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How Can You Use Bitcoin?

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Bitcoin keeps breaking records and it is one of the most talked-about subjects in the global financial industry. This cryptocurrency has a very futuristic approach to online payments, which is why it holds tons of advantages over regular payment methods.

Instant transactions, greater security, and the fact that people void all types of fees are just a few of those advantages. Even though over 5 million people use Bitcoin globally, there are still those that believe that this cryptocurrency is useless. So, we decided to name a few places where you can actually use it for various purposes. Let’s check the details.

Payment Method

First off, Bitcoin can be used as a payment method at tons of businesses. There are many companies that accept it in every country, but to make our argument more solid, we are going to use several global brands as an example.

The list of well-known companies that have integrated Bitcoin and accept it as a payment method includes Shopify, Expedia, Starbucks, Wikipedia, Microsoft, and most recently – Tesla Motors. So, regardless if you want to drive one of the best cars on the market, or want to book a hotel in any part of the world, Bitcoin can help you do that.

Trading and Making a Profit

Next up, we have the number 1 reason why people are so fond of Bitcoin, which is the profit. Some research stated that Bitcoin has helped over 100,000 people in the world to become millionaires. The current value of this cryptocurrency fluctuates between $50,000 and $60,000.

To trade it, people can choose between trading sites or Bitcoin ATMs. But, ATMs are not as accessible as trading sites and come with tons of fees. On the flip side, reputable trading sites such as the News Spy will help you maximize your profits.

The AI system that this site utilizes analyzes the market and makes accurate predictions on Bitcoin’s future fluctuations and helps you deal with the high volatility rate. The process of registration at the aforementioned site is fast and simple. After you register, you just need to verify your identity and deposit money.

2021 may be the perfect time to invest and trade with Bitcoin because experts think that even though Bitcoin has such a great value, the best is yet to come as this cryptocurrency is expected to rise as high as $100,000 in the fourth quarter.

Playing Games

Finally, you can use it to play games. Not only can you use it to buy games on Steam, but you can also use it to buy one of the best game consoles in the world – Xbox. Additionally, Bitcoin is an accepted payment method at iGaming platforms.

These sites have become extremely popular in the past couple of years. After players register, they gain access to the latest slot, table, card, and live casino games. The process of registration is very fast and simple. Not only that, but some of these sites have special Bitcoin games which can only be accessed by making a deposit with this cryptocurrency.

Conclusion

As you can see, there are many usages of Bitcoin. But, even though this cryptocurrency possesses so many advantages, governments and banks still consider it as an outlaw currency due to the fact that they cannot control it.

After all, this cryptocurrency has a peer-to-peer focus and completely excludes banks from every transaction. In doing so, these facilities cannot profit from the fees that they impose. The hard opposition is what makes it hard to determine what the future holds for Bitcoin. Some believe that due to the pressure of its users, countries will be forced to make it official, while others state that it will forever remain an outlaw currency.

Valencia Guarantees That A Single Mother Accumulates Paternity And Maternity Leave

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A judge in Valencia guarantees that a single mother accumulates paternity and maternity leave. A judgment won by the lawyers of the CSIF union obliges Social Security to recognize two permits for a mother so as not to discriminate against her. The General Council of the Judiciary validated in February that the magistrates will apply this criterion and in Euskadi there is already a precedent.

The 16th social court of Valencia has recognized the right of a single mother to accumulate maternity and paternity leave . The magistrate’s decision seeks not to discriminate against the woman or her child, compared to families where two parents can access that right to be with their progeny. This has been made public by the CSIF union; who has advised the plaintiff against Social Security.

The General Council of the Judiciary validated in February of this year that the magistrates will apply this criterion and in Euskadi there is already a precedent in which the Superior Court of Justice of that community approved last October the accumulation of permits in such cases.

The judgment of the court of first instance recognizes the right of the mother to enjoy an additional eight weeks of leave after the birth of her child; that would be added to the 16 weeks that the mother already has recognized by law.

The court ruling considers that “if the benefit is denied to the beneficiary in the terms requested, there is a violation of the right to equality enshrined in the Convention on the Rights of the Child (…) inasmuch as the care, care and development the affected minor will suffer a clear reduction compared to what others in a similar situation will receive, framed within a two-parent family model “.

A judge in Valencia guarantees that a single mother accumulates paternity and maternity leave. A judgment won by the lawyers of the CSIF union obliges Social Security to recognize two permits for a mother so as not to discriminate against her. The General Council of the Judiciary validated in February that the magistrates will apply this criterion and in Euskadi there is already a precedent.

The 16th social court of Valencia has recognized the right of a single mother to accumulate maternity and paternity leave . The magistrate’s decision seeks not to discriminate against the woman or her child, compared to families where two parents can access that right to be with their progeny. This has been made public by the CSIF union; who has advised the plaintiff against Social Security.

