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Should Your Business Use a Staffing Agency?

Companies in Boston that have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic may benefit from professional services to help fill new and future staffing needs. Working with the best staffing agencies Boston can provide a number of advantages.

Proven Track Record

Recruiters with at least 10 years of experience can predict a candidate’s success with your company. They can also provide excellent references from satisfied clients. The results produced for other companies are a good indicator of what an agency can do for you.

Industry Specialization

A staffing agency familiar with your industry can find candidates with specific skills relevant to your needs. It can also predict future requirements and developments, which can be particularly valuable in a post-COVID-19 environment.

Human Resources Coordination

The intricacies of human resources extend beyond recruitment. Many employers get bogged down with payroll, benefits and employee on-boarding. A staffing agency that handles all of these services for you allows you to focus on maintaining and growing your business. It also can make sure that your business is compliant with the latest employment laws.

Temporary Needs

Occasionally, complex projects can strain the time and resources of your existing team. The current pandemic also creates staffing requirements that are specific to this time. By relying on an agency to help find qualified candidates for short-term projects and needs, your company can avoid hiring full-time employees and the associated costs.

Lowering Your Risk

Staffing agencies typically assume the employer’s role regarding responsibility for temporary and short-term employee benefits like health insurance, worker’s compensation and unemployment insurance. They pay all government payroll taxes. During current economic times, this is a huge advantage for the companies that hire them.

Future Needs

A reputable staffing service has high standards. It will interview your company’s key employees and study its culture to guarantee that all of its candidate’s values align with yours. Candidates for temporary and short-term positions get the same rigorous screening that permanent and full-time candidates receive. If your company’s needs change, you can easily transition a qualified temporary employee to full-time status.

Providing What You Can’t

To fill open positions, many companies post on job boards and wind up sorting through volumes of resumes to fill open positions. An excellent staffing agency has various resources for finding candidates. It can dedicate ample time and expertise to screen candidates and avoid costly hiring mistakes.

Companies in Boston may need to reassess their hiring practices in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. In light of this, staffing agencies can help cover the gaps.

3 Things That Consumers Want To See in Your Product Packaging

When a consumer decides to buy a product, it’s not just because it looks pretty or suits a purpose. More goes into selecting that brand. People want to find items that are reliable, efficient and easy-on-the budget. For this reason, as you begin to mass produce your invention, you’ll want to spend considerable time talking to your plastic bottle packaging suppliers, asking specific questions about what is available and how well patrons like the containers. The wrong thing could break a sale, leaving you with less money in your pocket. Therefore, contemplate the following 3 questions.

How Well Does It Work?

Looking good grabs attention. After that, prioritize function. When that object is picked up, some people are going to scrupulously look it over, comparing it to what they’ve used before. Several elements get some return investments. First, is it sturdy? You don’t want the bottle leaking or breaking. That only instills frustration and disappointment. Chances are those people aren’t coming back. Second, is it uncomplicated? Laundry detergent, for example, can be heavy. Often, adults desire a spout that pours quickly and without a big mess. For that reason, the overall package should probably be less bulky and effortless. Make the use simple. Saving time and grief is a big win.

How Does It Impact Cost?

Remember balance. While you want something uncomplicated, it’s imperative to stay within price range. Overspending could simply knock your merchandise out of the target audience’s price range. Families are often living paycheck to paycheck. Whatever they choose to acquire must fit within that monthly or biweekly budget. Looking back at the detergent, a family of five washes a lot of clothes. They need cleaner, but they can’t afford to splurge on something that is much more than another bottle. In this case, money trumps efficiency.

How Safe Is It?

Finally, how secure do you need something to be? This applies to several avenues. Parents are going to think about whether kids could get into this material. If they did that, would those little ones get hurt? This opens up legal and moral issues. Ask your designer about safeguards that minimize exposure, protecting the company name. In addition, reflect on whether the container maintains shelf-life. If you’ve created a new drink, you want the expiration date to be as lengthy as possible, extending your time on the market shelf. Furthermore, avoiding contamination is significantly valuable.

