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Best Travel Tips: Learn How to Become a Master Traveler in 2020

Jared
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Best Travel Tips: Learn How to Become a Master Traveler in 2020

Being a pro traveler is not just a day’s work and not even a week or a month, it takes loads of mistake-filled travels and experiences. This article will help speed up the learning curve, making you quite the experienced traveller! By reading the following tips, you will become a travel expert in no time.

When traveling somewhere for the first time, there are some basic things you should keep in mind so as not to be found wanting at any point say the experts at The Shapiro Law Group. Some are:

  • Get a small suitcase or travel bag
  • When packing, pack a flashlight and an extra towel
  • Read extensively about where you are going
  • Stay at a renowned or well-secured hotel if you can afford one
  • Try being friendly to strangers
  • Never let your guard down
  • Don’t be stingy when she tells you to use a map

Get a small suitcase or travel bag

You taking a small suitcase or travel bag along while travelling helps in simplicity and portability throughout the trip. You get to move around quickly and without stress, and having a small travel bag on hand, reduces the tendency of packing unnecessary items along with you. It helps you pack only the things you need and nothing more.

When packing, pack a flashlight and an extra towel

The usefulness of a flashlight cannot be over-emphasized as you never know what strange turns trips can take. Planning for the worst is never a bad idea, even if it feels unnecessary or overkill. The same goes for having an extra towel on hand, (like I said, probably won’t need it but better to be safe than sorry).

Read extensively about where you are going.

There is a famous saying that knowledge is power, and well, that speaks for itself. Knowing about the do’s and don’ts of where you are going helps you more than you would expect. Dot your I’s and cross your T’s about a particular place and its people before you embark on any journey provides you adequate information, making your trip less stressful.

Stay at a renowned or well-secured hotel if you can afford one.

Hotels are comprised of a lot of workers from the local community and also other tourists or travellers. The community can give you additional access to information about the region. In the case where you are traveling for pleasure, or visiting interesting places like Miami in Florida, Fontainebleau Miami is a good hotel where you can stay throughout your visit

Try being friendly to strangers

It’s generally best practice to be friendly to the locals, as they know the area, and can give help and advice when needed. Whether its directions, or the best hangouts or good eats, it’s well worth the time, not to mention the interesting stories you might hear.

Don’t be stingy when she tells you to use a map

 

It’s a well-known fact that men have an innate sense of direction, but even so, being in a new state, country, or even a different continent, can have some crazy effects on our internal compass. Having a map handy is never a bad idea (even if the likelihood that you actually need it is tiny) and can save you time and effort when it counts.

What are Bridge Loans & How Do They Work?

Maren
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What are Bridge Loans & How Do They Work?

Buying affordable homes in the sizzling real estate market is not a cakewalk, especially if you reside in Canada. At some time in life, you may feel to upgrade or downsize, or simply switch your home locations. And, you have to plan for the difficult and the worst! 

Think of a scenario where you wish to sell your current home and use its proceeds towards the purchase of a new house. What if, the closing dates don’t align, you get stuck in an awkward situation where the selling and buying dates of both the properties don’t overlap. What to do now?

As much as we would all like to pull the Cash Discount Program trick out of our back pocket, and save all that interest money by paying cash, unfortunately that just isn’t possible in the majority of cases.

So, the down payment for your new home is tied up in equity in your existing home. Now, how to handle this precarious matter? A Bridge Loan comes to your rescue and helps you manage the two properties concurrently.

What is a Bridge Loan?

Bridge Loan is a temporary short-term loan that borrowers take to bridge the gap between the time they sell an old property and buy a new one. Or you can say, you are bridging the gap between two financial transactions, your old and new mortgages. 

You simply need a copy of the Sale Agreement (existing home) and Purchase Agreement (new home) or a firm relevant offer, as applicable.

Lenders typically lend up to $200,000 for 120 days easily without a lien on your property. Beyond that, if you require a larger amount and for a longer duration, you may have to meet additional formalities and cost along with some collateral.

How does Bridge Financing Work?

Generally, the interest rate on a bridge loan is the Prime rate+ 2% or Prime Rate+3%. On top of it, you will also have to bear an administration fee that ranges from $200 to $500.