The General Council of the Judiciary validated in February of this year that the magistrates will apply this criterion and in Euskadi there is already a precedent in which the Superior Court of Justice of that community approved last October the accumulation of permits in such cases.

The judgment of the court of first instance recognizes the right of the mother to enjoy an additional eight weeks of leave after the birth of her child; that would be added to the 16 weeks that the mother already has recognized by law.

The court ruling considers that “if the benefit is denied to the beneficiary in the terms requested, there is a violation of the right to equality enshrined in the Convention on the Rights of the Child (…) inasmuch as the care, care and development the affected minor will suffer a clear reduction compared to what others in a similar situation will receive, framed within a two-parent family model “.

Wedding Gifts Remain Out Of The Hacienda Focus

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Weddings, baptisms and communions are increased in May. This is confirmed by the same National Institute of Statistics, which states that most weddings take place between April and September. And hand in hand, usually under it, money is transferred to the honorees.

According to the law, the Treasury can demand that the amount obtained in cash or gifts be taxed in the declaration of donations and inheritance. The experts at Tax Down, a firm specializing in tax advice, recognize that tradition still wins the game over the law and the Treasury has not faced specific campaigns to collect between these transfers between individuals.

The gifts received are not taxed through the income statement, but are taxed by inheritance and gift tax. Taxation depends on each autonomy and the degree of kinship with the donor, or the value of the donation, regardless of whether it is movable or immovable.

The law does not exist a minimum exemption, but in practice few are those who declare what they have received or donated. According to the law, absolutely everything would have to be declared.

Although there is a state regulation for these gifts, considered donations for all legal purposes, the Autonomous Communities can apply their specific legislation (the national law only applies in the absence of the autonomous one).

Thus, there are autonomies in which it is more profitable to marry and / or baptize a child, such as in Madrid, Andalusia, Murcia and La Rioja. In these communities, a 99% discount is applied on the tax quota in donations between parents and children, that is, only 1% of the tax quota would have to be paid to the Treasury.

In other communities, that same gift would have a higher taxation. The difficulty is that a hypothetical legal declaration should apply a different tax depending on the degree of kinship, the taxpayer’s tax base after deducting expenses, and so on.

The same thing would happen with the gift of cash. Experts advise opening an account for donations and thus be able to justify the nature of the income. The envelope in hand supposes to control black money. In any case, in practice there are no material means to control all weddings and no special operations are even carried out in the case of marriages of people with a foreseeable greater movement of funds.

What it does seem that the Treasury tends to control is the flow of money with service companies associated with this type of celebration. This is the case of florist services or catering companies. In Tax Down they recognize that “custom prevails over regulation,

Spain is among the countries of the European Union (EU) with the lowest rate of marriages per thousand inhabitants, with 3.5 unions, according to data from the European statistical office Eurostat, which highlights the continued fall in weddings for decades.

In 2019 the EU countries with the highest number of marriages in relation to population were Cyprus (8.9 unions per thousand people), Lithuania (7), Latvia and Hungary (both 6.7) and Romania (6.6 ), followed by Slovakia (5.4), Denmark and Malta (5.3).

At the opposite extreme, the lowest rates were around 3 marriages per thousand inhabitants and occurred in Italy (3.1), Portugal and Slovenia (both 3.2), followed by France, Spain and Luxembourg (all 3.5). Since 1964, the marriage rate in the European Union has dropped from 8.0 per thousand people to 4,

How to pay safely online?

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You must have already had time to appreciate all the advantages of shopping online. Indeed, since you have the opportunity to buy the necessary goods, just sitting in your chair while not rushing anywhere, comparing prices for similar products in other online stores.

Buying products online is a very convenient, easy, and fast way to buy something you’ve wanted for a long time. However, is it as safe as it seems at first glance?

Unfortunately, nowadays, many swindlers are trying to steal your data by getting access to your card. 

But the most important thing is that all their schemes bring results, most often through the fault of the cardholders themselves. If you follow the rules of safe online shopping, you will minimize the possibility of money lost, and your shopping experience will be smooth.

