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How to Make Money from Your Side Hustles During Quarantine

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Many people may be
looking for a coronavirus side hustle at this time when money
is tight
. Many people have suffered salary cuts or have lost jobs, and
there are still bills to be paid and commitments to be met.

It may seem that we
don’t know what to do or what to expect during an unprecedented crisis like
this, but one thing is sure – even now, there are opportunities to have side
hustles during coronavirus.

If you consider the
time you would have spent preparing to leave the house and commuting to and
from your job, now that you’re working from home, you have extra time, which
can be put to use to develop your COVID side hustle.  

It’s the best way to
invest your time and energy and add purpose to your life amid uncertainty. Best
of all, you can use this time to learn and hone the skills you will need to
start your business. After the quarantine period is over, your coronavirus side
hustle can continue to be an additional income stream long after this pandemic.
We’ve put together some side hustle ideas to get you started.

What Are You Passionate About?

Thinking about your
interests is a good starting point for deciding what your side hustle will be.
It would be best if you aimed to find a side hustle in an area you are
passionate about, or it should be aligned with your skillset. You may be
surprised how well one of your talents or hobbies may translate into a great
money-making idea.

You can also consider
your experience in your current job or past jobs, and friends and family may
also be able to tell you what they have noticed you’re good at doing. We often
overlook valuable skills we have that make viable business ideas. Ask yourself
if there is anything easy for you that others may find challenging to do.

Once you’ve made your
decision, use your time at home to browse available resources for learning a
new skill or beefing up capabilities you already have. Remember, you might not
be able to go to a bookstore or library during the quarantine. Still, you can
listen to audiobooks and podcasts, watch YouTube videos, or order books online.

Contact some people in
your target market to see if they have any interest in the service you are
thinking of offering, so you know if it’s a worthwhile endeavor. It is also
essential to find out whether they would be willing to pay for this service.
Get a sense of what is currently being offered in your niche and think about
what you bring to the table that makes you stand out from others who are
offering similar services.

Consider the
restrictions that are currently in place and ensure that your business can
operate remotely. If you will be offering your services, the next step is to
look for places online where you can do so, such as Fiverr or Freelancer.

Your business needs to
be one you can sustain in the future, beyond the current pandemic. Make both
short-term and long-term plans.

Services and Goods that People
Need Now, More than Ever

Daily tasks, which
previously seemed simple and straightforward, have taken on a new twist in
light of stay-at-home orders during this crisis. Tools, platforms, and services
that facilitate or help improve remote working, online communication,
e-learning, and other activities are currently in high demand.

Face-to-face meetings
have turned into video calls. Conferences have gone digital, facilitated by
webinars and podcasts. Software programs and new mobile applications that help
make our personal and professional lives feel less abnormal are in the
limelight. Above all, e-commerce is booming and can be a lucrative area for a
side hustle during corona.

Keep an eye on the new
needs which are emerging every week. Opportunities are popping up everywhere,
and your skills could be a good fit for a new area in demand.

Empathy,
Helping Out

Some people need to
use the current gift of extra time to start a side hustle and to help others.

  • Check on your neighbors – find out how your
    neighbors, especially elderly folks, are doing. Call or text them and ask if
    they need anything. If you happen to have what they need, you can offer a
    contactless method of getting it to them. You can leave it at their front door,
    and they can pick it up at their convenience.
  • Find ways to volunteer virtually – the
    Internet is exploding with virtual opportunities right now. You can find lots
    of volunteer opportunities on our websites like idealist.org. Non-profits
    across the globe are figuring out how to keep their programs going, using
    innovative solutions.
  • Donate – there’s no doubt there are several
    worthwhile causes and non-profit organizations, and their workers are going
    above and beyond to help those in need. Why not donate to your favorite
    organization? Every little bit helps.

The
Best Side Hustles to Do From Home

eCommerce

Clean out your closet,
pick out the clothes you’ve hardly ever worn or stuff you know you don’t really
need and sell them all online.

Dropshipping

With dropshipping, you can sell products without having to stock them yourself. The products are shipped from the manufacturer directly to the buyer. You market the products act as the intermediary.

