MBE Business Magazine

ISSUE 43|MAY 2018

BIRTH OF

NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE

THIS MONTH FOCUSING ON: The pros and cons of outsourced payroll

5 email fraud techniques used by cyber criminals

Five simple steps to protect your business from phishing

The most effective way to attract and retain top talent

EDITOR'S NOTE Welcome to our May issue!

This month we are bringing you exclusive features on business security, including an article that highlights commonplace data theft and email fraud techniques used

by Cyber Criminals and Security Tips for Business Closing Time.

We are also covering several articles on logistics that are intended to help small businesses reduce shipping costs and improve their shipping tools & methods.

Notable among these is an article from our partner eShipper on how businesses can streamline their shipping and an article on how to save on LTL (less than truckload) shipments by Raedan Freight Services.

Publisher MB Enterprises Editor-in-chief Aurora Zabala Senior Editor Peter Z. Vaisey

Also featured in this issue is a human resource article on how to attract and retain top talent – courtesy of our partners the Northern Financial Group.

Managing Editors Steve Montgomery Mahmood Naqvi

Continuing with tradition we have included the event calendar showcasing all major holidays and events set to be celebrated across Canada in May 2018. We have also included the latest and most relevant business news coverage from across the world.

Design Cynthia Tolson A. Khan S. Saad

As always we hope this issue is an informative and entertaining experience for all our readers and that it will live up to your expectations. Our team continues to work tirelessly to improve and refine our business magazine.

Production, Technology & Print Simon Wilson R.J

Your feedback is highly valuable to us, if you have suggestions or comments feel free to call us at 1-866-667-1377 or email us at info@mbeforyou.com to tell us what you think about this issue.

Advertising S. Hassan Shoeib Kamal

For Ad placements and marketing related queries, please email us at mbe-marketing@mbeforyou.com Thank you, Aurora Zabala, Editor In Chief.

HOW TO REACH US

CONTENTS

04

The Art And Importance Of Presentation I have written many articles and the purpose of most of them is to guide those...

06

How To Manage Your Emotions

09

How to Make Your Dream Come True

12

Event Calendar May Event Calendar

Human And / Or Humanoid : Part Two Before finding their way into Wikipedia, the burgeoning fields of Science, Politics, Law, Philosophy,...

14

Give yourself permission to dream.

08

Tips To Reduce Your Eyeglass Number There is a general misconception that once you have eyeglass numbers...

For any human being, finding success and being happy sometimes comes...

07

Administration Alamdar Hussein Erum Asghar R. Adil

28

4 Ways To Save On LTL Shipments

Website: www.mbeforyou.com Feed-back: 1-866-667-1377 E-mail: info@mbeforyou.com Mail: 100 Dynamic Drive, Unit 104, Scarborough, ON, M1V 5C4.

Fax: 1-866-204-6888 MBE Business Magazine is a monthly issue business magazine published by MBE. Inc. Ontario, Canada.

Printed by Vision Printers

While many shippers believe the the best way to save money on transportation...

Contents Š Copyrights 2017 by MBE, may not be reprinted without written permission.

The Birth Of The National Hockey League (NHL)

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The Art And Importance Of Presentation

MANSOOR NAQVI President MB Enterprises run when it comes time to deliver the real presentation.

I cannot place enough emphasis on eye to eye communication. In the business world I have seen people lose big contracts and opportunities due to the fact that they have neglected giving their clients and investors proper eye to eye contact. When you are speaking to a

I have written many articles and the

combination it will be very hard for

group of clients or investors you must

purpose of most of them is to guide those

anyone to stop you from your plans and

make sure to make eye contact with each

who want to achieve success and those

achieving your goals. The following are

and every single person so that your

that want to maintain it. The problem that

some points I would like to discuss in

point gets across to them properly.

most people who find success face is that

regards to presentation

most of them forget how they achieved

1. The classroom presentation

Pausing at the right time can really help

the success in the first place. Most

2. Verbal practice makes perfect

when getting your message across. The

people feel that their success is a direct

3. Communication Eye to eye

audience can lean forward in wanting to

result of them and forget those that

4. Pause when you speak

know what you are about to say. It brings

helped them on the way and the roadmap

5. Vary your voice

attention to the points you want to be

they had to take in order to get where

noticed and also helps to captivate the

they are today. It is because of this some

When I say “Classroom presentation� I

people develop a case of pride and do

am

not have the ability to present their

presentation you will find yourself giving

The final piece of advice I have in regards

success to the world. This importance of

in a classroom type of environment

to

presentation is the main topic I will

where you are presenting to an audience.

throughout your presentation. If you

discuss in this article.

Practicing this kind of presentation is

speak in the same monotone voice

crucial because it teaches you how to

throughout your presentation you will

Presentation is a key skill in all aspects of

outline a point and present it to an

lose the attention of your audience who

life. For example you could have a great

audience. This is the most basic and

will naturally get bored due to your tone.

business idea that you want to pitch but

practiced way of presenting.

By varying your tone and your voice

referring

to

any

speech

someone with a worse idea can overtake

04

people in the room.

or presenting

is

vary

your

voice

speed, people will be more interested in

you just due to the fact that they have

When you are preparing to present

what you have to say and will not lose

better presentation. A great presenter

anything to the public the best thing you

interest so easily.

always goes further in life. Sometimes

can do is verbal practice. By practicing

good presentation can make a person

out aloud this not only gives you the

If you follow these steps and advice

look smarter than they actually are. The

confidence but also helps you realise

about presentation, then nothing can

perfect combination a person can wish to

how you will sound and how long your

hold you back from presenting your ideas

achieve is being smart and able whilst

presentation will take. This sort of

and success to the world.

also being great at presentation. With this

practice will always help you in the long

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MBE BUSINESS MAGAZINE MAY 2018

05

How To Manage Your Emotions

MAHMOOD NAQVI Vice President MB Enterprises

For any human being, finding success

act on the wrong kinds of emotions, we

sadness. Whether you are dealing with

and being happy sometimes comes

often make decisions that we later regret.

anger, depression, or frustration it is

down to how good they are at controlling their

emotions.

Controlling

important to have good skills to address

ones

So how can we avoid operating on the

any emotions causing you distress both

emotions comes down to how we react to

wrong types of feelings and master our

in the short term and long term.

negative situations and how we are able

emotions

to control negative emotions such as

circumstances? For starters, emotions

Emotions are strongly linked to memory

anger, envy, greed etc.

should never be bottled up. Call or go see

and experience. If something bad has

someone you trust and recount to them

previously

Emotions are the most present, pressing

what happened. Hearing an opinion other

emotional response to the same stimulus

and sometimes painful force in our lives.

than your own broadens your awareness.

is likely to be strong.

We are driven day to day by our

Sometimes the worst thing we can do is

emotions. We take chances because we

to bottle up our emotions until we can no

As discussed above we as human beings

get excited for new prospects, we cry

longer hold them in and end up bursting

cannot help how we feel but the best

when we have been hurt and we make

out in emotion in the wrong way.

thing we can do for ourselves is to learn

under

the

harshest

of

sacrifices because we love. Without a

06

happened

to

you,

your

to control and address our emotions in a

doubt, our emotions dictate our thoughts,

Everyone has emotions. Some emotions

proper way. If you are able to master this

intentions and actions with superior

are easier to deal with such as joy and

you will find very little that will come in the

authority to our rational minds. But when

happiness. Some emotions on the other

way of you leading a happy joyful life.

we act on our emotions too quickly, or we

hand are harder such as fear, anger or

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MBE BUSINESS MAGAZINE MAY 2018

How to Make Your Dream Come True

ALAMDAR HUSSAIN Country Head MB Enterprises

Give yourself permission to dream. The

sometimes

of

As you work to make your dreams come

only one stopping you from achieving

encouragement along the way to keep

true, consider letting those in your circle

your biggest dreams is you. The secret to

you going. So whenever you hit certain

know what’s going on with you. It’ll give

accomplishing your biggest dreams is to

milestones, stop what you’re doing, take

them a chance to encourage you,

give yourself permission to dream.

a pause and give yourself a high five for

support you, and hold you accountable

all the progress you’ve made.

when needed.

dreams because this practice will lead

You deserve it, and although you may not

Depending on what your goal is, you

you to create a clear mental picture of

be exactly where you want to go, you are

might even find someone willing to take

what you want to accomplish in life, which

definitely farther than where you started.

the journey with you.

you’ll

need

a

bit

It is essential to visualize your biggest

helps you set your personal and

professional

goals.

It’s time to make your dreams

Remember: goals are just

a reality. Your dreams don’t

dreams with deadlines. Also,

have to stay just dreams.

visualizing

biggest

They can absolutely be your

dreams sparks your creativity

reality. But the majority of the

and allows you to be more

time, dreams come true only

positive and more motivated.

as a result of us doing what’s

Once

necessary to make them

your

you

make

dream

visualization a habit, you'll be

happen.

surprised of the many ideas you'll come up with to make

You just have to do the work.

your biggest dreams come true.

By

Realize that dreams don't

steps, you’ll look back a year

come true overnight while

from now (maybe sooner) at

you're sleeping. It takes time,

all you have accomplished,

effort,

and smile.

and

patience--and

implementing

these

being completely awake and fully engaged.

And that’s worth celebrating. It’s also fuel

Because you’ll know that dreams do

Make sure that you track all of your

to keep you going a little farther.

come true.

progress and make adjustments as necessary. Keep moving forward to

Change can be tough. And not just on

accomplishing your big dreams--don't

you, but the people who interact with you

ever stop. Hold on to your dreams.

on a regular basis. The people who will be impacted by the changes you make in

A lot of times your dreams don’t happen in

one

day. They

take

your life.

time. And

MBE BUSINESS MAGAZINE MAY 2018

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07

May

EVENT 2018 CALENDAR MAY 10

THURSDAY

Ascension Day Ascension Day is observed in Canada on the 40th day of Easter. It commemorates Jesus Christ's ascension into heaven, according to the New Testament of the Bible.

MAY 13

Mother's Day

SUNDAY

Many

Canadians

celebrate

Mother’s

Day

by

showing

their

appreciation for mothers or mother figures. The Mother’s Day date in Canada is on the second Sunday of May each year.

Ramadan begins

MAY 16

WEDNESDAY

MAY 21

MONDAY

Whit Monday

MAY 21

MONDAY

Victoria Day

Ramadan (also known as Ramadhan or Ramzan) is the ninth month in the Islamic calendar. It is a period of prayer, fasting, charity-giving and self-accountability for Muslims in Canada. The first verses of the Koran (Qu'ran) were revealed to the Prophet Muhammad (also written as Mohammad or Muhammed) during the last third of Ramadan, making this an especially holy period.

Many Christians in Canada observe Whit Monday, also known as Pentecost Monday, on the day after Pentecost, which is also known as Whitsunday or Whit Sunday. This period commemorates the Holy Spirit's descent on Jesus Christ's disciples, as told in the Christian Bible.

Victoria Day, also known as May Two-Four, May Long, and May Long Weekend, is a Canadian holiday on the Monday preceding May 25.

MAY 21

MONDAY

National Patriots' Day National Patriots’ Day (Journée nationale des patriotes) is a statutory holiday in Québec to honor the rebellion against the British in 1837. It falls on the Monday before May 25, coinciding with Victoria Day, each year.

MAY 31

THURSDAY

Corpus Christi Many Christians in Canada, especially those of Roman Catholic faith, observe Corpus Christi in honor of the Holy Eucharist. It is also known as the Feast of the Most Holy Body of Christ, as well as the Day of Wreaths.

08

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MBE BUSINESS MAGAZINE MAY 2018

Tips To Reduce Your Eyeglass Number

Courtesy: KANDA OPTICAL www.kandaoptical.com

beneficial in relaxing your eyes.

Enrich your Food Eating food rich in eye-friendly nutrients can

also

improve

your

eyesight.

Beta-carotene present in carrots can also help in improving your eyesight. Most fruits and vegetables contain all the nutrients beneficial for the eye. Some of these nutrients also help in preventing degeneration. Foods rich in vitamins A/C/E are the best for your eye’s health.

But care should be taken not to There is a general misconception that

Exercise your Eyes

once you have eyeglass numbers, they

Exercise your eyes daily helps improve

can never be reduced. They will keep

your vision. It will require nothing more

Wearing the right eyeglasses is also

increasing as you age. However the fact

than 5 to 10 minutes to exercise your

important to protect your eyesight from

is that you could do a lot to not only

eyes. The workouts will help improve both

deteriorating. It is recommended to wear

control your eyesight’s number, you could

the vision and the strength of the eye

them at all times, and especially when

also reduce it. Here are some tips to help

muscles. Thousands of people have

you are reading or need to focus on

you.

claimed improvement in their eyesight

something. If you are looking for the

after exercising regularly for months.

highest quality eyewear, Kanda Optical

Give Rest to your Eyes

over-supply your body with vitamin A.

offers a complete range of sunglasses

Make sure that your eyes get sufficient

Make sure to fix a daily schedule of 10

and eyeglasses. Explore all the options to

rest every day, both at the workplace and

minutes.

choose the best eyewear that protects

when at home. Your goal should be to

suggest doing so, and you can be sure to

reduce the stress and strain on them.

see improvements in your eyeglass

Most importantly, you should get enough

numbers.

sleep. When at the workplace, take

You could also

frequent breaks to give rest to your eyes.

perform some

Every

mild exercises Since most jobs involve working on

in between your

computers, it is recommended to take

work. For

regular rests in between. You should take

example, you

a break from work every 20 minutes you

could blink your

spend in front of the screen. All you have

eyes more often

to do is leave your desk for 1 or 2 minutes

and focus on

and walk around. It will be best to get

distant objects

outdoors and look at things in the

for long time.

distance. This helps in relaxing your eye

These steps

lenses.

could be

MBE BUSINESS MAGAZINE MAY 2018

ophthalmologist

will

your eyes.