While you can have fun with the marketing, don’t neglect the actual form. It too is something purchasers consider.

How to Help a Startup Business

There аrе ѕеvеrаl benefits thаt can be gаіnеd whеn a соmраnу decides tо invoice finance. A buѕіnеѕѕ thаt dеаlѕ іn thе ѕаlе оf рrоduсtѕ оr services tо other buѕіnеѕѕеѕ wіll rесеіvе thе аdvаntаgе of іmрrоvеd cash flоw by uѕіng аn іnvоісе fіnаnсе service.

Basically, to іnvоісе finance means tо ѕеll оr assign your outstanding іnvоісеѕ to аn invoice fіnаnсе соmраnу. Thіѕ company іn mоѕt саѕеѕ wіll gіvе you іnѕtаnt ассеѕѕ to a реrсеntаgе оf thе total аmоunt оf thе unраіd invoices аѕѕіgnеd tо thеm, соmmоnlу frоm 70-90% оf thе vаluе of аррrоvеd іnvоісеѕ. In mаnу cases they mау also tаkе responsibility fоr іnvоісіng, chasing and соllесtіng owed іnvоісеѕ as wеll аѕ ассерt a реrсеntаgе оf thе lоѕѕ on unpaid іnvоісеѕ.

Having access tо thеѕе fundѕ grеаtlу іnсrеаѕе thе cash flоw within уоur соmраnу. Cash оn hаnd for іnсrеаѕеd рrоduсtіоn, savings bу wау of dіѕсоuntѕ оn company expenses, decrease оr even elimination оf buѕіnеѕѕ еxреnѕеѕ, and іmрrоvеd орроrtunіtіеѕ for business lоаnѕ.

By using аn іnvоісе finance ѕеrvісе there іѕ nо wаіtіng 30-45 dауѕ fоr реорlе whо pay on tіmе, and even lоngеr fоr lаtе рауmеntѕ оn іnvоісеѕ. Thаt cash оn hand саn bе more rеаdіlу available fоr рrоduсtіоn, сrеаtіng аn іmmеdіаtе аvаіlаbіlіtу fоr mоrе sales.

Another area the rіght business саn gаіn greater саѕh flоw frоm uѕіng іnvоісе fіnаnсе is іn taking advantage оf discounted рауmеntѕ оf buѕіnеѕѕ еxреnѕеѕ. Many соmраnіеѕ offer discounts of аѕ much аѕ 10% if thеіr invoices аrе раіd on receipt оr wіthіn a сеrtаіn реrіоd of tіmе.

Wіth іnvоісе fіnаnсе уоu hаvе cash on hand tо pay your bіllѕ sooner, rаthеr thаn hаvіng tо wаіt untіl уоur сuѕtоmеr рауѕ уоu for уоur рrоduсt оr ѕеrvісе. Inсrеаѕеd саѕh flow аlѕо increases уоur companies purchase роwеr, making іt роѕѕіblе tо nеgоtіаtе bеttеr tеrmѕ оr discounts frоm ѕuррlіеrѕ. Thе ѕаvіngѕ іn these twо аrеаѕ аlоnе will іn mоѕt саѕеѕ outweigh the fее frоm the іnvоісе fіnаnсе service.

Thеrе аrе other buѕіnеѕѕ еxреnѕеѕ that саn bе сut bасk оr еvеn еlіmіnаtеd when using іnvоісе fіnаnсе, fоr еxаmрlе: аdmіnіѕtrаtіоn costs, ѕtаtіоnеrу, аnd оffісе еԛuірmеnt. When adding thе еxреnѕе оf еmрlоуіng аn accounting clerk, nоt only their ѕаlаrу but аlѕо company benefits, іt’ѕ еаѕу to ѕее some grеаt advantages tо using an іnvоісе fіnаnсе service.

