Category: Business Advice & Tips

Cheapest Ways to Send Money to India

India has a large pool of talented freelancers and thus people are always looking to find the cheapest way to send money to India from USA. You might wonder why people would want to hire a workforce from another country. The reason is simple. An increasing number of businesses are looking to hire remote employees to save money on workplace costs. And this trend is only going to grow bigger as more and more companies become aware of its positive effects. 

But every rose has its thorn. There are numerous difficulties with remote employees as well. One of the major ones is choosing the best payment option. This article is going to outline some of the best ways to send money to India. 

Things Are Now Easier

It’s now very easy to send money to India. There are so many options out there that it becomes difficult to choose the best one for your needs. All these different options have their own advantages and disadvantages. It’s important to do thorough research first before coming to a final decision. When sending money to India, here’s what you should look for:

    • Speed. How quickly do you want the money to be sent? The rates will differ depending on how fast or slow you want your transactions to be.
    • Exchange rate. Keep your finger on the pulse of exchange rates. Be sure to get the best possible rates of yourself.
    • Fees. If you send money from bank-to-bank then it shouldn’t add fees. Don’t pay more than you should and avoid using cards.
    • Convenience. It might appear as a luxury but you still have to take convenience into account. If there’s an app that makes things easier then take advantage of its features.

Best Way to Send Money to India from USA

There are no absolutes when talking about payment processing. Some of the best ways to send money to India include:

ACH Transfer

An Automated Clearing House (ACH) transfer might just be the cheapest way to send money to India from the US. You just need to send money from your bank using an ACH transfer. The recipient should get it within 4 working days. There are no additional fees or trips to the bank involved, saving you lots of time and money.

According to this article, “The most common uses of ACH are online bill payment, mortgage and loan repayment, and direct deposit of payroll. ACH payments are an efficient and cost-reducing alternative to paper checks and credit cards.
On the Internet, ACH is primarily used for person-to-person (P2P), business-to-customer (B2C), and business-to-business (B2B) payments.”

 

Pros:

    • Brings an element of convenience because of the one-time process.
    • Usually free at some banks or money transfer services while only incurring small fees at others.

Cons:

    • Not the ideal option if you require a fast transfer.

TransferWise

TransferWise offers a cheap way to transfer money from the US to over 70 Countries, India included. Its exchange rates are some of the best you’ll find. But like many other transfer services, TransferWise isn’t the best option if speed is a priority. 

According to this Telegraph article, “If your business transfers money overseas regularly, TransferWise can help save you money by giving you access to the real mid-market rate of exchange, and charging only a small, fixed fee for the transfer. You can get a TransferWise multi-currency borderless account for business, which holds balances in more than 40 currencies, to send and receive payments all over the world.”

Pros:

    • Relatively cheap because of the mid-market exchange rates. For example, to send $1000 to India, you’ll incur $8.94 in fees.
    • It has an app and website that makes this convenient.
    • The minimum transaction amount is £2.

Cons:

    • Takes about 3 working days to transfer money from NA to India
    • Unexpected delays in transfers 
    • Additional documents required for some transactions

Money Orders

Money orders are paper documents, like checks, that are used for payments. They are prepaid and only available when after a buyer pays for the money order with cash or some other form of guaranteed funds.

Many banks offer this service and charge very small rates. To cash the checks, some form of ID is required. If lost, the full amount can be easily recovered. 

Money orders are ideal for situations where using cash, check, or digital app isn’t viable. 

Pros:

    • A safer option than cash
    • Won’t bounce like checks for insufficient funds

Cons:

    • You’ll have to go in-person to your bank or dealer
    • Mobile deposits aren’t allowed by all banks

Wire Transfer

Wire Transfer is one of the oldest transaction methods out there, existing for over 50 years. If you chose this method then you’ll have to go over to your bank or some other agency in order to complete the transaction. 

When you completely provide all the necessary information about the recipient to your bank, they’ll initiate the transfer. 

Most banks have a wire transfer service but you’ll still have to check with your bank to get accurate information on the whole process. Plus, services like Western Union also offer “wire transfers”. 

Pros:

    • It offers quick service, mostly within 24 hours. 

Cons:

    • You’ll have to pay for a fee for the quick service, usually within $10-35 USD. 
    • Not very secure as once payments are sent, they can’t be stopped.

MoneyGram

You might have heard of MoneyGram already. It’s a pretty big player in the international money and remittance market. Every day, hundreds of thousands of customers use MoneyGram to transfer their funds.

Its popularity is due to its fast and secure transactions. However, these transactions incur a slightly higher fee than some other transfer services. 

When the time comes to hand over or collect actual cash, transfer services like MoneyGram is at the forefront of people’s minds. 

Pros:

    • Very quick service that allows recipients to get the money within 24 hours.
    • It has at least 347,000 local agents in over 200 countries.
    • It is well-known for its security and reliability. 

Cons:

    • It has higher fees than other transfer services.
    • Hidden currency conversion can cost around $10.
    • Different countries have different required documents.

Western Union

Western Union is so popular that it is practically a household name now. This transfer service’s popularity is mainly due to its dependability, convenience, and ease-of-use.

You’ll find a Western Union branch in almost every country, even offering a local withdrawal option. But where there is light, there is darkness. Transfers through Western Union may take varying amounts of time, some transfers may even take a week. 

Western Union is best used for one-off transactions, money orders, and selling online. 

Pros:

    • The app is convenient and easy-to-use.
    • For pickup, over 125,000 in India alone.

