What Kinds of Businesses Should Consider IT Support?

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Fifteen years ago, IT support generally meant giving a staff member the responsibility to switch a PC off and on again - or make a call to an external expert every time a monitor lost power! But today, the majority of businesses are harnessing the power of technology to gain - and maintain - competitive advantage. From stock control systems through to CRM databases, websites and digital assets, paperless offices and cloud computing - the world is now heavily technological and businesses must adapt to keep up. 

Should you consider IT support?

Most businesses will require IT support of some description, unless they are very small in size and are staffed with competent technical specialists who are knowledgeable in the office and operational systems used! In all other circumstances, support will generally be necessary.

Without a support function in place of any kind, the only real option when difficulties occur is to bring in external help at the going rate. This can introduce business delays which impact the operation and also be highly expensive. However, for ongoing maintenance and support, there are two broad options to consider. The first is to have an in-house IT support team and the second is to outsource the work on a retained basis. Each approach has its pros and cons and the right approach will depend on the nature of the business, its objectives, use of technology and existing resources. Here are some points to consider.

The case for external support

Agencies provide access to the latest knowledge and expertise, an agreed turnaround time via a retained model or other contract and access to support when required by the customer. There is no permanent overhead or obligation on the business' part, although the hourly rate can be more expensive for the IT support Cheshire areas have to reflect the level of expertise that is being bought in. Hybrid approaches can work, whereby basic support is provided by an in-house generalist and specialist skill sets are built in for implementations and strategic developments, where IT is being used to enhance competitive advantage or deliver a high-level business objective. Again, in such instances the flexible service of an outsourced provider can be useful - along with their ability to work offsite via servers and cloud technology. The provision of expert advice is also another benefit of this model.

The case for in-house support

An in-house team are always on hand to take work requests and to deliver fixes quickly. They will be naturally integrated in the business and be able to work closely with the customer, without having other clients to manage and schedule. Their focus will be entirely on the business at hand and they will be able to suggest improvements and enhancements to the existing IT capability and take a strategic role in business planning. Their costs will be cheaper for internal re-charge and the service delivery managed to business expectations. However, the cost of having a full-time team servicing IT support can be too expensive for most businesses to manage and such teams can lack specialist and up to date knowledge.

Sophie Jamieson is a seasoned IT professional with experience of consulting in the SME market. She regularly advises small businesses on IT support in Cheshire and beyond, to support their operations and achieve greater gains.

Importance of Trauma Insurance- Recovering Without Regressing

Recovering from illness is a traumatic process. It consumes lots of time and money and breaks down the person emotionally and financially. 

The answer to a financial breakdown in such a situation is “trauma insurance.” It pays enough to bear the medical expenses and deal with the critical financial situation.

Trauma Insurance

Trauma insurance is also known as recovery insurance or critical illness coverage. It pays a lump sum to the policyholder when claimed based on the diagnosis of a specific illness or disease. 

The disease list varies by insurance companies and on the selected policy. It generally includes health conditions such as heart attack, stroke, cancer, kidney diseases, and other life-threatening diseases. 

Finding a competent insurance provider can be difficult. Look for one that will take care of all the details so the patient can focus on improving.

It also includes organ transplants and various surgeries such as a  bypass. The policy definitions are the most important factor to consider. 

You need to review the number of conditions covered and the specific definition that pertains to each of those conditions. Coverage benefits help pay the medical bills and bear the household expenses. 

It helps relieve financial pressure and supports the dependants throughout the recovery process.

People are getting habitual to a lavish lifestyle, which has given birth to various critical diseases like heart attack, diabetes, low and high blood pressure, sprain, strain, and more. 

This is the reason behind this insurance policy. To deal with any sudden medical emergency, it is wise to get a recovery insurance policy. 

Trauma Insurance

There are various benefits of getting trauma insurance policy. It helps in case of medical emergency and covers the cost of treatment. 

Apart from financial security, it also offers social security to the dependent by providing them with peaceful life. It helps you recover from a critical disease without affecting your financial condition.

Various insurance companies offer trauma cover policies with different plans. One can choose the policy according to his/her health requirement and financial circumstance. 

Make it clear that the health condition or issue you are undergoing is acceptable and covered in the policy. It will help you to get your claimed amount without any hassle. 

Choose a company that makes claiming process easy and up to the mark. Make sure about the reliability of the insurance company. A good company helps get coverage easily and quickly in case of a medical emergency. 

Of course, for those having difficulty with claims, there are companies like Curo Financial Services that offer a service to those looking to claim their Trauma Insurance, so they can concentrate on getting better.

They also offer unmatched customer services, which you can access anytime to get your insurance-related queries answered. Claiming coverage from the insurance company follows a few steps.