Simple rules of online shopping that everyone should know

For online shopping to bring you only a positive experience, you only need to follow a few rules:

  1. Study in detail the site where you want to shop. Many of us, noticing the right product at a small price, don’t bother to look at the site itself but seek to complete the purchase as quickly as possible. This tactic is entirely wrong. If you have never purchased from this site before, look for reviews. Find them from people who have had experience with it before. Visit sites that post-independent ratings. Yes, all of this will take you some time, but it will give you confidence that you are buying from a safe platform.
  2. Find out in advance if there are any issues with possible refunds. If the company doesn’t have a return policy, you may want to consider whether or not you need to do business with them. Find out where the item will be shipped from, how long you will have to wait to receive it, etc.
  3. Make sure that you are on a secure site. If you will see a padlock symbol on the left of the address bar, and the site’s name starts with “HTTPS:” – it means that the site is protected, and it will be safer to make payments through it. If the site name starts with “HTTP:” – it means you are on an insecure site. Also, with just one click on the lock, you’ll get the site’s certificate details. If your browser gives you a notification that the certificate is expired or invalid, by no means do not shop there;
  4. Don’t forget to update your software and use a licensed antivirus. Many users don’t want to splurge and install licensed software. Still, it’s the purchase of a trusted and reliable antivirus that can very often save you from major trouble, especially when you shop online.
  5. Only use strong passwords when registering on the site. Avoid entering your last name or first name, as well as your date of birth and other personal information that intruders can easily find out from social networks. Besides, it is desirable to use a unique password consisting of both numbers and letters, which you have not used on other sites before.
  6. Forget about public wi-fi. At least it would be best if you did not use it when you are entering your payment card information and purchase at online stores. At that point, it’s best to use a standard 4G connection that only you have access to. Using public wi-fi, you run the risk that all the data you enter will fall into the hands of intruders.
  7. Pay for your purchases with a credit card. By choosing a credit card as a payment method, the buyer gets maximum protection from the company and the payment systems. In addition, in the future, if you received a damaged product from the seller, you could request a chargeback, and the bank will return the money to your card.
  8. Don’t agree to unrealistic terms. If you see an item being offered to you at a meager price that is very hard to believe, you are probably dealing with scammers. If you have even the slightest doubt about the seller’s honesty or the quality of the product, it is better to refuse such a transaction.

Foreign Exchange for Small Businesses

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If you run a small business that operates exclusively in the same country, and you don’t rely on imports or exports in any way, currency is unlikely to be on your radar. However, if you import or export your goods or order raw materials and supplies from overseas, currency changes will significantly affect the cost.

Movement in the currency market can significantly affect transactions and can ultimately affect profitability. Every small business who is exposed to foreign currencies will need to build in some kind of safeguard to protect against a market that can suddenly swing in any direction.

It’s impossible to eliminate all levels of risk entirely, but you can make trading easy when forex is explained. Here’s a look at the essentials you need to know.

Banks Are More Expensive

When you’re dealing with the movement of money, it’s almost instinctive to turn to your bank to handle the transaction. However, if it involves foreign currency, you’ll end up paying more for the privilege.

Banks add a premium when dealing with foreign currency to make a profit. This translates into higher costs for small businesses. The charges aren’t always apparent, as rather than pass them onto you in fees, banks often disguise them by using a lower exchange rate and taking the surplus.

Using online services or providers who specialise in foreign currency can mean access to rates that could be up to four times cheaper than a bank.

Understand the Impact of Geopolitical Events

Dealing with cross-currency transactions is particularly challenging as it’s impossible to forecast the cost with any accuracy. Due to potential swings in the exchange rate, goods could end up being vastly more expensive or cheaper, depending on your luck. 

Understanding the influences on currency can help you to plan your strategy more effectively. Political tensions or big events such as elections can unsettle a market and make exchange rates even more volatile than usual.

Consider a Multi-Currency Account

One useful way to protect against currency movement is to set up a multi-currency account. This means that payment won’t have to be immediately converted upon receipt, protecting you from low exchange rates.

Holding US dollars, euros and sterling in a single account may be useful for many companies who transact business overseas. These are the three most commonly used currencies, but it’s possible to include others if they’re more relevant to your trade.

Enlist Expert Help

The volatility in the exchange rates can make it difficult to budget for the future effectively. It only takes a relatively small movement to make a big difference to trade sales and purchases.

There are many services available that can help you to take advantage of the movement in the market. Some currency fluctuations may be very beneficial, giving you access to the same goods at a much lower price. Setting up automatic alerts allows you to buy and sell your goods when the market is at the best rate.

These alerts are typically managed via text or email, making it simple for you to execute your trades right away. You can choose the levels that you want to set for alerts; if you need help deciding what these should be, speak to a currency expert for up to date advice.

Felix Beck Releases Guide to the Six Best Alternatives to Stocks and Shares

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Many people decide to avoid investing in stocks and shares due to the risks attached. Thankfully, there are many alternatives available if you do want to invest your money without getting involved with the stock market. Let’s look at six of the best alternatives to stocks and shares right now.

