Local Market Launch

Local Market Launch

The Team

Voting for the Right Leaders is Key to Solving Environmental Problems

There are many ways to deal with environmental issues. If you care about the future and want to have a significant impact, you must choose the right leaders. You should even take it further and encourage others to vote your way. Unfortunately, environmental problems aren’t necessarily the priority among many voters. Hence, it’s not easy finding politicians who have the environment at the core of their campaigns. However, if you’re an advocate, you must do whatever it takes to elect the right people in office.

Leaders create policies

Politicians can make laws or ban practices. They have the power to allow the operation of businesses. Unfortunately, they have too much power in their hands, and their decisions could significantly impact the effort to save the environment. While your efforts at home, such as copper recycling, must continue, you should step up and ensure these actions move to a bigger platform.

People listen to their leaders

Elected officials have a powerful voice. With their speeches, they can change minds. Ordinary people listen to them and look up to them for guidance. It’s crucial to have leaders who say the right things, especially environmental issues. When these leaders deny climate change, people might think their beliefs are true. It’s too dangerous to put the wrong people in power.

People pay taxes to fund suitable projects

People in authority can also decide how to spend taxes. They have control over which projects to pursue. If we elect the right leaders, they will pay attention to critical environmental programs. They will also consider giving them a shot. When you have leaders who don’t think the same way, they will use these funds on other things.

It sends the right message

When you practice copper recycling at home, you might feel alone. You don’t think others care. You also worry that not everyone sees environmental issues as urgent. However, when qualified leaders with concern for the environment win the office, you feel better. You realize that you’re not alone in the fight. You’re not the only person who believes in climate change solutions’ urgency. It also tells climate change deniers they have to change their beliefs. If most voters see these issues as a priority, they must see them the same way.

Of course, people elect politicians based on their stance on various issues. Environmental problems aren’t the only reasons why people vote. There’s still no harm in organizing for leaders who will put climate change solutions as a priority. They understand the gravity of the problem and will try their best to effect change while in power. Conversely, the efforts will go to waste when someone on top doesn’t want to promote the good practices. You should work harder to replace them. The future is at stake, and the next generation will suffer when we choose the wrong leaders. Be mindful of your decision and what it entails for your children.

 

Feasible Financial Advice for The Elderly

Aging comes with a lot of financial challenges that can be difficult to navigate. With rising healthcare costs, limited retirement savings, and Social Security benefits that may not be enough to cover basic living expenses, it’s more important than ever to have a solid financial plan in place.

If you’re approaching or in your golden years, here are 4 feasible financial tips for you.

Spend on Healthcare

One of the biggest financial concerns for seniors is healthcare costs. Many retirees have gone into debt to cover medical expenses. Spending on healthcare before you need it is a great preemptive action.

For instance, one way to prepare for rising healthcare costs is to invest in a good health insurance plan.

Another way to offset healthcare costs is to set aside money in a dedicated account, like a Health Savings Account (HSA). HSAs are tax-advantaged accounts that can be used to cover qualified medical expenses, including things like doctor’s visits, prescription drugs, and long-term care.

Create a Budget

It’s important to have a clear understanding of your income and expenses at all stages of life, but it becomes even more crucial in old age.

If you’re not sure where to start, sit down and create a budget. Track your spending for a month or two to get an idea of where your money is going.

You don’t have to do this manually either. There are numerous apps and software programs that can make budgeting easier.

Once you have a good handle on your spending, you can start making adjustments to ensure your money is going where you want it to. Look for ways to cut back on unnecessary expenses so you can free up more cash.

For instance, it may be a good idea to downsize to a smaller home or move to a more affordable location. Moving to an assisted living facility for example can help reduce your housing costs while still providing you with the care and amenities you need.

Start an Investment Portfolio

Investing is one of the smartest things you can do with your money. No matter your age, it’s never too late to start.

There are a variety of investment options available, so it’s important to do your research and find the right fit for you.

For the elderly, it’s best to opt for low-risk investment options. These types of investments may not offer the highest returns, but they’re typically more stable than stocks and other higher-risk options.