Cons:

    • Slow transfer but can be increased with additional fees
    • Not viable for small transactions

PayPal

PayPal is one of the biggest names in payment processing. The reason why you’re able to transfer money without the use of a credit card or bank account is all thanks to PayPal.

With PayPal, the sender doesn’t incur any fees but the recipient may have to cover a small fee. The service is mobile-friendly, making money transfers easier. 

Pros:

    • Its sign-up process is free and easy.
    • Can be integrated with several third-party solution providers
    • Supports multiple currencies, including the Indian Rupee.  
    • The process is very secure thanks to online encryption.

Cons:

    • It is not entirely free as there is a fee for each transaction.
    • Not suitable for large sales as there is an increase in fees along with an increase in transactions. 
    • Countless stories of account freezing in which customers couldn’t access their account and money after being flagged down as risky or involved in fraudulent activities. 
    • You’ll have to pay extra charges for complete features and benefits.

Personal Checks

Personal checks might not be as popular as some of the other aforementioned options but they do represent one of the safest options. Why? Well, the check cannot be cashed by a random person because the recipient has to show his/her ID. Plus, checks that don’t reach their destinations can be easily canceled. 

Checks might be old-school but they still have some use in today’s world. Some small businesses, landlords and real estate people still accept checks. 

Pros:

    • It provides security as the checks are written and verified.
    • It can be easily canceled at any time. 

Cons:

    • Foreign checks might not be accepted by some banks
    • Exchange rates might need to be paid by the recipient

Key Takeaways

You’ll most likely find the best and cheapest way to send money to India from our list of transfer services. But what is best for some may not be ideal for others so take your circumstances into account before making a final decision. 

Do share the article with others if you personally found it helpful. Best of luck!

How to Use Trello for Project Management

Managing a team has always been a very tricky job. However, there are some things that you can do to get the most out of your staff. Today we’re going to learn how to use Trello for project management. This tool can help us manage all kinds of job responsibilities and tasks, regardless of how many employees are a part of your team.

Now when we’re talking about responsibilities, we’re not talking about a daily to-do list. We’re talking about job roles or the type of things that you might find on a job description. So without any further ado, let’s get into it. 

What is Trello?

In Trello’s own words:

“It’s a collaboration tool that gives you a visual overview of what is being worked on, who is working on it, and how far they’ve gotten.”

It’s essentially an online corkboard. It is used to organize “cards” into lists – these cards can be tasks, notes, projects, shared files, or anything else that can help you and your team collaborate better. The idea behind Trello is simple: effective team management needs full transparency over important tasks and flexibility to change or rearrange them if necessary. 

Trello will provide you with more:

    • Organization
    • Cohesion
    • Accountability
    • Sanity
    • Visualization

With Trello board at your disposal, you’ll be able to create order in your work by organizing it into a list of cards. You can quickly rearrange them if the situation asks for it. This makes it a great tool for team management, both in-house and remote. 

Trello will solve the problem of:

    • Long email threads
    • Unproductive meetings
    • Project clarification
    • Transparency
    • Absent-mindedness

If you’re using email or chat for task-based communication, Trello will prove to be a great replacement. Team members can learn all about a task just from reading a card. Plus, all discussions about a project can also take place right there. With all the information in one place, it becomes easier to:

    • Keep everything on track
    • Observe what is being done
    • See previous chats

Anatomy of Trello

Trello consists of three main things:

    • Boards: A Trello board is a big black space used to organize a project or process i.e. monthly tasks, department responsibilities, campaign launch plans
    • Lists: Trello lists are items that make up a project i.e. to-do list, completed tasks 
    • Cards: Trello cards make up a list and contain further details about a specific item

How to use Trello for project management

The not-so-well-hidden secret behind Trello’s massive success is how quickly it allows its users to customize it according to their needs. However, this open secret is exactly why Trello can be a tad bit intimidating at first. 

A blank Trello board can fill you with the exact same trepidation experienced when seeing a blank Word document. But where there is darkness, there is light. 

We’ll teach you some of the best Trello practices out there. Soon you’ll be a Trello expert in no time, allowing you to effectively manage your in-house and remote teams.

Upload a Unique Background to Your Board

Don’t let that this simple practice deceive you into thinking that its just style with no substance. 

Customizing your board is a productivity technique. How you may ask? Let us explain. 

How many tabs do you open in your browser? We bet that you open a lot. 

Simultaneously opening lots of tabs leads to inefficiency. These tabs are so small that you will need to open each one to remember what’s inside them. This is where custom Trello backgrounds come into play. 

Even when the tabs are small, you’ll still be able to recognize the Trello boards as the app’s website icon will look like the design of a board’s custom background.  

Be Clear About the Use of Your Boards

Before you make a board, be clear about its use. Don’t go crazy creating cards without creating a list first. 

Also, be clear about the point of your board. Is it being used to store information or track progress? 

A board consisting of information should have lists organized by topics. 

But if you’re creating a board to track some process or someone’s progress, it’s better to define each list as a different stage in the cycle. As Trello reads from left to right, you should place the first stage list on the left and go from there. 

Assign Big Projects Their Own Boards 

Don’t cram multiple projects inside one board. That’s a recipe for disaster. It will inevitably overwhelm your team members result in bottlenecks, lack of accountability and slower projects. 

To avoid cramming, create boards based on short-term projects and goals. An archive that project once it reaches its eventual conclusion. This will make it disappear from existence and you can concentrate on your next project. 