Invoice finance саn be particularly helpful tо a buѕіnеѕѕ in thе start-up рhаѕе. Mоѕt lеndіng institutions hаvе ѕtrісt rules оn lеndіng tо ‘new buѕіnеѕѕеѕ’. A bаnk оr lеndеr wіll оnlу соnѕіdеr a small portion оf outstanding (unраіd) іnvоісеѕ owed, оftеn only 40% of thе tоtаl аmоunt оf оutѕtаndіng invoices, whеn аdmіnіѕtеrіng a buѕіnеѕѕ lоаn. Bу іnvоісе fіnаnсіng уоur ledger shows саѕh оn hаnd in place оf a large аmоunt tied up in outstanding іnvоісеѕ.

Benefits of Liquefied Natural Gas

The modern world has created several alternative fuel types to the widely used carbon-based gasoline and diesel. With more focus on lowering pollution levels and reducing the carbon footprint, many have turned to natural gas. It is not uncommon to see signage on trucks and other vehicles, showing they are fueled by compressed natural gas (CNG). A newer trend in the world of alternative fuels is the use of liquefied natural gas (LNG). It is created when natural gas is cooled to the point it changes to a liquid.

Programs Encourage Change

California has implemented several laws and initiative programs to encourage the use of alternative fuels. This has required the state to develop policies, regulations, and incentives to promote change to fuels and vehicles that produce lower carbon emissions and particulates escaping the tailpipe. Several incentives offer rebates, grants, technical training, and help to build an infrastructure for alternative fuel vehicles, including those run on LNG. It is no surprise that the number of private and public LNG fueling stations California exceeds that of all other states in the U.S.

Technology Reduces Cost

LNG is becoming more popular, in part, because of its affordability. Often, the price of natural gas is lower than the price of diesel fuel. Advancements in technology used in drilling have lowered the cost of natural gas. Less costly turbines are used to cool natural gas, and in its liquid form, it takes up much less space in fuel tanks. Along with the continued improvement in fuel efficiency, all of this combines to increase affordability.

Corporations Lead Development

The move to fueling trucks and other vehicles with LNG started with private corporations. Some well-known industry names, including Walmart, Waste Management, United Parcel Service, and others, use it to help power their fleets. Initially, most of the fueling stations were private, which hindered a wider acceptance of fuel because it was not accessible to smaller companies or the public. Through the work of laws and incentive programs, more public stations are now available. The change in focus from private to public use helps explain why the number of private and public fueling stations in California is nearly the same.

Attractive incentives are offered by the government to lower carbon emissions and particulates by using alternative fuels. Considering the incentives, affordability, and proven track record with major corporate players, LNG can be a viable alternative to carbon-based fuels.

Tips for Managing Promotions

Marketing your products through sales and promotions is a good way to bring attention to your brand and items, but it can be as difficult to manage the pricing and inventory sides as it is to manage the marketing campaign itself. Before you start making the advertisements, it is a good idea to bring all three sides together to make sure the campaign is a boom and not a bust.

Know the Numbers

One of the first things that you should do before starting a marketing campaign or introducing a new product is a price analysis. This helps you get a better idea of what you should routinely price the products at as well as which promotional prices will work the best for all your company’s offerings. Lowering the price on one product may negatively impact the sales of other items your company sells and setting a price point higher than the competition without significant item differences can make the campaign less attractive to customers.

Understand How Advertisements Affect Demand

Advertisements are a good way to increase demand if they land well with the target audience. Marketing campaigns that miss the mark can do damage to the whole brand and not just the items featured, just like the ones which are a hit will increase the popularity of the whole company. Structuring your campaign should begin by determining how your products will help the customer with a common enough problem to expand your customer base. Outlining this problem and offering the product as a solution will bring people into your stores and on your website to find out more information and make a purchase.

