Category: Tools and Information

Use it or lose it: Google says it will delete inactive accounts | CNN Business

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If you haven’t logged into your Google account in a long time, you better use it or lose it.

Google announced Tuesday it will start deleting accounts that have been inactive for at least two years, a move that the company says is intended to prevent security risks.

The updated policy takes effect immediately, but Google said it will not begin deleting accounts until December. The company plans to send out multiple warning notifications to users and to conduct the purge of inactive accounts in phases.

The first accounts on the chopping block will be those that were created and then never revisited by the user, Google said. The policy also will only impact personal accounts, leaving organizations like schools and businesses untouched.

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EMV Technology: What Small Merchants Need to Know | Business News Daily

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EMV chip cards have become the bread and butter of in-person card payment. So why aren’t you accepting them yet?

  • EMV technology powers credit and debit cards that include payment chips alongside the traditional magnetic stripe.
  • The liability for credit card fraud stemming from non-EMV transactions lies with merchants, not credit card companies.
  • The primary benefits of EMV ― fraud reduction, mobile add-ons, easier customer payments ― substantially outweigh the challenges of implementation.
  • This article is for small business owners interested in accepting EMV payments through credit card chips.

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9 Inflation Tips for Startups | AllBusiness.com

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The United States experienced historic inflation in 2022, and it paved the way for the surge of price increases that followed into 2023. Meanwhile, people continue to become entrepreneurs. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, over 5 million applications were filed to form new businesses in 2022. And now, many of these companies are facing an impending recession—or an economic squeeze at the very least.

For these fledgling startups, it’s important to proactively combat the rippling effects of inflation to stay afloat. From reassessing margins to cutting costs, the following inflation tips can help startups and entrepreneurs lessen the impact of economic headwinds.

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Why You Should Pay Employees to Stop Working for You | Business.com

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Learn what voluntary severance is and when you should offer it.

The past few years have been somewhat tumultuous in terms of the labor force. The pandemic led to a massive wave of layoffs, which was followed by a rapid — and somewhat chaotic — rehiring of workers. Now, as businesses face high levels of inflation, a looming recession and economic uncertainty, many employers are rethinking those recent hires and starting to make cuts again.

An obvious and common way to cut labor costs is to lay off workers. According to the Layoffs.fyi database, more than 1,000 tech companies made layoffs in 2022, resulting in more than 150,000 employees being laid off. However, layoffs aren’t business owners’ only option when it comes to reducing their workforce. One alternative is to offer voluntary severance — paying your employees to quit.

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Scaling Smarter: How Payroll Platforms Benefit Startups | The Startup Magazine

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Starting a new business can be an exciting journey where you’re bound to experience your fair share of ups and downs along the way. In this regard, one of the necessary evils startups have to deal with is finances, especially when it comes to managing payroll. The issue is, how can you even think about scaling your business when such a bottleneck is staring you right in the eyes, with each mistake having costly ramifications to boot?

That’s where payroll platforms come in. In essence, these are designed to automate the process entirely, an investment that virtually pays for itself considering how much time they save you – your most valuable asset you should rather invest in growing your business. They will help you make the deductions where necessary, generate pay stubs, and all the other tedious tasks you’d otherwise have to do manually.

In today’s post, we will explore payroll platforms from the perspective of startups, noting how they can help them overcome the setbacks they face on a daily basis.

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How to Cut Costs as a Small Business Owner | Getentrepreneurial.com

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As a small business owner, it’s important to be mindful of your spending. Cutting costs is one way to help ensure the success of your business so you can expand into a major corporation like Black Tie Moving Here are some tips on how you can cut costs as a small business owner.

Review your business expenses and cut out anything that is unnecessary

The first step to cutting unnecessary business expenses is reviewing what you’re spending your money on. Take a close look at your past invoices and compare them to your budget. Are there any areas where you’re spending more than you had planned? If so, see if there are any cheaper alternatives. For example, if you’re spending a lot on office supplies, see if you can buy in bulk or find a cheaper supplier. Once you’ve identified areas where you can save, make a plan to cut those expenses.

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Government Grants for Small Businesses | Business News Daily

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Find out how you can take advantage of these government grants to start or grow your business.

  • Government grants are free federal, state and locally funded programs to help launch or grow small businesses.
  • Only apply for grants for which you are eligible and ensure you meet all the grantor’s conditions.
  • Increase your grant approval chances by perfecting your resume, working with a prominent local organization or consulting your city or county economic development council.
  • This article is for entrepreneurs and small business owners hoping to secure a government grant to help launch or grow their organizations.

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How to Find Your Sleep Chronotype to Sleep And Live Better | LifeHack

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What if I told you that if you knew a particular secret, you would effortlessly and easily sleep deeper, wake more refreshed, and have more energy for your daily activities naturally?

Well, the secret is to understand your sleep chronotype.

As Australia’s leading sleep expert, I’ve written a book on this exact topic – Bear, Lion Or Wolf: How Understanding Your Sleep Type Could Change Your Life. It would be more than a pleasure to let you in on the low-down of your chronotype, so you can sleep, feel and live better.

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Founder Burnout Rates Are High: What’s the Solution? | AllBusiness.com

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Startup founders often sacrifice their personal life by working tirelessly in exchange for rewards they hope to reap down the road. Progress in business often comes at a steep cost. The currency with which an entrepreneur pays to grow his or her business is invaluable—sleep, time with loved ones, rest and relaxation, and, eventually, mental and physical health.

Researchers have established a link between autonomy in business and work-related satisfaction. Startup founders often report feeling empowered or “in control of their own destiny.” However, the energizing potential of starting a business often burns hot—in many cases, too hot. An ELEVATE survey found that 48% of entrepreneurs experience feelings of burnout, with an additional 32% experiencing depression, and 56% facing decision fatigue.

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How to Generate More Sales Leads for Your Business | business.com

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To increase sales to your business, generating more sales leads is key. Here’s how to drum up more sales leads for your business.

Many successful companies depend on adding to their customer base to grow their business. One key way to accomplish this goal is to ensure that companies receive a regular stream of sales leads. Here’s what you can do to generate leads for your business.

The importance of sales leads

A sales lead is a person or business that could purchase your company’s goods or services. A lead becomes a prospect once you’ve identified their level of interest and fit as a customer for your business. You can use different methods to identify sales leads, including advertising and marketing, cold calling, social media, referrals, outreach and networking, consultations, and product/service trials.

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