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Construction Business Ideas 2021 for Beginners

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The construction industry gives ample opportunities and pushes business-minded people to start new ventures. 2021 is filled with lots of epic and fantastic construction business ideas, and below, you can check out the details about them. These ideas can embraced by civil, structural, and other engineering field professionals.

Globally, the construction industry looks exceptionally lucrative. It gives immense business opportunities to all entrepreneurs out there. In addition, it demands minimum initial capital investment, and you are good to go! If you have planned to start a business in real estate construction, you can either make your way to a residential site or a commercial site. Besides, you can venture into infrastructure road building projects or make an entry into industrial construction.

Set up a Cement Manufacturing Plant

It looks like one of the lucrative and quite profitable business ideas that you can go for. Setting up a cement production plant needs huge capital! But you will not have any problem selling the cement because a massive market is out there to buy cement from your plant. Thus, have a solid capital base and try considering opening up a cement manufacturing plant. And make sure to consult reliable construction takeoffs companies so that they better give you a clear picture of how much does it cost to set up a plant!

Set up blocks and bricks manufacturing plant

How about setting up blocks and brick manufacturing plants? You can opt for this idea indeed. This respective business idea needs minimum start-up capital. The catchy part is that as long as the construction industry is successfully thriving, it means that this respective niche will also thrive and never give a loss to you.

Business of offering Bricklayer Services

If you wish to make money out of the construction industry, you can try out the business idea of offering bricklayer services. It is a good business plan for all aspiring entrepreneurs out there. Most importantly, you have to undergo some training if you intend to offer such services.

Become a Real Estate Broker

It might turn out to be fruitful if you plan to become a real estate broker. Indeed, it has become one of the profitable professions linked with the construction niche. This respective business demands making solid connections with buyers and sellers! In other words, you act as a third-party person between a buyer and seller and get a hefty commission in return.

Offer landscaping services

One of the worthy and money-spinning business ideas we have for you is to start offering landscaping services. Here you grab contracts and deliver the services on a residential and commercial scale. Your primary job will be to maintain the gardens and lawns.

Offering House Repair Services

Old houses constantly demand repairing and a lot of maintenance. In this regard, professionals offering house repairing and remodeling services are contacted. You can surely start this business idea because you make ample profits here and never face a financial loss.

Set up a Manufacturing plant of Marbles and Tiles

The 21st century has seen the massive trend of using marbles and tiles installed in homes and offices. It will surely not be a bad idea to set up a manufacturing plan for marbles and tiles. People love flooring ideas that are packed with eye-catching marbles and interesting-looking tile designs. There is a massive market that seems ready to buy this stuff from you! You can also start a business about fixing tiles, marbles, and interlocking slabs, and paving stones.

Building Wiring Business

Try considering the Electrical Wiring Business idea! We all know that any building does not look complete if it does not have a proper and thorough electrical wiring system installed. If you have studied engineering and are thinking of initiating a business in the construction industry, we suggest you opt for this venture. It has been marked as one of the thriving business ideas that you can go into. Moreover, if you know the tactics to network and market your services, you can do exceptionally great in this business.

Set up a manufacturing plant for Doors and Gates

The trend of setting up a manufacturing plant for doors and gates is going sky-rocket high. Such an idea has to turn out to become a supplementary construction-related business venture. No building seems to look complete without having doors and gates. So, the idea of setting up this respective plant will go in your favor on the financial terms.

Conclusion

So, which construction business do you want to start now! We know that there is a pool of other ideas and plans, but we have shortlisted some of the best and profitable projects with you. Stay tuned with us, and we will regularly update you on what other ventures and business schemes have become limelight of the construction industry.

3 Investment Options That Are Worth a Look

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When you are looking to grow your personal wealth, there are a variety of options out there to consider. From countless investment options to simply putting your money into a savings account, you have plenty of routes you can take in order to protect and grow your wealth.

Unfortunately, even though you might think that opening a savings account and relying on the interest rate attached to the account to do the job is not typically the best option for these days. The fact of the matter is that there are very few banks that will offer an interest rate that will even come close to competing with the opportunity you have to grow your wealth via investing.

The trick is to ensure that you choose the right investment options for your situation. While there will always be some degree of risk involved with any investment you make, there are ways of mitigating or minimizing that risk.

With this in mind, here are three investment options that are worth a look at when you are trying to find the right route that will help you to grow your wealth.

1. Letting a Holiday Property

In many ways, property seems to be the best choice for many when it comes to investing. It is a commodity that will hold its value and almost always make money in the long run. This is particularly true when you are taking your time to find the right real estate investment for you.

One specific type of property investment is that of a holiday property to let. You can purchase a property in a popular holiday spot and let it out throughout the year to holiday goers. Such an investment can turn into an incredibly profitable business when done correctly.

If you are interested in purchasing a holiday property to let, start looking into holiday let mortgages today to see what you can qualify for.