Each Board’s Workflow Should Be Clear

Plan your board in advance. You should know:

    • Where a card should go
    • When a card is ready to be switched
    • When a card is supposed to be archived

The workflow will not be smooth if your project isn’t planned in advance. To make things difficult, each team member will probably use the board in their own way. 

So how can everyone stay on the same page? Well, you can make the first list of every board an “About Board”. 

Don’t Forget to Use Trello with Another Tool

Trello is a great tool but there is no app in this world that can do everything. You need to use Trello with other tools like Google Docs and Microsoft Word. 

For example, if a card represents an article that is completed, attach that article so that other members can easily view it. 

Key Takeaways

Trello is a very powerful tool that can help you complete and collaborate on projects. It may look a little daunting at first but once you get a handle on the different functionalities, the app will make your life easier. 

If you found this article helpful, feel free to share it with people who may not know about Trello and its amazing features!

Additional Business and Data Privacy Trends Resources:

Want to learn more about Business and Productivity trends,

Employee Monitoring Software: How it Benefits Data Privacy

Learn effective strategies regarding data privacy include. Companies need to use encryption in every bit of data, end to end.

How does stripe work:

Stripe is an excellent credit card processor for online-only businesses. If you have experience as a developer then it’s very fast and easy to implement.

Top 7 Strategies to Increase Employee Productivity in 2020

Every employer wants to increase employee productivity and that’s not really surprising. Its like money and no one in their right mind would refuse money, right? 

We’re right in the middle of two eras, the pre, and post-digital age. Technology is at its peak and we’re experiencing products and services that used to be in the realm of fiction decades ago. But let’s hold our horses here for a second and remember the old phrase, “Where there is light, there is darkness”. 

Technology certainly has its own share of downsides, the main one being a constant cause for distraction. Today, the internet is easily available even on remote islands. We all have it inside our pockets now. Thanks to mobile phones, we can easily surf the internet whenever and wherever we want. This also means that we’re always in danger of wasting our time and losing productivity for the day. 

In this article, we’re going to talk about some top strategies that employers can implement to increase employee productivity in 2020. So without any further ado, let’s jump in: 

Ways to Increase Employee Productivity

 

  • Instruct employees to create a to-do-list

Employers need to prioritize efficiency. They should let employees make a list of daily, weekly, and monthly tasks. By creating a list, they will have a structure and plan to stick to. This will also give them a reason to chase and decrease their chances of getting sidetracked by irrelevant tasks.

In this day and age, it’s easier than ever to create a to-do-list. Just choose one of the numerous apps in the market, see if their functionalities suit your needs, and voila! You’re good to go. 

Jean de La Fontaine, the famous 17th-century poet, said:

“One of the secrets to getting more done is to make a to-do list every day, keep it visible, and use it as a guide to action as you go through the day.”

 

  • Delegate tasks

It’s a risk but business owners and entrepreneurs have to trust their talented employees. They need to give them more responsibilities. This will boost morale and give employees a sense of achievement and direction. Plus, it will free up employers’ time and allow them to focus on some other important tasks. 

George Foreman, the two-time world heavyweight champion, said:

“Nobody can do everything well, so learn how to delegate responsibility to other winners and then hold them accountable for their decisions.

 

  • Get rid of distractions

Distractions like mobile phones are proving to be a big problem for employers. Employees are constantly using their phones at work, resulting in decreased productivity. Restricting the use of mobile phones during work hours will for sure increase an employee’s focus and productivity in the long run. 

Use time tracking apps like Stafftimer to monitor employee work activities and track their daily progression. It will likely encourage them to avoid distractions and focus solely on their tasks at hand. 

Robin Raskin, the American author, said:

“The biggest problem is that technology often ends up being a distraction. In an information society, the smartest person will be the one who can shut out all the distractions.

 

  • Have the right equipment and set up

Employers need to avoid being stingy. If they don’t invest in good equipment and tools then the company’s reputation and employee work ethic will suffer. For example, if there is no connection to the internet in a software house, most employees will not be able to do their jobs properly. All the tasks will be on hold and there will be no productivity for the day. 

Gene Kranz, the American fighter pilot, says:

“There is no such thing as good enough. You, your team, and your equipment must be the best. That is how you will win victories.”

 

  • Offer support

Our motivation reserves are constantly depleting. The same is the case for employees. Every employee needs to be motivated from time-to-time. Employers should work with managers and supervisors to get an idea about company morale. Then they should decide if any incentives need to be given. If needed, they should also review targets and come up with realistic goals.

Pete Carroll, head coach of the Seattle Seahawks, says:

“Each person holds so much power within themselves that needs to be let out. Sometimes they just need a little nudge, a little direction, a little support, a little coaching, and the greatest things can happen.”

 

  • Teach them how to fish

No, we don’t mean literally. You know what they say, ‘Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day; teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime.’ Employees should be trained to enhance their skills. This will, in turn, lead to increased efficiency and ultimately take their productivity to the next level. 

Mark Twain, the famous American writer, said:

“Training is everything. The peach was once a bitter almond; cauliflower is nothing but cabbage without a college education.”

 

  • Create a transparent and feedback-driven culture

Many employers and managers never admit their mistakes but in order to create a culture of transparency and feedback, it’s important to admit when you’re wrong. This way everyone will feel free enough to do their best work. 

So if you’re the CEO then learn to admit your mistakes. Employers don’t always have to be right and in control. It takes more courage to say that you don’t know the answer or have made a mistake. 