Private equity

With private equity, Felix Beck explains that you can invest in a company that’s not issuing public stock. You can start by investing your capital into a business before you receive a return after the company has reached a specific goal or stage. This stage might be when the company is merged with another one or when some stock is made public. Over recent years, private equity investment has been frequently poured into start-up tech businesses, and alternative energy has also become popular amongst investors. As a private equity investor, you may have a substantial say in how the company is run. You may become part of a pool of investors. It’s worth noting that this form of investment can be somewhat costly.

Venture capital

Venture capital is a type of private equity. However, with venture capital, investment is made in start-ups that are at an embryonic stage in their lives. Firms that specialise in venture capital provide capital so businesses can get off the ground. They expect to make their cash back and more when the company is purchased or when it decides to issue stock. However, it could take around a decade for you to get your money back. This means venture capital should be regarded as a long-term investment opportunity, and you may not get it back at all. To mitigate this risk, venture capital managers spread money around a diverse range of businesses. You will normally be expected to invest a substantial sum of money to take advantage of venture capital opportunities.

Felix Beck on hedge funds

Hedge funds take money from a range of investors and put it into several investments. The purpose of this is to optimise the chances of a big return on investment. One reason why hedge funds have become so popular is that they don’t face as much regulation as other funds. Hedge funds have also risen at the same time as stock markets have fallen or only made small gains. Nonetheless, hedge funds are not risk-free, which is why it’s so important to take a close look at each fund that you’re interested in before you proceed.

Managed futures

Managed futures are similar to hedge funds, though they are more strongly regulated. Managed futures funds allow you to benefit from opportunities in the currency, commodities, and interest rate markets. Managed future investment requires you to make predictions on how investments and equities will fare. A future is an agreement to purchase a commodity or currency at a specific price on a specific date. If the price changes compared to the price you originally agreed, you can make money, but may also lose it. One of the key benefits of managed futures funds is that you don’t need to make as big an investment as you would with a hedge fund. However, there is still an element of risk involved as your predictions could be highly inaccurate.

Real estate investment

With real estate investment, groups of investors fund the purchase of large property developments. There are many different ways people can invest in property, says Felix Beck, without living in it. They can buy property to rent out to tenants, buy shares in real estate trusts and join real estate investment groups. If you are considering buying a property to rent, there are several things that you need to bear in mind. Maintaining a property can be expensive and eat into your profits, and you’ll also have several taxes to pay. You may also spend a great deal of time removing tenants if they don’t turn out to be a good match for your property.

When you join a real estate investment group, you can remove much of the risk and work from investing in property. You’ll need to contribute capital to a company that buys a property. The company will then go on to manage the property and take a percentage of the rent. Real estate investment groups invest in large numbers of properties and can receive tax breaks after paying a certain amount of income to shareholders.

Cryptocurrency

Over the past decade, investors all over the world have been able to grow their returns by investing in cryptocurrency. The first form of cryptocurrency was Bitcoin, which is just one of many new currencies that have reduced the cost of making cross-border transactions happen. Cryptocurrency has also delivered swift processing times and greatly reduced our reliance on central banks. Many investors love cryptocurrencies due to the way they give them more control over their capital and data. It’s said that there are now more than 5,000 cryptocurrencies to invest in.

Another big reason why so many investors are attracted to cryptocurrency is that they offer high liquidity. This means it’s relatively straightforward to buy and sell cryptocurrency. Studies constantly support the view that cryptocurrency is delivering much higher returns than many other assets, even stocks. As cryptocurrencies are so volatile, just one trade can provide an outstanding return. Of course, this also means there is considerable risk involved. The crypto market is also open around the clock, so you’re not restricted by opening times. You can buy and sell at any time. Cryptocurrency may also help you diversify your portfolio and therefore reduce financial risk. Some of the most talked-about cryptocurrencies of recent years include Ethereum, Dogecoin and Cardano.

Conclusion

There are many options to take advantage of if you do want to see your money grow without relying on stocks and shares concludes Felix Beck.  Whether you invest in cryptocurrency, real estate, managed futures, venture capital, hedge funds or private equity, there’s always a great chance you’ll be able to meet your financial aims.

Thinking of a Home Improvement? 5 Things You Should Know

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A home improvement project can yield unexpected surprises, even when you’ve done it several times before. You see, no home renovation task is ever the same so there can always be something that can catch you off-guard, especially if you have not done your research well.

To tell the truth, each one of us is a homeowner that loves to give their imagination and creativity free rein when renovating. We love to make walls disappear, transform the outdoor living space into the living room of our dreams and turn carpets into hardwood, don’t we? But how much attention do we pay to preparations, permits, financing and other tiny details? Hardly any!

Whether experienced or inexperienced, it is imperative for all the homeowners to prepare well for their upcoming home improvement project. This includes gathering all information possible, learning of the state and local building codes, making a solid plan etc. to enhance the usability and value of their home.

