If you think your MBA courses will teach you everything you need to know about business, think again. Here are just six business secrets that will give you an insider’s knowledge of the field. 1. Follow Passion, Not Academics Some of the richest men in the world dropped out of college to pursue a great idea. For example, Bobby Kotick eschewed a formal education in favor of developing his software skills, and a few years later he became the CEO of the world’s biggest video game publishing company. While a degree can certainly open doors for you, it shouldn’t become...
Payday lending has become a highly contentious issue in the UK, after huge criticism from consumers triggered stringent government regulations and a widespread crackdown. Even though we have now reached a point where interest rates have been capped within the sector, there is still criticism regarding the distribution of payday loans to students in the UK. An estimated 25% of undergraduate and postgraduate students in Britain own an average of £342 to payday lenders, which highlights the emotive nature of the sector. Exploring Guarantor Loans: A Viable Alternative As a result of this, a number of alternative, short-term lending options...
Eleanor Roosevelt once said it takes as much energy to wish as to plan; planning is key to a successful financial future. The plan should be realistic with clear aims, a timescale and flexibility to take into account changing circumstances. You may need some help in putting a strategy together but once it is done there is a good chance of your having a better financial future as long as you continue to earn regular income and have the self-discipline to follow the plan. There are some simple principles to follow. You need to live within your means and that...
If you are having financial problems and are planning to file for bankruptcy then you are most likely searching for a bankruptcy attorney that you can afford. Of course, getting an expensive attorney is out of the question. If creditors are after you from all sides, then you really must manage your resources well. If you think the only option for you is to hire run-of-the-mill lawyers, then you obviously are not aware that there is an abundance of very good bankruptcy lawyers. You must consider more than just the legal fees. If you are going to file for bankruptcy...
The forex market is never the most stable or reliable entity, as its derivative nature is susceptible to volatility and rapid change. This was drawn sharply into focus recently by the Greek financial crisis, as a potential default by the stricken nation and subsequent negotiations with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has caused huge fluctuations in the market. This has triggered a difficult past week for the forex market, with the Euro gaining after months of decline after it was announced that an agreement had been reached between Greece, the IMF and a selection of European creditors. It subsequently pared...
There are almost as many types of fraud as there are victims of it. From Medicare and insurance fraud to Ponzi schemes and phishing scams, bilking people out of money through deceitful means is a frightfully common occurrence in our tech-heavy modern world. Billions of dollars are lost every year to fraud, and while the financial toll is substantial, money isn’t the only thing lost when a person, institution, or government is taken for a ride and robbed. From the sense of responsibility and self-blame incurred to the health maladies that can also result, here are five hidden costs of...
Keeping a firm hold on finances is a struggle for many people, regardless of the financial situation in which they find themselves. Throw a wrench into the spokes of that common, everyday struggle — like going to and paying for graduate school — and many people choose to give up financial sense-making entirely. However, abandoning your budget and savings goals doesn’t have to accompany going back to school. You think of it as practice run for someday running your own business after you finish your MBA. If you’d like to keep your long-term financial health in focus while you’re earning...
Many people are tempted to believe that true leaders are born not made, but when it comes to leaders of historical importance, that adage rarely seems true. In many ways, leadership, as President John F. Kennedy noted, is indispensable from learning, which means every entrepreneur, pastor, community organizer, or team captain can improve their leadership skills by learning aspects of quality leadership that they then put into practice. But what are the features of great leadership? What traits should be lived out and repeated? While the qualities associated with excellent leadership are often those that are the most obvious, the...
While the American economy seems to have recovered finally from the troubles of seven or eight years ago, competition for good, higher-paying jobs is still pretty fierce. After all, just because unemployment is low doesn’t mean there aren’t dozens or even scores of highly qualified applicants trying to get the same jobs you’re vying for. With so many options available to them, how can you convince a potential employer that you’re the more appealing choice? From going back to school to boost your credentials to crafting a better resume, here are five different ways you can become more competitive in...
Do you need some cash today as opposed to next week or tomorrow? If the thought of selling your blood sends chills up your spine, check out these five easy ways to make money today. Check Out Neighboring Thrift Stores It’s always a great idea to go to your neighborhood pawn shop and sell off a few trinkets. You can have money in a few short hours with the right items. However, if you’ve done this once (or twice) you possibly have nothing more you can part from. So, take a trip to an upscale neighborhood and browse around in...