Automate Your Savings

One of the best ways to ensure you’re saving enough is to automate your contributions.

Forgetfulness is an unfortunate reality of getting older. By setting up automatic transfers from your checking account to your savings or retirement account, you can make sure your money is going where it needs to, even if you forget.

You can typically set up automatic transfers online or through your bank’s mobile app. If you’re not sure how to go about automating your savings, talk to a financial advisor. They can help you set up a plan that meets your unique needs and goals.

By following these tips, you can ensure you have a solid financial foundation in place. This will give you peace of mind and help reduce stress as you enjoy your golden years.

 

4 Services to Hire for Your Renovation Project

Undertaking a renovation project is a huge endeavor. You have to juggle a million different details and make sure that everything comes together perfectly.

One way to take some of the stress out of your renovation project is to hire professionals to help with various aspects of the job. Here are 4 services you should hire.

Hacking Services

In construction, hacking is the process of removing old finishes from walls, ceilings, and floors. This is usually the first step in a renovation project, and it’s important to hire a professional hacking service to do the job.

Professional hackers are experienced in safely removing old finishes without damaging the underlying structure. They also have the necessary equipment to get the job done quickly.

Here’s how to hire the best:

  • Ask for recommendations from friends or family who have recently renovated their homes.
  • Check online review sites to find hacking services with good ratings and reviews.
  • Get quotes from several different companies to compare rates.

Construction Service

Obviously, you will need to hire a construction service for your renovation project. A construction company can provide the manpower, materials, and equipment needed to get the job done well.

While DIY construction tips spring up every day, it’s never as easy as it looks in those videos. A professional construction team will know how to properly complete your project while following all city codes and regulations.

Here’s how to hire the best:

  • Look for a company with mostly positive reviews and a good rating.
  • Ask for quotes from multiple companies.
  • Make sure the company is licensed and insured.

Legal Services

Especially if your project is on a large scale, you may need to hire a lawyer to help with construction contracts, filing for permits, and understanding zoning regulations. A lawyer can also mediate if there are any disagreements between you and your contractor or other members of your renovation team.

Here’s how to hire the best:

  • While any licensed lawyer can technically represent you in a construction case, it’s best to hire someone who specializes in this area of law.
  • Get recommendations from people you trust.
  • Once you have a few names, do some research to see what others have said about their experience working with the lawyer.

Cleaning Services

You might not think that you need to hire a professional cleaning service for your renovation project, but it is definitely something to consider. A lot of construction projects can create a lot of dust and debris, and it can be difficult to clean up on your own.

Plus, disposing of construction waste properly is important for the environment. Most cleaning services know how to do this or at least have an agreement with a disposal service.

Here’s how to hire the best:

  • Get referrals from friends, family, or your real estate agent.
  • Make sure they are insured and bonded.
  • Ask about their experience with renovation projects.

For a quality construction job, it is important to consider all aspects of the project, from start to finish. This means hiring professional services to get the job well done. If you do your research and hire reputable companies, you can be sure that your home will be upgraded exactly as you want it.

 

How to Conduct Information Dissemination Campaigns on Environmental Concerns

Protecting the environment isn’t a one-man show. It requires a collective global effort. If we want to change where things are heading, we must act now. Therefore, it helps to continue the information dissemination campaigns. The only problem is not everyone feels the same. Many people don’t even care about the environment. When selecting leaders, environmental concerns aren’t a priority.

We must keep talking to other people, including those critical of environmental conservation efforts. We need them to do their share. When we listen and express our perspectives, they might change their minds. Here are some tips to be successful in doing these campaigns.

Have a clear message

You can’t keep telling people to save the environment or that climate change is real. These are vague messages that won’t do anything to change people’s minds. If you want to entice more people, have a clear message. They must understand what’s going on and how they can help. You can also discuss specific steps for people to help. For instance, if you practice metal recycling, you can explain the process and its benefits. By providing more concrete information, you will be more convincing.

Polish your public speaking skills

Your ability to talk to other people is also crucial. You must know how to address people from different walks of life. Choose the right words to sound more convincing. Everything must be appropriate to your audiences, from your word choice to your gestures. You can’t expect to convince anyone when you have weak public speaking skills.

