Focus Manifesto

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What Are The Main Reasons Why One Should Opt For Professional Indemnity Insurance

Starting off a business is not an easy task to ace. There are a lot things that one should consider when they are planning of a new venture. From getting the business idea to deciding the customer market, an entrepreneur must make sure to leave no stones unturned in order to get a successful business underway. However, even after tons of hard work and planning, businesses often fail to stay on course. One of the main reasons behind this is not considering insurance for their businesses. There are a number of different reasons why organizations should opt for insurance in order to protect their business

Claims of negligence, professional misconduct, and malpractice: Irrespective of the business venture you are in, every business will require you to be professional. Every job requires you to stay on track and work with a decent level of professionalism. In case any thing goes wrong on your end due to carelessness or negligence, you and your business will be held responsible for any mishap. Similarly, in case you’re a medical specialist or a doctor, then it is highly recommended that you get yourself insured as any wrong judgment from your end will hold you liable.

Maintaining a professional standard: Even if you are in a business that is currently under operation, maintaining your reputation as a respectable business is extremely important. If your business has been involved in several legal claims against your organization, it would not give out a very decent image of your business. Hence, it is advisable that you have your business covered with insurance to get rid of any claims made against you.

Protection against third party claims: This is a very important case if you are constantly in contact with customers or third parties. For all those service providing businesses, this can be a huge relief as multiple cases have emerged of businesses being accused of injuring a third party while providing services. Not only this, but businesses that operate in the client’s area are often under the risk of being accused of property damage. In case the third party does file a complaint against your business, there are high chances that your business will suffer serious financial damages. Regular visits to the court and several other financial losses would be a huge damage to the business’ reputation. However, in case the business is insured, then they would not have to worry much. This is because they will not have to pay any cost whether they are found responsible of the injury or not. The insurance will cover their costs and they will be left with no trouble.

Although these insurance policies are seen as extremely expensive initially, they turn out to be very beneficial in the longer run. They might seem to be a burden in the shorter run, but they help businesses recover a lot of costs in the longer run. Hence, businesses should always opt for availing insurance as it is an ideal way of recovering from any potential losses. You can get a professional indemnity insurance quote with iSelect too.

To read more on topics like this, check out the business category.

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Should I Give My Dog Taurine? Why Your Dog May Need Supplements

Did you know that certain breeds of dog are susceptible to dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM)? If you have one of these breeds, here’s what you need to know about taurine deficiency.

Your beautiful, rambunctious American cocker spaniel isn’t looking like themselves lately. They’re not interested in playing, and the prospect of going for walks doesn’t fill them with abject joy. What’s wrong?

They could be suffering from DCM brought on by lack of taurine.

What’s taurine, and why does my dog need it?

Taurine is one of a group of essential amino acids typically produced within the body. It is responsible for the healthy support of the brain, muscles, eyes, and heart. While most dogs synthesize taurine on their own and do not require supplementation, certain dog breeds – including the American cocker spaniel – are unable to perform this function due to breeding defects. Other breeds that suffer from this condition include:

  • Golden retriever
  • Labrador retriever
  • Saint Bernard
  • Newfoundland
  • English setter

While taurine deficiency itself doesn’t present symptoms, it can lead to fairly serious health issues that do have symptoms. DCM is one such condition, and its symptoms include:

  • Difficulty breathing
  • Fainting
  • Fatigue after light activity
  • Reduced appetite
  • Heavy drooling
  • Coughing

If your dog shows any of these symptoms, they must be checked by a vet immediately, regardless of whether you believe they are predisposed to taurine deficiency. If your vet finds that they are suffering from lack of taurine, they may prescribe a diet program that delivers the appropriate amount of taurine for your dog based upon weight, size, and other health concerns. Zignature taurine rich formulas offer meat-first and all-natural ingredients designed to offer full nutritional support for a variety of dogs. However, talk to your vet before making any changes to your dog’s diet.

With fast intervention and the proper long-term care, your dog could go back to living their best life.