Let’s say, Current Home (sale) closing date is 90 days away, whereas the New Home (purchase) closing date is approaching in 30 days only. So, a bridge loan shall cover the differential period of 60 days (90-30) within the two dates. You can fund the purchase of your new house without waiting for the sale of the old one.

Buying a House Before Yours Sells: Does Bridge Loan Help?

Also, referred to as interim financing, a bridge loan is an effective tool to finance the purchase of new property while your old house is getting sold. You may also remove the contingency to sell, and move ahead with the purchase if the lender agrees so.

An obvious downside of a bridge loan is its high-interest rate as compared to normal mortgage rates. Since it is for a smaller period only, it won’t matter much.

However, it may not be necessary to utilize this option. But, in case you do, pay attention to all the terms, and watch for any penalties. If the old property doesn’t sell within the stipulated time, or you find it difficult to unload your house? Something to worry about!

But, when you know there’s going to be a lag in closing dates, you may not have a choice. A Bridge Loan can act as a borrower’s safety net but with hidden risks! So, discussing this with your mortgage broker is a great idea.

5 Ways to Boost Company Morale

Maren
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5 Ways to Boost Company Morale

What’s your company culture? Are you a high-pressure, relentless machine, always on and always hunting the next big thing? Or are you a positive, creative and open network, with employees who genuinely love coming to work every day? If you’re the first type, you may need to boost employee morale. And if you don’t think it matters, think again. 

There’s tons of research proving that happy employees are more productive. One study found that a company’s customers became more loyal when its employees were happy. Another found that happy employees were 20 percent more productive than their less happy counterparts. Happy employees take fewer sick days and leave their companies less often. 

The bottom line is that morale isn’t just about your employees’ feelings. It affects the bottom line of your business in very real ways. So what is a manager or executive to do? It doesn’t have to be complicated. Here are five easy ways to boost company morale.

1. Give Out Employee Recognition Awards

Fifty percent of employees want employee recognition programs – but only 35 percent of employers offer them. They’re a cost-effective way to improve morale and create meaningful traditions that inspire loyalty and dedication in your team. These are the must-have employee recognition awards for any office:

  • Years of service: Award employees at their 5-, 10- and 20-year anniversaries. If you’re a young company or have a lot of new hires, you can even award 2-year anniversaries!
  • Employee of the month: Implementing an employee of the month program gives your team something to strive for. It’s also an easy way to appreciate your best sales and customer service representatives on a regular basis.
  • Promotions: Always recognize big promotions with an employee recognition award that your new regional manager, sales manager or top executive can display in their office. 

Monthly and on-the-spot awards are essential to any employee recognition program. An annual awards ceremony takes your program even further, creating an entertaining event that employees can look forward to. Add even more employee recognition awards, like teamwork, outstanding achievements and humorous categories. Have fun with it – this is your chance to really boost employee morale!

2. Host a Work Event

An annual employee recognition awards ceremony shouldn’t be the only time your company or team gets together. Company- or team-wide events are an important bonding experience where employees can build relationships outside of work. Employees with friends are less likely to quit and more likely to love their companies – that’s a great morale booster.

For the biggest boost in company morale, “crowd-source” your company outing. Take nominations from your employees and then set up a survey where everyone can vote on their favorite. Letting your employees choose their own event gives them a sense of agency – and they’ll have even more fun at the outing.

3. Write a Note

Use written praise for more immediate outstanding achievements. It’s similar to employee recognition awards, but with an on-the-spot feeling. Did one of your account managers take care of a client demand quickly and professionally? Is your customer service team handling more complaints than usual? Did someone on your team jump onto a task or project to help out others? These are all occasions for written recognition.

Written employee recognition can take a few different forms. Hand-written notes left on someone’s desk, along with a small gift, are always appreciated. Passing around a card to your whole team is even more meaningful because it involves everyone – and peer recognition makes people feel even more valued. You can also write an email and CC the entire office. Letting other departments – and executives – know about how amazing your team is looks good for both them and you, and boosts morale company-wide.