Prepare some answers

When you discuss ways to save the environment, don’t expect everyone to say yes. You will receive potential questions. Be ready to answer them. You can use visual aids such as charts and graphs to support your responses. You must also use reliable resources to back your claims. Otherwise, you can’t expect people to be responsive. They might think you’re making stuff up, and they would rather believe in unreliable online information.

Know whom to talk to

Start your campaign with people who might be on the fence but are willing to listen. You don’t want to start with hardcore climate change deniers since they’re a more significant challenge. However, these people on the fence might change their minds when given the correct information. They might have questions, but they understand your goal.

Create a plan

You should know what to say, where to say it, and whom to say it to. Having a clear plan will help in your information dissemination campaign. You should also identify appropriate platforms to pursue the goal. For example, you can organize local meetings or host town halls. You can also have an online live session where you answer questions. Utilize your social media accounts where people can interact.

With these tips, you will be successful in changing minds. So don’t give up and keep trying even if you only convert a few people. You’re doing the right thing, and you can’t stop because it feels impossible.

Dangers of Being a Venture Capitalist: Protecting Yourself

As a venture capitalist, you take many risks when investing in a startup. However, if you are successful, the profit potential is high. When you live in a bustling business development country, startups have many opportunities to succeed. By investing early in a promising startup, you can make a lot of money if it takes off.

If you’re willing to take on some risk and have the patience to wait for the right opportunity, then being a venture capitalist can be a good career choice. However, you must also be aware of the dangers. If unprepared, you might lose everything you worked hard to build, getting nothing in return for your investments. Here are a few things to help you avoid being a venture capitalist.

Background Checks on Startup’s Management Team

As a venture capitalist, you need to know who you are dealing with in the partnership. This strategy means you must perform background checks on the startup’s management team rather than just the business idea. The process can help you better understand whether or not the team has the experience and knowledge necessary to make the startup successful.

A background check requires time and money, but it’s worth it to know if you can trust the team you’re considering investing in for the long run. There are many ways to perform a background check, but here are a few key things to look for:

  • The management team’s experience in the industry
  • The management team’s education
  • The management team’s previous business ventures (if any)
  • Any lawsuits or criminal records associated with the management team

It might be challenging to accomplish those yourself, making it necessary to find a company that can perform professional background checks without your involvement. This type of company will have a network of resources to find the information you need to make an informed decision about whether or not to invest.

However, there is a chance that their background information does not do them justice. Their business idea might be so profitable that you might consider letting them slide. It will depend on your preference, but background checks provide a more practical approach to avoiding the danger of partnering with the wrong startup.

Skipping Due Diligence

Due diligence is investigating a potential investment before committing. It includes financial and legal research and other relevant information to help you make an informed decision. The goal is to identify and mitigate as much risk as possible.

As a venture capitalist, you need to be thorough in your due diligence process to protect your interests and avoid any legal trouble down the road. You want to get blindsided by a lawsuit or other problems because you didn’t do your homework.

There are many things to consider when doing due diligence, but here are a few essential items:

  • The business model
  • The financial projections
  • The competitive landscape
  • The legal risks

Again, this is just a starting point. You might need to hire experts in different fields to help with the due diligence process. For example, if you’re considering investing in a biotech startup, you might need to consult with a medical expert to get their opinion on the science.

Patience with Checking Financial Statements

As a venture capitalist, one of your key responsibilities is to review the startup’s financial statements. This process can be tedious, but it’s essential to ensure the company is on track and not hiding anything.

It would help if you had patience when reviewing financial statements because there are often many numbers and accounting terms to sift through. However, if you don’t understand something, ask questions. The last thing you want is to make an investment based on incorrect information.

Many red flags can pop up when reviewing financial statements, so here are a few things to look out for:

  • Inconsistent revenue growth
  • Decreasing profit margins
  • High employee turnover
  • Unusual expenses
  • Lack of cash reserves

The very nature of a venture capitalist and startup partnership is money. Aspiring entrepreneurs need the capital to begin operations. However, you might want to ensure that they are not relying on your offer alone. As a result, checking their credit score could help you identify if they are worth the investment. You can partner with an agency that can report credit scores in the Philippines to get this information quickly and easily.