2. Stocks and Shares

Even though you will want to approach this option with some degree of caution, stocks and shares remain one of the most viable investment options that there is. Generally speaking, the interest rate that you would be able to secure for a standard savings account at a bank simply cannot compare to the return on investment that you stand to make when investing in stocks and shares.

Your best course of action is to do as much research as possible before investing and even get the advice of an expert if possible. By making low-risk investments, you can turn a profit and effectively grow your personal wealth.

3. Wine

It might sound like the most farfetched of your investment options, but many people these days are finding out just how viable an investment fine wine can be. While you will want to consult an expert about any investments you are about to make, fine wine is something that has the potential to increase significantly in value over time.

Will AI actually change our lives?

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The history of human evolution can be understood through the development of tools. From flint-shaping in the Early Stone Age and agriculture in the New Stone Age, to telegraphs, refrigerators and steam engines in the Industrial Revolution, the process of machines replacing humans has been underway since the beginning of our species. As we outsource labour to mechanisms, we increase net efficiency, allowing ourselves to focus on higher goals.

Where in the past, however, machines replaced activities of the body, increasingly they are replacing activities of the mind. With Amazon using algorithms to manage its workforce and Mastercard relying on intelligent systems to detect fraud, AI is becoming more and more integrated into the many facets of human life. Many have talked about AI replacing manual jobs like factory work, or even removing the need for most human lawyers, but what other changes can we expect in the next 10-20 years? How will day-to-day existence transform as AI becomes more embedded in our lives?

AI as an embryo

AI stands for artificial intelligence. Currently, the ‘A’ of AI is quite pronounced — intelligent systems do outperform humans in computing, data analysis and games with fixed rules like chess and Go, but they are still unsophisticated in ‘open systems’ (where the task requires interfacing with the external world). If we were to predict the growth of AI, it would look like a steep curve, one we haven’t even begun to ascend. Changes will be slow to come, but once they do, they will do so explosively. Experts argue whether that explosion, known as the ‘singularity’, will come in 20, 30 or 100 years.

Automation as a first step

The immediate future, however, is easier to chart. Over the next decade, many of the developments in AI will involve widespread automation. A term many have grown familiar with since the pandemic, automation is the deferring of tasks and processes to computers and machines. Most cars will be partially, if not fully self-driving, reducing the number of vehicle accidents. The supply chain will be integrated and automated, meaning that goods reliably arrive where and when they are needed. Algorithms will increasingly be used in medicine to diagnose potential issues – there may even be online tests users take where AI systems will analyse the individual’s body without necessitating a trip to the doctor. In the immediate future, firms like Uber Eats and Deliveroo are preparing for the mass layoff of employees as drones are quickly becoming a viable method of food transportation.

Connecting people with content, products and services

There are two sides of this — the business side and the consumer side. At the consumer level, AI has played an increasing role in content suggestions over the last decade. Spotify, YouTube and Amazon have led the charge in generating algorithms that provide intelligent suggestions to help people find content or products they like. These systems will become more and more advanced, to the point where we will have dedicated managers on our devices with recommendations for the ocean of content and products that exist on the web.

For businesses, ad targeting and connection-forging will be assisted by AI. Algorithms will not only help business owners find target consumers, but provide intelligent suggestions on why the content/product is not yielding more success, analysing similar cases to gain an understanding of why one works over the other. Of course, AI will be implemented into large corporations first, but SMEs can also expect technologies that assist with marketing, product design and social media management.

Will these changes actually liberate us?

Past these somewhat basic changes, AI will eventually take over most aspects of human work. Whether it’s 3 decades or 10, that world will become our reality, raising yet more questions we struggle to answer. First of all, is an easy, cushioned life something to wish for? Let’s say AI replaces most of the living workforce, profits skyrocket and a generous UBI (universal basic income) is introduced. Many, including Karl Marx some 250 years ago, predicted that we would then be free to pursue art and ‘higher’ ambitions in our abundance of free time. But why, then, do rich kids make bad artists? They have all the time in the world, all the ease of convenience and access to whatever tools they need, but 9 times out of 10 it’s the young, poor, ambitious artist that captures the attention of the world and shakes up the industry. Work is a fundamental component to almost any practice, and a removal of necessity doesn’t seem to motivate people to work harder. Will a humanity liberated from work be liberated at all, or simply sink into a comfortable, stagnant life of ease? What will there be left to do once the machines have outsmarted us in every measurable way?

The topic of AI raises some of the most headache-inducing questions of our time. Beyond the simplest changes that are sure to arrive in coming years, predictions become varied and confused. Larger corporations are investing millions in AI, not necessarily to profit from the developments, but in part just to understand the trajectory and how to adapt to a transforming world. Smaller businesses, on the other hand, are unlikely to spare a second thought to the gaping question of AI, unable as they are to gain any practical insight on how to position themselves in coming years. Ross Pike of web design agency Koreti Ltd comments, ‘The question of AI looms over all industries, but some more than others. Factory workers are bound to fear for their livelihoods. Sectors like web design and digital marketing, however, are generally unsure about how the developments will affect them. For most, it is simply a question of staying updated and waiting.’