1. Inform the insurance company about your medical condition. 

2. Provide them with the medical certificate or admission receipt from the doctor or hospital.

3. Produce a copy of your insurance policy and identity proof.

4. Submit the entire medical certificate along with the received medical bills.

Contact your financial planner or adviser to get the best policy. Make your life easy and peaceful with trauma coverage.

Credit Union Video Shows Another side of George Washington

This post brought to you by ViralGains. All opinions are 100% mine.

There is a video going around that shows an actor posing as George Washington doing all he can to drive this guy crazy. This video was put out by the Virginia Credit Union League. This video was posted by the Credit Union League to put a hilarious spin on how you are charged, a Washington or two, to use a banks services on a purchase. 

 Here's the video, see what you think.

Credit Unions are in the news again because they offer lower fees and lower interest rates than your average bank. If you go to their website Quit The Hit! Homepage you will find examples of how you can save money on your financial services by using their products.

The reason Credit Unions charge less in fees and interest is because they are basically run as a non-profit. They don't need to make a profit so they pass on the savings to their customers. You will also find the culture of a Credit Union to be more friendly and less corporate. With the corporate pressure off you have a more customer oriented environment. Reminiscent of the small town banks of long ago.

My experience with a credit union is a positive one. It just so happens that our local credit union is right next to a StarBucks. I often see credit union employees having a cup of coffee with their customers.

If your unsatisfied with your big bank experience why not give your local credit union a try.

Fix Financial Distress with Secured Loans For Retirement

Individuals with negative credit history are probably some of the most financial distressed individuals out there. However, this drawback should not halt them from obtaining financial stability because there are a myriad of financial programs out there that can be utilized to fix such predicament. 

The long list includes secured loans, click here and they can be easily obtained by individuals with bad credit history.

However, it should be remembered that secured loans should only be obtained to cover emergency expenses because irresponsible procurement can lead to the accumulation of unnecessary debts. Those who are in dire financial situations can be relieved because many creditors practice leeway when it comes to their repayment programs.

Also, individuals who are desperate of cash are encouraged to seek advice from financial experts so that they can make the most of their secured loans and at the same eliminate excessive interest rates.

All in all, the said loans are extremely beneficial and can go a very long way for those who want to achieve financial freedom. 

Benefits of Secured Loans

• In general, individuals with bad credit history may find it difficult to obtain conventional loans because of disagreeable interest rates. This is not the case when it comes to secured loans since the interest rates that they carry are appropriately calculated. 
• Many borrowers become saddled with unnecessary debts because of unfitting repayment schemes. Such disadvantage is not an issue when it comes to unsecured loans because borrowers can choose repayment terms that varies from one to five years. With this, borrowers can choose to pay their loans quickly or spread them out a bit. 
• In secured loans, fixed interest rates translate to fixed payments. Because of this borrowers can have an idea of how much they need to pay on a monthly basis. 

Conclusion

It should be remembered though that the abovementioned benefits can only be obtained if secured loans will be borrowed from reputable companies. Also, before applying for the said loans, it would be best to make an extensive research of various loan programs out there.

The said precautionary measure can help borrowers understand and obtain loans that can perfectly suit their financial status. Many companies are established to lend a default sum to individuals with negative credit history.

However, it should be remembered though that some interest rates are a bit higher, but borrowers can acquire certain deals at lower interest rates.

In the end, a simple action like performing research can go a very long way when it comes to secured loans.

The Most Efficient Ways of Improving Your Home

Our homes are always a project for the man of the house: minor or major improvements are in their eyes a way to increase the value of the house should you decide to sell it in a market where, when prices drop, having the house that is most attractive to buyers because of the improvements you made makes it also the one that sells and maybe also with some thousands of dollars extra to the end price.

And even if you do not want to sell it, due to reasons such as memories of your kids growing up and your family expanding and then moving on to their own families or simply the place where your presents and futures were built brick by brick, a change can bring psychological comfort, at the least.

The tricky part is to get as much (preferably more) money or satisfaction from the improvement than you actually put into it. We have to be more financially savvy, as a retired accountant suggests. I mean, even if you do not sell it, we have to get that house feel like a vacation house every single day, so that your retirement could be enjoyable and something to look forward to.

Moreover, more and more people have become very concerned with environment protection, so you will have to think of Eco-friendly solutions for you, your children, your children’s children and so on. Doing all of this on a budget will require some serious planning.  