To read more on topics like this, check out the health category.

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Australian Consultant Luke Lazarus Gives His Opinion On Some Emerging Marketing Trends To Keep An Eye On

Australian based consultant Luke Lazarus has had a successful career using his insight to help companies expand and establish successful partnerships with other brands. Lazarus enjoys working with different businesses and brain storming a marketing plan to help them achieve success.

Luke Lazarus has noticed that marketing strategies are evolving. Several new trends have emerged based around SEO, PPC, and social media. Lazarus strives to stay at the forefront of emerging marketing trends to help give his clients the opportunity to achieve great success. Lazarus says that new trends in the marketplace can no longer be ignored. He says that companies should analyze the newest trends to help them potentially gain a competitive advantage. After researching the market, here is a look at the top emerging marketing trends according to Luke Lazarus.

Chatbots

The use of chatbots as a marketing tool continues to increase. Research has shown that billions of people interact with chatbots every year. This has caused more companies to implement chatbots as part of their marketing strategies. Implementing chatbots allows people to receive improved customer service. Lazarus also points out that businesses can enjoy a direct way to communicate with their clients. According to the data, customers are now more likely to use chatbots instead of sending an email.

Social Media Advertising

Many businesses are getting creative with the different ways that they use social media to interact with their customers. Billions of people use social media every day, which is why businesses are now looking to advertise there. Lazarus says that businesses should focus on providing customer lifetime value. Lazarus says that businesses who can attract customers who will support them over a long period of time are able to enjoy extended success.

Enhanced Content

The rise of interactive content on social media and different websites has given people the opportunity to view new areas. Marketers are now calculating new metrics. They are measuring the number of clicks and video completions. Virtual Reality helps give customers total control over their experience. The innovative technology has allowed companies to reach new audiences.

Increased Voice Search

Voice search is technology that helps people find information through speaking into a device. Many companies have taken note of the increasing popularity of voice search technology. Research has shown that voice search provides people with faster and more accurate results than search engines. The pressure is now on businesses to optimize their content. Companies who can produce appealing voice search SEO content will gain a competitive advantage.

Reliance On Predictions

Predictive analysis looks at current data to make suggestions on future trends. Companies rely on predictive analysis to look at customer behavior and figure out how to generate new leads. Lazarus believes that predictive analysis will be a huge asset for companies over the new few years.

The Rise Of Mobile Pay

Many consumers are now using their mobile device to make purchases instead of their credit card or cash. Thousands of dollars are exchanged through mobile payments every day. More than 500 million customers are projected to start using mobile payment providers over the next few years. Luke Lazarus points out that businesses who do not have a mobile payment system set up risk losing out on lots of potential revenue.

Increased Focus On Individual Customers

Successful companies are now able to personalize the customer experience. By creating customized customer profiles, companies can strengthen their current relationships while also boosting their revenue. Many companies are now creating customer loyalty programs designed to reward frequent customers while also attempting to convince new customers to sign up.

 

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The Unusual Way JD.com came Into Being

Beijing’s JD.com is the largest online retailer in China. The company’s CEO, chairman and founder Liu Quingdong, also called Richard Liu, started the firm in 1998 as a computer accessories store since he was interested in computer programming. Liu didn’t sell counterfeit products like some of the Beijing tech stores, so he built a good reputation for his brand. Liu eventually had 12 stores in Shanghai and Shenyang as well as in Beijing.

The SARS outbreak in 2003 kept Chinese employees and consumers at home. Other shop owners may have given up, however, Liu knew his whole village of Suqian, Jiangsu province, had saved to send him to People’s University of China, where he earned a B.S. degree in Sociology. He also earned an MBA from the Europe International Business School and taught himself computer programming in his spare time. Quingdong took his passion for technology and became an Internet entrepreneur. JD.com became known for providing the same high-quality products and his brick-and-mortar stores did and Liu enjoyed the same success. JD’s story is unique in that a disease was responsible for Liu’s e-commerce success. The company takes in over $55.7 billion in revenue each year and Liu is estimated to be worth $12.7 billion. In 2018, Fortune listed Liu as number 148 on their list of billionaires.