Here are the top 5 things we believe every homeowner should know before diving into renovations:

1.    Strengthen your Finances

Logistics are the most important consideration. You must never launch into renovations till you are sure that there are enough funds to finance every process, product to use, construction, labor etc. This may sound clichéd but the truth is that many homeowners take this aspect so lightly that later they have to abandon or halt their project midway because they run short of cash.

Under-financing is never a smart move and it is best to secure your line of financing before you begin hammering away. You can look at several options for financing the home improvement, such as a home equity loan, home owners loan, a home equity line of credit, personal loans or using your savings (cash).

2.    Prepare for Your Estimated Timeline to Extend

Often frustration among homeowners mounts when they do not prepare for unforeseen circumstances during renovations. You see, a number of things can go wrong, the weather can turn unfavorable, workers can fall sick and other things that can cause delays.

You must have a plan beforehand to cope with the situation if renovation takes longer. If it’s a major improvement project, you might be living in other accommodations. Make sure you keep an emergency budget aside before the work begins to use in a situation like this.

Even removing or replacing old fixtures, vanities, bath tubs, wiring etc. could take several weeks and your renovation timeline may stretch. Therefore, you must be realistic when setting a timeline for your renovation process.

Even prepare backup plans proactively so that when something goes wrong unexpectedly, your construction continues smoothly because of the backup resources.

3.    Ensure Your Plans and Budget Align

One cannot blame homeowners for dreaming big. After all, for each one of us, our home is our ultimate haven and we want to make it look the best possible. But this does not mean we turn a blind eye to our existing financial situation.

Before you dive in with renovations mindlessly, it is best to crunch numbers with your family and take realistic decisions. Try to stick to improvement plans that fit conveniently within your budget and put you under no financial strain.

This includes preparing for the unexpected while also ensuring satisfactory returns on your long-term investment. Sit together as a family and decide how much you should spend on the home and if you plan to borrow, then how you will handle the monthly expenses alongside the loan.

4.    Improvement Plans must Secure Returns

When making your home improvement plans, you must ensure that ultimate goal of the project is to enhance your home’s market value, as is of the other properties in your marketplace. To do this, you must calculate the ROI as follows:

  • Take your property’s present value and then add your project’s estimated cost, including the interest rate you will have to pay for the home improvement loan.
  • Then take this total and compare it against the other homes that underwent similar renovations in your area and are in the market for sale. 
  • Once you have the estimates, you must verify that your total does not surpass beyond fifteen to twenty percent of your property’s net value.

Most importantly though, you must note that we cannot rely on the ROI as the sole metric for measuring home’s value against its improvement project. Yes, ROI is a helpful tool but you must consider it more for indicating how your renovation project will improve your living conditions.

5.    Meet Local Codes

Every home renovation project requires certain certifications and permits. Before you begin the actual manual work, you must first line up the necessary documents so that you can rest assured of your project adhering to all local codes.

If you fail to observe this step, there are chances that a part of your renovation project may unintentionally violate local rules. When you have obtained all the eligibility certifications from your local authority, you will at least be confident of no interruptions later on for breaking any law.

Homeowners must note that every state has a set of local rules and regulations for remodeling or renovation projects. No matter how many times you undertake a home improvement project, you must acquire certain permits first. 

You must note that local and state authorities both issue several permits so that homeowners comply with building codes.

Generally, the prices ranges from $398 to $1,561 if your average cost is at $979. This is another cost you must note when planning your budget. While rules and regulations vary per state, the most common ones that require a permit include new buildings like barns, garages, guest houses, extensions or add-ons to existing structure and interior renovations such as bathrooms, kitchen etc.

Final Thoughts

A home improvement project demands a lot but every effort is worthwhile in the end, if the house turns out just like you imagined it. But for this to happen, you have to take calculated steps to ensure you protect your investment and align every necessary detail beforehand for seamless progress.

In the end, not only does your renovated home enhance your property’s market value but also boosts your quality of living and sense of satisfaction.

https://www.bhg.com/home-improvement/advice/planning/read-this-before-you-start-your-home-renovation-281474979547593/

https://www.eloan.com/blog/home-improvement/5-tips-before-you-begin

https://homeia.com/home-improvement/important-things-to-know-about-home-improvement-contracts/

Ombori’s Andreas Hassellöf Amongst Swedish Innovators Elevating Industries

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Sweden makes up a mere 0.13 percent of the world’s population. However, the small Scandanavian nation is home to a plethora of innovative minds, such as Andreas Hassellof, founder of Ombori, who are making waves in industries across the globe. Their influence is threaded throughout the services and technologies that define our daily lives — from music streaming and online gaming to payment systems and retail stores. New companies and exciting tools are born daily in Sweden, and many of them are quickly building multi-billion-dollar businesses.