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09

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11

Human And / Or Humanoid Part Two

Courtesy: DAVID RALPH MACKERETH dmackereth@canimac.com

Before finding their way into Wikipedia,

Enlightenment produced their oeuvre

witnessed deep investigation into the

the burgeoning fields of Science, Politics,

primarily by the efficacy of their own

definition on how we became modern.

Law, Philosophy, Religion, Government,

imagination and creativity that was

Cezanne, Van Gogh, Nietzsche, Darwin,

Mathematics, History, Education, among

amassed over time and was significantly

and Marx relied on the development of

other

affected by the thoughts of those that

arts, philosophy, biology, and history to

development during The Enlightenment

came before them.

delve into the details of what it means to

Period resulting from individual laborious

contemporaries received some formal

be human.

work and human ingenuity. Not only did

education, but it was not this academic

creative endeavours and equally of their

these

subjects

people

saw

work

considerable

diligently,

Voltaire and his

they

environment that drove their independent

fascinating lives should be advantageous

produced work far greater than 140

creative thinking. It was their dedication

to us all, in any era.

characters.

As one example, the

to improving their biological ability to

Complete Works of Voltaire are currently

gather and store information that allowed

Many

being

Voltaire

their minds to continuously mature, as

personalities toiled in relative seclusion

Foundation at the University of Oxford,

muscles grow from compelling repetition.

due

published

by

the

and will comprise a staggering two

of to

these

the

distinguished

limits

of

available

communication systems. This is coupled

hundred volumes when completed in late

Now onto the Quantum Era which can

with searchable content restricted to

2018. His ideas on society were much

possibly be exemplified by a single

information available in books or simply

more in depth than the distantly related

snapshot of the esteemed participants at

retained in memory.

social media of today, but nevertheless

the 1927 Solvay Conference on physics

may seem archaic to many Gens X and Y,

affected wide international influence and

and chemistry held in Paris.

as well as Millennials, but their ideas and

contributed significantly to events such

twenty-nine attendees at this conference,

creative

as the American and French Revolutions.

seventeen are Nobel Prize recipients:

somewhat confined manner, highlights

Of the

output,

Such limitations

produced

in

this

Pauli, Schrodinger, Debye, Heisenberg,

the true nature of the skills humans can

As for others from the Enlightenment

Dirac, Bragg, Compton, Born, de Broglie,

and do possess.

Period, Hume and Kant are universally

Bohr, Langmuir, Plank, Curie, Lorenz,

Boomers and others, we can nowadays

recognized as two of the most important

Thompson Rees Wilson, Richardson,

be

and influential philosophers of all time.

and Einstein. Such a high concentration

equivalent demonstration of genius is

Smith,

and

of hard-working, diligent, and creative

learning

Hobbes provided the foundation for much

experts is unlikely to happen anytime

smartphone.

of

political

soon. Their robust energy was supported

proficient with the newest technology is

thought. Science and mathematics have

by immense individual curiosity from a

more akin to learning basic skills. We

benefited notably from the works of

young age: it is difficult now to imagine

would be reluctant to boast about

Bacon, Descartes, and Newton.

Most

yourself at sixteen and mentally chasing

someone who is adept at walking, or

thinkers recognize Johann Wolfgang von

after a light beam, as in an Einstein

someone who knows how to competently

Goethe

thought experiment, typical of these

eat soup at formal dinners. It takes a

representing the pinnacle of Human

eminent scientists.

It is not an easy

child a few months to learn to walk and a

Intellect.

matter to post similar complex ideas on

teenager a few weeks/months to learn

Instagram!

how to behave in a mature social

Ricardo,

Western

and

Locke,

economic

Paine, and

Gottfried

Wilhelm

as

Along with our previous discussion on

12

A moderate study of their

easily

situation.

fooled to

For original Baby into

operate

thinking a

an

tablet

or

Whereas, in fact, being

A normal human (situated

Leonardo, Shakespeare, and Lucretius,

Outside of the scientific world, the period

anywhere on the planet), can usually

these

just prior to the Quantum Era also

learn to text, email, web search, tweet,

distinguished

thinkers

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MBE BUSINESS MAGAZINE MAY 2018

etc. within a few hours. Thus, it appears

that will never work, their need for very

would never be able to execute in a

many current digital operations require

expensive hardware or software, the

face-to-face encounter with the targeted

nothing more than a rudimentary IQ, and

required upgrades to security systems

recipient. Are we also becoming Human

in the very near future, we will be adding

and data storage …

Robots, as we look continuously look for

our talents in engaging Siri, Alexa,

answers and calculations from new AI

Cortana, etc. into the mix of appraising

If aliens arrived on Earth from a distant

our personal Digital Age genius level

galaxy, they would observe that all

skills. However, we would all agree there

companies

are

extraordinary

fundamentally digital businesses. These

present, we can expect approximately

capabilities within our digital world, and

aliens would conclude that whether it is

fifteen Da Vinci’s and Shakespeare’s with

more than likely, at the same fraction of

car manufacturing, or hospitals, retail

us today.

the population as has existed for all

outlets,

potential

previous generations.

These are

entertainment venues, etc., all of these

individuals to thoroughly function without

recognized geniuses not because of

activities diverge off a vast and shared

the oppression of the Digital Age? As we

texting,

diligent

Digital Host, as streets from major

meet Gens X and Y, and Millennials, after

application in attempting to create new

highways, or branches from a tree trunk.

their possible review of some of the

digital horizons.

One has only to review the rise of some

herein noted materials, hopefully they

recent business successes to see the

may

geniuses

but

Obviously

with

through

a

parent

their

or

and

organizations

financial

are

enterprises,

infrastructures?

Extrapolating

past

geniuses

to

the

Can we arrange for these human

have

changing

some

creative

measure

of

grandparent

trend of new operations running off the

contemplation, as they smell these

should be proud of their children and

Universal Digital Host: Uber, the world’s

wonderful human roses. There is one

grandchildren.

we

largest taxi company that owns no

observation rising to the surface, as I

providing legitimate reinforcement having

vehicles – Facebook, the world’s most

come to the end of this article. I have

our youth believe they are practically

popular media owner that creates no

named 54 men (without any known bias),

geniuses in the manner they can swipe,

content – Alibaba, one of the world’s

and one woman (Marie Curie).

click, or type? And keep in mind that

most valuable retailers that has no

conceivable these Gens X and Y,

even these “skills” are likely to be

inventory – Airbnb, the world’s largest

Millennials, and those following could

replaced

accommodation provider that owns no

create a human society to ascent ALL

real estate. (7)

proficient talents capable of generating

by

However,

voice-based

are

computer

interaction in the not-too-distant future.

Young children have little or no issue accepting

their

limitations

Is it

favourable changes to what it means to

and

We do appear to be channelling our

acknowledging their appropriate place

human communication through a digital

within society.

medium with the advantage of being able

At the very least, I would encourage all

allow our youth to develop to their truly

to

presence.

those young and old, the Gens X and Y,

human potentials, without the tyranny of

Communicating with our virtual identity

the Millennials, and Baby Boomers who

Digital Age restrictions.

now dominates human relationships, with

may have already forgotten the past, to

the advantage of being able to create an

read Isaacson’s book on “Leonardo Da

Walk into any business, organization, or

alternate persona. It is not a stretch of

Vinci”,

government office and you will generally

belief to conclude that very few Facebook

Invented the Human”, Greenblatt’s “The

notice almost everyone in front of a

pages accurately capture the essence of

Swerve”, and Lucretius’ “On the Nature of

computer screen, relying on the proper

the human being presented.

The

Things”. For those initiating enthusiasm,

functioning of the computer without really

medium itself allows, and perhaps even

I would add briefly reviewing Da Vinci’s

understanding how they work.

We should attempt to

promote

a

“fake”

be Human versus a Humanoid?

Bloom’s

“How

Shakespeare

It is

encourages, the creator of these web

Notebooks, Van Gogh’s letters to his

therefore not hard to imagine that when

pages to apply a bias in editing and

brother Theo, and many of Nietzsche’s

problems arise, the IT departments of

publishing content on the formatted

aphorisms. With a few months effort, we

these respective organizations carry out

pages: a digital human persona (possibly

can all gain awareness of how we

repairs and fixes placing them is close

Humanoid) separate from the abilities

became modern, and especially give the

association to a village shaman. I have

and character of the actual person.

newer generations the potential fuel to

personally

senior

Already today most of us take advantage

resist the Brave New World of the Digital

executives and alpha male individuals

of this second skin by using emails and

Age quagmire.

reduced to bumbling introverts, as their

other digital communications to deliver

haloed IT gurus pontificate on why this or

pronouncements and emotions the writer

witnessed

very

MBE BUSINESS MAGAZINE MAY 2018

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13

4 Ways To Save On LTL Shipments Raedan Freight Services Inc. 416-(571-3717)-(809-1647) Email: Raedan@sympatico.ca or Daniel@raedanfreightservices.com

(cwt), while others price per skid.

Because of that, getting the best price possible can require more knowledge than some shippers have on staff.

“About 30 percent of freight invoices have some type of correction for weight, dimensions, class, or cubic feet” which is way too high.

A few tips to avoid pricing dilemmas:

1. Avoid surprises by knowing as much about your shipment as the carrier does.

While many shippers believe the best

logistics or transportation departments,

Carriers use dimensioning machines and

way to save money on transportation is to

shippers are often not knowledgeable

forklift scales that measure and weigh

negotiate lower rates with carriers,

about how to ship efficiently or cost

every pallet. If your documentation

trucking

third-party

effectively, or how to cut expenses

doesn’t match their calculations, you’re

logistics (3PL) providers acknowledge

without complicated negotiations with

charges an administrative fee to make

there are better and more effective ways

carriers.

the correction. In addition, it will cost

companies,

and

to cut trucking expenses, particularly for less-than-truckload (LTL) shipments.

more if the shipment is heavier than you “You can only negotiate pricing down so

calculated or takes up more space than

far with carriers”, today is really about

expected.

Less-than-truckload shipments refer to

what a shipper can do from a process

relatively small freight deliveries that are

perspective.

too large to be classified as parcels and

When comparing carriers as part of the

too small to fill a truckload. Carriers

Pricing

decision-making process, shippers often

typically think of LTL freight in terms of

LTL pricing is complicated. Shippers that

look just at rates and not the associated

weight -usually between 150 lbs and

select a carrier based on rates alone are

fees that factor into the total expense.

20,000 pounds-but size can factor in,

often surprised to discover that the final

also.

bill includes fees and surcharges they

Discounted rates can be misleading,

hadn’t known about or anticipated. Some

“When some shippers get a discount,

less-than-truckload

carriers, include freight classifications in

they think it’s a great deal, but there are

shipments move from small and mid-size

their rates, while others do not, some

so many other factors to consider”,

businesses

carrier’s price in per hundred weight

including the fact that list price base rates

Because

14

2. Focus on net cost.

many that

lack

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MBE BUSINESS MAGAZINE MAY 2018

Next-day delivery is a premium-priced

to lane”.

5. Protect your shipment so that a pallet can be stacked on top of it

We want to know the bottom line: What’s

Some shippers protect fragile products

necessary. Ask customers when they

the cost to transport this shipment from

by placing a pyramid on top that prevents

need their shipment. If it isn’t next day,

Point A to Point B?”

stacking. That interferes with trailer

consider a less expensive carrier that will

volume efficiency, so the shipper is

take a day or two longer.

vary from carrier to carrier and from lane

3. Understand the carrier’s rules as they apply to pricing.

service, so don’t pay for it unless it’s

charged for the space above the pallet.

Knowing when freight actually needs to

Many carrier’s charge as much as

Replace that pyramid with a protective

be delivered can help companies save by

$150.00 extra for residential delivery,

layer on top of the shipment that allows

shipping less frequently. Consider 65% of

which can be a significant issue in

for decking that supports stacked weight.

deliveries are arranged by appointment

consumer e-commerce deliveries, we

If that is not an option, add “Fragile” signs

deliveries, in some cases the buyers and

recommend

residential

to the shrink wrapped bundle on the

receivers do not talk, buyers may request

shipments to a terminal instead, and

pallet in additional stating fragile on the

expedited delivery, and receiver provides

arranging

bill of lading. Top load only. “When

an appointment four days later.

delivering for

less-expensive

transportation to residence from there.

loading freight, dock workers look at the packaging not the bill of lading.

8. Capitalize on imbalances in a carrier’s network.

company ship a lot of a dense, heavy

6. Maximize the space on the pallet

A headhaul lane for a carrier is one in

product that meets the density factor on

Pack to the pallet edge and to the height

which trailers are running full. It costs

the rate agreement, but occasionally

requirement. If the carrier says pallets

more because the carrier doesn’t need

ships something lightweight that does not

must be six feet high, you will pay for

the business in that lane. Because the

meet the density factor, the shipment will

those six feet, even if you use only four of

opposite is true for a backhaul lane,

be cubed, and charged considerable

them. Similarly, if cartons extend past the

shippers can often get a better rate

more, if freight rates have not been

edge of the pallet, there will be an

because the carrier has space to fill.

negotiated for the lighter product.

additional fee for taking up extra space.

Working with a load broker, can assist in

All LTL are negotiable, be aware if a

determining back haul lanes with various

4.

Look for potentially less-expensive spot pricing

Maximize the shipment’s density as well

While a contract often makes sense and

shipments into one intermodal/trailer as

Technology

can act as a hedge against rate

possible. To save money, pack your

LTL shipments at smaller companies are

increases, the market changes regularly

product more densely with as little space

often scheduled by one-person shipping

and prices can go down. Using the

between cartons as possible.

departments,

“LTL carriers profit by fitting as many

receptionists,

administrative assistances, or others who

source of “load broker” can provide price savings and spot pricing at time of

Carrier selection

shipment.

Each

carrier

specialties.