Whitmore, author of Memory Manipulation: How to Train Your Brain to Think Faster, says:

“Admitting to a mistake means refusing to use other people as scapegoats to avoid responsibility but rather courageously owning up to every single one of them.”

How to Track Project Budget Accurately and Effortlessly

Budgets are really hard to estimate sometimes. Even if you have created a complete Project budget plan you still have to make sure it stays within the bracket and in order to do that, keeping track of your project’s budget is crucial. Without which it can become difficult for you to ensure whether your team is spending just the right amount of resources on tasks and priorities or not. 

Come up with a realistic budget plan

The first step in tracking your project budget accurately is to come up with a realistic budget before your projects begin. Figure out not just how much you’ll need overall, but also when and where you will need the bulk of your money. This includes creating a schedule with deadlines for different parts of the project.

In order to keep track of the spending, you may opt to have one person sign off on all expenses, or you might prefer to have different people overseeing different parts. Whichever you choose, make sure that this is clear to both you and your team. Then have a central area where all costs are recorded so that you can monitor your projected budget against your actual needs. This will let you course-correct when necessary and nip budget problems in the bud before they get out of hand.

– Nate Masterson, CEO @ Maple Holistics

Time is Money

Don’t forget that your budget is also a timeline. It estimates how long you’ll need to successfully complete the project. This is because time is money. When a project takes longer than estimated, you’re going to spend more money than you planned, so pay attention to how your timeline is progressing and update according to the data.

– Chane Steiner, CEO @ Crediful 

Use Budget Tracking Apps and Softwares

There are a lot of project budget tracking apps and software out there currently and are continuously evolving. They allow multiple team members to check-in and indicate what has been done and hasn’t to see if you’re keeping in time with the projected budget and timeline.

Remember, if you go over the deadline, you will likely go over the budget. The great thing about it is that these types of software can catch issues as they happen that can throw you off budget—if a mini-portion of the project hasn’t been finished in the time that’s been allotted, it serves as a warning signal that you may fall behind. 

There are hundreds out there currently, but I would recommend one that allows for a smartphone app, mostly because it can help track on the go. Many team members work remotely or off-site or have to run in and out of important meetings for the project, instead of them having to remember to check in and check off the portions they did that day at the end of the day (which they may or may not do/remember), they can do it as each task is completed. This ensures that the timeline is kept as well.

– Jake Lizarraga Writer @ Finance Fox

Keep all your data both physically & online 

In addition to using automated software to track project budget, you should keep all the project’s receipts in a special place, both physically and online. It’s always good to keep track of all receipts in case the software breaks or you get questions from others in the company or the IRS. Then you can pull out your physical and online receipts to verify and show proof of what you have spent the project’s money on.

– Stacy Caprio, Founder @ Growth Marketing

Leave room for unforeseen circumstances

Leave room in the budget for unforeseen circumstances. In many cases, projects tend to go over their initial budget. If you set aside a portion of your initial budget for unmarked costs, you will have some wiggle room in case they ever arise—if no unmarked costs occur, you will be able to finish the project under budget.

– Chris Terschluse, Head of Marketing and Content @ chimebank

Standard spreadsheet V/S Automation tool

Overseeing a project budget is a huge responsibility. It includes the coordinating costs and managing risk and making sure the rate at which your organization spends this budget. You can choose two options for tracking your budget, i.e., standard spreadsheet or Automation tool.

Using a spreadsheet tool like Office Excel to enter and edit numbers is the standard, manual approach to budget tracking. If you have the time, it’s the cheaper option, but there is always a chance for human error there.

Another way to handle cost management and budget tracking is by using an automated tool. You can break down the budget spend by individual tasks, project phases, and even from the employee end. For extensive projects and payments, there’s also the option to track recurring budgets.

– Aqsa Tabassam, Senior Growth Marketer @ Brandnic

 

The budgeting project accurately requires attention to details because one small mistake can lead to a much bigger and unresolvable issue later in the project.

Some more tips to track project budget accurately and effortlessly:

    1. Make sure to plan ahead of your project. The more time you have on hand before the project starts is a great sign to show that you are actually working on it.
    2. The overall project might look complicated at first, but when you create a baseline, you identify what to include in the project or the proposal itself.
    3. Forecast the budget before the start. This means that you can actually outline the financial that will be used for the project and the results that it will provide. This is forecasting is important.
    4. Monitor the schedule that it will take on each task in the project. Scheduling is easy when you know, how of the project.
    5. Understand the vision of the project and implement it with style according to the financials included in the forecasting.

– Adeel Shabir, Content Marketing Executive @ GigWorker

See how Staff Timer can Help Manage Your Project Budget

Staff Timer can help manage your project budget by keeping track of employee work hours. The app efficiently keeps track of daily, weekly, and monthly employee hours. 

Let’s say your company requires at least seven hours daily from its employees. This means every employee needs to fulfill his/her quota for the month. If some employees are not putting in enough hours for the month, its safe to assume that they are not giving it their best shot. These types of employees will drag the whole project down. They will most likely waste the resources and budget allocated to the project.  

Here’s how you can sign up for Staff Timer: 

    • Go to the signup page by clicking here.
    • Fill in the required fields and press ‘Start Free Trial’.
    • Check your email and verify your account.
    • Go to the app and create your company.
    • Add your project. 
    • Invite team members.
    • Ask team members to download the app in order to start time tracking.