Teach
or tutor online

If you’re a teacher by
profession, you can teach
online
. Even if you’re not a teacher, if you have musical talent or another
skill, you can also offer lessons online. Some people use Skype and Zoom to
tutor via free video chats. You can also apply for jobs at Tutor Me or Tutor
Match. Those who want to teach English online can check out VIPKID and
Verbling.

Become
a Virtual Assistant

Virtual assistants,
commonly known as VAs, handle various tasks, including proofreading,
copywriting, social media management, scheduling meetings, travel bookings,
email communication, and other administrative tasks. Check out any of a variety
of websites to find virtual assistant jobs. These sites include Freelancer,
goLance, or Guru, or you can use VA staffing agencies, like Zirtual, PriorityVA, and 24/7 Virtual
Assistant, who will find jobs for you.

Start a blog

Those who have
in-depth knowledge about a particular topic and the skill to write well about
it can start a blog. There are many options to measure and keep an eye on your
blog, from having advertising space to affiliate marketing and sponsorships.

Monetize
a YouTube channel

Have you heard of
vlogging? You can earn decent money-making video blogs on YouTube. You can
teach others how to do something useful or learn a skill. Use either a
smartphone that shoots quality videos or a video camera if you have one.

Look for freelancing
opportunities.

There are tons of
websites serving as marketplaces where freelancers who work remotely can find
jobs. Lots of people could use your help, whether you have the skills to be a
social media marketer, freelance writer, graphic designer, data entry worker,
or resume writer at a time when there are more job seekers than ever.

Download
the Steady app

The free
Steady app is a job board based on the location that regularly updates — to
show you available opportunities. Steady’s temporary remote side hustles
include food delivery jobs, call center representative work, Clickworker, and
Rosetta Stone Tutor.

Final
Thoughts

When life gives you
lemons, make lemonade. You may have been worried about how you’ll make ends
meet or concerned about your job security. These are uncertain times indeed,
but one thing is sure – there are loads of opportunities at your fingertips to make
money
during the quarantine.

It is clear to see that there are
so many ways to start a side hustle. It would be best if you found the idea that’s
right for you. Starting a side hustle during the coronavirus pandemic is a
great way to make use of your new-found extra time. You should bear in mind
that you will have to balance this with a full-time job, so it’s best to pick a
side hustle where you will be doing work you will enjoy; otherwise, you may not
feel it’s worth it the effort.

Your side hustle can
become a business that will generate hundreds, or even thousands, of extra
dollars for you and your family every month. It can be life-changing now and in
the future. You will learn new skills or enhance the ones you already have
while making money on your schedule. The most important benefit is that you
won’t have to depend solely on a job that can be here today but gone in the
next crisis.

What To Do in Beautiful Venice

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Famous for its captivating beauty, rich culture, and historical significance, it is no wonder that Venice is one of the most popular cities in Italy. Located on a series of 117 small islands connected by a network of bridges and canals, Venice has one of the largest populations in the Veneto Region of Northern Italy, with more than 250,000 people calling it home. Throughout history, Venice has served as a powerful stronghold and major financial centre, and today is one of the most visited tourist destinations in Europe. 

While it is idyllic for those romantic weekend getaways and loved up honeymoons, Venice has much more to offer almost any kind of traveler. So, if you’re looking to book some flights and explore somewhere new and exciting, Venice might just be the perfect place for you. Here are some of the things you could do while you’re there.   

Stroll through Rialto Market 

You may have heard of the Rialto Bridge, a famous Venetian attraction and photo opportunity hotspot. Just a few yards away from the bridge is the Rialto Market or Mercato del Rialto, a beautiful outdoor market filled with fresh produce. Most of the fresh fruits and vegetables come from the nearby Isola di Sant’Erasmo, which is the largest island and agricultural hub in Venice. Fresh seafood such as octopus, shrimp, eel, squid, and crab is caught in the Venetian lagoon and is expertly sliced by fishmongers here while you wait. 

Buy handmade lace in Burano 

The Italian island of Burano is known around the world for its intricate lace techniques and beautiful designs that have been in production since the 1500s. Whether you’re looking for tablecloths, wedding dresses, napkins, or handkerchiefs, Burano has everything you could need and more. The art of creating handmade lace requires an enormous amount of skill and practice, which is why Burano lace costs more than machine-made versions. Burano is also famous for its colourful houses and picture-perfect streets, so remember your camera if you decide to take a day trip here.