We all know that large-scale AI is coming, but we don’t know when, and we don’t know how exactly it will change each of our lives. For the moment, we have largely brushed the question from our minds, and perhaps that is best. Hopefully, the progress will be slow enough to allow us time to respond and adapt to the changing world.

WE KNOW HOW TO HELP YOU WITH AIRCON TROUBLESHOOTING SERVICES

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It’s summer – the season of heat, humidity and sweat. If you live in an area with extreme temperatures or high levels of pollution, your air conditioner might not be able to keep up with the demands placed on it. Here at 7Days Aircon Servicing Singapore, we know how to help you troubleshoot these problems and get your air conditioning running smoothly again!

We know how to help you with aircon troubleshooting services.

When is air conditioner not working? There is no cold air coming out of the vents and your power bill has gone up, then there’s a problem with your AC that needs to be looked into as soon as possible. If you’re having these issues, it’s best if you book an appointment with 7Days Aircon Servicing Singapore as soon as possible.

7 Days Air Con Servicing will tell you what the problems are and resolve them for you using our many years of expertise in repairing and servicing residential and commercial ACs. We offer a 30-day warranty on all repairs carried out by our technicians, so there’s no need to be anxious about the state of your AC unit.

Common problems with air conditioners

7Days Air Con Servicing knows that some problems are more common than others, which is why we’ve created a list of the most common issues with air conditioners and how to troubleshoot them.

What causes air-condition not to work?

When you turn your AC on but it doesn’t seem to be working properly – there must be something wrong. But what could it be? There are many different factors that can affect the performance of an AC unit, so take note of these things when your unit isn’t working as well as it usually does:

The circuit breaker has tripped

Don’t try restarting the AC yourself; this isn’t safe for you or for the device. Instead, call 7Days Air Con Servicing and we’ll do it for you.

The thermostat is set too high or too low

If the thermostat isn’t set properly, the AC unit will not function as well as it should. Make sure that the thermostat is set to a reasonable temperature – neither too hot nor too cold.

There’s something blocking the airflow

Are there any curtains or furniture blocking the vents of your AC unit? If so, move them and see if that solves the problem.

The outdoor unit is covered in ice

This means that there’s a problem with the refrigerant levels in your AC unit; call 7 Air Con Servicing immediately to have this fixed.

The compressor is not turning on

If the compressor isn’t turning on, it’s likely that there’s something wrong with the capacitor or the motor. Bring your AC unit to 7Days Air Con Servicing and we’ll take a look at it for you.

We can solve any problem that you’re having with your air conditioner 

7Days Air Con Servicing has been repairing and servicing air conditioners for many years, so we know exactly how to solve any problem that you might be having. We also offer a 30-day warranty on all of our repairs, so you can be sure that your AC is in good hands. Book an appointment with us today! You don’t want to be stuck in the heat this summer.

5 Key Points for your Pharma Business Plan

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Pharma companies produce chemical-based vaccines and medicines, while biotech companies manufacture medicines and other products using live organisms. Companies like Pfizer, Johnson & Johnson are top companies that excel in both fields.

Pharmaceutical companies take time during the research and development phase and need massive investment. But once the drug becomes a hit, it will also provide a high return on investment for the company. However, small and medium pharma may not recover from heavy losses if the development is unsuccessful.  The medical society may not support the use of your medicines or vaccines. It can be a hit-or-miss effort.

On the other hand, large pharma companies seem to cope with this situation since they already have various existing medicines and vaccines out in the market. They can simultaneously do research and development for new products and improve the current ones. Investors for pharma companies are willing to take high risks in return for high returns for their investments.

When assessing the financial feasibility of your pharma company, there are critical factors to consider. Let’s discuss these key points below.

1.  Sources of Revenue

Sources of revenue for pharma companies will vary from product sales, licensing, and milestone payments. Product sales have higher returns than licensing, but you also need to incur costs for the selling, promotions, and logistics. When you opt for licensing, distributors will do the logistics and distribution for you. Your return is lower but also means minimal workloads and staffing on your part. Milestone payments are from buyers you sign a contract with to deliver the products in the agreed time. Payments can be in tranches, and the buyers will pay in full upon final delivery.

2.  Portfolio of Products

Since investing in a pharma company is riskier than other business ventures, you should have a portfolio of products instead of focusing on one or a few products. These will diversify the risks if one or some of the products are a failure.

3.  Success Probability

A company may spend years developing the products, but there is no assurance whether a drug or vaccine will succeed. Also, a drug may be successfully made, but the medical community and society may find it controversial. To be more conservative in your projections, putting a success probability rate per product will help you evaluate how it affects the company’s overall revenue. Products in early phases have a lower probability, 100% for those already out in the market.