Packaging

carriers.

lack the training, knowledge or access to

offers

Some

strengths

provide

or

national

service, others are regional only. Some

information that enable them to make the most

informed

decisions

possible.

Access to technology can transform that.

Customer surveys show that the top

promise next-day delivery while others

shipper concern is not price or speed of

are ‘economy” carriers that need more

9. Work with a 3PL

the shipment it is the condition of the

than one day to deliver a product but

Companies lacking logistics managers or

shipment

destination. Proper

charge less for it. Selecting a carrier that

others with appropriate training often

packaging can cut expenses associated

specializes in the type of service you

contract with a 3PL that can assist them

with claims as well as shipping fees. All

need saves money.

find or negotiate the best rate, identify the

at

its

correct freight class, correct cube, and

carriers, have packaging, claim experts in-house that should be met with to

Understanding your priorities can help

determine

guide your decisions.

any

improvements

in

Save on your freight costs, contact the

packaging, or recommendations.

7. Don’t presume that consignees need next-day delivery.

MBE BUSINESS MAGAZINE MAY 2018

audit invoices.

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KNOWING YOUR BUSINESS MATTERS

9 business security tips for closing time Submitted by Mauro Di Tullio, SENIOR ACCOUNT REPRESENTATIVE, ASSOCIATIONS | www.federated.ca

You or your employees can fall into a routine as you shut down your business at the end of everyday. That’s why it’s so important to make sure you’re taking all of the precautions you can to help prevent fires and crime when you’re not around.

Theft may seem like only a distant possibility, but organized retail crime costs Canadians over $4.6 billion a year, according to statistics from Calgary police.

It’s especially important to take precautions when leaving your business for a long weekend or a vacation, when no one will be checking up on it for some time. That’s why it’s key to have a list of steps to take before leaving for the night, to help ensure that your business is in the samecondition in the morning as when you left it. The list should also be shared with your employees, so they know exactly what to do when you’re not there.

Here are some tips on how to help keep your business safe when you lock up for the night.

Turn on storefront and sales area overnight lights

If lights inside your business are turned on, it may discourage thieves from entering. It may also help ensure that if anyone does enter your store, they will be clearly visible from the street. To make it even - easier to see anyone inside your business (and the disorder they may be causing) you can clear the front windows of any posters or merchandise so there’s an unobstructed view.

Keep exterior lights turned on

A well-lit exterior also discourages any unwanted guests from approaching your business. It’s important to make sure you haven’t just illuminated the front of your business, but also the side and back entrances too. If there are any burnt-out bulbs, those should be replaced as quickly as possible.

Make sure all customers have left the premises

It might seem like a no-brainer, but it’s very important to check that no customers are still inside the building before you close up. You or your employees should check back rooms, stockrooms, and change rooms to ensure no one is left with access to your property after the doors have been locked.

Turn off equipment

Before leaving, make sure that you or an employee have done a walkthrough of the business and checked off all items that need to be powered off overnight. This list will include different items depending on your business, but could encompass portable heaters, decorative lights, cooking appliances, and other heating equipment. Ensuring that all of these devices are switched off could help prevent any fires from igniting.

Store flammables and combustibles in secure locations

In a further attempt to stop any fires from catching, make sure that any flammables or combustibles have been moved away from heating appliances in property storage containers. These containers should also be labelled clearly.

Lock away cash register and other valuables

Follow a detailed procedure when handling cash at the end of the night. Some tips for how to handle your cash register and other valuables include taking a different route each time when making nightly deposits, leaving an empty and unlocked cash register, and not leaving cash or valuables in rooms that are accessible by windows or external doors.

16

Secure all equipment and stock Before leaving for the night, it’s a good idea to move any excess stock to a locked or secure spot in the store. You could also move stock away from windows and doors to make it more difficult for thieves to attempt a smash and grab. Steps like these may seem small and insignificant, but they could mean the difference between someone robbing your business and being dissuaded from doing so.

Secure and lock all doors and windows On top of securing your equipment and stock, it’s important to make sure that all of your doors and windows are locked, so no burglars can easily enter the premises. Include this item on your list for employees, and be sure to also lock back entrances.

Turn on your security system And last but not least, you need to ensure your security system is turned on before leaving the premises.

Your security system could take a number of forms, as options range from silent alarms to video surveillance. Surveillance systems are useful, as they can discourage thieves from entering your business and also alert security teams when a robbery is in progress.

If you follow these tips, you can rest easy at night knowing you’ve taken the right steps to help prevent fires and theft at your business. But sometimes all the preparation in the world isn’t enough to stop bad things from happening. That’s where insurance comes in.

© Federated Insurance Company of Canada. All rights reserved.

This document is provided by Federated Insurance Company of Canada (“Federated”) for informational purposes only to augment your own internal safety, compliance and risk management practices, and is not intended as a substitute for assessment or other professional advice by a qualified person or entity.

Federated makes no representations or warranties regarding the accuracy or completeness of the information contained in this document. Federated shall not be responsible in any manner for any loss, or any direct, indirect, consequential, special, punitive or other damages, arising out of your, or any other person’s, use or reliance on the information contained in this document.

Mauro Di Tullio is the Senior Account Representative for Associations at Federated Insurance.

17

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E-Commerce

How To Be Featured On A Podcast In Your Industry

Courtesy: DANIELLE CORCIONE

The podcast industry is a booming one. A

people more than 12 years of age said

marketing. These shows often invite and

decade ago, podcasts were a niche

they have listened to a podcast before in

feature guests on episodes to discuss a

addition to your audio library on your

2016. Additionally, the same report

particular topic. This press opportunity is

mobile device. However, the number of

added that an estimated 21 percent (57

a great way to expand your brand

people who regularly listen to podcasts

million) of people over 12 listen to

awareness and reach potential new

has increased dramatically, especially in

podcasts on at least a monthly basis.

customers.

the past five years.

Listeners can choose from a wide variety

So how do you become featured as a

an

of podcasts, many of which are oriented

podcast guest? Business News Daily

estimated 36 percent (98 million) of

around business, social media and

talked to two podcast hosts about how

According

to

Edison

Research,

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19

they select guests for their shows.

1. Have a story to tell Whether

the

podcast

is

conversation-driven or not, there is

someone pitching to the show hasn't

Inquire about any podcast connections in

actually listened to an episode. Don't fall

your professional network. Podcast hosts

into that trap: Research the podcast by

are often open to recommendations on

reading its website entirely as well as

who to feature, if a colleague can verify

listening to a few episodes.

they are a good candidate for an interview.

always some type of story arc. For business-oriented podcasts in particular,

"How can you ask a guest, 'Add to that

it's

dialogue, that narrative, and how can you

"I find editors, authors, agents, and

empower our community?'" said Parker.

screenwriters

important

to

think

about

what

entrepreneurs from all walks of life can

through

my

personal

network and through recommendations

learn from you.

from trusted colleagues," said Erasmus.

Estelle Erasmus, host and curator of the

3. Cater your pitch to the show's format

American Society of Journalists and

During your background research, pay

industry for the past 20 years, Erasmus'

Authors podcast, AJSA

Direct: Inside

attention to how the podcast episodes

network is wide, but she is still constantly

Intel on Getting Published and Paid Well,

are structured. After all, the hosts and

looking for fresh talent. "ASJA members

says it all begins with a compelling story

editors of the show have worked to

are the top of their field in publishing and

that's specific to a niche audience.

develop that structure.

go through rigorous review before they

Since she has worked in the publishing

are approved, so the organization has "Have a fascinating publishing-related

"We take pride in a fun format," said

high standards, which are expressed in

story that has made you a top name in

Parker.

the podcast guests I select," she added.

chooses guests for her podcast. "If an

In addition to guest interviews, Joblogues

Podcasts are an excellent way to

article you wrote went viral and an agent

features updates on what's going on in

promote your brand in an organic way.

from a well-known firm contacted you

the professional realm as well as the rest

However, finding a podcast you'd be a

and signed you, or if Steven Spielberg

of the world, product reviews, and advice

good fit for takes time and patience. To

wants your movie rights – it just

segments.

make a genuine connection with a

publishing," she said on how she

podcast, you need not only a compelling

happened to writer Judy Batalion – then "If you're not forming our pitch around our

narrative, but to spend time researching

format, our tone, or linking it back in a

the right fit and crafting a unique pitch. Of

2. Do your research

very tangible way to a theme that will

course, reaching out to your professional

It's common for hosts to receive pitches

empower the listener, it makes it difficult

network doesn't hurt either.

from people wanting to be featured on an

for me to see that guest on the show,"

episode of their podcast. However, many

Parker added.

of

4. Reach out to your network

I'm interested in talking to you."

these

pitches

to

Joblogues–

a

conversational podcast about careers, money and life – aren't particularly relevant to the show.

"Honestly, the majority of pitches that we receive, we don't consider for the show,” said

Joymarie

Parker,

co-host

of

Joblogues. "It's evident that most people don't take the time to think through the mission of our platform – which is around empowering and inspiring the next generation of working professionals – but not just the mission, but the tone of how we deliver it."

For example, it's easy to know when

20

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MBE BUSINESS MAGAZINE MAY 2018

The Pros And Cons Of Outsourced Payroll

Courtesy: CATHERINE LOVERING DELUX PAYROLL

mistakes in pay through simple human error.

Con: Business Owners Ultimately are Responsible If a company fails to pay the taxes the business owes on time and accurately, the business still is responsible for those taxes. Even if the IRS prosecutes the payroll company for not properly handing over the tax money, the business might "If you have one employee, get a payroll

deductions

employee

be left owing taxes to the IRS after having

service"

expert

payroll can be complicated, state and

paid money to the payroll company. This

Rhonda Abrams gave readers of "Inc."

federal taxes among them. A payroll

might be the case if the payroll company

magazine

as

company often is better equipped to

has an unscrupulous employee with the

outsourcing this necessary aspect of

calculate these deductions accurately

ability to embezzle funds. The IRS

running a business is tempting, it comes

and consistently. The company also

recommends all companies use the

with risks. Before handing over the

ensures taxes are paid on time. The IRS

Electronic Federal Tax Payment System

responsibility for the paychecks to an

frequently penalizes business owners for

so tax payments are properly made on

outside service, weigh the pros and cons.

errors in payroll-related taxes; one out of

their

three is affected, according to "Inc."

magazine.

is

advice in

financial

2010.

As

much

involved

with

Pro: It's a Time Saver

magazine. The fines levied can cost more

Outsourcing payroll saves a business

than the amount of the error.

time it would otherwise spend calculating

behalf,

according

to

"Forbes"

Con: Paying for Services Businesses Don't Need

to employees and taxation authorities.

Con: The Wrong Company Can Produce Errors

The printing costs of pay stubs might also

A payroll company that has never dealt

subscribe to them by offering all-inclusive

be reduced. Some payroll companies

with unique aspects of a company's

packages. This increases the cost of

offer

payroll,

and

outsourcing payroll, and it's possible the

employees, so you also save time

restaurant employee tips, can introduce

additional services offered are not of true

calculating how many hours are owed

errors into the payroll unknowingly, and

benefit to the business. Outlining what a

each pay period. A company also

undoing the mistakes can be costly and

business is looking for in a payroll

provides services such as direct deposit

an administrative headache. A payroll

company

and online pay stubs to further ease the

company that does not have an interface

provider makes the business better

payroll burden.

that allows businesses to enter their

armed against such a sales pitch.

pay and deductions and remitting checks

a

clock

in/out

function

for

such

employees'

as

hours

unionization

directly

--

therefore requires the payroll company to

Small

input the information -- can introduce

owners

know

MBE BUSINESS MAGAZINE MAY 2018

the

services

and

entice

before

businesses

seeking

a

to

service

and

Pro: It Calculates Taxes Accurately business

Many payroll companies offer other

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21

MBE

inc.

YOUR SUCCESS IS OUR PASSION

C

RE

BUSINESSES

Your Success Is Our Passion

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Bankrupty Advice How to Improve Your Credit Score Consumer Proposal Financial Planning 23

5 Email Fraud Techniques Used

By Cyber Criminals Fake Emails

Invoice

Courtesy: SHRED-IT www.shredit.com

Social Engineering Cyber criminals often do extensive

Disguising malicious

research on social media websites, for

attachments as fake

example, to collect personal information

invoices is the most

they can use to make emails appear

favored

of

legitimate. In an attack, the criminal

lure,

pretends to be a trusted colleague (from

according

to

IT, for example, or an outside contractor)

Symantec

2017

and tries to deceive the victim into

Security

sharing IDs, passwords, and sensitive

type

phishing

Internet Threat

Report.

In

information or performing a fraudulent

criminals

transaction. ZDNet reported that almost

send a legitimate-looking email asking

25% of users will click a malicious link if

Email is the preferred means of business

the receiver to click a link or download an

they think the email is from a friend.

communication for 86% of professionals,

attachment. One in every 4 major

according to HubSpot research. While

malware spam campaigns used this

Ransomware Attacks

the average office worker receives 121

approach in 2016. Tell-tale signs of a

Ransomware, which is most commonly

emails a day and sends around 40

phishing scam include unrealistic threats,

delivered via email, encrypts a victim’s

business emails, 269 billion emails are

poor spelling and grammar, and requests

data and demands a fee to restore it.

sent every day by just over 3.7 billion

for personal information.

According to CNBC, ransomware spiked

phishing,

email users around the world, according

6,000% in 2016, and most victims paid

to a 2017 study by Radicati Group.

Malicious Email Attachments

the ransom in an attempt to recover their

Unfortunately, email-based cyber attacks

Emails

data. Malicious emails disguised as

are sky-rocketing too.

attachments that when opened install

routine

keylogger software, ransomware, and

delivery notifications) or spam, were the

According to the Internet Security Threat

other malware. According to Verizon’s

favored

Report 2017, there’s been a resurgence

2017 Data Breach Investigation’s Report,

ransomware. To avoid becoming a victim

of malicious email as a favored attack

66% of malware was installed via

and easily recover from an attack, back

method for cyber criminals. The report

malicious email attachments in 2016.

up critical data regularly.