Richard Liu had a logistics program that delivered packages on the same day or next day in China. No other global e-commerce retailer could match his fast delivery times, even outside of China. While Liu delivered packages himself in the early days of JD.com, the company has 20 smart logistics centers today with more than 550 warehouses. He’s also using drones, robots and autonomous technology to deliver to remote villages. JD is known for not charging extra to deliver to remote areas, where extra shipping charges from other companies made products affordable.

Liu’s future expansion plans include selling new products in China, then Southeast Asia. Next, Liu Quingdong plans to expand to Europe, the Middle East and the United States. He’s said he wants to expand, selling any product to any consumer anywhere in the world.

At the 2018 World Economic Forum Annual Meeting in Davos, Liu mentioned he wanted to exchange popular brands with the U.S., believing Americans will enjoy superior Chinese brands. Liu recently agreed to buy Walmart’s China operations and Walmart bought a stake in JD.

China’s nationwide TV network recognized Liu Quingdong as the prestigious 2011 China Economic Person of the Year. He was also named Fortune China’s 2012 Chinese Businessman. Liu also made Fortune’s World’s Greatest Leaders list. He frequently speaks at the World Economic Forum in Davos on the future of retail and business development.

JD practices corporate social responsibility with sustainability initiatives. The e-commerce giant partnered with the Worldwide Fund for Nature to show their support for the Earth Hour environmental movement. Earth Hour asks individuals and businesses in 187 countries to shut off unnecessary lights at the same time for 60 minutes. JD also will utilize its vast logistics network that covers 99 percent of China’s population to pick up unwanted clothing for recycling or to give to the needy. Liu knows that with 300 million customers, JD.com is in the ideal position to promote sustainable consumption and other environmental initiatives.

For more interesting business articles from Focus Manifesto, check these out!

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Barbara Stokes Huntsville AL Says She is Proud Her Company Was Able to Donate $100,000 of Home Building Supplies to Habitat for Humanity

It’s an incredible thing when a for-profit company can align itself closely with a non-profit company that shares its unique values. This was the recent case when Green Structure Homes of Alabama aligned itself with Habitat for Humanity to generously donate $100,000 in supplies for Habitat to continue its mission to build homes. Green Structure Homes (GSH) of Alabama was founded in 2008 by Barbara Stokes with a very specific focus. The company uses state-of-the-art engineering, manufacturing and building techniques to rebuild or build new homes after there is a catastrophic event in several areas within the Southeast. As the name states, the company has a core focus in Alabama.

GSH of Alabama comes in to build homes and provide housing after catastrophic events. It is a time when people are in desperate need of help simply to receive basic housing. Similarly, Habitat for Humanity builds new homes for those that are in need of basic housing and cannot afford it. Both companies change the lives of those who are in great need of basic housing. Barbara Stokes and her team at GSH of Alabama have always aligned closely with Habitat for Humanity, realizing that many people take basic housing for granted and seeing how devastating it can be when people don’t have a roof to put over their head. This was what prompted Barbara Stokes Huntsville AL and her team to work to provide the $100,000 donation of supplies.

The homes that Habitat for Humanity received the supplies for will be specifically utilized to build homes in Madison County, Alabama. The area has many people who are in socioeconomic trouble and live in very poor housing conditions. In fact, many households have a combined income of less than $48,000. Of that annual income, the majority of those people are funneling more than 50% of that income into housing costs. This leaves little room for things like groceries, education for children and other basic needs.

The donations from Barbara Stokes and GSH of Alabama will make a huge difference for the houses that Habitat for Humanity is building for those in need in Madison County, Among other things, the donation consisted of more than a thousand sheets of top-quality drywall and more than 80,000 square feet of state-of-the-art linoleum for flooring purposes. Barbara Stokes said she and her company are absolutely thrilled that the donation of these materials will go to such good use. She has aligned with Habitat for Humanity’s mission since she first founded her company in 2008.