4.  Research and Development (R&D)

R&D is the significant cost incurred for a pharma company. It takes years to develop a drug or vaccine and go through different phases and approvals before it is out in the market. R&D can either be capitalized or accounted as an outright expense. Capitalized R&D will be amortized for several years. So, when we say that the costs will be capitalized for ten years, the costs are divided into ten years, and only a portion is recorded per year until the end of the amortization period. When it is accounted as an outright expense, it is recorded when incurred. Recording as an outright expense may result in a loss in your Income Statement, especially if the business is only starting. It will also mean no taxes to be paid on that losing year. The capitalization approach will spread the amount, thus minimizing the recorded expenses annually.

5.  Patents or Generics

Whether you will produce patent medicines or generic will depend on the direction you want your company to take. Patent medicines and vaccines command higher prices than generic drugs. Producing patent products will require more investments for the R&D, but once it becomes successful, it will also have a higher return. Usually, the patent period is 20 years. Once patents expire, the prices of the products will drop since you don’t already have the exclusive rights to produce.

On the other hand, producing generic drugs does not need a lot of investment, and you can produce similar products out in the market with no patents. Due to steep competition for generic drugs, prices are generally lower.

Presented above are the critical factors to consider when planning to start or expand a pharma company. Financial planning for a pharma company is more complicated. Utilizing a financial model template will be helpful, especially those financial models with well-thought structures and critical metrics for financial planning tasks.

You can check eFinancialModels, a leading website providing financial model templates. It offers a pharma biotech financial model template that is easy to use and fully editable for your project evaluation.

Pros and Cons of Purchasing Property Through a Limited Company

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Since the introduction of restrictions to Mortgage Interest Relief for buy-to-let mortgages (Section 24), there has been a huge leap towards investing through a limited company for buy-to-let landlords – but is this always the best way forward for investors?

From April 2020, private landlords are unable to. deduct any mortgage interest as an expense against rental income,  instead, tax relief is given as a 20% tax credit off your tax bill, regardless of your marginal rate of tax. This restriction only applies to personally owned properties and since interest is fully allowable in a limited company and the fact that Corporation Tax rates are comparably low, setting up a limited company has become quite popular. 

However, as well as the many advantages there can also be disadvantages of investing through a limited company, here are just a handful of them as suggested by Calculated Ltd, who specialise in tax advice and planning for property investors.

What is a limited company?

A limited company is a form of business that is separated from its owners and shareholders legally. In the UK this must be incorporated at Companies House so it can confer that it is a legal ‘ separate person’ from the people who own the company.

In the Uk, there are three different types of limited companies. A private company that is limited by shares, a public limited company, and a private company limited by guarantee. 

As by law, a limited company is separate from its directors it means that it:

  • Can enter into contracts under its own name, including the employment of staff 
  • Is liable for its own actions, and can sue and be sued
  • Has the right legally to the money made from sales, including profits 
  • The company is responsible for the payment of debts 

Pros 

  • Mortgage Interest is fully allowable as the restriction doesn’t apply to limited companies. By purchasing through a limited company, the mortgage interest payments can be fully deducted from company profits as an expense.
  • Corporation tax rates are much lower than income tax. Profits are taxed at 19% (current corporation tax rate), regardless of your personal income tax rate which is currently 40% for higher rate taxpayers and 45% for additional rate taxpayers.
  • Easier to pass shares in your property company to the next generation as opposed to gifting the actual investment property.

Cons 

  • Mortgage costs tend to be higher (higher interest rates and arrangement fees), as there are a limited number of mortgage products available and generally more difficult to get a mortgage.
  • Professional fees, e.g. Accountancy and Legal are higher in relation to purchasing and ongoing accountancy and tax filing for the company which is more onerous than preparing personal tax returns if the property is purchased in a personal capacity 
  • If you wish to draw the profits out of the company, there will be additional tax charges if taken as a dividend, above the annual dividend allowance of £2000. Assuming an individual has used all their basic rate tax threshold, the dividend rate will be 32.5% if you are a higher rate taxpayer and 38.1% if you are an additional rate taxpayer. 

It’s imperative to note that purchasing through a limited company may not be for everyone. It is therefore important that you seek professional advice based on your individual circumstances so that you can assess what the pros and cons are for you personally. 

At Calculated Ltd, people can book a 45-minute consultation, where experienced advisors will walk you through everything you need to be aware of and advise if a company structure is right for you. 

PosiGen CEO Thomas Neyhart Sees Changes in the Company’s Leadership and Growth

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As the country’s leading provider of renewable energy and energy-efficient solutions for low-to-moderate-income property owners, PosiGen has seen a lot of growth and development over the last few years. At the top is leadership from PosiGen CEO, Thomas Neyhart who also is the co-founder of the company. The company is set to help more people than ever get into the solar energy solutions that are sure to create energy savings and financial support for those who need it.