Explore the famous canals by water taxi 

Visit Casino de Venezia 

The oldest casino in the world, Casino di Venezia was built in the 17th century and is more than 380 years old. This beautiful Renaissance building was opened more than 100 years before the second oldest casino in the world, Casino de Spa in Belgium, and has been attracting visitors from all over the world ever since. The casino has belonged to many different noblemen throughout the years until it was purchased by the city of Venice in 1946, renovated and reopened in 1959 as one of the most popular gambling destinations in Europe.

Eat at the Ristorante Riviera 

There are plenty of sophisticated restaurants to choose from in this bustling city, but if you’re after a taste of authentic Venetian cuisine then it doesn’t get much better than the Ristorante Riviera. Located on the Giudecca Canal with stunning views over the waterway, the exemplary service and perfectly cooked seafood will have you coming back for more. Try the homemade gnocchi, pasta with scallops, or the seabass poached with prawns before finishing up with one of the heavenly desserts.

Take a water taxi along the Grand Canal

Of course, you can’t visit Venice without exploring the famous canals by water taxi! Take in the sights of this beautiful city as you glide along the Grand Canal by boat. Look out for landmark palazzos, extravagant Baroque buildings, flamboyant Gothic residencies, and Eastern-influenced houses that line the Grand Canal, described as “the finest street in the world” by French writer Philippe de Commines in the 15th century. Listen to the history of the diverse architectural styles and discover the fascinating stories behind the beautiful buildings and places of historical significance.

So, whether you’re looking to sample the freshest Venetian seafood, buy famous Burano lace or explore the stunning canals by water taxi, there are plenty of amazing experiences to be had in this beautiful city. In fact, there is so much to do that you’ll probably have to keep coming back!

Is Cryptocurrency Safe During Covid-19 Pandemic?

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There is no doubt that China is one of the
cryptocurrency investment hubs performing different cryptocurrency exchanges.
In connection with that, Coronavirus affect China’s economic status negatively.

Since there is a current outbreak of Coronavirus
in China, different businesses have been affected. This is always true in both
the cryptocurrency market and in the traditional one. What’s worse is that the
Coronavirus is considered by the World Health Organization (WHO) as a pandemic.

This news made the European and Asian
market stocks to get down dramatically. Different cryptocurrencies, such as
Bitcoin, are having a hard time during this pandemic.

Cryptocurrency – Is It Still Safe

Cryptocurrency traders are asking if
trading the different cryptocurrencies, such as Bitcoin, is still safe. Well,
according to research, trading cryptocurrencies is not safe during this
pandemic. It is the nature of humans to protect their wealth and money. At the
same time, during this pandemic wherein the economic status has been down, no
crypto traders will perform trading when the chance of recovering from the
damage done by the pandemic is ambiguous.

Everyone is aware of the possible effects
of Coronavirus to human health and the economic status of a state. The Coronavirus
that started in China is now causing mayhem and havoc around the globe. There
is no doubt when some of the states cannot cope up with this pandemic.

Coronavirus does affect not only the
traditional market but also the cryptocurrency market as well. This outbreak
causes everyone to ask questions on how this outbreak affects the
cryptocurrencies.

On the other hand, decentralized mechanisms
support different types of cryptocurrencies. Crypto is being used by many
individuals around the globe and is considered to be independent to the
government. In connection with that, the COVID-19 made people switch the
traditional currencies to cryptos.

The Effect of Coronavirus on
Crypto-Mining

As mentioned, South Korea and China are the
countries that own over 70 percent of the entire crypto mining powers. This
means that you can expect a huge effect on the economic status of a country
when the virus continues to spread.

For the past few years, there is a
formulation of different equipment for crypto mining. Since the price is still
low, these crypto-mining tools are wasted. In connection with this, to get a
balanced algorithm, many of the mining farms get more popular compared with
these crypto-mining tools and equipment.

The mining farms became popular because of
quarantine and isolation. This is because mining farms only require less
movement. During this pandemic, the different cryptocurrencies have a low price
exchange. But, it is expected that after this outbreak ended, Bitcoin and other
cryptos will start to have an increased price.

On the other hand, some researches are
concluding that the cryptocurrency market will not get affected by the
outbreak. But, the crypto market will still perform some precautionary measures
about this pandemic.