With Staff Timer app, employers can first check employees’ track records before assigning them to an important project. If their record is impeccable then they can safely assume that their project and its budget are in good hands. 

Employers can easily check their employees’ track record by going through their weekly and monthly reports. Incidentally, they can also watch employees’ daily work videos to know how they complete their tasks and whether or not they’re a good fit for a certain project. 

Staff Timer app also takes a screenshot after every minute or so. This is another way through which employers can gauge their employees’ suitability for different types of projects and thus allocate the budget accordingly. 

How to Use Stripe to Receive Payments and Pay Remote Teams

You must have heard about Stripe in recent years. Founded by brothers Patrick and John Collison in 2010, Stripe processes billions of dollars annually in online transactions. Yeah, turns out PayPal isn’t the only payment processor on the block. There are other options that are just as good or even better. 

Stripe is a payment processor that supports the electronic transfer of cash from a customer’s bank (issuing bank), into a merchant’s bank (acquiring bank) as payment for goods or services bought with a credit card. Stripe stands out for its quick and easy solution for receiving payments from all over the world. It’s a great platform for freelancers and remote teams.  

In this article, learn how to use Stripe to receive and send payments from all over the globe. It’s a quick and easy platform for freelancers and remote teams.

What Makes Stripe Standout Among Remote Teams?

Stripe is an excellent credit card processor for online-only businesses. If you have experience as a developer then it’s very fast and easy to implement. With Stripe’s API, it’s possible to build your own e-commerce environment. But one of the major disadvantages of Stripe is that it doesn’t support PayPal payments. 

Stripe’s biggest attraction is it’s easy and free API. This is why it’s a big hit among developers. This allows small companies with development resources to build out custom experiences for their e-commerce site. 

But, this can be disadvantageous for small companies that have no developers or budget to hire a freelancer coder. They have to integrate Stripe through the use of another e-commerce platform. These are certainly easier for non-technical companies to set up but they will cost extra.  

 

See Also: How to Use Trello for Project Management

Charges

Stripe asks a standard 2.9% + $0.30 fee for managing online credit card transactions. There are enterprise volume discounts for businesses that have $80,000 or more in monthly sales. Unfortunately, Stripe currently does not offer credit card processing services for offline retail stores.

Integrations

It would be negligent of us if we didn’t mention all the different applications Stripe integrates with (or has a plug-in for). We won’t mention all of them here, but you can be rest assured that they offer the full range from popular accounting, analytics, and automation tools to chat, marketing and business operations services.

Now without any further ado, let’s see how you can create a free Stripe account. 

Creating Your Free Stripe Account

Go here and register your free account on Stripe. Fill the form and click on ‘Create your Stripe account’. They’ll ask ‘How do you want to get started with Stripe?’. Click ‘Skip for now’ at the bottom of the page. Also, don’t forget to confirm your email address. 

Since you’ll be receiving and paying through your Stripe account, it’s important to enter details like address and bank account number. 

  • Go to your Stripe dashboard and click on ‘Activate your account’. 
  • Fill in all the required fields. 

Don’t worry if your activation form is different. It varies depending on the country. 

Enabling Stripe Connect 

Stripe Connect is used by marketplaces, platforms, and remote teams to receive money and pay third-parties. Here’s how you can enable Stripe Connect features with customer accounts. 

Note: If your company is based in the US, Stripe will review your platform account before granting you access. Read this article to know how to apply for Stripe connect review. 

If you’re from another country then follow these steps:

  • Go to the Marketplace drop-down menu
  • Tap ‘Connect’ from the list

  • Click on the ‘Get started’ button

  • Wait a few seconds to see the Connect dashboard
  • Tap ‘Settings’ and then ‘Connect settings’

  • Enable ‘Custom’ in ‘Account types’

Getting your API keys from Stripe  

Now you’re all set to get your API keys and input them into the marketplace. To do so, follow these steps:

  • Go to ‘Developers’ in the left-hand menu 
  • Click on ‘API keys’
  • You’ll find two keys in ‘Standard keys’, publishable key and secret key. 
  • Use the publishable key in a frontend application
  • Use the secret key for Console

 

  See Also: Cheapest Way to Send Money to India

Key Takeaways

Stripe is a very good online-only credit card processor that has some of the fairest processing rates and very few additional costs. It’s free and simple API is excellent for businesses and remote teams whose developers can afford to build a custom online e-commerce experience. Unfortunately, businesses that don’t have any technical resources will have to pay extra in order to get a separate e-commerce solution.

Employee Monitoring Software: Embracing it Without Hurdles

Introduction

Employee monitoring software is all the rage these days. It’s not the most attractive software but is known to produce great results for both employees and employers. But how can one implement employee monitoring software without affecting office culture? Not all employees are going to feel comfortable with a Big Brother-like figure watching over their every move. 

So what can business owners do to adopt employee monitoring software without affecting office culture? Well, it depends on the company and its priorities. Maybe your company needs to quickly improve its employees’ productivity. If that’s the case then go for it. But if your business’s key employees are firmly against the idea of an employee monitoring software, it’s your job to convince them of its numerous benefits. 

In this article, we’re going to discuss some ways through which companies can embrace employee monitoring software without compromising culture. 

Communicate your expectations

Share your goals and expectations with all your employees. It’s their right to know about your reasons behind wanting to monitor their work activities. Touch upon these specific reasons but in a way that stops employees from panicking and feeling as if their privacy is being invaded. 