4. Use Social Media

Taking employee recognition awards online doesn’t just benefit the recipient; it benefits your company, too. An active social media presence improves your customer service and ability to network, increases your Google ranking, helps your company branding and can bring more traffic to your website – all factors that ultimately make you more money. 

Write a quick blog post about all of your team’s incredible accomplishments for the month, then share it on social media. Alternatively, write an article on LinkedIn and tag your outstanding employees. You’re giving your team recognition they can be proud to share – and you’re giving your company great publicity. 

5. Create a Wall of Fame

Creating a public place where employees are recognized for all to see has a great impact on morale – and the more people who can see it, the better. Hang your employee recognition awards in your entryway or near your common area. For something less traditional, create a sticky-note wall of fame: employees at any time can write recognition on a sticky note and put it up for all to see. Another great idea is to hang clipboards and switch out the people and achievements that are featured on them weekly or monthly. 

A wall of fame has another bonus: it lets your clients and other office visitors know that you value your employees. And a positive company culture isn’t just important to you – it’s important to many of them, as well. There are tons of imaginative ways to make a wall of fame, so be original!
Whether you’ve noticed signs of unhappy employees or think you’ve got a great company culture, there is always room to boost employee morale. Start with employee recognition awards and our other easy ideas and grow your program from there. The sky is the limit!

Talkspace Adds A CMO As Newest Addition To Staff

Article Editor
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Talkspace Adds A CMO As Newest Addition To Staff

The good news keeps coming for therapy provider Talkspace. Billed as “therapy on your cell phone,” Talkspace has turned quite a few heads in recent months with CEO Oren Frank’s announcement that Neil Leibowitz has signed on as Chief Medical Officer.

Coming from New York’s United Healthcare, Leibowitz begins his tenure at Talkspace with nearly two decades of experience in his portfolio. An expert in bioethics who steps into his new role at Talkspace with both medical and law credentials, Leibowitz is anxious to help the expanding organization bring high-quality care to a robust and diverse clientele. “I’m excited that Talkspace is changing the treatment paradigm and meeting patients where they want to be, rather than having the expectation that the patient will meet the provider only on the provider’s terms,” notes Leibowitz in an interview with PR Newswire. Leibowitz was officially welcomed to the Talkspace team in April 2018.

Great Expectations

Leibowitz’s arrival coincides with an uptick in Talkspace’s client base, a trend that coincides with Talkspace’s engagement with Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs). A collaboration with Magellan Health, for example, brings Talkspace’s evidence-based care to an expanded list of clients who may have shied away from therapy in the past, according to PR Newswire. Leibowitz’s reputation as a relationship builder on the insurance side of medicine also bodes well for his new company, as Talkspace is poised to expand and deepen its position with corporations.

Oren Frank, founder and CEO of Talkspace, appreciates the value Leibowitz brings to the business. As noted in a CNBC report filed after Leibowitz’s hiring, Leibowitz could enact Frank’s vision of expanding the corporate side of the business. Like many other therapy providers with a broad client base, Talkspace understands that one frontier for therapy providers focuses on engagement with employee-assistance programs. This is, of course, a win for employers. Providing high-quality therapeutic services to employees improves employee morale and corporate productivity. Given the accessibility of the Talkspace platform, employees who may not have accessed EAP services in the past can now receive support with a few taps on a smartphone.

From Skeptic to Champion

As noted by many news outlets, Neil Leibowitz was initially no fan of online providers like his new employer. Although Leibowitz was “initially skeptical” about Talkspace, according to PR Newswire, he now views the company “as a way to increase access to therapists.” Concerned that many individuals in dire need of therapeutic services refrain from seeking help because of stigma and lack of access, Leibowitz realized that online providers bridge the gap for a broader clientele, providing new options and opportunities to those who previously suffered in silence.

Additional Services

One of the great innovations Leibowitz is championing in the Talkspace community is the addition of psychiatric services that will facilitate the dissemination of prescription medicine to clients who may need this level of support. This initiative is certainly groundbreaking for Talkspace and deeply appreciated by the company’s growing number of clients. For an even larger segment of the population who have refrained from seeking appropriate care because of a host of accessibility issues, access to comprehensive psychiatric treatment means a potential increase in quality of life.