The futurists consider the BitcoinRejoin as “beyond safe.” In
connection with that, Bitcoin halving can be an optimum option for a longer
investment. This is because its value will continue to increase as time passes
by.

Since the cases of COVID-19 positive are
continuously increasing, we don’t have enough data to determine about possible
things that might happen in the future between the Corona and crypto. We don’t
know when and how things will go back to normal. Keep in mind that Corona does
not only affect Bitcoin, but it also provides negative impacts to the other
crypto, such as the XRP, Bitcoin Cash, Ethereum, and many others. COVID-19 is
the only thing that made the crypto market to get down drastically.

Investigating the Benefits of Practice Management Software

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As the 21st century has progressed, we have seen a variety of changes throughout numerous aspects of our civilisation. The past 20 years have seen a major increase in functionality within our society, leading to a more effective overall world. There have been a multitude of changes that have occurred throughout the past two decades, and the Internet has been a major factor in making a more streamlined society. One of the most impacted elements in the modern world has been an improvement throughout the healthcare industry. Healthcare has become increasingly more advanced due to a variety of new technologies in the field. There have been many new procedures, technologies, and tools that have helped with efficiency within medical practices. One of the most critical of these has been practice management software, a tool that implements advanced organisational processes throughout an entire management program for your office. Learning about practice management software will help you to learn about improving upon organisational methods and creating for a more effectively managed healthcare office. A decent custom software development should be requested from the professionals, so you can avoid any problems with the end product in the future.

Fundamentals of Practice Management
Software

While there have been a myriad of technological advancements throughout the 21st century that have aided the healthcare field, practice management software has become one of the most imperative for a successful medical office. Practice management software is not a medical tool, but it is certainly still utilised to improve upon the processes within a medical office. Practice management software has a variety of beneficial elements, from scheduling patients in an online portal, to building an online payment processing system, and more. You will also be provided with text and email appointment reminders for patients along with tools for improving resourcefulness. Understanding the fundamentals of practice management software is essential for the growth and advancement of any medical office.

Improvements that Practice Management
Software Will Create

There are many different tools that a practice management program is comprised of and learning about these many features is certainly important before investing in this technology. However, what is more important is understanding how these myriad features will improve upon your medical practice. One of the most important elements of top quality practice management software is a heightened security system that will improve cybersecurity for all patients. This is imperative in an increasingly dangerous online world, as practice management software’s security system will both be more secure than paper-based systems as well as other lesser computer systems. As well as security, practice management software will also bring the benefit of increased communication throughout the entire enterprise. Patients will have increased communication with the medical office, as they can get send and receive messages from their providers and get appointment-related information such as online scheduling and reminders. Staff will also have improved communication as they can find information easier instead of having to go to another member of the team.

Final Thoughts

The medical system has become increasingly advanced throughout the 21st century, and practice management software has become one of the most integral facets of a successful office. Understanding the features and benefits that practice management software will bring is extremely important in an increasingly digitalised healthcare environment.

Hostinger’s Website Builder Lets You to Build a Website in Minutes – Not Days

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Start-ups can be tough to get going, and
website development and costs are not affordable for everyone. But there are
options out there, that enable small business start-up entrepreneurs to create
a website in minutes.

Basic web templates are free of charge,
and you get quite a few bells and whistles to support your new initiative. Get
an SSL certificate and free web hosting with a basic plan, and loads of
guidance to get your website up and running quickly.

Sounds too good to be true? Well, it isn’t. Let’s break down Hostinger’s new website builder. Here’s what you can expect: Website Builder | Easy to Use | Get 90% OFF on Hosting.

What Exactly is a Website
Builder?

If you already have an offline business,
and want to increase your target market exposure, you might have considered
having your own website. But websites are expensive unless you know an expert
who can do it at a low cost.

Current developments have become so
advanced though, that use of a website builder takes care of your online
platform to showcase your business.

You might be wondering what a website
builder is. Basically, it is software that enables the novice to create their
own personalized online site, using a template.

Once the basics have been achieved, you
can launch your business online at no cost, or
typically pay a little extra to unlock more powerful features.