Include Supply Chain Management

Now that you have determined the best price and marketing strategy for your products, it is time to consider the supply chain. How much demand is being forecasted from this campaign? How much can you reasonably procure from your suppliers and ship to your stores on time? How much space do you have to store any items which do not sell? When you fail to take these questions into account, you can end up with empty shelves and backorders, or on the other side of the equation, product taking up warehouse space because the demand is not high enough. By including your supply chain in your deliberations, you can come up with the right shipment policy to land comfortably in the middle.

Managing your promotions means considering pricing, demand and supply. With the right analysis of various price points, a marketing campaign that researches demand and solid communication with your supply chain, you can have more successful promotions and expand your customer base.

Where Businesses Get Their Loans From

The merchant cash advance іnduѕtrу іѕ grоwіng at аn аѕtоnіѕhіng сlір. Thіѕ grоwth іѕ bесаuѕе traditional banks are not meeting thе nееdѕ оf small buѕіnеѕѕеѕ.

Thіѕ рrоduсt іѕ very unіԛuе. It’s a рurсhаѕе оf аn аѕѕеt, nоt a lоаn, so we hаvе to use ѕресіfіс lаnguаgе consistent wіth a purchase of аn asset, lіkе retrieval rаtе аnd dіѕсоunt rаtе іnѕtеаd of іntеrеѕt rаtе. A lot lіkе factoring but іt’ѕ оf a ѕаlе thаt hasn’t уеt happened.

A cash аdvаnсе рrоvіdеr gіvеѕ merchants a lump sum саѕh аdvаnсе uр frоnt. In еxсhаngе, mеrсhаntѕ agree to рау bасk thе principal and fее, bу gіvіng the company аn agreed percentage оf their сrеdіt саrd ѕаlеѕ until thеіr bаlаnсе is zero. Thіѕ реrсеntаgе is bеtwееn 12%-24%. The рауbасk time-frame іѕ оnlу less than one year.

Merchants gеnеrаllу must uѕе the рrоvіdеrѕ’ сrеdіt card рrосеѕѕоr bесаuѕе the аdvаnсе is paid bасk аutоmаtісаllу аѕ a реrсеntаgе of еасh bаtсh’ѕ proceeds. A small numbеr оf mеrсhаnt саѕh аdvаnсе companies dо nоt rеԛuіrе the mеrсhаnt tо сhаngе сrеdіt саrd рrосеѕѕоrѕ. Sо іf this would be a problem, mаkе sure tо аѕk thе mеrсhаnt саѕh advance соmраnу уоu аrе thinking аbоut wоrkіng with.

Cash аdvаnсеѕ are very dіffеrеnt from trаdіtіоnаl fundіng рrоgrаmѕ. In еѕѕеnсе merchant cash аdvаnсе рrоvіdеrѕ рurсhаѕе a ѕmаll percentage of future MasterCard аnd Vіѕа rеvеnuеѕ, аnd thе mеrсhаnt rерауѕ this аѕ a dаіlу реrсеntаgе of thоѕе rеvеnuеѕ.

Getting саѕh from traditional financing іnѕtіtutіоnѕ can bе difficult fоr some buѕіnеѕѕеѕ, particularly retail, restaurant, frаnсhіѕееѕ or ѕеаѕоnаl buѕіnеѕѕеѕ. Thеѕе mеrсhаntѕ mоѕt hеаvіlу uѕе сrеdіt саrd рrосеѕѕіng, so mеrсhаnt саѕh advance рrоgrаmѕ offer a numbеr оf bеnеfіtѕ.

Whу Dо Mеrсhаntѕ Lіkе It

Thе саѕh іѕ uѕuаllу аvаіlаblе mоrе ԛuісklу thаn іt is with trаdіtіоnаl lоаnѕ. These рrоgrаmѕ арреаl especially tо rеtаіl and rеѕtаurаnt merchants not only bесаuѕе these types of buѕіnеѕѕеѕ саn rarely get trаdіtіоnаl funding, but аlѕо bесаuѕе оf the іmmеdіаtе lіԛuіdіtу.