Bathroom

I’ve always admired the elegance of natural stone and where better to find it than in the bathroom. Granite bathroom tops are affordable, elegant and all around excellent to achieve exactly this. Adding some new faucets and maybe a mirror, you could easily remodel a bathroom for under $500. The first thing is to order all the necessary materials and only begin when all of them are at your disposal. Freshen up the old vanity if it is still in good shape by painting it. This is a simple modification that will last no more than 2 days.
 

Kitchen

As the kitchen is considered to be at the heart of your house, investments you make on a remodel can be expected to return 60-%120% of what you put in considering you don’t overdo it. It is important that the remodeling reflects the general feel of the house so do not go overboard with deluxe kitchens if the neighborhood and the house are cozy or historic.

 Eco-Friendly Solutions

It is common knowledge that environmentally friendly home improvements are somewhat expensive, but if you don't have the necessary funds to invest in sustainable materials, and energy sources, this doesn't mean that you can't help out mother Earth. The most convenient solution would be to take care of your garbage in a green way. Instant Waste, for example, offers a safe and environmentally responsible solution to unwanted waste. Removing waste goes hand in hand with planting eco plants such as trees and making use of other additional eco solutions such as buying light bulbs or eco household appliances that help lower the energy bill and maintain the health of our surroundings. This may not seem like much, but it is more than most people do.
 

Energy Efficient Insulation

One of the most important aspects when trying to sell a house is insulation: home inspectors will include old doors that allow air through into their reports and since a house that is not energy efficient costs more to live in and to maintain, it may just be that you will wait longer for your buyer than you expected. There are simple, low budget things that can be easily done, like insulating the attic ($200) which will save you hundreds of dollars on utility bills. Sealing off cracks is another cheap improvement that will also contribute to a more efficient home.
 

Rooms

It is not easy at first to try reinventing a room but adding some square footage to your home will surely broaden your perspective, although it can be quite an expensive project simply because more often than not the project cost can easily spin out of control. So instead of this be creative, use the attic and turn it into a bedroom, remodel the basement or add small apartments over your garage (and even inside it). There are some situations where demolishing walls or rafters are unavoidable but there are some concerns you need to address before doing so. More often than not you can use the space as other rooms.

Be sure to always have the basic updates in check: the simple things will be those which will give the most value to your home. I mean fresh paint, roof maintenance, wood replacement, mold prevention. Even though such chores are not always the most pleasant, they keep your home from losing value over time and since most buyers are looking for solid, healthy-looking homes they will be sure to check each corner. And when they see a well-cared for home, buyers will not think twice and will surely put down an offer immediately. 

6 Ways You and Your Spouse Can Manage Your Finances Together

Money is one of the leading causes of conflict in marriages today. This touchy subject often stays on the sidelines till after a couple has said "I do," only to rear its ugly head later. Managing your money as a team can do wonders for both your financial and marital health. 

Set Specific Goals Together

Many marriages have both a spender and a saver. If you work together to come up with achievable financial goals, your differences can balance each other out. It's important for both partners to share the same financial goals in order for your family to reach them together. Identify all your goals, large and small. This may range from saving for a house to maintaining a grocery budget large enough to accommodate organic produce. 

Create a Roadmap for Your Finances

Once you've set your goals, you need to decide exactly how you will reach them. Create a time-table for large goals, such as saving for a car or home. Determine how much you need each week or month to get to your goals in time. The clearer you are about where you're going, the easier it will be to decide whether you're on track. 

Choose a Money Management Plan

Sit down together and decide how you will manage your money. You can keep your money in a joint account or two separate ones. If you use separate accounts, you may want to keep a joint one as well for pooling money used on bills.

It's also a good idea to decide how you will track your money from month to month. There are many apps and programs to help you with this. A more traditional method is to take cash out for each type of expense and keep it in an envelope so your spending can't spill over from one area to the next. This keeps you from accidentally spending grocery funds on entertainment and makes it easier to visualize your situation. 

Set Rules for Spending

As a couple, you need to decide how much discretionary money each person gets. Do you have a set allowance for fun money each week, or are you able to spend freely as long as purchases are under a certain cap? Be very clear about how you feel on this issue, as a saver may prefer discussing any purchase over $20 while a spender would probably set the cap closer to $100. 

Collaborate on Savings Strategies

Saving is important for healthy finances in any situation. Talk to your spouse about the level of risk that you're comfortable with. There are lots of ways to invest and save ranging from gold bullion from the U S Money Reserve to stock and bonds. A diverse portfolio is usually the best option for balanced financial health. 

Communicate Clearly and Often

Set a meeting time each week or month for you and your spouse to sit down and go over the finances. Communicating often is your best defense against misunderstandings and conflicts down the road.

Using these strategies, you and your spouse can manage your finances wisely with both parties having a fair and equal say in your decisions.