 What Is Thomas Neyhart Creating?

PosiGen offers a unique way for property owners to gain access to renewable energy that is not only good for the environment but is also a good way to cut costs. A good example of the work the company is doing came after Hurricane Katrina struck the south. When many people worked to rebuild New Orleans, they choose energy-efficient and solar programs to help them rebuild more efficiently. The problem is that many low- to middle-income families didn’t have that type of access. Quite often, they lacked the necessary FICO score or household income to qualify for programs that could help them get these solutions in place.

That’s when Thomas Neyhart decided to create a new solution, one that allows for access to renewable energy options that are clean and good for the environment but also within reach of those who have a lower income threshold. The move to provide solutions to this sector of the market was an effort by Neyhart, who easily saw that this was a segment of the population that had been overlooked. The result was significant growth of the company.

What Makes PosiGen So Different?

There are a number of factors that make Thomas Neyhart and his plan so different? What the company offers is much different than the competition. First, there is no FICO score required for property owners. There is also no minimum income required to obtain solar energy. The company also does not look at the debt to income ratio. All of these are limitations and barriers to accessing green, clean energy for homeowners.

Instead, the company requires that those who utilize the company’s solutions be a homeowner and be current on their electricity bill. With those qualifications, property owners may be able to get a fixed monthly bill for the entire 20 years they are with the company.

PosiGen is the only company to guarantee savings – something that is virtually unheard of in this segment. The company not only guarantees production, but it also guaranteed savings. The company is recognized as the only for-profit solar company that focuses on helping this specific segment of the population. It specifically aims to support low- to moderate-income property owners and communities of color.

At last check, PosiGen and Thomas Neyhart are achieving those goals. They state that 75 percent of the 18,000 solar systems and energy-efficient upgrades they have made have been in this segment of the housing population. It goes further as well. The company is diverse and inclusive with over 65 percent of those on the team being a person of color and/or female.

What Does PosiGen Have to Offer?

The company’s framework seems solid, but the question is, what are they providing to customers? PosiGen offers a combination of efficient energy with solar technology. It works with each property owner to create an individualized solar power solution that fits their needs and meets their financial goals. That type of flexibility is also rather unique in the industry.

The process is easy – the company’s system uses solar panels to take in sunlight. It then transforms that light into usable, renewable energy for the home to use. It is kinder to the environment and far less expensive than traditional electricity, creating a win-win scenario.

Thomas Neyhart on the Company’s Changes

Over the last year, PosiGen has seen a significant amount of change and updates, many of which are creating opportunities for the company to further its goals and reach more people.

In April of 221, the company landed support from Mizzen Capital, LP, a private credit fund. Mizzen made an investment in PosiGen. Mizzen led the financing in the company, providing $8 million of a $24 million term loan to serve as working capital for PosiGen. The goal of the fund was to help accelerate its growth in its efforts to connect more low and moderate-income homeowners with energy-efficient upgrades and solar power. Other investors included Stonehenge Capital and Reinvestment Fund, each providing $8 million to do the same.

At the time of the investment, Thomas Neyhart said, “PosiGen is a company devoted to creating good jobs in underserved communities, to enable equitable access to clean energy, and to make a meaningful difference in the lives of the families we serve. We couldn’t be more pleased to have these three organizations help us advance those goals in a sustainable and scalable fashion now and well into the future.”

Later the same month, PosiGen announced the second close of its Series D growth equity financing. The effort led to the addition of a $27 million investment from leading private equity investors. Among those investors were Kayne Anderson, Activate Capital, and SJF Ventures. This second closing of the fund brings the total round to $60 million.

At that point, Thomas Neyhart stated, “PosiGen couldn’t be more pleased to complete our Series D equity raise with these seasoned investors joining the company as true partners.” He continued, “Each brings deep experience to the table, not just in the renewable energy sector but also with respect to helping high-growth companies reach their potential. At this inflection point in PosiGen’s own growth story, I am confident we have now assembled an investor group that can help us fulfill our mission to our customers across the national footprint we are seeking to achieve.”

Leadership Changes from the Top Down from Thomas Neyhart

In May of 2021, the company announced that Josh Storrusten would take the position of Vice President of Operations for the company. Storrusten has a long history in solar energy that he brings to the table to support the efforts being made by PosiGen.

Most notably, he served as the operations leader of a renewable energy corporation that provided residential and commercial properties with solar, storage, and energy-efficient products. Neyhart said of the change in leadership, “His leadership and experience prepping companies for scalability will be invaluable as PosiGen experiences rapid growth into new markets. Under Josh’s leadership, PosiGen will truly be building the next generation of green energy professionals.”

Also important is the company’s announcement in November of a change in the chief legal officer. PosiGen announced that it was adding Dan Black to the company to serve as Chief Legal Officer. There is no doubt of his qualifications having worked as a general counsel with extensive experience in the energy sector specifically. His history includes work at one of the largest residential solar companies in the country, where he served as Chief Legal Officer, Executive Vice President, and Secretary.