Bob Aronson, a communication consultant, says:

“If communication is not your top priority, all of your other priorities are at risk.” 

Let employees know about your new policies

Business owners need to inform their employees about any major changes in company policies. Before buying employee monitoring software, employers need to write down all the new policies that will inevitably come up due to this massive change. Explain these new policies in a clear and concise manner so that misunderstandings can be avoided. Include them in a guide and make sure that every employee has read it. 

Milton Friedman, an American economist who received the 1976 Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences, says:

“One of the great mistakes is to judge policies and programs by their intentions rather than their results.”

Reproach those who don’t follow your new policies

Your new monitoring policies won’t be effective if no one follows them. First, give a fair warning to employees who break your rules. If they still don’t follow the rules then you need to take immediate disciplinary action. The effect of your new policies will diminish if no one takes them seriously. Also, your office culture will start changing for the worse if no one takes your policies seriously. 

Brandon Mull, an American author best known for ‘Fablehaven’, says:

“A rule is of no value unless the punishment is enforced.” 

Conserve important traditions

When the company is just beginning, certain traditions automatically start popping up. These traditions become a part of the overall culture and play a defining role in forming the overall image of the organization. Don’t forget about these traditions when you start monitoring your employees.  

Narendra Modi, the Indian Prime Minister, says:

“Over an extended period of time, if a culture does not entail any traditions…if there are no values…or if there is no awareness or social consciousness…a heritage tradition can never be developed.”

Acknowledge employee achievements and contributions

The employee monitoring software will eventually highlight productive and unproductive employees. As a business owner, you need to recognize these star performers. Don’t let them feel as if their contributions are not being taken into account.

To let your employees know that you’re being sincere, do small things on a regular basis rather than handing out yearly rewards. Employees like to feel recognized, especially by their superiors. And they would prefer to get acknowledged for their achievements more than once a year. 

Randolph Pausch, the American Associate Professor at Carnegie Mellon University, says:

“Showing gratitude is one of the simplest and yet most powerful things humans can do for each other.” 

All communication channels should be open

Establish open communication with your workers. Not all employees are going to easily adjust to employee monitoring software. Actively listen to their complaints. Their concerns should be addressed. Employees should feel as if their reservations are being heard. But make sure that this communication is done in a respectful manner. 

Jeffrey Morales, CEO of the California High-Speed Rail Authority, says:

“Communicate in a respectful manner – don’t just tell your team members what you want, but explain to them why.”

How to Write Great Content in 2020? Few Tips from Industry Experts

People visit your website for a reason, so good content brings value to users and gives them a reason to engage eventually turning in to your customers. Good content is not only useful for search engine optimization but also for reaching your potential customers. Here we have listed down some of the few tips for great content writing from experts in the digital marketing industry:

Be the person behind the words

Adam Hempenstall, CEO and Founder at Better Proposals

The biggest trend in the content will be that business owners will finally realize that cheap content doesn’t move the needle. I have been burned myself, along with my founder peers, in thinking that a $30 Fiverr writer can accomplish something for my blog. In reality, it was a waste of time, rather than money.

Instead, I think more company owners will resort to writing content themselves. I have decided to write most of the content on our company blog, even though I rarely have the time for writing. The reason is simple – I can share my own experience, which no writer out there can express. I realized that by the time I create a good brief for a writer, I have already spent half the time it takes to create a good article. So nowadays, I do most of the writing myself. It’s authentic and it feels great to be the person behind the words instead of hiring a ghostwriter.

Content to conversion

Mile Živković, Content specialist at Chanty

The biggest breakthrough in content writing in the future will revolve around ROI and proving attribution. Right now, as a content marketer, one of my biggest struggles is proving the value of content and tying a specific piece of content to a conversion or a purchase. The problem remains the same – a reader visits several articles before opting in or making a purchase.

In the future, there will be better algorithms to discern the path that readers take when they interact with website content. This will be crucial because:

    • It will let us create better content,
    • It will show CMOs and CEOs what kind of content proves the best ROI, and
    • How it really impacts their budgets.

Optimize content w.r.t voice search

Jeremy Ong, Founder at HUSTLR

People are inclined towards voice search. This trend is going higher, and we see it as the future of searches. There is a difference in writing a query and speaking one. The user guides will be written, keeping voice searches in mind. UX content writers have already working on it and started focusing on long-tail keywords.

Share your own insight, spice it up if necessary

Danny, CEO at Website Depot

Although visual content is on the rise, blogs are still necessary not only for SEO purposes but because people still enjoy reading them. There are a few considerations to take on this matter in 2020. It is extremely recommendable to mix both visuals and written content to make reading much more enjoyable and to provide an added value to the information you are providing in your article. 

Some information is better received in written and in the video so it is a good idea to choose what you want to say and using the right channels for it. We all know that content needs to be relevant, fresh, original and well written. The most important trait to keep in mind today is to provide content that generates trust throughout those characteristics.

Storytelling and providing your own insight on the topic you’re writing about are some of the key tools you can use at the moment of writing content today. Share your own insight, spice it up if necessary but avoid drama or being offensive; especially when treating sensitive topics. Not all publicity is good publicity and people are looking for trust more than controversy. 

Start paying attention to UX writing

Sam Orchard, Creative Director at Edge of the Web

The rise of UX writing has been a huge trend in itself, and one that has only become apparent in the last couple of years. Until now, large parts of websites such as error messages, CTA buttons, and another microcopy, has been seen as an afterthought and is usually added in by a developer at the end of a project. But there’s recently been an increasing shift away from this as people are realizing the importance of ensuring this text is clear, well written and easy to understand.