The credit score is just one part of the decision-making process, but it is crucial. By understanding the creditworthiness of a potential partner, you can minimize your risk and protect your interests as a venture capitalist.

The Bottom Line

As a venture capitalist, you need to be aware of the risks before making any investments. The list includes performing due diligence, background checks, and reviewing financial statements. By taking these precautions, you can help protect yourself and your interests.

Starting Your Own Online Business? Here’s What You Need to Remember

Starting your own online business can be a very rewarding experience, but it’s important to remember that there are many things you need to do to make it a success. It can be quite overwhelming at first, but if you take things one step at a time, you’ll be on your way to success before you know it.

Here are some of the most important things to keep in mind when starting your own online business:

Have a Strong Business Plan

A business plan is vital to the success of any business, but this is especially true for an online business. Because there are so many moving parts to an online business, from website design and development to digital marketing and social media, it’s essential to have a clear and concise plan covering all aspects of the business.

Without a strong business plan, getting overwhelmed and lost in the shuffle is easy. Additionally, a well-crafted business plan will give you a roadmap to follow as your business grows and changes. It can be helpful to think of your business plan as a living document that you can always refer back to as your business evolves.

Develop a Marketing Strategy

Marketing is essential for any business, but it can be especially challenging for online businesses. Without a brick-and-mortar location, customers can be hard to find. And even if they do find your website or online store, they may not know what to do next. That’s why it’s important to develop a marketing strategy that will help you reach your target audience and encourage them to take action.

Start by identifying your ideal customer. Then, consider what content will appeal to them and where they are most likely to see it. You might need online business SEO services or help with social media marketing to reach your target audience effectively. Once you have a solid marketing plan in place, you’ll be able to attract more visitors to your website and convert them into paying customers.

Find the Right Suppliers and Partners

Before launching an online business, finding the right suppliers and partners is essential. These are the businesses that will provide the products and services that you will offer to your customers. You need to be confident that they can provide high-quality goods and services at a competitive price. You also need to rely on them to deliver goods on time and meet your customer service expectations.

To find the right suppliers and partners:

  1. Start by doing your research.
  2. Read online reviews and compare prices.
  3. Get in touch with the businesses themselves and ask questions about their products, services, and delivery times.
  4. Once you’ve found a few businesses that meet your needs, get in touch with them and strike up a conversation.
  5. Let them know what you’re looking for and see if they’re interested in working with you.

If everything goes well, you’ll have found the right suppliers and partners for your online business.

Set Up Effective Systems and Procedures

Any successful online business needs to have effective systems and procedures to run smoothly. This includes having a clear plan for how orders will be processed and fulfilled, who will be responsible for customer service, and how inventory will be managed.

Having well-defined systems and procedures helps ensure that everyone involved in the business is on the same page, and it can help prevent errors and confusion. In addition, good systems and procedures can help make your business more efficient and effective, ultimately leading to increased sales and profits.

Create a Great Website

If you want to succeed with your online business, you need to have a great website. That may seem like a daunting task, but it’s quite straightforward if you follow a few simple guidelines:

  1. Your website should be easy to navigate. Potential customers should be able to find what they’re looking for quickly and easily.
  2. Your website should be visually appealing. Use strong images and clear text to grab visitors’ attention and guide them through your site.
  3. Make sure your website is optimized for search engines.

Use keyword-rich content and carefully select your titles and tags to ensure that your site appears at the top of search results. By following these tips, you can create a website that will help you attract customers and grow your online business.

Final Thoughts

If you keep these things in mind, you’ll be well to have a successful online business. Remember to take things slowly at first, and don’t try to do too much all at once. You can always add more products or services as your business grows. And most importantly, focus on providing value to your customers and giving them a great experience. Do that, and you’ll be sure to succeed.

How to Engineer More Family Time

Spending time with family is important, but it can be tough to find the time. If you feel like you’re always working and never have time for your loved ones, don’t worry -you’re not alone. In fact, many people struggle to balance their work and family life. Fortunately, there are a few things you can do to engineer more family time.