Speaking of the move, Thomas Neyhart stated, “As PosiGen continues to experience significant growth into new markets, our priority is to continue to add strong team members who understand and support our mission to make solar available to everyone.” He continued, “Dan’s past experience with solar combined with his legal expertise make him the perfect fit for our team.”

 Get to Know Thomas Neyhart

Behind the growth and change at PosiGen is its co-founder and CEO, Thomas Neyhart. He founded the company in 2011 with the specific goal of making a positive financial impact on the lives of the customers he served by providing them with access to green energy solutions. From the start, the company’s focus on low to moderate-income families was the goal. And, it has helped more than 10,000 people in the New York, Florida, Connecticut, and Louisiana area achieve these goals.

Since the company’s founding, Neyhart has helped the company see numerous changes, including becoming the fastest-growing energy company in the country in 2014. It was awarded the Patriotic Employer Award by the Office of the Secretary of Defense and a Blue Ribbon Award from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce the same year.

The company continues to have a very specific focus – in serving those who would otherwise not have access to the cost-savings opportunities that come from solar energy and energy efficiency in general. Today more than ever, those who are looking for a way to access energy-efficient solutions can gain access thanks to the work of this company and its investors in providing access to solar. The company continues to see a significant amount of interest from investors, especially those who are also pursuing ways of supporting access to green energy in low- to moderate-income homes and communities throughout the U.S. There is no doubt this company will likely continue to expand with confidence.

How Legal Teams Can Work Well Remotely

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The concept of working remotely was once a perk offered by a small percentage of businesses. But, it’s now almost the norm coupled with variations of hybrid and Work From Home (WFH) options. In fact, it’s something that more and more employees want from their employers – to have flexibility in where they work from and to have a better work-life balance.

There are certain industries where working remotely can be more of a challenge, such as those in the legal field, but it’s certainly not impossible. With these tips, legal teams can find winning ways to work effectively from remote locations without compromising on the standard of their work, staff flexibility and overall productivity. 

Communicate changes regularly

Shifting from a traditional law firm process to a remote one can take some getting used to, but communication is at the heart of your success. Any changes in policies or updates with clients need to be communicated clearly and quickly, so that everyone is on board and working to the same information and deadlines. 

But, it’s also important that you communicate to your clients that you’re working remotely for a better client experience, as this will help to manage expectations and identify the best channels for clients to reach you on. Video conferencing can be ideal for hosting meetings remotely and also enables invitees to add notifications to the calendar for convenience. Clear communication makes the transition to remote working smoother and benefits employees and clients alike so they can adapt to the new way of working accordingly. 

Use the right technology

Technology is essential to remote working, so legal teams need to have the right software and tools available to them to do their job successfully. Not having technology set up for flexible working can be incredibly demotivating to staff and can slow productivity. Make sure that documents are stored securely on the cloud for quick and easy access from any location, and utilise software to manage cases flexibly, which will keep all files in place and streamline operations. Any paper documents you may need should be digitised and stored in the cloud for safety, but also so that your colleagues can access them, as paper files aren’t conducive to successful remote working. 

Remain in touch by phone and socially

Regardless of whether you have an office or not, your clients are still going to want or need to reach you by phone. So whether you’re working remotely on a temporary basis or it’s your permanent set-up, you will need to have a way for clients to get in touch. Voice over Internet Protocol (VOIP) services enable you to make phone calls from your computer, which can be a convenient way for legal professionals to stay in contact with colleagues and clients from any location. There are also virtual reception services your team can use to take messages and field calls for a professional service that’s both efficient and flexible. A headset can also ensure your calls are clear for greater sound quality. When you’re working remotely, however, make sure that you’re keeping your colleagues and clients updated on your working hours so that you’re still delivering a good customer experience and a professional service. 

With remote working, there might be a tendency to overlook the social benefits that a physical office provides. To maintain and even improve a healthy workplace culture for your employees, organise regular meet-ups, team events and incentive programmes for your legal firm. 

Set up a VPN

Remote-access Virtual Private Networks, or VPNs, enable employees to connect to private networks securely from any location. Legal professionals need access to sensitive data and client information, so a VPN is an essential tool to make sure that the information and files they’re accessing are protected. 

A VPN means that whether your legal team is working from their home office, a collaborative workspace or a public space, data is kept secure yet accessible. Data protection and cybersecurity is a critical issue, for all businesses but especially in the legal sector where there are so many threats present, which a VPN can help to alleviate. 

Legal professionals can make remote working work for them, with the right tools and systems in place. Today’s digital age makes it easier than ever to work flexibly, regardless of the industry you work in, and with the likes of case management software, VPNs and VOIPs, you don’t have to compromise on security or the service you provide to your clients. Providing your team is trained on how to use these tools properly, and clients are aware of how your team is carrying out tasks, remote working can be just as efficient and professional as working from an office. 

