malware, spyware, phishing and hackers before they ever reach your network.
• Visibility into everything happening on the network at Layer 7.
• Establish policies and network configurations once and replicate across all offices.
• VPN connectivity to tackle the challenges of a remote workforce, branch offices, and guest Wi-Fi.
• Cloud-based centralized management of all your NG Firewall deployments.
• See the status of your sites at a glance — all in one place.
• Get valuable auditing logs — key to regulatory compliance.
• Quickly and easily manage policies across deployments.
• Access to new management features as they become available.

When you are looking for a cybersecurity solution, try to find these features as well as others which might be key for your industry.

Take a look at the full 2019 SMB IT Security Report from Untangle here.

Image: Depositphotos.com

This article, "29% of Small Businesses Spend Less Than $1,000 on IT Security Annually" was first published on Small Business Trends

India’s Oyo acquires Copenhagen-based data science firm Danamica for $10M

India’s Oyo said on Monday it has acquired Copenhagen-based data science firm Danamica as the fast-growing lodging startup works to expand its business in Europe.

Neither of the parties disclosed financial terms of the deal, but a source familiar with the matter told TechCrunch that Oyo paid about $10 million to acquire the Danish firm.

Danamica, which was founded in 2016, has built machine learning tools and “business intelligence capabilities” to specialize in dynamic pricing of rental properties and hotels. Oyo said Danamica would help it scale its technical expertise as the Indian startup expands its footprint in overseas markets.

Today’s announcement comes weeks after Oyo said it planned to invest €300 million in its vacation rental business in Europe, and $300 million toward U.S. expansion over the coming years.

In May this year, Oyo bought Amsterdam-based holiday rental company Leisure from Axel Springer for $415 million.

In a prepared statement, Maninder Gulati, Global Head of OYO Vacation and Urban Homes and Chief Strategy Officer of OYO Hotels & Homes, said, “We are delighted to announce our acquisition of Danamica, a Europe based, machine learning and business intelligence company specialized in dynamic pricing, that will help us be more accurate with pricing, leading to higher efficiencies and yield for our real estate owners and value for money for our millions of global guests, both everyday travellers and city dwellers, that choose an OYO Vacation Homes as their abode.”

More to follow…

Large Client Bankruptcy: 13 Ways Small Businesses Can Protect Themselves

Landing a large client is a major moment for a small business, one that calls for celebration. But later on, if that large client finds itself in financial troubles, problems may arise for all of its associates. As such, a small business that puts too much faith in a single large client may find themselves struggling to stay above water if that client folds or changes direction. To find out what can be done, we asked members of Young Entrepreneur Council (YEC) the following:

“What can a smaller business do to protect itself when a larger client is at risk for bankruptcy?”

What to Do If You Have a Bankrupt Client

Here’s what they had to say:

1. Start Communicating Now

“It’s better to start communicating with clients before the risk of bankruptcy becomes filing for bankruptcy. Build a rapport and speak to the client often. When a person files for bankruptcy, they often have many people to pay. By being assertive and making yourself seen, the client will remember you. It reduces the chances of you getting left out when it’s time for them to pay.” ~ Blair Thomas, eMerchantBroker

2. Have a Plan

“Owning a business means you’re willing to take risks. However, taking risks doesn’t mean you shouldn’t have a plan in case things go south. If you get news about a large client who may be at risk for going bankrupt, consider your options and develop a feasible plan in case they file bankruptcy. ” ~ Syed Balkhi, WPBeginner

3. Actively Market Yourself

“Continually market and seek replacement for that client in case you lose that account. Start looking at ways to reduce costs and move into a lean spending plan to provide more cash flow should you have to go without that client.” ~ Serenity Gibbons, NAACP

4. Nurture Your Sales and Marketing Funnels

“The biggest problem that small companies get into is the “feast and famine” cycle of landing a big client, working that deal, and then having to find a new one once the money runs dry — whether from the project being completed or the client going bankrupt. To protect against this, never let your marketing or sales guards down. Always prospect and market so that the pipeline is always full.” ~ Keith Shields, Designli

5. Manage Your Accounts Receivable

“By the time a major company is struggling with their cash, it’s too late. A startup needs to build an accounts receivable muscle from the early days. Send weekly invoices and follow up for payment regularly. When you get to crunch time with a teetering company, play the startup card (“we actually need this money to stay in business!”) and ask for partial payments to at least collect something.” ~ Aaron Schwartz, Passport

6. Keep Records of Everything

“It’s important to keep a paper trail of all business you conduct through your company with clients. If a larger client is at risk for bankruptcy, one of the best things you can do is have records of all transactions so you’re able to protect yourself in the long run.” ~ Jared Atchison, WPForms

7. Alter Your Payment Terms

“If you know one of your larger clients is on the brink, request to adjust the payment terms of service. Based on the business, particularly if it is service-based, make the switch to a pay-upfront model to ensure that any services rendered after the concern of financial unrest have been communicated are compensated for. This enables you to still provide for the business while protecting yourself.” ~ Jared Weitz, United Capital Source Inc.