Insist on Having Dinner Together

Sharing a meal is a great way to catch up with loved ones and bond. If you’re always on the go, though, it can be tough to make time for bonding with your family in a functional dining room over a delicious meal.

One way to make sure you have family time is to simply insist on having dinner together. Let your boss know that you need to leave work at a certain time so you can be home for dinner.

Then, schedule your appointments and meetings for earlier in the day, so you can leave work on time and have time for family at night.

Next, make sure the rest of the family knows in advance what time dinner is so they can also plan their schedules accordingly.

Lastly, here’s how to plan the meals:

  • Try to have at least one night where the family cooks together
  • Order in or pick up dinner on nights when cooking would be too time-consuming
  • Take advantage of leftovers by eating them for dinner another night
  • Remember everyone’s allergies

Organize Family Game Nights

There’s a reason game nights have always been popular- they’re an excellent bonding activity.

Start by picking a day (or two) when everyone’s free, and mark those dates on the calendar.

Then, focus on picking games that will work well for your family. If you have younger kids, look for games that are appropriate for their age group. For older kids and adults, there are tons of challenging games out there.

Here are some games to try:

  • Scrabble
  • Cards Against Humanity
  • Exploding Kittens
  • Jenga

Take Family Vacations

Finally, don’t forget that spending time with the people you love doesn’t always have to happen in your own home. In fact, getting away from your everyday surroundings can be a great way to bond with your family better.

One of the best ways to do this is by taking a family vacation. Whether you’re taking a road trip or flying to a new destination, get everyone involved in the planning process and see how much bonding can be achieved.

When it comes to picking a destination, try to choose a place that everyone will enjoy. If you have young kids, look for family-friendly resorts or attractions. If you’re traveling with teenagers or adults, consider going somewhere that has adventurous activities everyone will enjoy.

Whether you’re struggling with balancing work and family commitments or simply looking for ways to spend more quality time with your loved ones, these tips will help you engineer more family time into your busy schedule. So what are you waiting for? Get started today!

 

Ethical Investing Explained

Two methods of moral investing that have gained popularity in recent times are activist and ethical investing. But what exactly are they? How are they different from one another? Let’s find out.

Introducing ethical investing

Ethical investing is sometimes referred to as socially responsible investing. It sees investors purchase shares in companies that are in-keeping with their own morals and priorities. For example, ethical investors often avoid gas and oil corporations or any company with a particularly bad fossil fuel record. What’s more, you might be morally opposed to smoking, so you would naturally look to avoid investing in tobacco companies. In the present day, many investors also avoid Amazon stock for myriad reasons relating to some of their unethical business practices.

Is ethical investing enough to drive change?

Although ethical investing is a good place to start, it’s widely seen as insufficient if we’re to achieve the global changes we need to see. So, supporting climate-conscious companies is a good thing, but it’s not quite enough. Rather, actively taking steps to reform the companies that are polluting the earth is a much more impactful strategy and is where activist investing comes in.

How is activist investing different from ethical investing?

Ethical investing is a passive act that sees you withholding your investments from specific companies. In contrast, activist investing leverages shareholder power within companies to drive real change. Even within the largest and most unethical companies in the world, activist investing has the power to bring about the changes that many of us desire, be it climate-related or to do with working conditions. Tulipshare is a platform that allows investors to get involved with activist investing campaigns that seek justice in some of the biggest companies in the world, including Coca-Cola, Amazon, and Apple.

Tulipshare’s campaigns have sought to bring about changes that will improve the planet, as well as the people that work with some of the world’s most unethical companies. Their recent Apple campaign has led to discussions with the IR team about a fair Right to Repair policy, which will hopefully save consumers money and save the planet from a great deal of waste. If you’re interested in one of Tulipshare’s campaigns, you can create an account and get involved via your dashboard.

Activist investing will have a huge impact on the future of our planet, and if we’re to meet many of the agreed targets that we have set at recent climate summits, we need to continue driving change from within some of the world’s most unethical and irresponsible companies.

