When thinking of Estonia, it might come to your mind that it’s close to Russia, has a medieval capital city that is also a UNESCO world heritage or that it is one of the least densely populated countries in Europe. But the small Baltic country has much more to offer than that. In fact, it is often referred to as the world’s first digital nation and has become dependent on the internet. Estonians have evolved into a digital community that does their taxes without leaving the house, votes for an election through an app and looks at their health record online. The government has made 90 percent of all its services available on the internet and they can be accessed simply with an ID-card and a personal password.
Category: Tools and Information
YouTube will now let you block recommendations from specific channels | Mashable
Most people who regularly use YouTube would probably admit that the site’s recommendation engine is a little wonky. For every time it shows you something you might genuinely want to see, it brings you something random at best and reprehensible at worst.
While it might take years for YouTube to fix all of its problems, it’s making one change to hopefully make the site better for its users. YouTube outlined a handful of new features that are coming soon to its website and mobile apps on the YouTube blog on Wednesday, including the ability to never see recommendations from specific channels.
Barefoot Walking Gives You Calluses That Are Even Better for Your Feet Than Shoes, Study Suggests | Live Science
Ah, summer. Soft breeze in your hair, grass between your toes, nasty calluses on your feet from going barefoot…
Don’t fear those calluses, though. New research has revealed that foot calluses — thickened skin that forms naturally when one walks barefoot — have evolved to protect the feet and provide for comfortable walking in perhaps ways that shoes can’t match.
Unlike shoes, foot calluses offer protection without compromising sensitivity or gait, according to a study published today (June 26) online in the journal Nature. Shoes, in contrast, reduce sensitivity in the foot and alter the way that the impact forces transfer from the foot to joints higher up the leg.
Top Tips for Writing Better Job Descriptions | Business News Daily
Wonder why you’re not getting great job applicants? You might want to take a closer look at how you write your job descriptions.
As the unemployment rate falls and the battle for talent heats up, job listings are becoming much more competitive.
For every great job description, there are many more that simply list keywords related to job duties, tasks, qualifications and experience requirements. While it’s easy to write job descriptions that are simply lists of keywords, these descriptions are hard for applicants to read and understand. They also attract job seekers who are mass-applying to jobs – and who might not be a good fit for your organization.
The Real Reason Why You Hate Working (And How to Turn It Around) | Life Hack
Have you ever asked yourself, why do I hate working? Is it the people, what I do, or is it something else entirely? Studies show that people are becoming less happy with their jobs and personal life. According to the General Social Survey,
On a scale of 1 to 3, where 1 represents “not too happy” and 3 means “very happy,” Americans on average give themselves a 2.18 — just a hair above “pretty happy.”
While that may not sound bad to some, it is considered a significant decline from the happiness levels of the early 1990’s. When you dive into the numbers further, spending time on the internet, listening to music alone, and using social media are all activities correlated with unhappiness.
Entrepreneurs Share 7 Smart Reasons They Use Business Credit Cards | AllBusiness.com
A business credit card can be much more than a convenient way to pay for purchases. These cards can also provide lucrative rewards, superior fraud protection, and can smooth out cash flow. According to the Federal Reserve’s 2019 Small Business Credit Survey, 52% of firms with 1 to 499 employees use credit cards on a regular basis.
Here, seven small business owners reveal the smartest purchase they ever made on a credit card, and why putting those purchases on plastic was a savvy move. In addition, you’ll learn strategies for making the most of your business credit cards.
Delegation is Crucial for Your Small Business’s Health [Use These Tips to Start Delegating Today] | crowdspring Blog
Small business owners often find themselves taking on every task in their company.
But, as a business grows, this hands-on approach becomes harder to maintain.
A business’s ability to evolve depends on its leader’s ability to let go of that death grip on… everything… and learn to delegate without micromanaging.
But, despite the fact that hoarding tasks is exhausting and detrimental to business, it’s still a hard habit to break.
3 Tips to Gain 2 Extra Hours a Day | David A. Fields
As a consulting firm leader, you’re constantly wrestling with the clock. You somehow have to balance project work with finding clients and annoying administrivia. Oh, and your family would like a minute here or there with you.
Aaaack!
Look, if finding extra time were as easy chunking your day into time blocks, or starting with the “big rocks” you’d already be finishing up your project load by noon and strolling out of the office at 5:00 every day with a clear desk and a clear mind. (Or, at least a clear gin and tonic.)
Small Businesses Must Think About Taxes All Year Long | Business
Fold tax planning into your overall business strategy to efficiently tackle your taxes.
For many small businesses, tax season is a grueling time of year. It’s often associated with stress, record-combing and exhaustion. This is one of the key reasons why small businesses should be thinking about their taxes year-round and prepare long before it comes time to file. By folding tax planning into your overall business strategy, small business owners can tackle their taxes far more effectively (and may even end up with bigger deductions than they anticipated!). Here are some of the best tips for keeping taxes a priority for your small business 365 days a year.
6 Social Media Sites & Directories Your Company Needs to Target Now | The Startup Magazine
Is your company’s online presence diverse and well-developed enough to stand out from the competition?
If you’re not targeting most or all of the social media sites and directories on the list below, the answer may well be “no.” Here’s what you need to know about each.
LinkedIn is the world’s most popular social media platform for professionals and brands. If your company doesn’t have at least a pro forma LinkedIn presence, it’s missing out.
Here’s the thing: Not every brand needs a LinkedIn company page. You can bet that LinkedIn is not a top marketing priority for this ubiquitous coffee chain, because said ubiquitous marketing chain has enviable name recognition and the bottomless resources required to run nonstop legacy media ads.
Dispatches From The Front 