Email Spoofing

Embedding secure processes into the

Email spoofing is when headers are

workplace will help to emphasize the

While every workplace device should

forged so the email looks like it came

importance of security too. For example,

have up-to-date IT safeguards including

from a recognized person or place. This

partner with a document destruction

spam and virus filters, firewalls, and other

tactic is often used in phishing and spam

company so all confidential information is

endpoint security, security awareness

campaigns. Often the address or domain

securely destroyed when no longer

training is also critical so that employees

is misspelled by one letter – for example,

needed.

know how to identify suspect email and

maryy@company.com

avoid becoming a victim.

mary@company.com.

can

include

dangerous

correspondence means

of

(invoices

or

spreading

showed that 1 in 131 emails sent was malicious, the highest rate in 5 years.

24

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instead

of

MBE BUSINESS MAGAZINE MAY 2018

Why WiFi Marketing Is The Best Sales Strategy For Small To Medium-Sized Merchants

Courtesy: SABRINA DE MARZI sabrina@solutionassociatesinc.com | 905-857-9265 Digital Marketing Manager - Falcon Retail

effectively compete with their larger

1. Smartphones are at the heart of consumers’ digital lives

counterparts at a fraction of the cost.

There is an application for everything we

merchants and retailers can easily and

do, and we can increasingly do it all from

The Age of the Smartphone The Canadian mobile market is growing at a rapid rate. Over 81% of Canadians are using smartphones. And according to a

recent

report

from

Catalyst,

smartphone ownership is increasing by a staggering 24% year-over-year. As more consumers embrace smartphones as part of the fabric of their everyday lives, the story shifts from “how mobile is growing” to “how mobile consumer usage and

habits

are

evolving

the

retail

landscape”.

It is as clear as the day, for anyone who observes

their

surroundings,

that

consumers are tied to their smartphone

How you ask? Simply put, WiFi Marketing

our smartphones. Even the slow but

is

that

increasing popularity of the Internet of

provides retail owners access to valuable

Things (IoT) has enabled smartphones to

customer insight and a host of marketing

dominate

capabilities

becoming the remote for all connected

a

cloud-based

that

technology

enable

meaningful

the

mobile

mobile connections and a personalized

devices,

brand experience with their patrons.

watches, bands, and more.

including

landscape,

smart

homes,

Secure, easy and affordable to deploy, it uses the access points of a retail venue’s

As a result, most marketers agree that

existing WiFi network to gather and

although there are many connected

collect

via

devices out there, retail business owners

consumer smartphones. Through any

need to focus their marketing efforts on

web browser interface, retail business

the smartphone user segment. Not only

owners or their staff members can easily

is it the default of all mobile or connected

schedule

devices, but they are a default position for

customer

targeted

information

and

personalized

marketing and promotional campaigns

a growing number of Internet users.

on the fly, helping to improve customer value and increase loyalty – ultimately

Offering guests free access to in-store

driving more sales.

WiFi network was a working strategy five

Why WiFi Marketing is the Ideal Sales Strategy

years ago as a way to create positive loitering in order to increase spend and obtain a competitive edge over the

No longer do retailers, small or large,

competition. Today, it’s all about the

need to question the necessity of a

consumer experience, and with the right

mobile marketing budget or justify spend

WiFi Marketing technology, merchants,

on the medium. Those that ignore the

retailers and hospitality owners are

sales and increasing customer loyalty.

mobile consumer are doomed to fall

provided with a unique opportunity to

behind or out of favor with consumers,

deliver a personalized brand experience

Mobile Marketing – No longer a Big Boy playground

and fast.

to their WiFi users via their smartphone

aHere are several obvious reasons why

devices.

mobile consumer should be an important

Reaching

focus for your business and why WiFi

impression on any mobile customer

Marketing is the ideal solution for the job.

requires the ability to tap into their

device and keep them within arm’s reach at all times. It’s no wonder why many big retailers recognize that smartphones are a strong branding channel for growing

Thanks to the WiFi Marketing technology available today, like that offered by Falcon Retail Inc., now small to medium-sized MBE BUSINESS MAGAZINE MAY 2018

W W W. M B E F O RYO U. C O M

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and

leaving

a

lasting

W W W. FAC E B O O K . C O M / M B E F O RYO U 7

25

emotions and elicit a positive response.

left

Giving them a discount on their next

reaching customers where and when it

surely

purchase or sending them an email

matters most.

marketing and commerce platform. Not

about your new product or flyer isn’t all

Measuring campaign results are just as

surprising,

that impressive. Personally inviting them

easy and go beyond the number of opens

Messenger back in 2011, but today is

to try a new product and offering them a

and click-trough’s. With WiFi Marketing

now host to more than 1.3 billion users

discount because it is their birthday or

you’ll understand actual footfall and

and 60 million businesses; a shear

simply because they visit you often is

number of customers who physically

indication of the power SMS has on

more compelling.

–

maximizing

engagement

by

evolving

into

Facebook

a

full-fledged opened

up

Creating a branded

visited your property after a campaign

today’s consumer market, despite the

customer experience that builds loyal

has ended. The customer data and

recent negative publicity Facebook has

relationships is key, and WiFi Marketing

analytics received enables you properly

been experiencing.

is the ideal technology platform that will

measure your campaign impact and

allow you to do it more efficiently than

identify groups of users and promotions

Since smartphones are becoming the

any other digital medium, at a fraction of

bring in the most traffic so you can refine

primary source of media for consumers,

the cost.

your targeting for even better results next

and SMS being their communication tool

time.

of choice, WiFi Marketing is poised to be

2. Bridging the digital and “brick-and-mortar” retail world

3. Duplicity resolved

contender. Not only does it have the

Smart

offline

Consumers transact in the offline world

ability to capture consumer mobile

in-store

with a multiplicity of different identities

numbers as a WiFi login authentication

promotions, events, and free samples are

and across different channels – for

option which can feed into any CRM

powerful

delighting

example, different store loyalty cards at

database, merchants and retail owners

consumers and driving retail sales.

different retailers. The challenge is in

can successfully and quickly implement

However, the challenge is that there has

identifying duplicate identities from your

mobile

been limited data to prove it.

customer marketing list. Such inflated

communicate

customer lists cause retail owners to

consumers in a more direct and relevant

The fact still remains that offline and

spend double or triple times the cost on

way than ever before.

online

separate

traditional marketing initiatives, which

channels. They’re interconnected parts of

ultimately burns into their return on

In Conclusion

the same customer acquisition engine.

investment.

It is hard to say how mobile consumer

marketers

marketing

know

techniques techniques

marketing

that like

for

aren’t

a

wise

SMS

outbound

messaging and

marketing

strategies engage

to with

usage and habits will play out in the

They need to work together in providing a and

WiFi Marketing offers a clear advantage.

following years. The one thing we can say

marketing

It has the ability to identify unique

for sure is that it is definitely going to be

customers using their contact log-in

more of the same. Therefore, as any size

authentication ID, enabling you to reach

merchant or retail owner, your focus

out to the right audience at the right time

needs to gear towards consumer trends

WiFi Marketing enables you to promote

without duplicating efforts. It also offers a

in order to attract more customers to your

in-store events and promotions directly to

consistent and unified view of the

business and provide them the best

customers’ smartphone devices utilizing

customer, with the ability to track their

experience that will ensure improved

hyper-targeted

SMS

actions across digital campaigns in

customer loyalty and repeat business.

campaigns. What’s even sweeter is that

real-time, improving customer insight and

you can easily drill-down and pinpoint the

decision-making that feed in improving

It may be time for your business to

exact customer audience you wish to

the bottom line.

consider WiFi Marketing as part of your

seamless

brand

providing analytics

experience

closed-loop to

properly

evaluate

the

customer journey.

email

and

overall marketing and mobile sales

target based on specific demographics or

26

whopping 86%. This medium is slowly but

behaviors, including how often they visit,

4. Messaging is the new medium

their birthday, gender, interest and more.

More consumers use messaging apps

Campaigns can be scheduled for a

today

specific date or triggered by an event,

According

such as when they enter your venue,

messaging (SMS) is the tool of choice for

during their stay or right after they have

Canadian

W W W. M B E F O RYO U. C O M

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than

they to

do

ComScore,

smartphone

W W W. FAC E B O O K . C O M / M B E F O RYO U 7

social

users

strategy.

media. instant at

a

MBE BUSINESS MAGAZINE MAY 2018

Retail Merchant Association /MBBP Members

Save 3.5 cents per litre* with the Esso Business Card Program

Advantages

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ESS 20160620

27

The Birth Of The National Hockey League (NHL)

Courtesy: www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca

28

When the National Hockey League

Hotel in MontrĂŠal. Elmer Ferguson was

formed in late 1917, few could imagine

the lone reporter sitting waiting for news.

the importance it would have in the fabric

The first man to emerge from behind

George Kennedy, owner of the Montreal

of Canadian life. On 22 November, a

closed doors of the meeting was Frank

Canadiens, was more forthcoming: "It's

group of team owners from the struggling

Calder, who would become president of

like our old league except that we haven't

National

(NHA)

the new league. Ferguson hollered after

invited Eddie Livingstone to be part of it,"

gathered for a meeting in the Windsor

him, "Hey Frank, what happened?"

he told Ferguson. Five of the six owners

Hockey

Association

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"Nothing much," replied Calder.

MBE BUSINESS MAGAZINE MAY 2018

of the old National Hockey Association

owners purchased the best players that

negotiate higher salaries and bonuses

had finally gotten tired of the stubborn

money

with top players.

and confrontational owner of the Toronto

Steinbrenner of his day, mine owner John

By 1917, some were predicting the end

Blueshirts, Eddie Livingstone. So they

Ambrose O'Brien assembled a team of

of professional hockey. “’PRO.’ HOCKEY

met without him and made a new league

superstars to play for him in the town of

ON LAST LEGS,” announced The Globe

(which officially came into existence on

Renfrew,

Fred

on 6 November. The NHA situation was

26 November 1917). Livingstone was

"Cyclone" Taylor and the Patrick brothers,

described as “critical” as the “Public Tires

"always arguing,” Ottawa manager and

Frank and Lester. Taylor became the

of Money-Chasers and Turns to Fast

co-owner Tommy Gorman said, "Without

highest-paid player, receiving $5,250,

Young Amateur Teams.” Interest was

him we can get down to the business of

more than twice the prime minister’s

waning as the Association had too many

making money.”

salary! Renfrew paid Lester and Frank

older, slower veteran players — many

Patrick the lofty sums of $3,000 and

young men were off to war.

could

buy.

Ontario,

The

George

including

Professional hockey was barely a few

$2,000, respectively. In 1909, O’Brien

years old but it had already created a

became co-founder of the National

There was no guarantee in 1917 that

familiar

Hockey Association, forerunner of the

professional hockey would survive, and

National Hockey League.

no one at the time would have predicted

landscape:

quarrels

among

owners, soaring salaries, lawsuits and injunctions,

salary

caps,

bankrupt

that the NHA’s successor, the National

franchises — all the slings and arrows

However,

the

Hockey League, would become the

the market is heir to.

escalation of player salaries forced

premier professional league in the world.

several

bidding teams

to

wars fold,

and

including

The first openly professional hockey

Haileybury and Cobalt. For the 1910–11

For better and for worse, the professional

team was the Portage Lakes hockey club,

season, NHA club owners, who had

leagues changed the game of hockey.

founded in 1900 by dentist J.L. Gibson, a

induced players to sign for high salaries

Once played primarily for fun, love of the

Canadian

to

(and then all lost money in the 1909-10

game, and local pride, it became part of

Houghton, Michigan. In 1903, “Doc”

who

season), established the first salary cap,

the culture of business. It was the

Gibson decided to pay for talent, and so

at $5,000 for each team. Players who had

business

team management hired the best players

been earning up to $1,800 would have to

organizational skills and the money to

from Canada. The Portage Lakes club

settle for about $500; there was talk of a

organize the sport, pay the players and

was so good that other teams in Canada

player union but, in the end, most players

get new stadiums built. In return, they

and the United States had to follow its

accepted the decrease in salary. In

wanted ownership of the game. It would

lead and pay players to compete,

practice, though, competition for players

not be long before the professional NHL

regardless

about

within the NHA (and with the Pacific

had control of the Stanley Cup, which

professionalism in sports. The success of

Coast Hockey Association) led club

Lord Stanleyhad intended to celebrate

the club also led to formation of the

owners to bypass the regulations and

the values of amateur sport.

of

had

relocated

concerns

class

who

had

the

International Hockey League in 1904, with three teams in Michigan, another in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and one in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario. (The league disbanded in 1907.) It also contributed to the 1906 decision by the Eastern Canada Amateur Hockey Association to officially allow professional players in the league.

Teams began openly competing for players. In fall 1907, Tom Phillips, star of the Kenora Thistles, signed with Ottawa for $1,800.

Professional teams popped up in the most unlikely places, such as Cobalt and Haileybury, Ontario, where wealthy mine

MBE BUSINESS MAGAZINE MAY 2018

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29

How I Took My Business From Instagram To E-Commerce

Courtesy: MACAIRE DOUGLAS

after my children.

During the first year of operation, I relied on Instagram for promotion. One post could lead to dozens of sales, and it was my biggest traffic driver early on. Many of my Instagram followers became loyal customers; and I already knew their likes and dislikes. I bounced ideas off my following and knew that if they didn't go crazy over a brand, it wasn't a good investment.

We still use social media every day for marketing; but it has definitely changed.