Why Does the UK Still Have a Productivity Problem?

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For the second time in as many years, the government has cited low productivity as a problem in the UK. And, the statistics suggest this could be true, with productivity growth showing a downturn since the 2008 crisis. While the UK is far from alone in this decline, the shortfall is twice as bad here as in other economies. But what is the cause of this downward spiral of productivity and what can be done to combat it? 

The causes of the issue

The UK’s ability to improve its standard of living and build up the economy comes from its ability to boost productivity of its workers. But the growth of productivity has stalled for several reasons, and the events of the past few years have created further problems in this regard, from Brexit and the pandemic to the shift in the skills young people are leaving education with. 

Skills shortages

One issue that has posed a problem for businesses is the skills shortage which has impacted a number of industries in the UK, making it hard for companies to expand and develop. In fact, on a broad scale, over 16% of adults of working age in the UK are estimated to have very poor literacy skills, something that could cost workers 20 months worth of lost earnings over the course of their lifetime. And in specific industries such as construction, there’s the issue that young people aren’t gaining the skills to fill roles left behind by an ageing workforce. 

Studies have found that businesses, recruitment agencies and public sector organisations stated barriers to filling vacancies include applicants lacking the technical skills and knowledge for the role, work experience and industry knowledge. This is particularly prominent when it comes to AI and digital skills. But the likes of commercial awareness and communication skills are also lacking in many applicants. Industry-specific skills are also in short supply, as the recent shortage of HGV drivers and tradespeople has proven. 

Staff morale and health

Something that’s often overlooked when it comes to productivity is morale and worker health. The link between health and economic growth can’t be overlooked. Employee stress plays into this, and it’s an issue that connects closely with long working hours and demanding roles. With the UK guilty of some of the longest work hours per worker in Europe, it’s a problem that has a big impact. Improving work conditions and providing resources for staff to combat workplace stress and anxiety are essential to boosting productivity and happiness in the workplace. 

Brexit and immigration

Politically-speaking, there’s also been the challenge of Brexit, with many industries losing workers due to the change in immigration ruling, and the fact that wages have remained low in the post-crisis period. Businesses have been keen to invest in recruitment rather than their business processes, resulting in more cheap labour being taken on to fulfil workloads rather than companies spending money on the tools to enhance productivity in the long run. So, what can be done to tackle the problem?

Invest in training

Training staff for available jobs to ensure that the workforce has the necessary skills is essential to productivity, not only for individual businesses but the UK as a whole. The government has been pressing ahead with investments in skills and infrastructure to make it easier for people to gain the skills required for different jobs. But it’s also something that businesses can adopt for themselves by providing an incentive for applicants through bespoke training programmes to build up skill sets across the team. Focusing on boosting skills and retraining applicants can help to alleviate some of the burden placed on businesses who have lost workers due to Brexit, as well as aid career progression for existing employees. 

Re-optimise processes

The shock of the pandemic could well provide a much-needed boost to businesses. Not only has the past year given businesses time to reflect and either pivot in a new direction entirely, or it’s provided a chance to reconsider how to operate in a more effective and productive way. The time spent closed for business, for many business owners, was a positive in the sense that upon reopening, companies have had the opportunity to re-optimise and improve in areas where they may have been lacking before. The burst of innovation and adaptability, whether out of necessity or a change of heart, could support productivity in the future

R&D to drive innovation

One area where the UK is letting itself down is on research and development, which is a big driver for innovation and productivity in businesses. In fact, the UK spends considerably less on R&D than many of the world’s largest economies. Economists are in firm agreement that the root of growth is innovation, so there’s every chance that a partial cause of the UK’s struggling productivity rates is the lack of research and development investment in both public and private sectors. 

In summary

The productivity dip isn’t exclusive to the UK – it’s a global problem that’s been exacerbated by the pandemic and other challenges. But skills, processes and technology are at the core of resolving this problem, and are connected to one another. The skills are necessary to meet the demands of evolving technology, which in turn will improve processes and drive productivity. There’s no simple answer to this problem, but lifting the UK out of this issue can be achieved with the right investments.

Maximize Sales And Team Efforts With A Feature-Rich Custom LMS Solution

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Learning management systems (LMS) aid in the delivery of training materials and the organization of skill development inside your company. Learning Management Systems is excessively beneficial for the learners however, it has been seen that many LMS’ can also be complex to use. It’s difficult to know which LMS features will assist and which will be a hindrance because there are so many.

A learning management system (LMS) is a software tool that helps businesses organize and offer opportunities to learn. The greatest learning management systems should assist drive an organization’s training modules by streamlining the requirements, similar to the various pieces of software we all use every day, such as Google Docs for writing content or QuickBooks for accounting.

While there are numerous advantages to employing a learning management system, such as cost savings and reliability, the primary goal of a learning management system is to administer and manage learning and eLearning efforts in one space.