The website builder is easy to use for beginners because coders understand that not everyone is tech-literate. You simply need to fill in the gaps with content or products, and you can be up and running in no time. Typically you can use drag and drop tools that make site building as easy as playing with a mobile app.

Start Free and Scale as You Grow

Who hasn’t dreamed of accessing a
website builder to start a business, but has been put off by the costs? Then
there’s the question about how easy it will be to use when you have little to
no tech experience.

Anyone without IT experience is able to register for an account, log in, and have their website up and running in less than an hour. The Zyro website builder has all the basics you need for starting for free. If you want to get extra marketing or eCommerce tools or wish yo attach domain, you will need to opt for one of the paid plans, which come at a great price.

You’ll receive a free SSL certificate
with a basic plan, together with free hosting on this website builder. If you
want to take advantage of the premium account, you will be able to use advanced
functions to improve your website and improve marketing. From email signup
forms to Google Analytics integration.

Further tailored options become
available with a premium account, together with bandwidth boosting if you
decide that’s what you need.

SEO-Friendly
Out of the Box

Zyro already has built-in SEO, so your website is conveniently, and automatically discoverable online. For those who are not familiar with SEO, or search engine optimization, several tools are used to increase your website’s online visibility. You can also use other SEO tools to make it easier for your visitors to find you. Original content, blogs, and other tools will help you reach this goal.

Ease of Use – Check

Everything is available to you to create
your own website rapidly so, which means there’s no coding required. Expert
coders and web designers and developers have provided all the foundations that
you need to develop your own website.

Anyone is able to use the templates, and
follow clear instructions to create the platform they need for their new
business.

A user-friendly drag-and-drop system is
in place to put content and images where you need these to be. Coding is for
the pro’s, and they’ve already built the foundations to take the pressure off
you. Zyro acts as an equalizer, essentially eliminating the barrier to entry
for small businesses to get online.

How
Will Zyro Benefit a Small Business

You will derive multiple benefits from having an
online business website, or a website that complements your offline business.

Zyro enables greater visibility for your business for one, but credibility and convenient customer access are others. To add to your convenience, a website is also an excellent promotional tool.

Wrapping Up

Not only does Zyro make it easy to
launch your online business, but having a website is also a great way to build
stronger relationships with your customers.

Discounts or promotional offers are
suitable to view, while the generation of an email database further aids in
extending your business reach.

Entrepreneurs can use this website
builder to do a lot of the work for them, while they focus on exercising their
core business talents.

Customers can get 90% OFF on Hosting
fees at the moment, making a website builder an excellent way to kickstart your
entrepreneurial pursuits.

Easy to use and free, the current market
makes it cost-effective to follow your dream.

Why eco-pods make great classrooms

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Tired of seeing the same old outdated portable cabins? Need a functional learning space outside of school?

Pod Developments are passionate about making their eco-friendly new learning spaces places to inspire children of all ages.

Philip Doleman, who creates bespoke eco-pods – small, sustainable abodes –  said he refused to design ones that were in any way institutional and instead, would take inspiration from nature.

Here’s his reasoning why eco-pods make great classrooms.

Focal points

Unlike portable cabins that look a little like sheds, eco-pods are streets ahead of anything else on the market, both aesthetically and in terms of quality of build. 

They last a long time so are an excellent investment when budgets are limited and they add a real focal point to any school.

Breath of fresh air

Eco-pods offer schools a building that is a breath of fresh air. We want them to inspire people but also show a strong environmental ethos and forward-thinking approach out into the neighbouring area. They are also a great opportunity to allow children to connect with nature.

Reduced costs

It goes without saying of course that eco classrooms are environmentally friendly and are doing their bit to keep the environment in check. 

Energy efficient and sustainable buildings like these reduce overall energy bills, with some even using renewable energy such as solar panels. 

So, as well as being places to learn in, they also provide a talking point in science and maths lessons!

Eco schools accreditation

These eco-pods can compliment some great geography and science lessons, which can only boost your school’s efforts to be awarded eco schools status.

Topics on recycling, renewable energy and biodiversity all fit in nicely – and what better way to learn about them, than being in an eco-classroom.For more outdoor classroom inspiration, contact Philip Doleman through http://www.ecopoddesign.co.uk/

How the Coronavirus Will Change Britain

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We are only at the start of the Coronavirus pandemic, and we
are already starting to see that the way in which the UK works is changed
forever. Even when the country comes out of lockdown, the Britain that we knew
in 2019 has gone. It isn’t coming back.