Instagram's algorithm flip has impacted us as engagement and follower growth trended downward. This forced us to be creative and prioritize Facebook ads, In 2013, I felt lost. I was living in Brooklyn

When we moved back home to Chicago,

Google AdWords and email marketing,

with my husband and our one-year-old;

my

where we've seen the most success.

and while I was grateful to be a

building; and I realized I needed to open

stay-at-home parent, I missed working

an online store – a website where

In 2016, we opened a brick and mortar

and relishing in a creative outlet. I wanted

parents could buy all their favorite kids'

studio in Lakeview, New York, where we

to find something for myself, so I started

clothing in one place, trust the quality and

reach a different market and have the

brainstorming.

receive styling tips from one parent to

flexibility

another.

inventory. We now do all our shipping out

Instagram

following

was

really

Around this time, I stumbled upon the

host

events

and

vary

of the store's back room.

buy, sell, trade world of kids clothing on

With a shopper's perspective and a

Instagram. I was instantly hooked. When

background in marketing and social

As we continue to grow, I've found that

I had my son, I discovered the clothing

media, I knew what I wanted to see in an

I'm passionate about helping others

market for boys was lacking. I wanted to

online store. I had made connections with

launch their online businesses. I love

support small businesses and realized

brands on Instagram and felt passionate

sharing this knowledge and seeing

there were fun, family-owned clothing

about

others succeed.

brands all over Instagram. I started my

eco-friendly children's clothing.

sharing

fashionable

and

"Instagram shop" and sold my son's

30

to

The biggest piece of advice I can give is

clothing and shared brands I loved. Little

A few months and many sleepless nights

to stay true to your mission. I never

did I know this would be the start of a

later, Half Pint Shop was born. It wasn't

strayed too far from the roots of my

bigger idea.

just a business; it was my creative outlet,

Instagram shop and have always kept the

something I could do while still looking

store's core values in mind.

Employment (Contract Of Service) And Non Employment (Contract For Service) Relationships

Courtesy: PAUL WEARING

Employers are always looking for ways to

service purchaser ( the company ) over

contractor), the work relationship can be

reduce their overhead. Employees are

the service provider’s activities on a day

terminated without notice on completion

usually a necessary cost of selling your

to day basis

of an assignment or before completion of

business’s products or services.

But

• Whether the service provider provides

the

what if you could avoid the “employment

his/her own equipment

termination compensation. You virtually

relationship” and all the red tape,

• Whether the service provider has

have no responsibility to the government

government

employees of his /her own

except to issue a T5 reporting the fees

• The degree of financial risk taken by the

paid to the service provider.

reporting,

administration

and

payroll termination

compensation liability and still have the

service provider

benefit of the work being performed.

• The

Contracting “independent

for

services

with

contractor”

an (self

-employed) might be a solution, if the

degree

of

responsibility

assignment

without

liability

for

for

To better understand the “employment

investment and management of the

relationship” and the non- employment”

service by the service provider, and

(independent contractor) relationship, the

• The service provider’s opportunity for

essence of an employment relationship is

profit.

the degree of control that the employer

relationship meets the rules of the

exercises over the employee, including

Canada Revenue Agency (CRA). There

There is no set formula for the application

the following:

are many benefits to having the work

of each factor to the situation. Ultimately,

• Supply of tools and equipment are

performed by a self –employed person.

the question to ask is, does the service

provided by the employer to the service

No liability for CPP or E.I or income tax

provider provide services as a person in

provider

deductions and no liability for termination

business on his/her own account? The

• Employer absolute right to terminate the

compensation if you chose to end the

relative weight of each factor will depend

services of the service provider

relationship. Unfortunately, you can’t ask

on the particular facts and circumstances

• Absolute right to set the service

the CRA to approve a service contract

of the case.

provider’s hours of work and days of work

relationship in advance of entering into

• Right to set the method by which the

the relationship. You can ask your

The Federal Court of Appeal of Canada

service provider performs the work

accountant or your lawyer if the terms

has

• Service provider has no employees of

and conditions of the relationship qualify

consideration:

his/her own.

for “independent contractor” status, but

• Examination of the subjective intent of

As you can see, the legalities of the

they will likely give you a qualified

each party to the contract

analysis of the terms of the work

answer. You can only learn if the CRA

• Determination of whether the parties’

relationship

approves if your company is audited.

subjective intentions can in fact be

cautious, the next time someone pitches

objectively sustained.

a work relationship to you, offering their

added

further

analysis

for

Factors that the Supreme Court of

complicated.

Be

services as “self-employed”. There is

Canada has observed to be relevant

If you are successful in persuading the

include:

CRA that the person who you are treating

• The level of (degree ) of control of the

as

MBE BUSINESS MAGAZINE MAY 2018

are

self-employed

more to the idea than just the name.

(independent

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31

Five Simple Steps To Protect Your Business From Phishing

Courtesy: INTERAC www.interac.ca

sender through a different channel to check if it’s real.

2. If you think the notification is a scam masquerading as an

Interac

e-Transfer®,

forward

the

email

to

phishing@interac.ca so our fraud team can further investigate.

3. Don’t click on any links or open any attachments if you receive them from a sender you don’t recognize.

4. Look for errors or strange typos in the text of an email notification. A common error in phishing emails is the “$” sign appearing after the amount, instead of before it.

5. If you accidentally fill out personal or business information in a link from a phishing scam, change the online banking password and contact your bank right away.

If

you’re

like

most

businesses,

phishing

makes

you

While phishing is top of mind for us this year, Spring is a great

uncomfortable. In a recent Interac survey, we found that almost

opportunity to refresh offline fraud prevention tips as well:

one quarter of Canadians have clicked on a link that resulted in

1. Treat your merchant terminals like cash. Keep terminals

a phishing scam. It’s no wonder Canadians are more likely to be

out-of-sight when not in use, and check them regularly for

worried about payment fraud scams such as phishing and

anything unusual.

skimming than they are about having their homes broken into or

2. Remind customers to insert their own cards when making an

their cars stolen. Fortunately, there are things you can do to

in-store purchase, shield the PIN pad when entering their PIN,

protect yourself and your business from online scams.

and to remove their card when the transaction is complete.

3. Reassure your customers that Interac Flash® and Interac®

Phishing is a scam where fraudsters try to get information –

Debit on mobile is a safe and secure way to transact. This

such as passwords, card numbers or other customer information

technology makes it next to impossible to create counterfeit

– by masquerading as a trusted person or business. This is

cards and protects consumers against fraudulent activity like

usually through email, text or an instant message, but also

skimming, transaction reply types of fraud, and tactics like

sometimes by phone. Almost two-thirds of the people surveyed

electronic pickpocketing.

said they’ve been tempted to click on a link they weren’t completely sure was safe. Chances are, you or one of your

Whether as a business or consumer, you can never be

employees have experienced a similar feeling at some point in

complacent when it comes to securing your customer and

your online travels.

financial information. As always, the best offence is a good defence.

In recognition of Fraud Prevention Month, here are tips from Interac that will help you protect your business:

Rob Fodor is Interac Corp.’s Chief Data Scientist and Vice

1. Trust your gut. If you or your employees receive an

President of Fraud

unexpected deposit or money request notification, contact the

32

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MBE BUSINESS MAGAZINE MAY 2018

The Most Effective Way To Attract And Retain Top Talent

Courtesy: NORTHERN FINANCIAL GROUP www.northernfinancialgroup.ca or

more

employees

without having to provide medical information (or a group of two employees – medical

information

is

required) • You can choose from different coverage levels: Gold, Silver, Bronze – AND you can mix and match!

•

Very

cost-effective:

Northern Financial Group Attracting and retaining great employees

Carnevale,

have become top priority for most small

Financial Group.

businesses

that

recognize

President

of

Northern

helps you make the most out of your benefits dollar AND the monthly rates are

their

pre-set!

employees as a core investment in their

Expensive benefits plans are a product of

• Step-by-step guide and support are

business. One of the most effective ways

the past

provided

to do that is by offering health benefits.

Many business owners are missing out

•

on a great opportunity to grow due to only

reimbursed within 48 hours

Claims

submitted

online

will

be

Why is it important?

seeing expensive benefits plans on the

The success of your company depends

market that were made for big companies

Your takeaway

largely on your employees, therefore

with big budgets. The good news is that

Understanding

happy and satisfied employees will equal

there

employees play in the success of your

better productivity, increased will to take

businesses!

of

business can create a desirable and

initiative and healthy profits for your

companies in Canada already use: the

profitable company faster than you think.

establishment. High performing workers

Olympic Benefits Plan.

Start exploring your options now and

is

an

alternative

One

that

for

small

hundreds

will want to stay if they feel valued and safe.

the

key

role

your

begin the new year with a fresh mindset What is the Olympic Benefits Plan?

and a well-allocated budget.

Northern Financial Group is an insurance “Your employees make it their business

and investment company that specializes

Visit www.northernfinancialgroup.ca or

to make sure yours is taken care of, so it’s

in small business benefits plans. Using

call 905-812-8811 to book a meeting with

reasonable to expect that you take care

their 30+ years of knowledge and

one of the Northern Financial Group

of your employees, as well. When you

experience, they created the Olympic

representatives.

offer a group benefits package to them,

Benefits Plan, an affordable solution for

you’re offering security in the form of

companies like yours.

financial and medical coverage. Securing your most valuable staff means reliable

How it can help your business:

growth for your business.” – says Louie

•

MBE BUSINESS MAGAZINE MAY 2018

It is available for groups of three

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33

Streamline Your Shipping With These 5 Tips!

Courtesy: www.eshipper.com

Take a look at how you ship your product.

there

utilize

consolidate your shipping, fulfill your

Is there any way to optimize your

technology, you should grab it! Maybe

shipping orders at once as opposed to

shipping processes and make them more

you’re not sure where to start. Here are a

filling them throughout the day. Have a

efficient? There are several different

few strategies that can help you on the

shipping

ways you can streamline your shipping

road to shipping efficiency.

eCommerce customers. You can even

is

an

opportunity

to

process. These can save your business

34

Grouping Shipments

decreasing labour and time. Whenever

To

|

deadline

for

your

advertise faster shipping if an order is

or eCommerce business money by

W W W. M B E F O RYO U. C O M

time

increase

your

W W W. FAC E B O O K . C O M / M B E F O RYO U 7

placed before a set time that suits your efficiency

and

shipping needs. This gives the client

MBE BUSINESS MAGAZINE MAY 2018

incentive to order at an earlier time and it

integrated into your checkout on your

Have a Strong Return Policy

relieves the pressure off your business to

eCommerce site which removes the

Having the ability to process return

be driven by orders. By shipping all at

burden of manually calculating each

orders quickly is key for your customers.

once, you reduce several payments into

order and the shipping required. As the

Nothing will cause a customer to hesitate

one payment. One payment is much

customer pays for their order, the

more than having a cumbersome or

easier to organize than several different

shipping request has already been made.

costly return policy. One way is to have a

ones.

You can also automate your shipping

place online to print a return label for the

processes so that labels are created

Pick Areas

client’s order. Placing an unpaid return

automatically with every new order, make

label into the box can increase efficiency

Your warehouse should already be set up

sure your shipping provider has this

and facilitate things for your client, but

for efficient picking of the product. Bins

technology!

beware, it also may increase returns. The

should be organized, labeled with SKU’s and easily accessible for the staff to pick.

return charge only activates if the return

Automated Insurance

label gets scanned.

Items such as expensive parcels, rare One major way to streamline shipping is

items, international packages, etc., may

By introducing these solutions into your

to use a pick-and-pack warehouse

require insurance on the shipment. Once

shipping, you give your eCommerce

service which takes the load off your

again,

business room to grow. Your company

shoulders and gives your company a

streamline shipping. Create a cut-off on

can

fast-track to growth through warehousing

shipment price or size to require different

operations, growth and development.

fulfillment.

levels of insurance. This removes the

eShipper is here to help! Please contact

element of second-guessing how much

Make Use of Technology

your

insurance

each

carole@eshipper.com or 647-282-3652,

In the today’s world, there is no reason

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A Meaningful Mission Makes For A Stronger Business Opportunity

Courtesy: MANISH VAKIL

As chief executive officer of a franchise

Each

operates

Tumbles, we provide solutions to this

business, I spend a lot of time at

multiple business lines out of a single

crisis. We want franchisees who see us

conferences and expos; and it seems

location. Those business lines include

as an opportunity to help children lead

everyone talks about the same thing:

gym classes, STEM learning classes,

healthier, happier lives.

financial opportunity.

Tumbles

Tumbles

Zone

franchise

indoor

playground,

birthday parties, evening Kids Night Out

Visit any Tumbles location at any time of

Successful businessmen and women

events and more. The business lines

day, and you’ll see crowds of children

want franchise opportunities that promise

operate under the same roof and ensure

moving, laughing, playing and learning –

significant financial returns, and there’s

the entirety of the location’s space is

all in a safe environment. These activities

nothing wrong with that. But it's even

being used morning, noon and night.

help prevent obesity, accelerate motor

better when your company offers more than just a monetary profit.

skills, enhance social awareness and Best of all, we only have to market to a

improve

family once at Tumbles – which keeps

business worth getting out of bed for

expenses low and revenue high.

each morning.

to children and their parents. After

To maximize the financial opportunity, we

The sales job is easy when meeting with

serving as a franchisee myself for nine

built our own backend systems. When we

prospective franchisees. We’re able to be

years, I bought Tumbles in 2014.

find the right franchisee, we can offer him

highly selective in choosing our owners,

Tumbles is a company that provides

cognitive

ability.

That’s

a

educational and entertainment services

or her a proven business template and

which further enhances the quality of

I first considered buying the company

the systems needed to run that business

what we offer to customers.

because I saw the financial opportunity –

efficiently. It’s an incredible opportunity,

You can build a good business on

much like my fellow conference and expo

and we’ve enjoyed great success in

financial opportunity alone. But I’ve found

attendees. But I ultimately made the

gaining

that

decision to buy the company because I

franchisees.

meaningful mission is a formula for great

recognized

Statistics show that poor child health is a

success.

that

Tumbles

meaningful mission.

