Category Archives: business

How to make GDPR do great things for your business.

GDPR consultancy can be extremely helpful for businesses in ensuring compliance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and protecting the personal data of their customers. The GDPR is a comprehensive set of rules and regulations that govern the collection, processing, and storage of personal data by businesses operating in the European Union (EU). It includes stringent requirements for obtaining consent, implementing security measures, and providing individuals with rights over their personal data. By seeking the assistance of a GDPR consultancy, businesses can navigate these complex requirements and mitigate the risk of non-compliance.

Making it work for your business

One of the main ways in which GDPR consultancy can help businesses is by conducting a thorough assessment of their data processing activities. This involves identifying the types of personal data being collected, how it is processed, and the purposes for which it is used. The consultancy can then evaluate whether these activities are in compliance with the GDPR and recommend any necessary changes or improvements. This helps businesses ensure that their data processing practices are lawful and transparent, thereby reducing the risk of penalties or fines.

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Another way in which GDPR consultancy can be beneficial for businesses is by providing guidance on implementing appropriate security measures. The GDPR requires businesses to implement technical and organizational measures to protect personal data against unauthorized access, disclosure, alteration, or destruction. A consultancy can assist businesses in identifying the necessary security measures based on their specific data processing activities and help them implement these measures effectively. This can include encryption, access controls, regular data backups, and employee training on data protection.

Furthermore, GDPR consultancy can help businesses in drafting and reviewing privacy policies and consent forms. The GDPR requires businesses to provide individuals with clear and transparent information about how their personal data is being processed and obtain their explicit consent for such processing. A consultancy can ensure that privacy policies and consent forms are drafted in accordance with the requirements of the GDPR, making them clear, concise, and easily understandable for individuals. This helps build trust with customers and demonstrates a commitment to data protection.

Do you need a GDPR consultant?

Are you ready to take your business to the next level of data protection and compliance? Look no further than a GDPR consultant! With the implementation of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), it’s crucial for businesses to ensure they are following all the necessary guidelines. But navigating through the complex world of data protection can be overwhelming. That’s where a GDPR consultant comes in. These experts have extensive knowledge and experience in GDPR compliance and can help you understand the regulations, assess your current processes, and implement necessary changes. Don’t let the fear of non-compliance hold you back – hire a GDPR consultant and protect your business today!

In conclusion, GDPR consultancy can be highly beneficial for businesses in ensuring compliance with the GDPR and protecting the personal data of their customers. It provides guidance on assessing data processing activities, implementing security measures, and drafting privacy policies and consent forms. By seeking the assistance of a GDPR consultancy, businesses can enhance their data protection practices, reduce the risk of non-compliance, and build trust with their customers.

*Guest post collaboration

The Best Places in Washington State to Start a Tech Company

Washington State is a great place to start a tech company. The state has been ranked as the best state for business and entrepreneurship. It’s also one of the most educated states in the U.S., with over 50% of adults having a bachelor’s degree or higher.

Seattle is considered to be the best city in Washington state to start a tech company because of its strong startup culture and diverse workforce. The cost of living is also lower than other cities in Washington, making it easy for startups to thrive without breaking their budgets.

Other cities are included on that list, too, though. They include Redmond, Bellevue, Tacoma, and Spokane. Let’s learn about a few Washington cities where you’ll want to consider moving to for your future in tech.

Bellevue

Bellevue is near the large city of Seattle and has a population of more than 144,000. It is a hub for technology companies and startups, with many tech companies such as Microsoft and Amazon having offices in Bellevue.

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Bellevue has been the fastest-growing city in the United States for the past two decades. The city has seen an increase of 8% in its population since 2010, and its growth rate is expected to continue to increase over the next decade.

For these reasons, Bellevue offers many opportunities for tech startups and entrepreneurs to start their business so many other companies are doing this work already.

Overall, Bellevue offers low cost of living, high quality of life, and great infrastructure for entrepreneurs looking for a new home base in the Pacific Northwest. You’ll want to check out some Bellevue houses for sale so you can live and work here permanently.

Seattle

Seattle is a city that is rapidly growing and has become one of the most popular cities in the United States. With a thriving tech scene, it is no surprise that it has become an attractive place to start up a new business.

There are many factors that make Seattle an ideal place for entrepreneurs to start their business. These include low living costs, access to high-quality talent, and great transportation options.

Seattle’s large population of highly educated people with skills in science, engineering, and technology make it an attractive location for startups.