Both GSH and Alabama and Habitat for Humanity are proud to work to provide people with basic housing needs when they are at a very low point in their lives. To date, Habitat for Humanity has built 204 homes for those in need in Madison County, Alabama. The non-profit organization has plants to utilize the supplies donated by GSH of Alabama to help build eight new homes for families in Madison County.

Having access to quality housing is something that many people take for granted and can’t fathom going without. However, both GSH of Alabama and Habitat for Humanity work with people on a daily basis who have found themselves without a roof over their head. Many of these people have children that require the housing to get their education in order to work to gain their own housing in the future. Barbara Stokes of Huntsville, AL says she is proud of her company’s growth that has given them the ability to make such a significant contribution in order to help those in need in Madison County.

Feel free to leave questions or comments below about this article. You can also contact us at Focus Manifesto!

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Learn How to Become More Eco-Friendly With Agera Energy

We all want to become more efficient when it comes to energy use. There are benefits to being more eco-friendly regardless of what your motivation is. If your motivation is simply a monetary one, then you will reduce your electric and natural gas bill. This will result in saving money every month. If your motivation is to be environmentally responsible, then you will reduce carbon dioxide emissions and help promote a cleaner environment all around you.

Agera Energy is a utility provider in Westchester County, New York that delivers electricity and natural gas to its customers. The energy company has taken environmental responsibility to a whole new level. They have implemented energy saving and waste reduction initiatives all across their office in Briar Cliff Manor, New York. The utility company has even shared how they have become a Certified Westchester Green Business.

The first thing that Agera has done in its office is to switch its lighting. It now uses LED lighting throughout its 12,000-foot office space. This has had a tremendous energy savings impact. The company has slashed its utility bill significantly.

The reduction in CO2 gases due to switching to LED lighting is also massive. It is equivalent to powering 76 homes on a yearly basis. Who knew that switching to LED lighting can save so much energy? To further reduce electricity usage, Agera has initiated a policy of having employees turn off the lights in conference rooms and office rooms when they are not in use. This is common sense. If a room is not used, then there is no need to light it up and waste electricity.

Some of the windows of Agera Energy’s office building face south. This means that they will be exposed to direct sunlight for extended periods of time. To counteract the heating effect of this, the utility company had contractors install reflective film coverings on its south-facing windows. This reduces the heating effect of the sun and helps keep cooling costs under control.

Company refrigerators are monitored at Agera Energy. Thermostats were installed to make sure that the refrigerators are not using too much energy than is required. The result is a reduced impact on the environment and a smaller utility bill at the end of the month.

Before becoming a Certified Westchester Green Business, Agera Energy did not recycle any items. It only used waste containers to throw all waste away. Today Agera Energy has an extensive recycling program. Every room in its office in Briar Creek Manor, New York has recycling containers in addition to regular trash bins. The company recycles things such as glass, cans, and paper. By recycling, a company can have a tremendous impact on the waste stream. It also encourages the reuse of materials such as glass bottles, paper, and cans.

Of course, merely placing recycling bins is not enough. The utility company has made sure to label what is acceptable for recycling clearly. It has also tried to educate its workforce on how to recycle items both at work and at home properly.

Agera Energy goes a step further than most companies when it comes to recycling programs. The company also uses a contractor to dispose of hazardous wastes. It has also set up an e-waste recycling program. Employees are encouraged to place old electronic items and other e-waste in a special container for e-waste recycling. This further helps the environment and keeps hazardous materials away from our landfills and streets.

Water conservation is another aspect of Agera Energy’s environmental sustainability initiative. The energy provider has given every employee a free reusable BPA water bottle. Water filtration systems have been set up in the office that automatically refills these bottles with clean water. The company also encourages employees to report leaks and turn off faucets when done using them. Together, these initiatives have resulted in a significant decrease in water consumption and plastic waste.