Leibowitz also sees Talkspace’s approach to psychiatric care as an affordable option for members of the population who have contended with cost prohibition in the past. Talkspace makes therapy accessible and affordable for anyone with an internet connection. Leibowitz told PR Newswire that this played a major role in his decision to join the company because “access to mental health workers for people in rural areas is a well-documented problem.”

Indeed, it’s a new day at Talkspace. Additional services and the addition of visionaries like Neil Leibowitz mean a bright future for the therapy provider. Talkspace offers access, value, and excellent services to many who have refrained from therapeutic support in the past.

Read more Talkspace reviews, or visit the YouTube page for more background on what this could mean for the therapy app.

Advancements in Safety Technology Could Significantly Decrease Motorcycle Accidents

Maren
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Advancements in Safety Technology Could Significantly Decrease Motorcycle Accidents

Semi-autonomous safety features for automobiles allow the car to accelerate, decelerate, change lanes or even come to a stop all without any interaction from the driver. These vehicles can stay in their own lane and some are even able to park themselves. This advancement in technology is focused on helping drivers avoid collisions. And while they still require the assistance of a real human driver, these vehicles are helping to make driving a nearly effortless task. 

The idea of using the same safety features for motorcycles may seem far-fetched. But you may be surprised at how effective they really are. Some of the new semi-autonomous safety features are now being tested on motorcycles and could help bring this trend to bikes in the near future. 

Could the Next Safety Feature for Motorcycles Be Semi-Autonomous?

Most motorcycle accidents are the result of automobile drivers not noticing the bike on the road. But that statistic could change if bike manufacturers are interested in adding new safety features like advanced vehicle communication systems. 

The C-V2X Safety System 

The system is known as Cellular-Vehicle-to-Everything technology or C-V2X, and it uses 5G mobile bands to effectively communicate with other vehicles on the road. It works by allowing the system to be aware of other vehicles on the road while allowing the other cars and trucks to be aware of the bike. Therefore, the car itself will be able to see the motorcycle its sharing the road with, even if the driver does not. 

With the C-V2X system, cars can apply automatic braking, or those that have semi-autonomous features can avoid crashes with bikes. In a demonstration for the system presented by Ducati and Audi, a car was shown avoiding a left-turn collision as well as a right-of-way crash at an intersection. 

The C-V2X system features multiple applications that could help more bike riders enjoy their time on the road without worrying so much about safety risks. This advanced technology may not be able to prevent every motorcycle accident, but it is a positive step in the right direction to decrease the number of injuries and fatalities that occur. While these new motorcycle safety features are expected to be highly effective, they are not yet available on all makes and models. Therefore, if you are involved in a crash, it’s imperative that you contact a Houston attorney for motorcycle accident advice. They can help you file a claim if needed so you may collect financial compensation for your pain and suffering.

Colbeck Capital Management Discusses Off-Balance Sheet Risks Associated With Construction Lending

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Colbeck Capital Management Discusses Off-Balance Sheet Risks Associated With Construction Lending

When lending to commercial construction companies, one aspect that is generally ignored by commercial lenders is the risk associated with construction bonds (also known as surety bonds). The risks are typically not clearly stated on the balance sheet. Colbeck Capital Management tells us that they look for ways to mitigate this off-balance-sheet risk when working with these types of borrowers.

The construction bond brings into the equation an independent third party, known as the Surety (typically an insurance company), who takes the responsibility of independently guaranteeing the contractor’s reputation and ability to complete a project to a project owner. Suretys typically complete similar underwriting on commercial construction companies as commercial lenders, becoming acquainted with the contractor’s reputation, operational, financial and performance history, and the contractor’s ability and fortitude to complete certain projects.

Construction Bonds

Colbeck Capital Management notes that there are generally three types of construction bonds: (1) Bid Bonds, which assure the project owner that the contractor will sign a contract tied to a qualified bid; (2) Performance Bonds, which assure the project owner that the contractor, or in the case of a default, the Surety, will facilitate the completion of the agreed upon scope of work defined by an executed contract; and (3) Payment Bonds, which protect the project owner from risk that the contractor will fail to make payments to any subcontractors or suppliers for services related to the project which could result in liens on the project owner’s project.