As UX writing is becoming popularised, there is a danger of copywriters without UX specialism pushing marketing messages within microcopy. This would inevitably undermine the purpose of specifically written microcopy, and leave you in the same boat as when it was provided without much thought. As we head into 2020, I expect that more and more UX teams will start to include a dedicated UX writer, to ensure that all microcopy is perfectly tailored to your UX goals.

Don’t just simply write content

Stacy Caprio, Founder at Growth Marketing

One trend in content writing is the shift to write articles that are engaging and helpful as opposed to ‘simply writing articles’ that are built to rank in search engines. By building to rank, I mean articles either optimized solely for keywords and written using thin and unhelpful content, or articles fleshed out so in-depth and built only for search engines to consider a master guide. The trend is shifting towards writing helpful articles the audience actually wants to read, and won’t feel are too short to answer their question or too long to find what they are looking for.

Content that supports voice search

Joe Goldstein, Director of SEO & Operations at Contractor Calls

The biggest trend in content writing right now is the transition towards content that supports voice search. In particular, that means more question and answer formats, more content designed to capture long-tail keyword traffic, and less focus on short, strict keywords. Many of Google’s recent, high-profile advancements in search have related to natural language processing, which means traditional keyword research is losing relevancy to user satisfaction and topical depth. 

As customer support transitions towards chatbots and knowledge bases, there is also a greater demand for content that supports those platforms. Having a reliable knowledge base means users can diagnose more issues themselves, rely less on live support staff, and overall have a higher level of satisfaction with the brand. 

Regularly share relevant & quality content

Paige Arnof-Fenn, Founder & CEO at Mavens & Moguls

Content Marketing is a great way to build your brand, increase your visibility more broadly, raise your profile and attract more clients. Regularly share quality content and to qualify it must be timely and relevant.  To generate ideas I look at the calendar to see if there are any natural opportunities based on the season or activities, keep a running list of topics I get asked about by my clients and other business owners and note when I read or hear about something new I want to explore further, a trend, theme or idea that catches my attention. 

If it is an issue that affects me or my business then it is likely to be a topic that impacts others too. Once I decide on an idea to write about I may do research on the topic, talk to people for input and just start typing. If I have a unique perspective to share or any advice I think may help others I get it out there via social media or whatever distribution vehicle makes the most sense.    

The key is just to pick your platform,  it does not matter which ones you choose just pick one or 2 that are authentic to you.  It should look and sound like you and the brand you have built. Whether yours is polished or more informal, chatty or academic, humorous or snarky, it is a way for your personality to come through.  Whether you are B2B or B2C, key people need to be on LinkedIn so that they can be found easily.

It adds credibility and transparency when you know the people you are meeting or working with knowledgeable people in common.  LinkedIn has become more than an online resume or Rolodex, it is the foundation for building trusted relationships in the digital economy. You do not need to blog or be on all social media platforms but make sure you are active on the ones where you are.  If your customers do not use Facebook, Twitter or Instagram to find you then you do not need to make them a priority.  

This advice is not fancy and does not require big budgets but it does take time.  It is a smart investment to get this right. Authenticity is the key, it has to be and feel real for it to work.

Write something new every day

Ryan Patterson, CEO at SeniorAdvice   

The main trends I am seeing and following are a complete shift in the focus of content from writing for search engines to writing for actual human readers.  In the past, much of the content on the web was written around keywords and the search engine algorithms quite frankly were not intelligent enough to differentiate good content from bad. 

But with AI and the rise of human editors, this is changing rapidly. Users expect much richer content than in the past, so there is an increased focus not only on textual content but on graphical information, video, and other rich content.  We are also more focused on providing summaries within our longer content as users are experiencing less and less attention focus.  

Do your research

Jonathan Mendoza, Content Marketing Specialist at Fueled

The biggest trend I have noticed is being concise and personal with your content. It’s so easy to write content that is surface-level just to get rankings on search engines. But these pieces do no good for you or the reader when the content isn’t providing what the readers are looking for. By writing more personal content, you’re catering to the needs of readers, so they’ll stick around your site as a trusted source.

Making the content concise will also show that you did your research so the reader doesn’t have to do more, which also keeps them around for more. If you make it personal and concise, you’ll be viewed as a trusted resource, which ultimately builds your credibility as a brand. This will keep readers on your site or coming back when they need more questions answered. 

Are you a content writer worrying about goals and meeting deadlines? Use productivity apps to stay on track at all times.

[Infographic] Qualities for becoming a Great Leader!

There is no one definition that can define ‘leadership’. Regardless of how you define a leader, a good leader always has a vision and knows how to turn his ideas into reality and success. There would be no exaggeration to say that everyone can be good, but only a few can become great leaders.  

The road to leadership is never easy!

One has to work day in and day out to step up that corporate ladder. You will have to face many challenges, encounter many emotions, and come across many stressful times. However, a great leader is always a role model and maintains the calm come hell or high water. They are always willing and able to lead their team to success, no matter the cost. 

In order to help you achieve success for your company and make you a better leader, here are some important leadership qualities that you should possess or learn from.

 

I follow therefore I lead: Good leaders are good followers?

Undoubtedly, being a leader is a huge responsibility. The success of businesses depends on them. Because they are the ones making big decisions, supervising work and motivating the team. Moreso, it’s a common phenomenon, to be a successful leader, one needs to learn how to be a follower too. 