The Death of the
British High Street

The British High Street has faced a lot of challenges over
the years. Independent shops have seemingly gone the way of the dodo in many
smaller towns. The properties that aren’t boarded up seem to have been filled
up with those major brands. Pretty much every High Street looks the same in
this country now.

In March, retail sales plummeted. With a 4.3% drop on last year, this is the biggest single month decline since 1995. This was at the start of the lockdown. A time when most people still had jobs and had the ability to splash a little bit of cash. May and June figures are going to look different from this.

Retail is going to change. Companies you loved and cared for
are going to go out of business. Companies simply do not have the funds
available to sustain themselves throughout an extended lockdown. Even the
largest companies may only have cash reserves to cover them for a few months,
as major retailers such as Debenhams discovered.

The only companies that will be able to thrive are those who
sell online. Amazon, as you may be aware, is a ‘big winner’ right now.

The Loss of
Investment

Brexit resulted in a significant loss in investors in the UK. In fact, for January to March, the UK handed out fewer investor visas than it has in 4-years. This was before the lockdown. People are going to be even more anxious to invest in the country post-lockdown.

Economic experts are predicting one of the harshest
depressions the country has ever seen. With no vaccine for the virus coming any
time soon, the economy isn’t really going to get the opportunity to recover for
a good while. This means that investors are going to be dubious about putting
their cash anywhere.

The result is a lower amount of investment in housing. We
will not be able to see new companies replace the ones that have disappeared.
The stock market will plummet, which can cause untold job losses. Companies
will be reluctant to expand and may end up scaling back their business operations.

Continual investment helps make a country tick. Even if you
are not an investor, you will still benefit from those investments. Your town
or city would have seen a boost in income from these investments. Your job may
become unstable due to lack of investment.

Remember; it isn’t just external investors that we need to
worry about here. Companies are now starting to realise that their business could disappear overnight. As a result,
a lot of them are trying to build up their cash reserves to ensure that they
are ready to deal with a second wave. It is their staff that suffer from this
hoarding of cash. Of course, it will also have a knock-on effect on the
manufacturers and wholesalers who may not longer be required to send as much
product to the stores and businesses that they deal with.

This lack of investment will impact the UK for a long time
to come. Couple this with Brexit, and it is going to be a long time before we
see a light at the end of that tunnel.

Recreational Changes

One change that you are likely to see impact you in the
immediate future will be your recreation. People need some ways in which they
can entertain themselves. Sure, soon we will likely be able to go outside and
mingle with our friends, but we still won’t be able to get close to them. We
need to socially distance themselves.

We are starting to see a rise in the number of people who are using the internet to entertain themselves. Game companies have seen a massive increase in the number of players and games they are selling. According to casinofans.co.uk, casino sites are seeing a massive boost to the number of people who are playing online, particularly when it comes to live dealer casinos.  

We are likely going to see changes in the way people
entertain themselves. Massive changes. The Great British pastime of heading to
the racetrack or catching a football match are out of the question.

We, honestly, have no way to know exactly how recreational
activities will change. Just know that for the foreseeable future, you are not
going to be able to socialise in the ways you were used to.

Lykke Corp Is Launching The Open Initiative To Combat The Fallout From The Current Pandemic

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“The Open Initiative is a platform for proposals aiming to
enhance the current financial system with new tools and services which unlock
resources at the service of the people and their governments. Lykke is inviting
people and organizations from around the world to contribute with their ideas
and resources”

The proposed initiatives include:-

  • Supply Chain Platform

Leveraging the
efficiency of financial market mechanisms to solve supply chain bottlenecks.

  • Digital vouchers platform

Digitizing
Government initiatives for SMEs, Labour Force and more.

  • Real-time information system 

Aggregating,
verifying and forecasting of information necessary for decision making on a
personal, business and government level.

  • Research initiatives

New approaches
and ideas that contribute to the management of the current crisis and to the
development of responsive solutions.

The Open Initiative will fund community
solutions for key proposals to address crisis impact. Lykke is
also seeking funding from individuals and organisations, including governments
to come forward with business proposals for the whole project and/or specific
components. The problem-solving approach of the initiative has already awakened
interest among enterprise, researchers, and professionals of the industry.