 

4 Ways to Make a Great First Impression On Your Legal Clients

Even though lawyers may not consider themselves customer service representatives, at the end of the day it’s still their job to make a positive impression on their clients. After all, you’re still providing a service, and your client is only going to want to continue the relationship with you if they feel like you’re a good fit.

That’s why making a great first impression on your clients is essential. So, when you invite your clients in for a first consultation, make sure that you do the following things to get things off to a great start.

Present an Attractive Office Space

One of the first things that your clients are going to see is the space that you work in. Make sure that it’s up to par. That means you should have things like pleasant decorations, attractive artwork, beautiful flooring, and of course you should avoid having clutter all over the place.

The key to getting things off on the right foot is showing them that you are a professional and that you’re worth the money that they’re about to pay you. Everyone knows that lawyers don’t come cheap, so make sure that you present an office space that reflects your price tag.

Look Put Together

Other than your office space, your personal appearance also plays a role in the kind of impression you’re going to give. If your hair is disheveled, you have stains on your suit, or you have dirty fingernails, your client is likely going to walk out the door.

Beyond looking like you pay attention to basic hygiene, you should also make sure that you have a friendly appearance. Smile, look approachable and don’t give off an air of the stereotypical cold and calculating lawyer.

Be a Good Listener

If there’s one thing that lawyers are known for, it’s poor communication. They love to talk, and they are not known for being great listeners. However, your client is there for you to help them solve their problem.

The only way you can identify what it is that they hope you to help them with is by listening to their story. Do less talking and more listening during the initial consultation, to get a feel for their overall case. Respond accordingly, and give human responses. The more you come off as a robotic lawyer, the less at ease they’ll feel during the experience.

Don’t Oversell Yourself

It’s important to explain to your client why you’re the right lawyer for the job. However, you shouldn’t go overboard trying to oversell yourself to them. Coming across as too “salesey” can leave a sour taste in their mouths. Be genuine, share your experience, and don’t push it too far. They’ll appreciate your authenticity and straightforward yet honest approach.

 

 

How do financial planning help to build your child’s future

 

It is no surprise that having a kid today can be an expensive affair. Sure, one has to plan for their kid’s academic fees, wedding expenses, and so on. However, what also needs to be considered are the short-term expenses such as healthcare costs, hiring household help, and schooling. All this can add up to quite the amount, which is why it is important for a parent to have a steady plan ready to face these financial hurdles.

Financial experts are always urging people to start thinking about securing funds for their kids’ futures in advance. To ensure that their kids have the required finances to pursue their aspirations, there are a few things that parents need to keep in mind.

  1. Start saving early

There are a lot of parents who wait until their child begins studying, after which they start saving funds for their further education. This could prove to be too late. It is always considered best to start saving in advance. Those who start investing in advance can enjoy the benefit of compounding, which can work to their advantage in the long run.

  1. Invest in assets that can give higher returns

It is important for an individual to choose their investments wisely. Focusing on growth assets is an ideal move for long-term goals. Marriage, retirement, or even further studies can all be considered long-term goals. Making a mutual fund investment can be really helpful as this has the potential to deliver higher returns in the long run as compared to the returns of a fixed deposit.

  1. Be sure of your financial goals

An investor needs to be sure about both their short-term as well as long-term goals. A parent looking to secure their child’s financial future needs to understand the short-term goals such as the child’s healthcare expenses, schooling fees, cost of study material, and so on, as well as long-term goals such as marriage, retirement, further education, and so on. For short-term goals that need to be achieved within 2 to 3 years, parents can consider opting for short-term debt funds. For long-term goals, they can invest in equity mutual funds that can offer higher returns in the future.

  1. Get yourself insured

While this is a difficult topic, it is very important for a parent to think about the kid in case of their absence. A parent needs to make sure that their kid does not face any financial difficulties in the event of their unfortunate death. This is why a parent should always be covered under life insurance so as to ensure that their kid is financially secured.

The key to safeguarding a kid’s future is to focus on financial planning early on so that there is a corpus of funds created by the time the kid comes of age. It is also a parent’s duty to inculcate good financial habits in their kid for them to be well-equipped in managing the funds to realise all their goals.