Officially known as the Kingdom of Sweden, Sweden is a Nordic country located between Norway, Finland, and Denmark. Spanning across only 173 thousand square miles, the population totals a modest 10.4 million residents. Starting in the 1800s with the Wallenberg and Stenbeck families — household names in Sweden who still hold considerable influence over the country’s markets — investing became a major component in the national economy.

Over the last two centuries, savvy investment and innovation have paid off, turning Sweden into one of the most innovative countries in the world. Today, it houses the headquarters of numerous thriving companies who are shaping the future of their industries and positioning themselves as leaders on the world stage.

Global Titans Based in Sweden

Today, many prominent industries account for the lion’s share of the country’s economic platform. The industrial sector contributes to 22.2% of the GDP and employs nearly 17.7% of the workforce. Meanwhile, the telecommunications and IT equipment industry are substantial, employing 80.7% of the active workforce and contributing a massive 65.2% of the GDP.

Some of Sweden’s most globalized business ventures have become retail, manufacturing, and telecom giants. Their names are certainly familiar to most readers. Volvo, Ericsson, and H&M, for example, have each played pivotal roles in facilitating the impressive economic growth that Sweden has witnessed over the last century. Here’s a quick overview of some of Sweden’s biggest names:

  • Ericsson was founded in 1876 in Stockholm, Sweden. It is a prominent multinational networking telecommunication company that employs nearly one-hundred-thousand individuals and is valued at $45.64 billion.
  • Volvo was founded in 1927 and maintains a fiercely loyal customer base and a strong reputation for reliability in today’s booming automotive industry. Assar Gabrielsson and Gustav Larson founded Volvo, and in 2020, the company reported over $148 billion in total equity.
  • H&M is one of the most recognized clothing brands around the world. With retail locations that permeate malls and shopping centers, the company’s fashion influence is substantial. Founded in 1947 by Erling Persson, H&M is valued today at $18.82 billion.
  • Ikea is a Swedish-founded multinational company that has reimagined the home furnishings sphere. Launched in 1943 by 17-year-old Ingvar Kamprad, IKEA has held the title as the world’s largest furniture retailer since 2008. As of March 2021, the company boasts 378 physical storefront locations, spanning across 30 countries.

Looking Ahead: Swedish Tech Companies on The Rise

There is no doubt that the world around us is changing. As innovative tech solutions continue to shape and reshape our daily lives, Swedish tech companies are keeping pace, upholding the nation’s reputation for innovation and building new globally recognized brands in emerging industries. According to Atomico’s State of European Tech report, Sweden has bred more tech unicorns per capita than any other region in the world outside of Silicon Valley.

Sarah Guemouri, a co-author of the report, explains the details: “at 0.8 per 100,000 inhabitants, Stockholm currently has the highest number of tech unicorns per capita in the world except for Silicon Valley.” Eva Alfredsson, from the policy agency Tillväxtanalys, reports further that “Sweden is one of the most innovative countries in the world and a country in which it’s easy to start and run companies.” The world of tech start-ups is flooded with competition and cash, but Sweden has created an environment in which its innovators are able to stand out among the stiff competition.

Ombori, a retail technology company based out of Stockholm, Sweden, is one of the exciting and growing names in the newest wave of transformative companies.

Ombori was formally founded in 2015, but today, is known for the Ombori Grid, which changes how customers experience retail shopping through its queue management system. Andreas Hassellof developed the platform with one simple mission in mind: “To make it easy for organizations to quickly leverage new technology to improve the daily lives of their customers. Focusing on revolutionizing and evolving the customer experience, Ombori aims to add new elements to a traditional retail experience.”

The Ombori Grid provides ready-to-use solutions that re-imagine how retail locations can leverage digital screens and mobile devices in store. The Ombori Grid creates an augmented environment in which digital tools enhance the customer’s experience in a physical space. While retail stores have made the most use of this technology to date, the Ombori Grid has broader applications for urban life by allowing organizations to create smart stores, smart cities, and smart spaces by offering solutions for customer management systems. By leveraging the platform, users can increase sales efficiency and build brand loyalty, which was the goal of H&M’s implementation of the interactive mirror display, to upsell merchandise and build rapport with customers.

Sweden’s Culture of Growth

Ombori’s presence is continuously growing as it permeates major retailer locations around the world. Clients currently using Ombori Grid include H&M, Dufry, Lindt, and Target Australia. Ombori technology is also powering malls and airports around the world, as well as in the flagship stores of several leading brands. Akin to Ikea revolutionizing the home shopping experience, Ombori aims to evolve the modern customer retail experience through implementation of technology, increasing success for businesses, while enhancing experiences for customers.