Thereby Lykke is delighted to announce that
the 13th Chairman of the U.S Commodity Futures Trading Commission
(CFTC),  J. Christopher Giancarlo, joins
this effort as Strategic Advisor to the Open Initiative. Formerly, he acted as the vice
president of GFI Group Inc. where he was responsible for the strategic
transactions and relationships of GFI. Giancarlo was also one of the members of
the United States Chamber of Commerce’s Board of the Center for Capital Markets
Competitiveness.

Christopher Giancarlo is also known as
“Crypto Dad” mainly because of his efforts in promoting a blockchain-based US
dollar which, unlike Bitcoin, will be centralized and regulated by the Federal
Reserve. Due to the expertise of Christopher Giancarlo in blockchain
technology, his endorsement of the Open Initiative is expected to yield
tangible benefits.

“We
are delighted that Christopher Giancarlo is joining the Open Initiative, we are
excited that he is supporting us at this crucial time in our business. There is
a global revolution going on that combines blockchain technology, finance, and
positive social change. I am confident that Chris Giancarlo has the vision and
capability to play a significant role in shaping this revolution.”
– Richard Olsen (CEO of Lykke).

Christopher Giancarlo will also be one of
the members of the Prize Committee that will evaluate the Open Initiative
submissions. All submissions will compete for funding in the form of a prize,
one per each of the four fields of action. The Committee includes the following
people: 

For further information about the prizes
and on how to participate in The Open Initiative, please contact: openinitiative@lykke.com

About
Lykke:

Lykke is a
Swiss-based blockchain company and financial product provider. Lykke is
addressing critical failure points of the economy by leveraging blockchain
technology.

Democratizing
finance by eliminating market barriers, Lykke provides and promotes equal easy
access to the digitization and trade of virtually any asset of value from
anywhere in the world.

A
pioneer in the blockchain space, Lykke has several years of international
operational experience with a sophisticated financial engineering team, scalable
blockchain infrastructure and in-depth know-how in the tokenization of assets
of all types.

Media
Contact:

Company Name: Lykke Corp

Contact Person: Marina de Mattos

Email: pr@lykke.com

Contact No: 0041762274163

Address: Lykke Corp, Alpenstrasse 9, 6300 Zug, Switzerland

Website: https://www.lykke.com

Process you must follow to buy a home in Spain

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According to data from the Spanish Ministry of Development, in 2012 the number of foreigners who bought a home in Spain was 12.2%. In 2017 it was 17.2% and in 2018 it was 15.7%. And in 2019 it reached 16.5%. This confirms that in the last 7 years more and more foreigners have acquired homes in Spanish territory.

Many reasons have led to this situation: the sterling/euro exchange rate that favored British buyers before the Brexit and investment opportunities for German, Belgian, Russian, Chinese, and other buyers from other countries. If you are considering investing in a property and you are interested in the real estate purchasing process in Spain, read on.

Steps to buying a property as a foreigner

To buy a property safely while being a foreigner, you only have to add the obtaining of the NIE to the steps that we explain below, as established in article 206 of BOE 103 (April 30, 2011), about rights and freedoms of Foreigners in Spain and their social integration. This number is known as the Foreigner Identification Number (NIE).

You can request the NIE in person at the General Directorate of Police in Spain (as long as you are not irregularly in Spanish territory) or at the Spanish consular offices in your country of origin. In addition, you must inform about the reason for requesting the NIE, in the case of real estate purchase, it will be enough to include in the request ‘Home purchase’. 

Looking for the property

Possibly it is the step in which you need to invest more resources, especially time and energy. Searching for a property involves approaching the market where you want to invest, knowing its streets, its neighbors, and comparing prices. To reduce risks, it is advisable to have the help of a real estate consultant who knows the area where you want to buy well. 

Verify

 Once you have found the property you want to buy, and before making any money outlay, you will have to:

  • Evaluate the physical characteristics of the property: verify the meters built, degree of conservation, luminosity, height, views, etc. Again, it is helpful to have an expert, whether a real estate consultant, architect, or surveyor, independent of the seller.
  • Evaluate the legal situation of the house through the corresponding Land Registry: It is advisable to have the support of a real estate advisor or independent lawyer of the seller. 