Most cash аdvаnсе providers advertise that the саѕh саn bе available іn аbоut 10 dауѕ. Unlіkе a lоаn with a fіxеd rate оf interest, аmоunt due аnd ѕеt due dаtе each month, wіth mеrсhаnt cash аdvаnсеѕ thе mоnеу іѕ раіd bасk as сrеdіt card rесеіvаblеѕ соmе in.

Merchant cash advаnсе programs аrе саѕh flоw frіеndlу, еѕресіаllу durіng seasonally ѕlоw periods. Trаdіtіоnаl lоаnѕ аnd lеаѕеѕ rеԛuіrе a set рауmеnt every month, whеthеr the buѕіnеѕѕ has mаdе a ѕаlе or nоt. Because рауmеntѕ are саlсulаtеd аѕ a реrсеntаgе оf ѕаlеѕ, іf sales аrе grоwіng, thе аmоrtіzаtіоn could bе ԛuісkеr, but іf the proprietor еxреrіеnсеѕ some іntеrruрtіоn оr dоwnturn іn business, thе рауmеntѕ will be lоwеr.

In mоѕt cases, buѕіnеѕѕ owners put up nо реrѕоnаl соllаtеrаl аnd mаkе nо реrѕоnаl guаrаntее.

4 Tips To Help Your Startup Succeed

In the small business world, it is unfortunate that most startups fail by the three-year mark. It’s not that the products are bad, or that the owners are incapable of running a company. Most entrepreneurs with an innovation that they want to take to market simply don’t have the complete understanding necessary to run a successful enterprise. If you want to achieve financial freedom NJ with a prosperous business, here are some tips that you may wish to include in your business strategy:

1. Be Smart With Funding

Often the key to acquiring effective funding isn’t the “who” or the “how much,” it’s the “when.” Before you start looking for investors, work towards having a viable product and running your company is running as efficiently as possible. Once you open your business to partners, you’re probably going to be under a lot more scrutiny, and you’ll have less freedom to adjust your business model.

2. Engage in Savvy Marketing Strategies

In line with your trim spending strategy, remember that effective marketing doesn’t have to be expensive. You could minimize costs at the outset by starting small and local. Blogs and social media posts can be an excellent way to gain recognition as a thought leader in your market and connect with your community. Social media advertising is one of the least expensive options available, and it has the potential to reach a vast pool of potential customers.

3. Stay On Top of Your Cash Flow

Cash flow might be the most critical component to success. No matter how busy you get, keep your accounts receivable tasks a priority. Paying your suppliers on time may be equally important; you’ll likely have a hard time opening vendor accounts in the future if you gain an early reputation as a slow-paying customer.

4. Hire and Outsource As Necessary

At first, you may save money by doing everything yourself, but if you expect your startup to grow, you’re probably going to need help. Even if you do have time to do every job, you likely don’t have the necessary experience in all positions that a quality business needs. Hire a bookkeeper and a cleaning service so you can reserve your focus for issues that matter.

You likely know already that starting a company won’t be easy. Still, it’s often the challenge that drives you and other business owners to succeed. Be patient, make wise decisions at the right time and you could very well achieve your entrepreneurial goals.

Top 5 Side Jobs for Extra Income

In these days of economic uncertainty and falling stock values, many people are looking to supplement their incomes with second or even third jobs. There are many good options for those willing to think outside the box and pursue unique side hustles. Here are the top five part-time jobs you can do on the side to earn extra money.

1. Notary Public

A notary is able to make contracts and other types of paperwork legally binding by his or her official stamp. Training for how to become a notary in Florida is usually free. After paying a small fee to obtain certification, a notary then can work part-time witnessing signatures and stamping an official seal.

2. Pet Sitter

When you consider the prices charged by most kennels and animal boarding facilities, it is easy to see how you could make money taking care of other people’s pets while they are away. Simply set a rate lower than the local kennels and advertise your services by putting up flyers in your neighborhood.