Few traits of a good follower, that make a good leader!

  • They know their responsibilities
  • Loyal to their work & company
  • Good listener and communicator
  • Willing to go the extra mile
  • They are good team players
  • Always enthusiastic
  • Not afraid to take initiatives
  • Competent and compelled by challenges

The benefits of Leadership training

One of the many qualities for managers is to inspire and motivate their team towards success, and the great news is that leaders can be created through effective leadership training.
Here are some of the benefits that leadership training can offer your organization: 

  • Increases productivity
  • Helps with employee retention
  • Nurture future leaders 
  • Increases employee engagement
  • Helps in making better and informed decisions
  • Decreases employee turnover
  • Develops self-confidence
  • Effectively formulate and implement strategies
  • Improves your leadership style
  • Also, helps in building a strong and united team

Which type of leader are you? Please share with us in the comment section below.

6 most common workplace challenges and how to cope with them!

We have to face challenges during every phase of our life, be it educational, personal or professional. Life is all about challenges. These hurdles and struggles to reach our goals define who we are. It’s not the complexity of an issue that matters but how people deal with it. It’s an agreed-upon fact that some people seem to cope with workplace challenges better than others.

Likewise, in the workplace, one gets to face many challenges. Especially for the newbies entering the workforce, it can be quite unsettling. Here, we will discuss some common workplace challenges faced by employees and solutions to deal with them.

Student life is over!

For many, entering a professional life after college is a bit overwhelming. No doubt, at some point in time, we all were addicted to our previous, self-created schedules, and laid back attitude. The same is the case with amateur professionals. Now, that companies are relying on your expertise to bring value and success to businesses,  it’s crucial for you to have discipline in your lives.

Take more responsibility for the work. After all, it was for the same professional development you had studied all these years. 
We do agree, that it takes a while to adjust but being lazy won’t get you anywhere. Fitting in can be a daunting task, but worth making an effort.

Stay away from trouble-making colleagues

Did you deal with troubling classmates or bullies back in school? Now its an extension of that. Throughout one’s life, you will face competitors, rivals, jealous freaks and leg pullers. Even among friends, such species aren’t an anomaly. So act normal when you encounter them. 

How to deal with them?

They can be either gossipmonger, backstabbers, or even work-place bullies. The real task is how are you going to deal with them? Your best response should be indifference. Don’t react! All they want to extract from you is a reaction. Once you give in to their manipulative agendas, you are trapped in a cycle of negativity. Ignoring them is the best possible route to escape. 

No need to involve your supervisor, or at worst an employer as it only shows how touchy-feely you are. And that you are incapable to cope with troubling coworkers. But do reach out to them if the situation is getting out of your hands. Involve your supervisor or employer only if it’s direct bullying or harassment, which is also an offense by law.  If the said person is damaging your reputation or spreading rumors, it’s better to discuss it with HR. 

Teamwork challenges in the Workplace

“Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.” – Helen Keller

 

Yes, teamwork is a backbone for the success of any project. If team members have a disagreement over the execution of a certain task, and they cant seek to resolve the issue. Then high chances; that your project is bound to suffer. Not only that, but a slacking member can also have a damaging effect. It’s not possible to bring forward work smoothly if half of the team is passive, another half active. 

Learn to handle your ‘difficult’ clients effectively

For jobs that require dealing with clients or customers, sometimes you get to deal with difficult ones. 

They may be running around frantically like chickens with its head cut-off. Bothering you on weekends or calling late at night to discuss project details. They may make your team cry but no matter how difficult your client is; stay calm, listen to their needs and concerns. Give a prompt reply and offer a solution.  In short, learn to handle your clients since client-employee relationships are of utmost importance for businesses. 

 

Anxious about your career goals?

One major factor in inducing workplace pressure is how to reach your career objectives? Sometimes it’s for promotion, salary increment, diversity in work or seeking acknowledgment alone. At times you are over-performing but nobody is noticing, you have two ways out. Either do the normally expected work alone or make your presence felt. Do make a progress report, and record your accomplishments to share with your seniors and co-workers. 

Always actively seeking new challenges and a variety of tasks? 

Even if you aren’t assigned one you can always volunteer. This way you can break yourself away from the clutches of monotony in work. 
Sometimes there are glass ceilings that act as obstacles in your career advancement. You need to identify them first and then address those issues. Develop strong work relations, discuss your plans with your supervisor and get yourself noticed. Nothing is beyond human capacity, you can always manage to rise. 

Time management is crucial

Suppose you are assigned with multiple tasks but you don’t know how to coordinate and work about them? The workload can be stressful but not difficult to manage if you organize your tasks tactfully. Assign time for each of them, and keep a check if you are executing them within the expected timeframe. 

But it can be daunting to keep track. And you might face disappointment if you couldn’t organize them as you wanted. This can trigger a feeling of not being able to deliver thus making you disheartened. It’s not about being an overworked or extra burden. Even organizing routine tasks in a disciplined manner can be a huge challenge. Time is of the essence of professional life. 

The best way…

… to tackle this problem is to choose a reliable time tracking app such as this. An employee monitoring software can help you track your time consumed, tasks executed in the assigned timeframe and follow your progress practically. Manually developing timesheets or just keeping their track mentally rarely work. You need an actual and accurate monitor to keep you aware and active. 
Have you ever encountered workplace challenges? Yes, we thought so. Share with us in the comment section below.