Construction bonds are typically written in an amount equal to the total value of the underlying contract. Where this may become an unforeseen issue for a commercial lender is when a lender is unaware of the total value and impact on cash flow of executing on bonded contracts in a downside scenario. In a scenario whereby the commercial construction contractor is no longer able to execute on its agreed upon contract with the project owner, the surety company would then “step into the shoes” of the contractor to execute on the project, with rights ahead of any senior secured commercial lender given statutory rights of subrogation. Rights of subrogation are the surety’s right to undispersed contract funds (i.e. accounts receivable and remaining contract balances) should the surety be required to step into the shoes of the contractor and complete the project owner’s defined scope of contract work. A key point to note is that while the surety steps into the shoes of the commercial contractor to complete work on the project, the contractor remains fully liable for the full value of the original obligation, including reimbursement to the surety for any costs over the original budget incurred by the surety to complete the project.

Commercial Lenders

For many commercial lenders, who rely on asset-based formulas governed by advances against the commercial construction company’s accounts receivable, the lender would effectively move to a subordinated position to the surety company on projects secured by a bond, (1) largely wiping out a portion of the commercial construction company’s asset-based collateral and (2) bringing into question the use and availability of any shared resources that the surety and the commercial construction company may be utilizing to complete projects.  With this in mind, when lending to commercial construction companies, it is important to understand (1) the scope of the company’s bonded contracts, (2) the company’s relationship with their surety provider, and (3) identify the impact of bonded contracts on the commercial construction contactor’s cashflow/asset-based in a downside scenario.

About Colbeck Capital Management

Colbeck Capital Management was founded in 2009 by the two Managing Partners, Jason Colodne and Jason Beckman and has offices in New York and Los Angeles.   The principles have over 75 years of experience managing credit investing businesses and have underwrote over $22B of total loan volume.  Colbeck provides strategic loans to companies going through periods of transition when traditional sources of capital are not readily available.

About Jason Beckman

Jason Beckman co-founded Colbeck Capital Management in 2009 and is a Managing Partner. The foundational years of his career were spent at Goldman Sachs as the Head of Distressed Product Loan Sourcing, Fixed Income Currencies and Commodities Division at Goldman Sachs. Prior to founding Colbeck, Mr. Beckman attended Union College and The London School of Economics.

Mr. Beckman’s philanthropic efforts include supporting the arts as a benefactor of The Metropolitan Museum of Art and Art Production Fund and global humanitarian issues through the International Rescue Committee originally founded by Albert Einstein.

About Jason Colodne

Jason Colodne is the senior transaction partner at Colbeck and oversees all aspects of investment execution and portfolio management. Mr. Colodne co-founded Colbeck as a Managing Partner in 2009.

Mr. Colodne’s investment experience spans more than twenty years. Mr. Colodne was the Head of Proprietary Distressed Investing and the Hybrid Lending Group in the Fixed Income Currencies and Commodities Division at Goldman Sachs. Mr. Colodne joined Goldman Sachs after gaining distressed investment and investment banking experience at UBS and Bear Stearns. Following Goldman Sachs, Mr. Colodne was a Managing Director and the Head of the Strategic Finance Division at Morgan Stanley. 

Jason Colodne holds board seats on multiple portfolio companies. Mr. Colodne is a member of the Young Professionals Organization – Metro New York (YPO), is a Board member of the Centurion Foundation, and a longtime supporter of the Children’s Tumor Foundation. Mr. Colodne is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania.


Things Every Investor Should Know in 2020

Maren
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Things Every Investor Should Know in 2020

Every new year brings about huge changes for many people, and the same goes for those who wish to take the leap and invest in property or another asset. 2020 is no different, as despite being the turn of the decade, there are still things to learn and remember when spending large amounts of savings and money in general.

As an investor, there isn’t exactly a handbook you can follow, page for page, which means you must create your own journey and learn from mistakes. However, there is information out there that can help and guide you through the process of investing, especially where the market is right now in 2020. As an investor or potential investor, you want to ensure that your investment will be as successful as possible, which is why we’ve listed things every investor should know in 2020 below!