Ombori is in good company among Sweden’s powerhouse companies. Several multi-billion-dollar companies are emerging from the country right now. Two of the first companies that put Sweden on the map were Spotify Technology SA and Mojang, the creator of the popular Minecraft game. In the years since then, other businesses have joined the list:

  • Norrsken: Venture capital fund investing in start-ups; $31 billion valuation.
  • Oatly: Food brand that produces alternatives to dairy products from oats; $10 billion valuation.
  • Trustly: Fintech company that developed an open banking payment method that allows customers to shop and pay from their online bank account without using a card or app; $9 billion valuation.
  • Northvolt: Battery developer and manufacturer, specializing in lithium-ion technology for electric vehicles; $3.8 billion valuation.
  • Truecaller: Smartphone application that offers features like caller-identification, call-blocking, flash-messaging, call-recording, and Chat & Voice by using the internet; $3 billion valuation.
  • iZettle: Financial technology company offering a range of financial products including payments, point of sales, funding, and partners applications (today owned by Paypal); $2.2 billion valuation.
  • Kry: Medical app that allows you to consult with a qualified health professional within minutes via your smartphone or tablet; $2 billion valuation.
  • Epidemic Sound: Royalty-free soundtrack; $1.4 billion valuation.

Part of what makes Sweden so exceptional in terms of innovation is the commitment that industry titans like these have made to rising stars in the business landscape. Many of them are eager to help fund new ventures and experiment with disruptive technologies. Oscar Berglund of Trustly has explained that “It’s like there’s an ecosystem of funding and expertise,” and it looks to be true with no signs of slowing down; recently, Spotify co-founder Martin Lorentzon spoke with Bloomberg, outlining his plan to invest part of his fortune with Cervantes Capital AB.

It isn’t just capitalists and entrepreneurs who make Sweden such a fertile environment for new ideas. Academics like Bo Becker, a Professor of Finance at the Stockholm School of Economics, have even cited the nation’s school system, business-friendly taxation structures, and socially conscious consumers as fundamental driving factors in the nation’s ability to churn out one promising and powerful company after another.

Venture Capital on The Rise

Due to their ability to decide how massive amounts of capital are allocated and which experiments are prioritized, venture capital firms play an increasingly important role in the development of a country’s economy. Hala ventures summarize the role of venture capital firms in the following terms:

  • Promoting innovation; financing the development of new products, new technologies, and the processes of companies that are meant to directly and positively influence the economy.
  • Improving the absorptive capacity; raising the level of knowledge, skills, and business acumen acquired from the process of inventing various solutions and start-ups.
  • Creating jobs through the various employment opportunities that  the empowered start-ups are able to offer.
  • Creating wealth that is measured by market performance and growth of sales, profitability, survival, and return on investment.

According to consultancy Copenhagen Economics, Sweden raises an incredible amount of private equity capital. For example, Ombori Grid recently raised 6 million EUR in Feb 2021.

The venture capital raised in Sweden is second only to Luxembourg in the European Union. This impact on the larger Swedish economy is significant: Private equity investment has boosted the Swedish economy by 4.7% since 2007. Given their level of commitment to fueling innovative and disruptive ideas, it is no surprise that Sweden has become a leader in today’s markets.

If more venture capital equity is allocated to companies within Sweden, and if the nation’s successful entrepreneurs continue to pass on meaningful investments in the testing and support of rising stars in Sweden, it is certain that the country will continue to flourish on the global stage.

Five mistakes for landlords to avoid when letting a property

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Landlords must evaluate numerous aspects, ranging from property sales law to financial decisions. Being a landlord may be stressful, with costs rising and laws constantly being introduced and altered.

To provide you with a basic framework, we’ve compiled a list of avoidable blunders that landlords should be mindful of.

  1. Failure to conduct tenant reference checks

It is critical to understand who you are permitting to settle into your home. A rigorous background check can assist to provide piece of assurance that your new residents are trustworthy and loyal when it comes time to pay rentals and taking care of your property.

If you purchase rent guarantee insurance like just landlords, it may be a necessity of the coverage to do background investigations before entering into a rental agreement. Failure to do so may lead to your insurance policy being denied.

  • Failure to comply with lettings legislation 

Before renting out a house, you should be familiar with the guidelines and laws that apply to landlords. Following are some examples:

The major housing legislation for England and Wales is included in the Housing Act 2004. It compels landlords to fulfil the regulatory requirements for the maintenance of the property in the private rental sector (PRS). The Housing Health and Safety Rating System is a list of potential dangers prepared by the authorities.

Landlords should be mindful of Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) restrictions when it relates to the number of tenants residing in a residence. If at least three renters reside in your property, comprising more than one household, and they end up sharing a toilet, bathroom, and kitchenette, your home may fall into this classification.