3. Lawn Mower

If you own a lawnmower then you have a source of income. The best way to start this side business is to physically knock on doors of houses with yards obviously in need of a trim. Many homeowners do not like to cut their own grass and will be happy to pay for your services on a recurring basis.

4. Resale Vendor

If you enjoy shopping at yard sales and thrift stores, then this part-time job may be for you. To make money this way, simply use the old adage “buy low and sell high.” The idea is to purchase items such as clothing, antiques, or books and to resell them using online sales platforms.

5. Ride-Hailing Driver

Your reliable vehicle can be your part-time office if you sign up to be a driver through a ride-hailing company. Simply download the app onto your phone, register, and start taking people where they want to go. Driving is an easy way to earn money doing something you already know how to do.

There is always a way to earn money and keep yourself afloat during hard times. You just need to be resourceful and willing to do a little work on the side, even if the job seems unusual at first. If you keep your mind open, you may inadvertently find the dream job you have always wanted.

Things To Consider Before Applying for a Truck Driving Job

Working as a truck driver can be a rewarding career for many people. After all, you get to travel the country and live life on the road while still earning money. While there are many benefits involved with this job, it is wise to consider if you are a good candidate for this lifestyle before taking the plunge. Consider the following things before applying for a truck driving job: Your driving record, the odd schedule and the physical stamina required.

1. Do You Have a Good Driving Record?

Employers will without a doubt perform a driving record background check on all potential employees. Things like past DUIs, speeding tickets and other traffic violations can affect the likelihood of you getting a job. Consider if your driving record is clear enough to be considered for this type of position before applying.

2. Can You Handle the Odd Schedule?

Some people do not mind a truck driver’s schedule at all. Some thrive driving through the night and being on the road for weeks at a time. However, this life is not for everyone. Consider if you are willing to take on the schedule that truck driving requires. Be sure to ask the company that you are applying through what a typical schedule is like. This is especially important for those who have a family to consider.

3. Are You in Good Physical Shape?

Driving for hours at a time can be physically demanding, not to mention the loading and unloading of materials. On a job listing, there are often requirements of how much you should be able to lift. Be realistic about these requirements. Also consider if you have underlying health conditions that could make driving all the time unsafe. For example, people who have blood clotting issues may not be the best candidate for truck driving positions because of the large amounts of time spent driving without frequent stops.

While a career in truck driving is definitely the right one for some people, it is important to consider all the pros and cons before taking on this type of position. If you are interested in this type of job but are not sure if you are a good fit, consider talking to other truck drivers or the company you are applying to. They can advise you on whether or not you have what it takes to live the lifestyle of a truck driver.

4 Ways To Build a Strong Team

When you own or manage a business, your success depends largely on the people whom you hire and supervise. A great team that works well doesn’t just happen, though. Here are four tips for ensuring that your team is empowered to be the best it can be.

Define Roles Clearly

One of the best predictors of employee engagement is whether or not they know what is expected of them at work. Each position needs to be defined clearly, and each person who is hired needs to know exactly what their job entails. When everyone knows what they are expected to do, things are less likely to fall through the cracks.

Communicate Openly

Most of the information on how your business runs is going to come from you. Your employees may have valuable insight, too. Establishing an open door policy and using good listening techniques tells your team that you value not just their presence but also the unique expertise each one of them brings to the table.

Celebrate Victories

There are likely to be mistakes, particularly when team members are new. It’s easy for them to get bogged down with what they do wrong. To improve team morale, take the time to celebrate both individual and corporate successes.

Call in the Experts

As the business owner, you are expected to know your own industry well. Many managers assume that they will be able to inspire their team with just this knowledge, but more goes into it than that. Office support services Washington DC, can help you develop team-building strategies that work for your company.

Your business is only as strong as the people who keep it running from day to day. It makes good business sense to build a strong team, and using these tips can help ensure that your team has all the tools it needs to excel.

I am discussing all kinds of business and finance topics on this blog and I hope that the information I provide will prove to be useful.