Property investment is a highly lucrative asset

When investing in property, you can stand to make lucrative returns,  as if you buy a property and let it out to tenants or students, you can make your money back for the property and then some more. Plus, you will also have a property gaining value if it’s in a highly in-demand area. Rental repayments are set at a recommended price that is calculated by a developer or property investment company. Property investment company RWinvest recommend looking for properties in demanding areas, as this will mean your property has the potential to gain value. Cities such as Liverpool, Manchester and Leeds are some of the top buy to let hotspots that are consistently talked about! 

There is a slight risk with investment

Unfortunately, an investment can have risks. Property investment is often referred to as the most stable and secure investment type when compared to stocks and shares, but we can’t hide from the reality of loss and potential risk. However, you’re more likely to succeed if you research your target audience (of tenants) and opt to work with a reputable investment company that is known for excellent customer service and being supportive throughout your investment process. If you take the risk of investing in a great property opportunity, it will more than likely mean your efforts pay off, and you end up with a lot of extra rental income and a perfect property for future ventures. 

To reduce risk, try to opt for a property investment company who are on Trust Pilot. If a company has an average of 4.5 or above, it’s usually a good, reputable indicator. Remember, don’t invest with a company that could potentially scam you out of money. 

Another way to reduce risk, would be to hire a licensed CAM, or Community Association Manager. Having someone manage your properties greatly reduces risk, because in the event that you are unavailable to respond to a tenants claim, or don’t want to have to worry about inconveniences that take up your time, your CAM can handle them in your place, preventing the risk of tenants leaving prematurely and landing you with an extra mortgage. Interested in learning more? Becoming a CAM is made easier using the right tools. Take your Florida CAM License Practice Test here, and see where you stand, and what you need to learn!

Success will come with more properties on your portfolio

As a first-time investor, buying multiple properties can seem daunting. This is especially true if you’re unsure of how successful your investment journey will be. However, remember that the most money is made when investors have various different properties on your portfolio. It’s also recommended that you invest in different areas of the country, or at least different developments. Buying units within the same development is popular with experienced investors and it does bring high levels of success, but it might not be the best choice if you’re only just getting started in the industry. Find your feet with one property first and then venture out when you start reaping the rewards.

AdvisoryCloud Outlines 5 Tips for Career Success in 2020

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Out with the old, in with the new. We’re just about ready to say goodbye to 2019 and hello to 2020, and the new year brings with it a lot of promise, both on a personal and professional level.  AdvisoryCloud points out that it’s the perfect time to think about where you want to go in the coming year, how you can improve yourself, and the steps you need to take to smash your goals and enjoy a successful year.

Many companies are ready to start hiring consultants and advisors in the early part of the new year, so it’s time to start thinking about what you can do to ensure you’re visible to companies looking for the expertise you offer. As we leave 2019 behind, here’s a look at some helpful tips you can use to boost your career in the coming year. 

1 – Refresh Your Resume for the New Year 

Ready to improve your success in 2020? Start out by refreshing your resume. Look through it to see if there are any older items you need to remove to keep it succinct and professional. There’s also a good chance that you’ve added some additional experience and skills in 2019. Did you remember to add them to your resume? 

Your resume should be a living and breathing thing, constantly evolving as you grow in your career as an advisor. Showcase areas that show your previous success in areas like critical thinking and problem solving and demonstrate the leadership skills you have. Along with your resume, you may also need to refresh other professional materials you use, such as your headshot, professional bio, and even compensation requirements. 

2 – Determine Your Goals for 2020  

Spend some time thinking about where you want to be in your advisor career by the end of 2020, and then come up with both short-term and long-term measurable, achievable goals. It’s a good idea to have daily, weekly, quarterly, and yearly goals. And when you hold yourself accountable to meet those goals, it makes you ask yourself why you’re doing certain tasks each day.

For example, you may want to set goals to take better advantage of the blogging and marketing tools available with AdvisoryCloud, turning routine business interactions into more work for 2020. Or perhaps you’ll set a goal to take advantage of the monthly workshops AdvisoryCloud offers that can help you achieve those goals you’ve set for yourself. 