42

W W W. M B E F O RYO U. C O M

serves

a

interest

from

prospective

coupling

it

with

a

powerful,

growing concern in our country. At

|

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E-Commerce Fraud: What Your SMB Needs To Know

Courtesy: MATT D'ANGELO

an increase in online and digital sales,

Shop, said that her online retail business

fraudsters have more power than ever to

has been the target of fraudsters in the

steal

past. Fraudsters would charge products

from

both

businesses

and

to a stolen credit card. A few months

consumers.

later, the cardholder would realize their It's important to protect both yourself and

information had been stolen and file a

your business from potential attacks. This

dispute with their bank, so Half Pint Shop

can include using third-party protection

would have to refund the money. This is

services, but the best practices involve

known as a chargeback, and Douglas

E-commerce has exploded in the past

daily habits to improve your credit and

estimates that her business has lost

five

information hygiene.

close to $1,200 from it. For a small

years.

increased

Easy

social

website media

design,

traffic,

and

business, this is a significant number.

convenience have made buying and

Fraud: How it works

Douglas

selling online products a pillar of the

There are many different types of

advertising strategy for a popular baby

shopping experience. In the face of this

e-commerce fraud and several ways

lounger called DockATot to avoid the

expansion, however, massive data leaks,

fraudsters can steal from businesses and

number of fraudulent orders she was

haphazard security and bad consumer

consumers. Essentially, fraud occurs

receiving.

credit practices have left this industry

when an individual steals money or a

vulnerable.

product (or both) from a business using a

"When we were advertising it, and

stolen identity. There are several ways

someone was searching for that, we

This last holiday season, fraud attempts

this can happen – chargebacks, refund

were one of the top picks," she said.

increased by 22 percent from the

fraud or card testing, for example – but at

"That's when we saw a lot of the fraud."

previous

its core, a fraudster operates with stolen

year,

according

to

ACI

Worldwide, a company that handles

even

had

to

change

her

While fraudsters obtained both the

information to steal more stuff.

payment systems for major retailers and

product

and

payment

through

a

financial institutions. As more buyers turn

Oftentimes, businesses won't realize

chargeback, this overall form of fraud is

online to make purchases, fraudsters

they've

fraudulent

known as clean fraud. Clean fraud, or

have even more opportunity to expose

transaction until weeks or even months

when fraudsters purchase products with

both consumers and merchants. Massive

later. This is why fraud can be so

stolen information and circumnavigate

data leaks and lax company security add

dangerous – it's often a silent crime, and

fraud detectors by using verification

to this issue.

by the time all parties involved realize, it

information, has become more common.

In October 2017, 145.5 million people's

can be too late to find the criminal or

Unlike

data was exposed. The Equifax data

dispute charges. That's why the best way

fraud is committed by fraudsters who

breach was one of the largest in history,

to protect your business is to consistently

have more information and can often be

and sensitive information such as Social

monitor and foster positive habits so that,

harder to detect. Erika Dietrich, director

Security numbers and home addresses

if a fraudulent transaction does occur,

of risk management for ACI Worldwide,

was released. Several smaller breaches

you're on top of it.

said that clean fraud poses a major risk

processed

a

have also left people at risk. With a large database of customer information, and

MBE BUSINESS MAGAZINE MAY 2018

standard

chargebacks,

clean

to e-commerce owners.

Macaire Douglas, co-founder of Half Pint

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47

"The most common type of fraud trends

the same password and predictable

• Shipping address is different from

that we see today is most often clean

usernames

billing. Since the fraudster's address will

fraud or one-hit wonders," she said.

consumers at risk of identity theft.

across

accounts

puts

always be different from the cardholder's,

"They're fraudsters that have access to

this could be the most consistent

loads of data through, unfortunately, the

This type of behavior affects businesses

difference. However, be careful when

number of data compromises that we see

because it makes it easy for criminals to

analyzing this. It's also in line with normal

on a frequent basis … To the merchant, it

impersonate everyday people and steal

consumer behavior – many people order

looks like a valid customer."

products and money from e-commerce

gifts for others or need an item shipped to

businesses.

a different address for various regions.

Dietrich, who has 15 years of fraud

• Customer asks for immediate shipment.

prevention experience, also said that

"Year over year, the percentage of fraud

Fraudsters want the product as quickly as

fraud has become harder to detect than it

has increased," Dietrich said. "[With] the

possible to avoid detection. But rushed

was a few years ago. It can be hard to

access to online data and profiles, and

shipping is also a standard customer

detect, but there are systems in place to

the speed of packages, and the ability of

request. Instead of a marquee sign, think

alert businesses of fraudulent activity,

fraudsters to buy online and pick up items

of it as an added detail that could prompt

and some practices you can enact to

in store, they're really, really focused on

suspicion.

protect yourself and your business.

things that enable them to get the

• The email address looks strange. Be

[product] quickly."

conscious of email addresses that don't

Why does fraud occur?

seem

normal.

Douglas

said

she

Fraudulent purchases are largely a

How to prevent fraud

sometimes does some research on the

symptom of growing consumer demand

Preventing fraud, as a business owner,

company the address is from to see if it

and the willingness of e-commerce

can be a complicated endeavor. There

exists.

businesses to meet consumer needs.

are a host of companies and platforms

• Reach out to suspicious orders.

Amazon

you can purchase to protect your

Reaching out to the customer to gauge

companies have made shopping easy

business,

and

who they are and what they need the

and convenient; you don't even have to

monitor your transactions. Many major

product for can be a good way to find out

leave your house to pick up a package.

banks or payment systems integrate

if they're a real customer. Douglas said

Amazon delivered roughly 5 billion

fraud detection technology into their

she often reaches out to customers who

packages via Prime in 2017.

platforms. Douglas said she uses PayPal

place suspicious orders and asks if they

and Stride's detection software during

can provide a phone number for delivery

transactions.

or if they need a gift receipt.

immediacy," Dietrich said. "When you

While these systems are helpful, nothing

Bottom line

have frictionless and immediacy, that

is guaranteed. If you're running a small

Fraud is hard to detect and requires

means [when it comes to] the capability

business operation, it may still be in your

diligence and constant monitoring. If

to question and scrutinize things that

power to analyze and review each

you're running a small business and can

don't look right, your time is limited."

transaction – or a group of transactions

manage to monitor and review certain

prone to fraud – to ensure your business

orders of specific products, then regular

These behaviors establish a playing field

is safe. Douglas has been doing that

monitoring is your best bet. If you're

for fraudsters that's ripe with opportunity

since she saw the spike in fraudulent

running a larger business, consider

for theft, but fraudsters succeed because

orders. If

you're

of our own bad online habits. Keeper, a

operation

where

password management firm, analyzed passwords from the public data breaches

third-party software may be your best

revenue. While fraud has become a

last year and found that most people's

option.

prevalent crime, guarding against it can

and

"Consumers

other

online

expect

delivery

frictionless

guard

against

fraud

[e-commerce systems] – they want

a

bigger

implementing a fraud protection service.

analyzing

each

Dietrich said you should think about how

transaction is out of the question,

it stacks up relative to your business's

running

be a tough task.

passwords were predictable, to say the and

If you do decide to monitor your own

"123123" are all in the top 10. And when

transactions, look for these signs that an

"There really is an art and a science

hackers crack a password, they often

order could be from a fraudster instead of

when deploying a sophisticated fraud

have access to multiple accounts. Using

an actual customer.

solution at a large scale," Dietrich said.

least:

48

"123456,"

"password"

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MBE BUSINESS MAGAZINE MAY 2018

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WHERE BENEFITS MEET REWARD

50

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YOUR SUCCESS IS OUR PASSION

B U S I N E S S PA RT N E R S

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is a board member of Interact payment Associations

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51

How Much Should You Charge For Freelance Work?

Deciding how much your time and skills

may want to look at how much you

freelance content creator and editor. "For

are worth is a challenging task for many

currently make, or at comparative wages

example, if you wanted to make $200 per

freelancers. If you set your prices too low,

on websites such as Glassdoor and

day, and you know that a project will take

you could miss out on some hard-earned

Salary.com.

you two days to [complete], you'll need to

cash, while charging too much could deter business.

charge $400."

After you figure out how much you want to make annually, you can calculate how

However, when you're just starting out,

A lot of factors go into deciding how much

much you need to make per month or day

there will be times when you just don't

to charge, such as what type of work the

to reach that goal. To help with the

know what to charge for a project – and

project requires, how much time you'll

numbers, you can use freelance hourly

that's OK. Before you blindly send an

dedicate to it and how much experience

rate calculators.

estimate, here are some key factors you

you have.

should consider and tips for setting your "I price based on what I want my daily

52

Courtesy: SAIGE DRIVER

prices.

The first thing you should decide is how

income to be, which requires having a

much money you want or need to make

good sense of how much time a given

Set rates based on your experience.

annually. To come up with this figure, you

project will take," said Katharine Paljug, a

Most employees can expect raises

W W W. M B E F O RYO U. C O M

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W W W. FAC E B O O K . C O M / M B E F O RYO U 7

MBE BUSINESS MAGAZINE MAY 2018

periodically. The same should be said for

money because I become a better and

freelancers.

more efficient writer."

"I increase my rates every year," said

It's also important to note that hourly pay

she said. "If they need next-day delivery,

Paljug. "I think experience plays a huge

can vary greatly depending on the project

that's an extra 100 percent, because I

part in how I value my work; I'm much

scope, so charging per project can make

have

more confident pitching higher rates now

payment more consistent for both you

schedule to accommodate for that."

than I was when I first started out."

and the client.

"If a client needs rush delivery, that's an extra 50 percent on top of the base fee,"

to

completely

rearrange

my

You'll also want to consider any expenses

Consider charging per project.

"Certain stories require more research,

you may incur during a project, and add

Danielle Corcione, freelance journalist

while others are about topics I'm well

that in before giving a client an estimate.

and founder of The Millennial Freelancer,

versed in already," said Corcione.

Consult with other freelancers.

and Paljug both recommend charging per project. When you charge per project

Factor in taxes.

If you aren't sure what to charge, ask

rather than per word or hour, you typically

When you're self-employed, your income

around. There are a lot of resources for

make more money and aren't penalized

usually isn't taxed until you file for taxes.

freelancers, such as Facebook groups.

for working more efficiently. At the end of

It's wise to set aside part of your income

the day, clients care most about the

for tax season. When you are deciding on

"I usually consult with other freelancers

quality of your work.

the price of a project, be sure to consider

as to what I'm charged to get an idea, but

the taxes you'll eventually have to pay.

I take into account how much time and energy it takes for me to complete a task,

"I think it's easier on clients to know exactly what they are paying upfront,"

Charge extra fees when necessary.

as well as how much income I need to

Paljug told Business News Daily. "Pricing

Paljug says she adds extra charges to

make ends meet financially," Corcione

per project also ensures that I don't lose

her base rate for special circumstances.

said.

MBE BUSINESS MAGAZINE MAY 2018

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53

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1-866-667-1377 104-100 Dynamic Drive, Toronto ON M1V 5C4 1-866-204-6888 info@mbeforyou.com W W W. M B E F O R YO U . CO M 54

How to Manage Your Money As A Freelancer

Courtesy: ADAM C. UZIALKO

It is a fact of life for freelancers that

News

income ebbs and flows. Unfortunately,

freelancers and personal finance experts

credit

this often means it can be difficult to plan

about what it takes to manage your

balances low so you can borrow on the

ahead,

money with an uncertain income. Here's

cards during lean times, but be sure to

what they had to say.

pay them off completely during flush

and

freelancers

might

find

themselves running thin when work is not

Daily

spoke

with

successful

abundant.

Tips from the HouseSit Diva." "Keep your score

high

and

credit

card

times."

"Freelancers must be extra money-savvy,

1. Establish a reserve liquidity fund and manage your credit.

By adeptly managing a liquid reserves

as they aren't guaranteed a minimum

It's important to make sure your savings

fund and available credit, freelancers can

amount of cash," said Chelsea Hudson,

are not only robust, but also accessible

easily

senior

public

relations

officer

weather

the

storm

of

slow

at

for when money gets tight. Relying on

business cycles while waiting for things

TopCashback. "Aside from tracking your

income alone, or savings that are

to pick up again. Ideally, credit should be

spending, cut cost by eliminating wants,

inflexible and hard to access, could leave

used as a backup to the reserves fund;

and only focus on your crucial living

freelancers without a reserve pool to

that way, you won't be borrowing to

expenses."

draw from if the pace of work slows

maintain your standard of living. Instead,

down.

aim to put away additional cash in your

Statistics show that the gig economy is

reserves fund while business is booming.

growing, which includes freelancers and

"Sock away what you can for the lean

It's wise to hold your reserves separately

independent contractors. For this group,

months and keep your savings fairly

from your long-term savings as well.

managing funds and maintaining a

liquid," said Kelly Hayes-Raitt, author of

healthy reserve is essential. Business

"How to Become a Housesitter: Insider

MBE BUSINESS MAGAZINE MAY 2018

W W W. M B E F O RYO U. C O M

"As a freelancer, having a strong savings

|

W W W. FAC E B O O K . C O M / M B E F O RYO U 7

55

cover

make sure you stay on top of your

said, sometimes finding another job on

unexpected expenses and large tax

cash-flow situation. Without a constantly

the side could provide an infusion of

bills," Hudson said. "The best way to save

evolving understanding of your finances

cash,

as a freelancer is by setting aside 10 to

and expectations, it will be impossible to

experience that boosts the effectiveness

15 percent of your average income

manage your expenses and savings

of your freelancing work.

toward your emergency fund."

successfully.

