How to Become a B Corp in 5 Steps | All Business

March 28, 2024March 27, 2024 ~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

Would you like to be the best business in the world or be the best business for the world?

Look closely at the two options. The key differentiators are in italics. A company that wishes to be the best business in the world ultimately does not share the same outlook as the one that wants to be the best for the world. These latter companies use business as a force for good. They are known as B Corporations: purpose-driven corporations that create benefit for all stakeholders.

What’s a B Corporation?

Incorporating as a B Corporation means following a slightly different process than that of forming a limited liability company (LLC) or a general corporation.

Plumbing Shortage Crisis Means Great Opportunity | Small Biz Trends

March 27, 2024March 27, 2024 ~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

Young people are shunning plumbing as a career option. The number of plumbers retiring is outweighing the number of new plumbers. Research commissioned by bathroom fittings manufacturers, Lixil Americas, shows that the shortage of plumbers in the United States cost the economy around $33 billion in 2022. The report estimates that by 2027, the nation will be short of around 550,000 plumbers.

Enrollment at trade schools has fallen. The apprenticeship rate for young people wanting to be trained in skilled trade work like plumbing dropped by 49% in 2022 compared to 2020, according to data from the recruitment platform Handshake.

Plumbing shortages across the United States is having negative consequences on households and the economy, including driving up costs for plumbing services. Not being able to call on a professional plumber can also have negative implications on businesses, such as their ability to expand into new buildings. The shortfall of plumbers can also delay flood recovery efforts and building upgrades so that water systems are more efficient.

Several Local Communities Launch New Small Business Grants This Spring | Small Biz Trends

March 27, 2024March 26, 2024 ~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

From reducing income disparities to improving busy commercial districts, small business grants can benefit communities in numerous ways. That’s why several cities, counties, and local organizations have recently launched their own funding programs. Read about several current opportunities and initiatives related to small business grants below.

East Buffalo Small Business Working Capital Grant Program

Empire State Development recently launched the third funding round of its East Buffalo Small Business Working Capital Grant Program. The program awards grants of between $5,000 and $50,000 to businesses in designated parts of East Buffalo, largely helping minority-owned establishments. Initially launched in response to the mass shooting at a Tops Friendly Market on Jefferson Avenue in 2022, the program includes a total of $3 million in funds and has already helped nearly 70 businesses, providing more than $800,000 over the previous two funding rounds. The program is currently accepting applications and will continue to do so through May 10.

Why Happy Employees Are Good for Business | business.com

March 26, 2024March 25, 2024 ~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

A happy and satisfied workforce is something all companies should strive for. Although it may be tempting to focus solely on business operations, such as increasing sales and attracting more customers, it’s essential to prioritize employee happiness. In this article, we explain why keeping your workforce happy is essential and how to do it effectively.

Why it’s important to keep employees happy

Besides being the right thing to do, keeping employees happy has several benefits for you and your team. Here are some of the primary advantages associated with a motivated workforce.

Steps to Take if You’re Behind on Your Taxes | Business

March 26, 2024March 25, 2024 ~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

Tax season is a nearly universal source of stress for business owners. It’s especially fraught with anxiety if you have unpaid taxes. The longer your tax delinquency goes on, the more daunting the prospect of catching up becomes, especially as interest and penalties accumulate. You may feel your only option is hiding from the IRS since any form of contact would constitute an admission of guilt or remind the IRS to audit your business.

However, it’s in your best interest to remedy the situation as soon as possible, and you may be surprised to learn the process isn’t as difficult as you’d guess. You may not even be in that much trouble (and if you are, it’s crucial to address that). Learn the steps to take if you’re past due ― and the potential impact on your business.

When is my phone getting Android 14? Here’s everything we know | Digital Trends

March 25, 2024March 24, 2024 ~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

Android 14 is out now, and as usual, the first to get it was Google’s own Pixel phone family. Not to be undone, Samsung pushed out its version of Android 14 — One UI 6 — after a relatively short beta period and has seemingly now completed its Android 14 rollout. Nothing, the new phone company on the block, has done the same. Now, we’re just waiting for more news from Motorola, who has become the stick in the mud holding everyone up.

If you’re rocking an Android phone that is still stuck on an old build, here’s everything we know about official Android 14 rollout plans for all major brands available in the U.S. market. We recommend using your device’s Find on page function to pinpoint your device on this list.

How to use iMessage on Windows | Digital Trends

March 25, 2024March 24, 2024 ~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

Apple’s iMessage isn’t as universal as some of the best messaging applications, but as a default app, it’s exceedingly popular, and could be considered one of the best Mac apps. It’s an Apple-exclusive app, however, so getting it working somewhere else isn’t easy. Fortunately, though, there are some tricks you can use to get iMessage working on Windows. Here’s how to do it.

How to use iMessage on Windows using Phone Link

You can connect your iPhone with Windows through the Phone Link app, giving you quick and easy access to iMessage from your PC. Keep in mind, iMessages sent on your iPhone before you set up Phone Link won’t sync to your PC. Only the messages you’ve sent using your PC after you linked your iPhone to Windows will show up. First messages from first-time senders also will not sync.

The Benefits and Drawbacks of Solar Firms Providing Battery Storage | The Startup Magazine

March 22, 2024March 21, 2024 ~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

In the quest for sustainable energy solutions, solar power has emerged as a shining star, lighting up our homes and powering our lives. As solar technology advances, solar companies are now offering an additional feature to illuminate the future – battery storage. In this guide, we’ll explore the emotional journey of incorporating battery storage into solar energy systems, navigating through deconstruction, constituents, and even encountering a character named Bautista along the way. So, buckle up as we delve into the fascinating world where sunlight meets innovation.

The Power Duo: Solar and Battery Storage You, like many others, might be pondering the question, “How many solar panels do I need?” The answer, of course, depends on various factors like your energy consumption and geographical location. As you contemplate harnessing the sun’s energy, consider the synergy of solar panels and battery storage, a dynamic duo working together to maximize the benefits.

Planning Your New Career Path: How To Find Your New Career | The Startup Magazine

March 22, 2024March 21, 2024 ~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

It’s never too late to find a new career or pivot from what you’re already doing to one that better suits you as you are now. Despite the push to know what you want to do with your life as you leave high school, the reality is that many people only find their dream career or learn what they want to do after doing other things.

If you’re at a career crossroads in your life, be it in your 20s, 30s, 40s, or beyond, these tips can help you pin down your ideal career and get on the right path to doing something that gives you more career satisfaction than what you’re currently doing.

Take A Test

More specifically, the Strong Interest Inventory Test is designed to help you uncover your interests, what your personality is suited for, and where you should focus your career interests. You can find these tests in various places, so finding Where to take The Strong Interest Inventory Test isn’t too hard, be it via your current employer, finding an online test, or going through a career counselor.

Fed holds interest rates steady but signals cuts ahead | BBC

March 21, 2024March 20, 2024 ~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

The US central bank has left its key interest rate unchanged again, while it looks for more evidence that inflation is coming under control.

The decision kept the target range for the Federal Reserve’s influential rate in the range of 5.25%-5.5%, the highest in more than two decades.

The Fed is debating whether higher borrowing costs have done enough to ease the pressures pushing up prices.

Officials said they still expected to cut rates by the end of the year.

But after raising borrowing costs aggressively in response to soaring prices in 2022, the bank is proceeding cautiously.