3 – Expand Your Horizons    

Your network is critical for career success, and while it’s essential to nurture the network you already have, you also need to take time to expand your horizons and build new relationships that can open more doors and offer you additional opportunities. Work to meet as many people as possible both online and offline, creating more connections. 

Networking events, liaising with colleagues, and even making use of professional social media platforms help increase your presence and expand your network. Boosting your online presence by using social media profiles to show off your vision and share insightful content, achievements, and experience can also help you get attention and expand your network. 

AdvisoryCloud allows access with existing networks and the ability to direct them to your profile as well through the various publishing and marketing tools available, increasing your ability to expand your horizons and network to build an even bigger and better network for 2020. 

4 – Take Time for Self-Evaluation 

If you want to increase your success in 2020, take some time for self-evaluation. It’s critical for progression as an advisor. Spend time mapping out areas where you’re strong and doing well, but don’t forget to note areas where you may need more work. As you understand both your strengths and weaknesses, you’re well on your way to improving yourself. 

Plan to reevaluate yourself every few months. Pay attention to how you’ve improved on your weaknesses. Keep evaluating yourself to find ways you can make changes to get even better. Ask for feedback from clients. This way you know where you stand throughout the year and you’ll be able to continue setting goals that keep you on the right track to boost your success. 

5 – Pursue Professional Growth and Education 

Pursuing professional growth and education can help set you up for greater success in 2020, as well. This doesn’t necessarily mean you have to head out and grab a whole new degree. But consider getting a notable designation or pursuing something that gives more weight to what you can offer your clients. It may take going through a test, hours of study, or a few months, but when you want to improve, additional education proves helpful and can help you stand out among others who may be going after the same jobs you are. 

Even simply staying informed in your field through reading or taking advantage of the regular workshops offered by the AdvisoryCloud team can be enough to boost your growth and help you land even better advisor jobs in the new year. 

Now is the time to start setting yourself up for success in 2020.  These tips should help set you up for a more successful career, which can lead to many different opportunities.

Find more strategies for maximizing your potential in 2020 on the AdvisoryCloud Twitter: https://twitter.com/advisory_cloud

8 tips to prepare for the CPA Exam

Maren
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8 tips to prepare for the CPA Exam

Passing the CPA Exam is a huge milestone in an accountant’s professional life. Once you have met all the educational requirements, and make sure you also meet your jurisdiction or state’s specific requirements, it’s time to prepare for the      CPA Exam. It’s a lot to prepare for, but fear not – there are resources abound. Here are a few quick tips to help get you started.                

Tip 1. Learn the CPA Exam timeframes

The CPA Exam is divided into four sections, and you will take each section on separate days with four hours to complete each exam section. So, time management is crucial.

Once you pass the first section exam, a countdown begins: Upon passing the first exam, you will only have 18 months to complete and pass the remaining three exams. You will want to pay close attention to upcoming testing windows, and consider what trips or obligations you may have within that timeframe so you can ensure enough study and relaxation time.

Tip 2: Dedicate time and space for studying 

The CPA Exam requires a tremendous amount of studying. Distractions will prevent your brain from paying attention to this task and interruptions will make your study periods less effective. 

A cell phone is one of the most common distractions for students and working professionals alike. Take command of your cell phone by putting it on silent, flipping it screen-side down. Better yet? Go ahead and set that device to “do not disturb” or airplane mode for the duration of your study sessions. Managing these distractions leads us to our next point:

Tip 3:      Manage your time 

Time management is crucial, both when studying for and taking the actual exam. If you are not sure about how you actually use your time, consider using a time tracking device such as Toggl or Harvest to take an inventory of your study behavior.      

As for time management when taking the actual exam, it’s very important to devote an adequate amount of time to each section, but not too much. Timed tests force you to answer quickly and keep at a steady pace toward completion. The better you know the material, the more you will be able to answer almost instinctively. See if there are any practice tests available (we mention one below) so you can gauge how long you are taking to answer questions and where you may be second-guessing yourself. 