"Create multiple streams of income," said

account

is

crucial

to

help

as

well

as

some

valuable

Michel Valbrun, founder of the Valbrun

2. Keep your lifestyle expenses down.

"It's all about planning. Specifically, as a

Consulting Group. "Sometimes you have

freelancer, you have to be acutely aware

to bite the bullet and just pick up another

There's nothing wrong with living a little

of your budget and spending habits," said

job. I wouldn’t recommend picking up any

when business allows, but living your

Neel Somani, owner of freelancing

job, but find a job that may be

best life doesn't mean spending the most

company Apptic.

complementary to your business. For example, if you are a financial planner,

money. You can prepare delightful meals for yourself or enjoy wonderful outings

To ensure more regular cash flow, you

picking up a tax job on the side is worth

that don't break the bank and allow you to

can negotiate with your clients ahead of

considering."

save more, in good and bad times alike.

time and require a deposit before work begins. Somani said it is common for

Not only will working in a complementary

"Find ways to do things or buy things

freelancers to be shorted or ripped off

position help shore up your finances in a

without spending a fortune," said Marilyn

entirely by unscrupulous clients, and a

tight spot, but it will contribute to your

Anderson, author of "How to Live Like a

deposit

partial

personal and professional growth as an

Millionaire When You're a Million Short."

payments. It also provides more liquidity,

expert in your industry. Besides, it never

"Don't buy something for full price when

increasing your latitude to plan and

hurts to pad the resume when you're

you can find it cheaper. Comparative

spend on priorities.

trying to sell your freelance services to

secures

at

least

new clients.

shop. Wait until things go on sale. Ask stores if they price-match. Negotiate."

"Break your payments down into smaller, more frequent chunks," Somani said.

For freelancers, properly managing your

Anderson offered a slew of other tips

"For example, I typically have clients pay

money really comes down to knowing

from her book, including purchasing

me half of the total amount before I start

your cash flow, managing your expenses,

home decor and clothes from thrift

the work, and half afterward. I can

planning

stores, minimizing the things you own by

imagine some freelancers break it down

alternative revenue streams. If you're

buying and selling regularly, and renting

even further."

able to stay flexible, then it should be no

ahead

and

developing

trouble making it through the leaner

items when you only need access to

4. Don't be afraid to ďŹ nd additional work.

times. Maintaining these best practices

3. Put pen to paper ahead of time.

Part of the attraction of freelancing is the

become even more successful in working

When your income isn't fixed, it's

freedom it gives you to make your own

for yourself.

important to regularly plan and replan to

schedule and be your own boss. That

them for a short time.

when business is booming will help you

Bangles Bell

6055 Steeles Ave E, Sacarborough, ON, M1X 0A7 PH: (647) 947-2864

56

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Smart Tips For Quitting Your Job

Courtesy:

BY JENNIFER POST

thinking about leaving and accounting for

Review documents

all pros and cons can help you make

Upon exit from your current job, make

better decisions moving forward. It's ideal

sure

to look at every job as a learning

documents that may prevent you from

experience or stepping stone to the next

working from another employer of your

opportunity.

choice in the future. The last thing you'd

Taking a look back at the job you are

that

your

you

employment

haven't

signed

any

want after quitting a job is to get into a legal battle over a non-compete clause you forgot you signed at a previous job.

Smart exit Quitting a job is never easy. It can be nerve-wrecking walking into your boss's office to deliver the news. While the following tips for quitting your job in a smart way won't take the nerves away, at least you know you've done everything you can to leave your current position the right way, and that will light the path to your future employer in more ways than one. Keep reading for tips for a smart exit from your job.

Save up If you don't have another job lined up before quitting your current one, make sure you have enough savings to get you through a few months of living expenses in case the next job opportunity doesn't come along right away. Even if you do have something lined up, it may take some time for your first paycheck and/or benefits to kick in, so having some extra savings as a safety net is a good idea.

Do a quick audit

Plan to stay at least two weeks after resigning A good way to ensure that you're leaving a job on positive terms is to give as much notice as possible. The standard is two weeks, but it can be more than that. For instance, if you know you want to leave in two months, give that much notice. This way

you

can

help

onboard

replacement and leave a good

58

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MBE BUSINESS MAGAZINE MAY 2018

your

impression with your former employer.

Tell your direct supervisor first Word travels fast. If you start talking about leaving your job to coworkers and work friends, it may get to your boss before

you're

ready

to

make

the

announcement. You want this news coming directly from you to prevent any hard feeling upon your exit, especially if you have a close relationship with your boss.

leaving in good faith and keep doors

important to still do your job to the best of

open for the future.

your ability. You want to leave this position knowing that you worked hard right up

Don't slack off

until the end, and that usually doesn't go

Once you've given your notice, it's

unnoticed.

Be direct, but diplomatic Your boss may ask why you're leaving, and it's perfectly acceptable to tell them it's for better pay, better benefits, or just a better career opportunity in general.

While it's OK to voice concerns you had in your current position, stay away from criticizing the company when giving your notice. If you can't frame it in a neutral, diplomatic way, it's best not to get into the specifics. And remember, you are not obligated to tell your boss where you're going unless it violates a non-compete clause.

Keep your resignation letter positive Even if you're unhappy with your current employer, you must have enjoyed some part of your position. When you write your formal resignation letter – which many employers require for HR documentation – try to express some of these positive sentiments. It will show that you are

MBE BUSINESS MAGAZINE MAY 2018

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Cash Flow Management: Techniques And Tools

Courtesy: SAIGE DRIVER

Tracking and understanding cash flow is

opportunities that may arise," said Div

Projecting cash flow

vital for any business. You need to know

Bhansali, vice president of marketing at

Determining when you'll receive and

how the amount of money you bring into

AccountantsWorld.

need to spend money is part of the

your business compares to the amount

budgeting

process.

To

successfully

going out. If you're spending more than

Cash flow management terms

you're earning, you need to make

To help you better understand cash flow,

at their prior year's numbers as a basis of

changes to avoid going out of business.

here are a few key terms you'll want to be

cash flow for the following year. Then,

familiar with.

adjust for anticipated changes, such as

"Put simply, cash flow is the money that

•

new pricing, more personnel and funding

will be coming in and going out of the

business owes its suppliers.

'register,'" said Ron Pac, financial planner

• Accounts receivable: The money your

at

customers owe.

As the year unfolds, you should update

means

• Terms of payment: The conditions of

your cash flow projections to accurately

understanding upcoming expenses and

invoice payment, including the time given

reflect developments in expenses and

comparing

to pay and frequency of payment.

profits. Comparing budgeted cash flows

receivable as well as projected future

•

to actual deposits and expenditures will

sales."

business is consuming available cash.

the

Barnum

Group."Managing them

cash

Financial flow

against

accounts

Accounts payable: The money a

Burn rate: The rate at which your

project cash flow, organizations can look

sources.

help you predict cash flow later.

This is especially important for startups It's important to regularly track the

or businesses that are operating at a

Another strategy is adding up cash you

movement of funds in and out of your

loss.

already have with the cash you plan to

organization to identify where your

• Negative cash flow: The cash leaving

receive and when you plan to receive the

business is from a financial standpoint

your business is greater than incoming

cash. After you have that number, add up

and where it will be in several months.

cash.

how much you plan to spend of that

• Positive cash flow: The cash coming

money.

"Cash gives our business power – the

into your business is more than the

power to hire the best talent, purchasing

money you're spending.

Even the most successful organizations

power for the goods and services we

• Shortfall: A deficit of expected income

find their forecasts change on a regular

need to grow to take advantage of new

or profits.

basis. That's why it's important to regularly monitor your cash flow.

There is a wide selection of tools and software

that

make

tracking

your

business's money easy. If you're not interested

in

taking

the

time

to

understand the software, you may want to work regularly with a professional accountant.

MBE BUSINESS MAGAZINE MAY 2018

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61

What is Geofencing?

Courtesy: MATT D'ANGELO

Smartphones never leave our sides, and

can be leveraged by businesses of all

IP addresses with cellular and GPS data

maybe they shouldn't – they've made life

sizes.

included.

How does it work?

Location-based advertising

vastly more convenient. But they've also begun

to

act

processes

like

location-based looking

as

to

beacons,

where

geofencing

send

data

leverage

to

companies

information

on

segments of users.

Geofencing

is

combines

a

technology

device-level

that

Geofencing

has

excelled

in

the

address

location-based advertising space, and

interaction with GPS data and cellular

there are a host of applications. Cudd

network data. Marcus Cudd is the

said, for example, that businesses can

president

digital

set up geofences around a competitor

understanding

marketing for SearchworxX, a company

and be alerted when a customer enters

real-world consumer behavior is critical

that specializes in digital marketing and

that area. Depending on the specific

in

offers

business

"We

believe brands

that

being

able

to

engage

and

IP

director

location-based

of

advertising

case,

you

send

a

coupon

a

push

consumers in a timely, relevant way," said

services. He said that geofencing and

notification

Gil Larsen, vice president of Americas at

location-based advertising is supported

advertisement for your service in their

Blis, a marketing technology company

by the way devices interact with the IP

phone's web browser.

that offers location-based data services.

addresses around it.

"The more you know about a consumer,

with

or

an

This kind of active geofencing provides

based on what they're doing in the real

Our devices have device addresses, and

businesses with another route to connect

world, the more relevant you can make

when they interact with various routers or

with customers. The power behind this

the advertisement. And the more relevant

other hardline connections, our device

technology,

the messaging, the more likely it is for

address is registered at that IP address

gathering: Instead of bombarding users

that consumer to engage."

and vice versa. This, combined with our

with push notifications or text messages

however,

lies

in

data

cellular devices pinging cellphone towers

when they enter a place, geofences can

Geofencing allows businesses to set up

every

data

be set up to better understand consumer

specific zones to gather data on users. It

specialists to locate a device and thus a

behavior. Larsen provided the example of

involves dropping points on a map to

user or consumer.

a person shopping for a car.

or circle – that designates a specific

"That cellphone is going to be pinging the

A car is a big purchase that requires a lot

zone. When a user, whether that be a

tower, and when it pings the tower, the

of thought and attention. A banner ad or

customer, truck driver or drone, enters

networks are able to pick up where that

push notification while a customer is in a

that

receives

person is located within that polygon and

store may not make a lasting impression.

information on that user; even if it's only

that person is essentially added to an

Larsen said instead it may be a good

that they've arrived.

audience that you can target at any point

strategy to wait a few days until that

in time," Cudd said.

customer is at home and serve an ad on

few

minutes,

allows

form a shape – usually a square, polygon

area,

a

business

The idea of businesses, or employers,

smartphone,

tablet

or

home

There are a few kinds of geofencing, and

violation of privacy, but all this technology

details on how all the technology works is

operates within the confines of modern

highly technical and complicated. As a

"We want to be able to target them, not

privacy

business

laws.

Geofencing

and

to

only to identify who the right consumer is

understand that, at its base, geofencing

based on their device pattern, but what's

tremendously powerful technology that

involves interaction between devices and

the right moment and what's the right

data

gathering

W W W. M B E F O RYO U. C O M

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owner,

W W W. FAC E B O O K . C O M / M B E F O RYO U 7

it's

important

computer.

a

location-based

62

their

"tracking" relevant users may sound like

MBE BUSINESS MAGAZINE MAY 2018

device to reach them," he said.

offers is one that shows the power

Bottom line

Cudd elaborated about this potential.

geofencing provides outside of the

Depending on the type of business you

SearchworxX

location-based marketing industry.

own, geofencing may be a technology

has

clients

in

higher

education that like to market their

worth considering. There are some

graduate programs to undergraduates at

Privacy

"feeder schools," or popular schools that

Beth Fulkerson, a partner at Culhane

drone videography, but there are several

produce

Meadows PLLC who specializes in

others as well. If you're interested in

particular graduate program at another

internet

and

adding geofencing to your marketing

university. Cudd said that some schools

trademark law, said it's important for

strategy, it's important to approach it from

elect to add users to an audience bank

businesses

the right perspective.

and market advertisements later.

privacy when using this technology. She

students

qualified

for

a

current applications in advertising and

advertising, to

copyright,

respect

consumers'

said businesses should always obtain

Cudd said businesses should consider

"You can start showing them ads when

user permission before collecting data

outsourcing their marketing strategy and

they're not in school, you can start

and should only collect data that's

operations

showing them ads when they're in school

needed

marketer to ensure that the best data is

… They don't have to necessarily be in

being

to

a

analyzed

third-party and

digital

leveraged

by

the polygon to start seeing your ads," he

"The basic rule is that companies should

professionals. "The reason you really

said.

be very careful to always consider

need an agency who does this stuff

privacy when they design any kind of

professionally is because they're going to

product or service – the FTC now

be using this stuff every day, they

requires that," she said. "The two

understand

sectors as well. Some construction fleets

concepts

understand how to track it and give you

that use GPS fleet tracking software, for

transparency

example, can set up a geofence around a

affirmative expressed consent before you

worksite and get an alert when a driver

take somebody's location information."

Other industries Geofencing

has

appeared

in

other

now

are

consent

… You

need

plus

to

get

enters the worksite. This can help with compliance

standards

and

ensure

other

clients,

and

they

the result," he said.

Larsen said that businesses can benefit from a strategic partnership, but Blis also

This comes in the form of a user opting in

provides a platform for business owners

to GPS services on your app, or opting in

to collect and analyze data on their own.

to

their

He said that building this type of

In addition, geofencing has emerged as a

smartphone's settings. Users can limit

technology into an overall marketing

unique

drone

location-based advertising data, which is

strategy can help pinpoint the right

a

an option that can also be toggled in the

customers with relevant ads.

employee honesty about job length.

software

businesses.

element

to

DroneBase,

California-based drone images company that

supports

surveying

and

professional

location-based

services

in

settings panel.

worksite

photographing,

uses

"It's just reinforcing what you're currently the

doing, but it's doing it in a more targeted

geofencing to keep its drones in a

location-based advertising his company

way and speaking to people in a more

worksite when they're on autopilot.

does complies with privacy laws. This is

relevant way on their most personal

because the companies are operating

device,

"The geofence, in essence, is the

with data and information delivered on a

smartphone or a tablet," he said.

boundary of the area it's going to fly [in],

device level – they don't gather data

and the drone will programmatically

directly from individual users, instead

One thing to watch out for, regardless if

autopilot flying back and forth around it,"

targeting devices in market segments

you use geofencing or location-based

said Nick Osgood, head of operations for

and

whole

technology, is the prevalence of bad data

DroneBase. Osgood said that the FAA

segments. It's easier to understand

in the market – especially in the

and

use

geofencing when you view it from a

marketing and advertising industries.

geofences to keep drones and other

one-on-one marketing experience, but

Larsen said that business owners should

aircraft out of important areas, like

businesses actually market to whole

be wary of all data, and should talk with

airports or stadiums.

groups of users and do not directly target

agencies and vendors about how they

one person or one device.

scrub their data to make sure it's

other

regulatory

agencies

Larsen

made

advertising

it

clear

to

that

those

The autopilot feature that DroneBase

MBE BUSINESS MAGAZINE MAY 2018

which

is

typically

their

accurate.