Identifying regulations related to evictions is also vital. There are several eviction methods based on the case, such as a Section 21 or Section 8 notification for landlords in England and Wales. There are, obviously, legal prerequisites that must be met for an ownership lawsuit to be effective. To utilise a Section 21 notification, for instance, renters in England with an assured shorthold tenancy (AST) must have received the following:

  • A copy of the document titled ‘How to Rent: The Checklist for Renting in England.’ 
  • A property’s energy performance certificate (EPC). 
  • Certification of gas safety

You must also have deposited your funds in a government-approved deposit protection scheme.

  • Failure to keep contact information up to date

 Make certain you possess the accurate contact information for your renters and that they do have yours from the start of a contract. A tenant’s bond can suffer as a result of bad communication. You would need a mobile number or an email account if they have an issue with the residence or if you need to contact them to arrange an inspection. Keep in mind to notify your tenants if your contact information changes.

  • Not performing inspections on the state of your property

You can conduct routine maintenance on the property by doing regular checks. This may aid in detecting any emerging difficulties and ensuring that your residence is being properly cared for. According to the Landlord and Tenant Act of 1985, you will have to provide your renters with a written notification at least 24 hours before inspection and the inspection should be conducted at a decent time during the day.

  • Failure to obtain adequate insurance for your property

 Due to the different hazards involved, a rental property may necessitate different coverage than an owner-occupied residence. Your mortgage may also expressly demand you to obtain Landlord Insurance. If you don’t, you may be violating the restrictions of your mortgage deal. A complete policy may include coverage for your tenants’ accidental and malicious damage, as well as theft or attempted theft.

“There seem to be a lot of obligations to undertake as a landlord, but the main factor to keep in mind is that you will be offering much-needed secure and pleasant residences for tenants,” says James Collins, Managing Director of specialist landlord insurance company Just Landlords*. Consider the influence you would have on human livelihoods when it comes to keeping your let property and obeying lettings regulations, in addition to caring about your interests as a business person.”

END 

NOTE TO EDITORS:

The opinions and views expressed in the above articles are those of the author only and are for guidance purposes only. The authors disclaim any liability for reliance upon those opinions and would encourage readers to rely upon more than one source before making a decision based on the information. 

*Just Landlords is a trading name of Arthur J. Gallagher Insurance Brokers Limited, which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Registered Office: Spectrum Buildings, 7th Floor, 55 Blythewood Street, Glasgow, G2 7AT. Registered in Scotland. Company Number: SC108909.

Invest in Online Marketing in Malaysia

The COVID-19 pandemic ravaged the business world in Malaysia. It shook up the traditional way businesses succeeded and showed businesses across Malaysia that a transition to a digital business model was the path to success. Many companies found themselves scrambling to improve online marketing in Malaysia, trying to quickly adapt to the “new normal” shopping scenario in Malaysia. 

Online marketing in Malaysia has never been more essential for a business. In today’s environment, the majority of business is done online, including every step of the sales process. In a digital economy powered by digital natives, brands need to have a strong online presence in order to survive.

If your business or brand is considering online marketing in Malaysia, here is what you need to know.

The Future is Online

In more developed parts of the world, the digital economy has been growing steadily. In countries like Malaysia, the pandemic was the turning point where traditional businesses finally made a move online. This was due to different COVID-19 safety measures and protocols limiting people’s mobility and ability to have a store open.

In order to facilitate a wave of online shopping, 3rd party delivery services were in high demand. With customers ordering online and getting their products delivered with more convenience, customers have grown to appreciate the modernness of online shopping. There is little evidence to suggest that the Malaysians will fully return to the traditional commerce they were used to for so many years.

Because of that reality, it is necessary for businesses to also shift how they market their products. Fewer people shopping offline means that fewer customers will see your product on shelves or see your offline marketing. Marketers need to market their products on the channels where their customers are shopping. 

Online marketing in Malaysia represents the present and future of marketing, making it critical for all businesses to adapt swiftly. 

Work with a Marketing Company

If your business hasn’t started a robust online marketing strategy already, then you likely will need some help making one for your business. 

Many businesses have turned to digital marketing agencies to help them with their online marketing in Malaysia. Working with a digital agency may be a necessary step for companies lacking the in-house staff or technical knowledge on how to run an effective digital campaign.

A digital agency will be able to help you make a marketing campaign that fulfills your business needs. They will listen to your pain points and devise a strategy that addresses them and will help with the creation and execution of the digital marketing content and materials you need.

There’s no time to wait. It’s never been a more critical time to make the transition to digital marketing. And, by working with a professional digital marketing agency, you’ll be assured that the marketing efforts are expertly made and have the maximum impact. 

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