Tip 4: Utilize simulated exams      

Simulated exams teach you a great deal about the pace of the test and how to manage your time during the exam. A simulated exam mimics the test format, questions and time allotted. Taking      simulated exams will also indicate what your weaker areas are, giving you a clearer sense of what subject matter to review in order to prioritize reinforcing those areas in your mind as the exam date approaches.

Becker’s CPA Exam Review course provides many opportunities to take simulated exams.

Tip 5: Navigate      the computer-based exam 

You will want to be comfortable with the computer-based exam environment so no part of the exam period is spent figuring out how to navigate the unique interface or tools.           

Becker’s CPA Exam Review Prep course mirrors the CPA exam, which means you will become familiar with the exam environment, format and tools by the time you sit for the test.

Tip 6: Get into the right frame of mind

When pushing through high volumes of study material, sheer willpower only works for a period of time before the brain—and body—begin to tire. If you want to build mental endurance, think like an athlete. Any good athletic coach will tell you that rest and recovery periods are a key component to getting stronger, faster and doing more. 

You will definitely want to adopt several smart strategies to build mental endurance and speed. Moving around each hour or taking a short, brisk walk restores and improves mental alertness and sharpens memory. 

Tip 7: Take a comprehensive approach

Recent accounting graduates may think that a lot of the exam content is familiar from what they learned in school; however, the CPA Exam covers a tremendous amount of material, and accounting topics are not covered equally. So, you will want to take a comprehensive approach to the material and be ready for anything. 

If you are already working in the accounting world, you might have forgotten some things since finishing school. But your experience will give you an advantage in the area of active learning,” having the opportunity to bring concepts together and apply exam review material to accounting situations in your current workplace.      

Tip 8: Choose a proven CPA review program  

Becker’s CPA Exam Review course has been a leader in the accounting industry, trusted by nearly 3,000 firms, universities and government agencies for more than 60 years. Becker’s review course will prepare you for the CPA Exam and the educational foundation to reach your goals. The simulated exams, personalized learning technology and user-interface that mirrors the actual exam provide a functional review course. More than one million people have used the program to prepare for the CPA Exam. Becker understands that you are not just preparing for an exam—you are preparing for your future. 

Passing the CPA Exam requires time, consistent studying and self-discipline. With these tips and a reliable review program like Becker’s, you’re bound to see the results you want!

Questions to ask Car Accident Lawyers Following Your Crash

Digital Team
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Questions to ask Car Accident Lawyers Following Your Crash

If you were injured in an accident that was due to the negligence of others, you deserve to receive financial compensation for your losses. You should hire a car accident lawyer to help you following a crash. These professionals have the knowledge and expertise needed to represent fairly and get you the benefits you need.

The Top Questions to Ask Car Accident Lawyers

To find the best attorney for your case, you will need to speak to several car accident lawyers. That is the best way to determine which attorney is the right one for you. Here are some of the best questions to ask a lawyer when you are discussing the details of your case.

How Much Compensation Should I Expect to Receive?

That is one of the main questions on any accident victim’s mind. Treatment for injuries following a crash can be costly. Plus, if you are out of work for a long time, you could endure a loss of wages. That can make it difficult to pay for your bills and other household expenses. Ask your lawyer what they think would be a reasonable amount to expect. Remember that most of your payout is intended for your medical bills, so keep that in mind and be sensible when thinking about what you will do with your compensation when you get it.

Can You Help Me Get Social Security Benefits If I Am Permanently Disabled?

Some car crash victims end up with injuries so severe that they are unable to return to work. While you are waiting for your case to settle, you may still need additional support. Disability benefits can help bridge the gap and provide you with income if you are deemed unable to work. Some personal injury attorneys also help their clients get started with their application for benefits. They may also represent their clients if they are denied benefits the first time they apply, which is a prevalent scenario.

What Do You Need from Me?

Your lawyer will do whatever they can to help you build your case. But you can help move things along if you have access to some of the essential documents they may need like medical records.

Dealing with a car accident injury on your own can be stressful. Our legal team of car accident lawyers is here to help you turn your bad situation into something positive. Get in touch with us today to learn more about how we can help you get the financial compensation you deserve.

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