Here are some amazing features that will help your enterprise software development companies to empower sales and team building.

Course Creation Features

Although it appears that every LMS software would have this, the most essential idea of an LMS does not include a course authoring module. Some features need you to supply your native content, which indicates you’ll have to create films and material in a different system and then import it into the software. Finding an LMS with course design options can assist you in streamlining your procedures.

Skills & Certifications

For practically every type of user, skill and certification tracks are amongst the most significant LMS elements. It’s great to retrain your personnel, but if you’re not documenting skills growth and accreditations, at the absolute least, course completion—you’ll have no foundation for gauging performance and development. These capabilities can help you comply with government regulations by combining all of your accomplished and ongoing accreditations into one extractable spreadsheet. You can also evaluate employee success by monitoring skills taught and certifications completed, demonstrating an instantaneous return on your investment.

Effective Personalization

An effective LMS should give content depending on a learner’s past within the software, as well as their position, to stimulate wider acceptance. If we talk about an example, if you are working in a sales team, you should be able to quickly access the overall sales-related training content in the LMS. This is the perfect example of personalization. Users will be able to prioritize improvement areas using customizable assessments and quizzes that evaluate a learner’s progress all throughout the course. Individuals become more invested in the activity if an LMS is more tailored to their learning preferences and/or job functionality.

For both students and teachers, a tailored learning experience can improve engagement and effective educational objectives. Each training program might deliver a customized educational experience for your learners depending on their educational pursuit and schedule with the correct personalization elements. It’s critical to assist them in progressing more quickly through the lessons and, as a result, increasing the chances of success of your educational modules. As a result, you’ll see an increase in student applications and profits over time.

Video Conferencing Feature

Students who require one-on-one attention or who have complex inquiries can benefit from an LMS with video conferencing capabilities. While correspondence and message threads may handle the majority of your interaction goals, video conferencing allows you to have challenging talks. Your firm will embrace the fact that you won’t have to pay for an external contract to speak with your pupils face-to-face.

eCommerce Subscription

Many LMS modules allow you to share your content with a larger audience, allowing you to monetize what you’ve previously created. Look for an LMS that allows you to gate learning content in this instance. Users must submit their email addresses, make a one-time purchase, or commit to a monthly subscription in order to finish a course or learning module. Using your pooled expertise to create a subscription course and add it to your website is a terrific method to generate passive income. We must say, ecommerce software solutions are the new trend!

M-Learning Features

It’s shocking to hear that some people don’t have access to a computer at home, but mobile-ready learning can help them avoid this stumbling block. Learners can engage in courses from any place using whichever smartphone they own if your LMS has mobile capabilities, such as responsive design or integrated mobile apps. This is particularly useful for qualifications that demand learning beyond working hours, or for distant teams where learning can take place in between calls or visits.

Social And Community Learning Formats

Another significant feature of an online learning platform for educational organizations is social learning. Peer-to-peer learning has the potential to help people remember what they’ve learned. It can potentially help students to acquire faster, especially those who are younger. They might ask peers’ ideas and engage their accomplishments to gain social acknowledgment. It’s a fantastic method to tap into support from the public and improve student learning outcomes.

Knowledge is social, like so much of what we are already doing, and your LMS should contain tools that allow your learners to learn from each other as well. This not only improves the learning experience but also relieves stress on your coaches. Your students can ask each other questions in a discussion format by incorporating messaging rooms and social learning tools. Allowing your pupils to instruct each other is the finest method to demonstrate your understanding of the subject.

Test-Out Options

Even for seasoned L&D experts, determining what your learners already know can be difficult. Simultaneously, bringing new employees up to accelerate as quickly as feasible allows them to contribute benefits to the organization sooner. As a result, allowing learners to ‘test out’ of a training module can cut down on training time while also providing learning practitioners with a better knowledge of where individual learners are in their learning path.

You can still give participants the course resources they need to finish their education, but a test-out feature allows them to perform a final verdict instead of taking an entire eLearning session. There’s no need to take or retake, in the case of some annual compliance training at the coaching if they pass the exam.

Final Words

For a company with respectable educational activities, a learning management system is a must-have tool. It’s a one-stop shop for creating courses, organizing and delivering training, tracking student progress, and overseeing the entire learning process.

In short, if you’ve been individually monitoring your learning activities, an LMS can completely revolutionize your learning system. It has the potential to increase learner engagement by leaps and bounds while also providing amazing efficiency for your educators. Furthermore, an efficient LMS might provide improved administration over your operations, greater adaptability to meet your organization’s objectives and long-term cost savings.

The advantages of a learning management system (LMS) are not restricted to conventional instructional institutions such as schools and colleges. Businesses, governmental organizations, non-profit organizations, e-course providers, and entrepreneurial instructors can all benefit equally from it. We have mentioned the must-have features for you before you go and pick the right LMS for your organization!

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