8. Get Your Accounts Settled ASAP

“We had a similar issue with a retailer that was possibly going bankrupt and was pushing off payments to us. Instead of waiting around for the inevitable, we got very proactive and pushed them to the point of hiring a collections agency to get it for us. Because of this we got our money, but many others probably won’t. Always get your money ASAP if it’s owed to you. ” ~ Andy Karuza, Relm Wellness

9. Diversify Early

“It seems like Christmas when a big client chooses your company, but it can be risky, especially when the client consumes all of your time and attention. The solution is a diversity of clients. Don’t let a single client take over. If you’re too reliant on a big client, they don’t have to go bankrupt to put your business at risk: A change of direction or personnel could be enough to spell disaster.” ~ Corey Northcutt, Northcutt Enterprise SEO

10. Make Friends in the Right Places

“While bankruptcy is scary and risky for any vendor, who gets paid often comes down to either who they fear or who they love. As a small business, the fear approach isn’t likely to pay off. Instead, focus on making friends in the right places with accounting and the C-suite. Talk openly with your contacts about the risk and make sure they know what’s at stake for your organization.” ~ Dan Golden, BFO (Be Found Online)

11. Update Your Portfolio

“So long as you can avoid looking like a vulture circling a carcass in the desert, you should take measures to preserve and showcase the most impressive accomplishments you’ve made with a client on the verge of bankruptcy. Ensure that you have hard copies, functional backups, and any relevant documentation before they start liquidating so that you have something to show future clients.” ~ Bryce Welker, Beat The CPA

12. Conduct Credit Checks

“Before you even go into business with a larger company, do a credit check or at least a background check. Ask to see their cash flow statements to spot any irregularities. I would conduct routine credit checks and be aware of any behavioral changes, such as slower-than-usual payments. Draw up a contract that specifies if accounts are 90 days overdue, you can directly take them to court.” ~ Shu Saito, Godai

13. Be Aware of Your Resources

“Diversify your client base. Putting all your eggs in one basket is never a smart move. Be prepared to ramp down resources allocated to that client to lower you financial exposure. Also be mindful of any work in the pipeline for them as you’ll want to consolidate efforts in the event you’re not paid. Finally, talk to your client and have a candid conversation about the steps they’re taking.” ~ Jordan Edelson, Appetizer Mobile LLC

Image: Depositphotos.com

This article, "Large Client Bankruptcy: 13 Ways Small Businesses Can Protect Themselves" was first published on Small Business Trends

How Online Reviews Can Make or Break Your Company

Many small businesses constantly chase great online reviews. Because they have become a critical part of the prospect’s decision-making process. But what are the mistakes that they should avoid in the process? And are fake reviews going to dismantle the entire system?

The Impact of Online Reviews on Businesses

On the Small Business Radio Show this week we speak to Jeremy Lessaris. Lessaris founded irevu, an online reputation management company. He discusses how reviews can make or break your company. He says that “a one star drop at a plastic surgery office can cost the company millions of dollars.” They are having even more of an impact because Jeremy adds that Google is now frequently listing reviews in some cases before organic search results.

According to Jeremy, consumers also “naturally gravitate toward negative reviews”. This is because they want to know the worst that can happen if they patronize that company. He believes that a lot of the positive reviews are getting discounted because some of them are the work of paid reviewers. To combat this, consumers are looking at multiple platforms for the trend of overall credible reviews.

Customers Are Paying Attention

Consumers do note how companies respond to negative reviews. Jeremy suggests not doing a “public break up where you lash out at the customer.”  Simply respond and show the customer that they are heard. He counsels that you should “try to take the emotion out of it and push the issue offline to resolve it”. Unfortunately, some consumers try to use a negative review to get something for free. He cites the fact that there have actually been lawsuits over people posting fake reviews to try to get something of value from that company.

Jeremy describes the best remedy for negative reviews is to get more positive ones to bury the bad. An effective way to get customers to give reviews is to ask for them consistently over and over again. He reminds us that “the growth of positivity is much more difficult that the growth of negativity” so companies need to work on this. Unfortunately, many companies don’t pay attention until they get multiple negative reviews. Jeremy reminds businesses that at their core, negative reviews are good feedback from the customer on how they are doing and where to improve their processes.

Are consumers going back to a place of only trusting professional reviews with all the fakes out there? Jeremy believes that Google and other review sites are spending a lot of resources reducing reviews from “like” farms. He does not believe consumer trust in peer reviews are ever really going away.

Listen to the entire interview on the Small Business Radio Show.

Image: Depositphotos.com

This article, "How Online Reviews Can Make or Break Your Company" was first published on Small Business Trends