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63

How To Take Better Photos For Your Website

Courtesy: ANDREAS RIVERA,

Good photos on your website are

Lighting

essential to draw in users, to keep them

Professionals will tell you one of the most

clicking and interested in your business.

important parts of composing a good

People can easily spot amateurish

photo

photos

how

professionals will also tell you to turn your

unprofessional it makes your website

camera's flash off, as it creates harsh

look, prompting them to look elsewhere.

light and glares. Natural light or window

Better photos that look professionally

light is preferable. Placing your subject in

Without simple background (left); with

shot can make your website more

a shaded spot to ensure it's not

background (right)

attractive and make your business look

overexposed but still well lit can make all

more competent. Whether they're photos

the difference. If you need more light,

Backgrounds

of your products, your place of work or

there are lots of inexpensive light sources

What's behind your subject can be just as

your staff members, competently shot

you can use, such as a simple runner's

important as what it is. A photo taken in

photos make a big difference.

light or a small, mountable LED. This will

the middle of a cluttered room can

eliminate

your

distract from the subject and just look

You don't have to become or hire a

pictures come out cleaner and crisper.

sloppy. There are a few things to remedy

professional photographer or to buy

Your camera likely has an exposure

this, depending on the context of your

expensive

shoot

slider, so tamper with it until your subject

photo. Simple backgrounds that contrast

Most

is clear and not overlit.

with your subject are best and make your

and

be

put

equipment

professional-looking modern

off

by

to

photos.

smartphone

cameras

is

lighting.

shadows

Those

and

make

same

are

subjects pop out. If you don't have a

capable of capturing high-quality photos

White balance

good-looking plain wall, this is where

that are more than good enough to

In the same realm as lighting is white

your cardstock or sheets come in handy.

publish on your website. Keep a few basic

balance. This is a feature that most digital

If you want to add a bit more style to your

techniques in mind while just using your

cameras have to accurately capture

photos, then it's best to take a photo of

smartphone or point-and-shoot camera

colors in different lighting situations. The

your subject in their natural environment.

to make huge improvements to your

easiest way to tell if a photo's white

Pictures of your outdoor gear will look

photos.

balance is off is if something white

best in an outdoors setting. A staff photo

appears yellowish or the same hue as the

of your IT team might be best taken in the

light. Digital cameras and phones may

server room.

have presets for shooting in different

Two ways the rule of thirds can be

lighting situations such as fluorescent,

applied

tungsten, daylight or overcast. You can manually adjust your white balance by placing a white sheet of paper directly in front of the camera so it can tell what's

64

The basics

supposed to be white and compensate

With flash (left); without flash (right)

for other colors from there.

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MBE BUSINESS MAGAZINE MAY 2018

Rule of thirds

more. Also, it's important to resize the

as ones that show the product being

Imagine a 3-by-3 grid overlaid on your

photos to better fit on your website. There

used or in its regular environment, all with

camera's viewfinder. You may not need to

are

inexpensive

ideal lighting and framing, will come off

imagine this, because there's usually an

programs for your computer, including

much more professional than just a quick

option to turn that on. This is because the

GIMP and Pixlr, and mobile apps such as

snapshot.

rule of thirds is a basic principle of

Afterlight.

photography. It means that, if you want to

plenty

of

free

or

Food

take dynamic and interesting photos,

Other quick tips

In the same vein as product photos,

then you don't want your subject dead

•

Shoot a lot: Don't ever take just

restaurants, cafes and bars will want to

center of your photo. Instead, frame your

one photo and think it's just "good

take shots of their food and drink

subject to the side, taking up two-thirds of

enough." Change up your angle, framing

offerings where they're served – at the

the space, leaving the remaining space

and lighting. You can choose the winning

table. Garnish your plates for the best

empty. Another technique is putting your

photo afterward.

presentation, but don't exaggerate what

subject on one of the points where the

•

Find lines and frames: A bit of

the actual plate is. Sometimes overhead

grid intersects. This works because it

an advanced photo technique, finding

shots can be good to fully capture what

makes the photo a bit more natural to

natural lines and frames that will lead the

comes on a plate.

look at, due to the way we look at photos,

viewer's eyes to your subject takes a practiced eye.

Headshots

•

SEO: Don't forget about your

Profile shots of you and your team puts a

photos' metadata. Your photo's title and

face to your company and services, so

caption will affect your website's standing

think of marking a staff picture day on the

on search engines, so don't just go with

calendar. Framing for headshots is

the default title of IMG_482951.

especially important, as is the rule of

•

Break the rules: The basic rules

thirds. A good rule of thumb is to make

laid out above aren't set in stone. If you

sure your subject's eyes are right on the

want

different

line between the top and middle thirds of

than something centered.

approach to your photos, don't be afraid

to

take

a

creative,

the frame. A profile with the head right in

With digital zoom (left); up close, without

to do it if you think it visually looks better.

the middle makes for a lot of empty space above their head.

zoom (right)

Use cases for business

Zoom

You likely need some specific types of

Photos of your business

Time to get up close and personal with

photos for your website. Most of the rules

Putting a photo of your storefront online

your subject – and not with your camera's

above apply; however, here are a few use

can help customers find and recognize

digital zoom, which diminishes the quality

cases to help you get the most out of your

your location. When you're taking photos

of your photo. Every camera comes with

photos.

outdoors, remember the best time for

a built-in zoom function: It's called your

natural lighting is one hour after sunrise

legs. Depending on what you're shooting,

Product photos

or one hour before sunset. When the sun

get in close so you can capture the

There are several ways to take photos of

is

textures and details of your subject in

your products, and it all depends on

outdoor photos tend to be overexposed

high quality.

where

For

with prominent shadows. Taking photos

straightforward product photos you plan

of the inside of your business will give

Post

to post to online stores such as Amazon,

customers a sneak peek of what you do

Time

with

a white backdrop works best, since those

and how you do it. Candid photos of your

photo-editing software. These programs

sites' backgrounds are usually white. A

team doing their jobs are easy to capture

may

they're

white light box combined with a decent

as long as your lighting is well set up and

essential for putting the final touches on

light makes this easy. However, on your

you follow the other basic rules.

your photos. One basic thing you can do

own website, you'll likely want to show off

is crop the photo to better apply the rule

your product in more depth with multiple

of thirds. You can adjust brightness and

candid photos. A variety of shots of the

contrast to make your photos pop a bit

product against a plain backdrop, as well

to seem

familiarize

yourself

intimidating,

but

MBE BUSINESS MAGAZINE MAY 2018

you're

posting

them.

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MBE BUSINESS MAGAZINE MAY 2018

5 Simple Scientific Ways to Be More Productive

Courtesy: ADAM C. UZIALKO

more per night, experienced better sleep quality and reported higher quality of life scores

than

those

who

did

not.

Employees working in windowless offices reported more sleep disturbances and daytime dysfunction. This is because the lack of natural light can disrupt your body's circadian rhythms and even cause seasonal affective disorder.

If your office or cubicle doesn't have a window nearby, you can purchase light boxes or therapy lamps that mimic natural outdoor light.

Decorate with the right colors It might seem minor, but decorating and A business only runs as well as its employees, but, unfortunately, it's easy for people to become stressed or sidetracked. Luckily, science can help you conquer some of the influences that make your employees feel sluggish and help them perform at peak capacity.

Whether it's small details like interior design and color or workflow processes like when and how employees take breaks, organizing the workplace has a lot to do with the overall productivity of your employees. Some of it depends on their personal behaviors, but much of it depends on the workplace environment you, as an employer, provide.

Here are five simple, proven ways to increase productivity in the workplace.

MBE BUSINESS MAGAZINE MAY 2018

painting with the right colors can make all

Let in natural light Let the sunshine in. Employers can boost productivity in the workplace by ensuring their employees are exposed to plenty of natural light throughout the day. This is especially important for employees who find themselves in an office every day, stuck at a desk beneath the glow of fluorescent lights.

the difference. A splash of color instead of all white or off-white walls could brighten

the

atmosphere

and

psychologically spur your employees on, even if they don't realize it.

A University of Texas study that looked at the impact of color on productivity found that white walls are bad for productivity

Research from the Interdepartmental Neuroscience

program

Northwestern

University

at

Chicago's

shows

that

employees who worked in offices with windows were exposed to 173 percent more white light than those who worked in windowless offices, according to Psychology Today. The study also found that employees working in windowed offices slept an average of 46 minutes

W W W. M B E F O RYO U. C O M

and quality of work. The study tested three groups of people by having them work in three different colored rooms – red, aqua and white. Subjects made more errors in the white room than in the other colored rooms, Fast Company reported.

"White doesn't help us be productive, and most work environments are white,

|

W W W. FAC E B O O K . C O M / M B E F O RYO U 7

69

off-white or gray," said researcher Nancy

And a study from Hiroshima University

Take breaks together

Kwallek, noting that shades of blue or

found that the combination was the most

Breaks aren't just important from a

blue-green seem to be the best choices

effective for increasing performance, with

compliance standpoint, they're essential

for an office color scheme.

the effects lasting for about an hour upon

to boosting productivity as well. And, as it

waking up. So, employers, you may want

turns out, taking a break with your

to invest in a nap room.

co-workers can have a huge, positive

Another study by the University of British Columbia found that red can increase performance

in

employees

with

impact on your performance, as opposed

Try new seating arrangements

to taking your breaks alone.

detail-oriented assignments, while blue is

You never know what kind of innovation

calming and promotes creativity and

and refreshment a simple change of

When co-workers take their breaks

communication. Green is also great for

seating could lead to. Changing where

together, it often decreases stress and

inspiring

innovation;

your employees sit can boost creativity

leads to an increase in productivity as a

however, yellow can cause anxiety and

and productivity, according to Christian

result, according to a study conducted by

frustration, and gray can lead to energy

Catalini,

the

Humanyze

loss and depression.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology's

Solutions),

Sloan School of Management. Catalini

Try taking 'coffee naps'

management services business. The

told the Wall Street Journal that grouping

study, which tracked employees at a

You might be asking yourself "What is a

workers together by department can

Bank of America call center for three

coffee nap?" It's exactly what it sounds

foster focus and efficiency, but mixing

months, found a 15 to 20 percent bump in

like. A coffee nap is a 15- to 20-minute

them up can also lead to innovation.

productivity, a decrease in turnover (from

creativity

and

assistant

professor

at

snooze session that follows a cup of

Sociometric

Massachusetts-based

40 to 12 percent,) and a 19 percent drop

coffee. It might seem like dosing up with

Sigal

of

in stress levels among employees who

caffeine just to take a nap defeats the

Pennsylvania management professor,

were allowed to take breaks together.

purpose, but there's a scientific reason

said

These

as to why coffee naps make us bounce

actually be contagious, so grouping

employees the opportunity to let off

back more productive than before.

people based on their temperament can

steam and share tips about customer

really have an impact on a company's

service, Phys.org reported.

Drinking a cup of coffee and then taking a

Barsade, that

a

workers'

University dispositions

can

communal

breaks

gave

work environment.

nap is helpful for a few reasons,

Ben Waber, the co-founder and president

according to Vox. Caffeine works by

"People literally catch emotions from one

of Humanyze, told Phys.org that changes

blocking

of

another like a virus," Barsade said,

like this can produce, on average, a 20

adenosine make you feel tired) in the

adding that if you want to cheer up a

percent boost in employee satisfaction

brain to keep you awake, but it can't block

stressed-out employee, grouping that

and productivity as well as a similar

adenosine from all your brain's receptors.

worker

decrease in turnover.

That's where the nap comes in, as sleep

employees is the best strategy.

adenosine

(high

levels

with

cheerful,

energetic

also naturally clears adenosine from the

70

(formerly a

So whether it means redecorating the

brain. Napping for 15 to 20 minutes

The Wall Street Journal also reported on

office a bit or allowing employees the

ensures that you'll get a little rest without

several

falling into a deep sleep, and you'll wake

experimented

up just in time for the caffeine to start

arrangements and have seen interesting

scientific

kicking in (with less adenosine in the

results. Representatives from HubSpot

productivity of their workplace. Offering

way.)

found that grouping their executives

nap rooms or multiple out-of-office

together made employees feel like they

breaks isn't just nice, it's scientifically

A study from the Sleep Research

were too far removed from the company,

proven to make your business run more

Laboratory at Loughborough University

for

Kayak.com's

efficiently, reduce turnover and keep your

in England found that the combination of

co-founder Paul English found that

employees more productive for longer

caffeine and a short nap was more

placing new hires in specific areas based

periods of time.

effective in combatting drowsiness and

on their personalities and work habits

driving impairments than caffeine or naps

could really change the dynamic of

alone, Vox reported.

different groups in the office.

W W W. M B E F O RYO U. C O M

|

companies with

example.

W W W. FAC E B O O K . C O M / M B E F O RYO U 7

that

have

space for mid-day socializing or coffee

different

seating

naps, employers can leverage these

And

findings

to

improve

MBE BUSINESS MAGAZINE MAY 2018

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