Formalise the purchase-sale contract

The operation of buying a property is formalized with a public deed by signing it before a notary. This contract must be clear, simple and include the following information: proof of ownership and charges, description of the house, total price, the form of payment, and date of delivery of the house. Before the public deed, there can be two steps, without mandatory reservation:

  • Reserve: the real estate advisor intermediates in the buying and selling process, by delivering an amount of money that can reach 1% of the price of the house. The buyer’s price offer is included in this reservation, that is the previous step to the formal start of the negotiation process. Within a period of time (normally 24-48 hours) the seller will either accept the offer or issue a counter-offer.
  • Arras Contract: this contract is signed by the buyer and the seller and constitutes an obligation on the part of one to buy the house and on the other to sell it. As a reference value, the amount delivered in the deposit is usually less than 10% of the final sale price.  

Payment of taxes on home purchases 

Once you have purchased the property in Spain, you will have the privilege of paying the corresponding taxes. There will be two:

  • Patrimonial Transmissions or VAT: It will depend on whether you buy a new home or a second-hand one. In the first case, you will have to pay VAT (maximum 10%), while in the second case you will pay the Property Transfer Tax that depends on each Autonomous Community.
  • Documented Legal Acts (AJD): The AJD is also transferred to the Autonomous Communities and constitutes the expenses of the legal documents necessary to close the transmission of the house. It is established as a percentage of the deed value that changes according to the community. For example, if you buy a home in Madrid with a mortgage, this tax will be between 0.4% and 1% of the total amount of the mortgage liability.

Prior to the steps described, in case of buying the home as a foreign citizen, you must make the application for the Foreigner Identification Number (NIE). 

How to create a reliable commercial fleet

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For any commercial vehicle
operation, reliability is essential. You need to have confidence that your
fleet is capable of carrying out deliveries and travelling across the country –
sometimes even the continent. If you are looking at making your fleet more
reliable and feel happy and confident about sending it on the road, we have
some tips on how you can achieve this.

Fleet management
systems

Technology has developed
massively over the years and now there are some very clever and advanced
systems available which give you vital information about your fleet. These
systems can not only make the job of a fleet manager more streamlined but can
improve the safety and productivity of your fleet too.

What you can look forward to by
investing in a fleet management system:

  • Optimised routes

With full route optimisation, if
a new job appears, you can see which driver is closest and reroute them to the
new destination. With this kind of flexibility, you can improve customer
satisfaction immensely thanks to the quick response the system allows for, as
well as being more cost-effective by using a vehicle and driver already out on
the road.

  • Real-time tracking

You can rest assured that your
vehicles and drivers are safe thanks to the live, real-time tracking available
on fleet management systems. This will not only allow you to see when a driver
has reached/left their destination, but you will also be able to divert them if
they encounter traffic – increasing productivity.

  • Save money

Investing in a fleet system can
help save the business money in a range of areas. In fact, according to fleet
management system
provider ABAX, you can
save up to 18.5% of your typical costs with one in place. Having the ability to
plan drivers’ routes and provide a reroute solution, the business can save on
fuel costs thanks to smarter planning. Not only that, but the system also
allows managers to monitor a driver’s behaviour, meaning you can see where
harsh braking or accelerating and speeding is occurring. By monitoring
behaviours, you can see which drivers may need additional training, which in
the long run, will reduce vehicle damage and fuel waste – saving even more
money for the business.

Invest in training

For a reliable fleet, you will
also require some assistance from drivers to help run a dependable operation.
At the beginning of every shift, the driver of the vehicle should perform a walk-round check.
These are essential and will determine if a vehicle is safe, legal and ready to
get on the road. The government notes 24 points that need to be checked on a vehicle before it can be driven. These include the
likes of mirrors, seatbelts, fuel leaks and tyres as well as many more. A
walk-round check not only ensures your vehicles meet the legal requirements,
but can also help to prevent injury and death – tyres can, and will, come off if they are not regularly checked and secured. Invest in
appropriate training for staff to ensure they know what they need to do to
safeguard your operation and stay reliable, dependable and compliant.

With a combination of technology and human
assistance, you can feel confident that your fleet can be operated to a high
standard.

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