For some, office partitioning is simply about creating divisions within an office space, but there is much more to it than that. Used properly, partitioning can really work to maximise the space and, in turn, allow staff to work to the best of their abilities. Optimising the available space you have in the workplace should always be at the forefront of the mind of business owners and office managers because – in the end – it boils down to costs. Some expenditure on high-quality partitioning units can really pay for itself in a surprisingly short space of time. Maximising Space...
By Douglas Goldstein, CFP® What is the best way to plan for the uncertainty of the future? After all, so much can happen that it makes it almost impossible to create a financial plan. Even if you could quantify all the unknowns in your personal life (getting a raise, losing your job, change in family status, etc.), how can you possibly account for market volatility when creating your financial plan? The answer: use a Monte Carlo simulation. A Monte Carlo simulation tests large number of scenarios for what might happen. It calculates your odds of success based a projected end...
Many house hunters struggle to overlook design choices, wall colors and furniture layouts in previously-owned homes. Some despise the idea of living in another individual’s home. Others fear bacteria and germs from bathrooms and kitchens, no matter how much bleach is used to clean them. To avoid second-hand homeownership woes, many turn to new construction properties for fresh, sparkling abodes. Aside from being neutral and clean, new construction homes have further benefits – starting when buyers begin their searches to years after signing contracts. Consider the following four qualities unique to new construction homes for sale. Buyers are Active in...
It has been a while since I dove into a topic that is relatively straight forward but so many people have trouble with, that’s it Budgeting. I have trouble with it as well, we are soon to be receiving our income taxes and we have some credit card debt. What should we do with that money? In comes budgeting, sit down and prepare a list of all the expenses that you are paying on a monthly basis. Wait what, what are expenses…hold a minute..expenses are just that what are you paying out each month as an expense. Bills! Student loans,...
Some may think that only the financially gifted can afford financial services when in need of loans or other products. That only the wealthy have protections against the demise that awaits them or the requirements which may come about. This, however, is not entirely true as there are remedies for the lower-income workers who are experiencing a need for assistance, particularly now in wake of the toughening UK financial market. The Leave Behinds According to a Financial Times article, the National Institute for Economic and Social Research has shown that the disparity with UK households have risen sharply since 1980,...
Silver is a new mobile application that helps you to find the best credit cards in seconds, get all the details you need, and even let you apply directly from your mobile device. With Silver, you stay on top of your credit cards, so you never miss a renewal or get hit with annual fee & interest fees again. With constantly fluctuating rates and available services, the developers of the Silver mobile app understand how difficult and time-consuming it can be to research and compare the plethora of credit cards that exist in the market. How Silver works is simple:...
Emergencies happen and it is typically between pay periods or right after paying a bill. Not everyone has an ample emergency cash fund setup or the available funds on-hand, especially those with bad credit. No matter what your financial situation is, there are ways for you to get the funds you need in an emergency. Payday Advance If you have a stable source of income and a valid checking account you can obtain a payday advance. The amount that you can borrow is based upon your income. Most people qualify for these types of loans and often there is not...
Small businesses serving a town or region are quaint and certainly necessary, but other businesses look to larger goals across the world. Building a global company takes a savvy professional at the helm, such as Sukanto Tanoto, and a strong vision. Although assets certainly play a part in global expansion, it’s also necessary to understand your product and how it impacts other cultures. From cultivating material purchases in foreign lands to just getting your name into consumer’s minds, creating a business across the globe takes intricate steps. (more…)
The Indian real estate market has been facing several ups-and-downs over the past years. This was particularly true from 2012 to late 2013 as property prices yo-yoed up and down, resulting in tremendous confusion. Buyers held back as they waited for the market to stabilize. However, the year 2014 brings good news for buyers. Property rates in some areas in Delhi-NCR have fallen by over 20 percent, according to NDTV. The National Housing Bank’s Residex Index was the first to point out this fact. The Index tracked residential property rates across 26 different cities in India. The Index stated that...
Running a small or large business is no simple task, and many business owners experience a series of ups and downs throughout their time as industry or niche specific leaders. This is an especially common case when a business owner is new to the concept of running a business; as most people know, practice makes perfect. Therefore, it is impossible for brand new business operators to know every right and wrong “turn” as they create a new business from the ground up. Since every new business owner goes through this process, there are typically a common set of problematic areas...