Tech companies in the city include Amazon, Tableau, and Cray.

Spokane

Spokane is a city in the state of Washington. It is the second largest city in Washington after Seattle and has a population of over 217,000 people.

Spokane is the perfect place for tech startups to grow. It offers low cost of living, low cost of business, and great access to talent. There are also many companies that have been started by ex-employees from Microsoft and Amazon.

The city has a strong tech community with lots of events, meetups, and resources for startups. Spokane also takes pride in being one of the top cities in America with regards to innovation and entrepreneurship.

So, now you know that if you’re looking to get into tech in the state of Washington, you’re in very good company!

 

The Things Nobody Tells You About Running A Home Business

Have you used lockdown as the perfect opportunity to build your home-based business? The pandemic has encouraged a creative boom for solo entrepreneurs. And it’s a great thing! You can create a workplace that suits your needs, your schedule, and your skills. Ultimately, many successful companies have had a humble start, such as Google or Apple, for instance. So, why couldn’t you be the next entrepreneur to build a successful business? 

 

As a solo entrepreneur, you understand that there are a lot of things that will now fall under your responsibility. Running your own business is a huge task that needs a varied skill set. An entrepreneur needs to understand accounting, marketing, and even business legislation. Thankfully, you don’t need to do everything by yourself. You can outsource some activities to experts, rely on specialists software solutions, and find guidance from experienced entrepreneurs who share their knowledge online. The bottom line: You don’t have to go through professional challenges alone, even if you are a solo entrepreneur. However, professional requirements aside, solo ventures can put a lot of pressure on your shoulders. 

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Unsplash – CC0 Licence 

 

It’s a stressful and lonely day

Loneliness is perhaps the most difficult thing that you will face when you start your home business. Did you know that entrepreneurs were more vulnerable to depression than any other professionals? It’s easy to understand why. When you work in a company, you can release steam with coworkers or friends after a tough day at work. There’s a boss to complain about. But when you’re the boss, you can find it hard to let go of your stress. Here’s a little tip for you: Feel-good hormones are best to get rid of stress. The body produces them in three types of situations. Firstly, when you work out regularly. Secondly, when you’re flirting. Chatting with strangers without worrying about long-term consequences, such as with https://freechatlines.com/new-york, for instance, can release dopamine. Finally, laughing will also help your mind relax, whether you talk to friends or watch your favourite comedian on TV. 

 

You need a testing board for your ideas

What is a good idea? Having ideas is not easy. But knowing whether your business idea is good or not is almost impossible. Many new entrepreneurs don’t know how to validate their ideas, which is why many small businesses and startups tend to fail within their first year. As a solo entrepreneur, you’ve got nobody to question or review your ideas. That’s why it’s essential to take all the steps to test and validate each concept, as per https://www.viima.com/blog/idea-validation. From market analysis to reaching out to a mentor, solo entrepreneurs need to surround themselves with professional opinions to move forward.  

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Unsplash – CC0 Licence 

 

It can damage your health

One thing you’ll discover when you start your own business is that work/life balance doesn’t exist. Working from home makes it even more challenging to leave “work” on time. But for entrepreneurs, the 9 to 5 routine doesn’t exist. Working longer hours leads to chronic stress, fatigue, and the development of unhealthy habits. Many entrepreneurs may choose to schedule me-time and healthy routines in their days or keep a journal to track their habits. 

Running a home-based business can be a fantastic experience. However, it is also a lonely adventure that affects your mental health, physical health, and ability to judge the quality of your own ideas. Don’t take chances on your venture, and look after yourself first!

 

Tips for every first time business owner.

If you’re thinking of starting your own business for the first time ever, you probably have a good idea of what you want to do. However, there are a few things you’ll need to consider before you get started in order to avoid the pitfalls that many new business owners face. Many new businesses fail within the first year. That shouldn’t put you off – the best business owners learn from their mistakes and try again. You won’t know what works for you and what you actually want to do if you don’t do anything at all. With that in mind, let’s take a look at some tips for every first time business owner.

Do What You Know And Love

Don’t just jump straight onto the next lucrative thing because you think you can make money. Do what you know and love, and it’ll feel less like work. Yes, you’ll have to work hard, but the novelty will wear off so much faster if you do something you don’t like for all of the wrong reasons.

Know The Legal Requirements

Make sure you understand all of the legal requirements and implications of starting the business you have in mind, whether this is insurance, hiring people, or the certificates you need to provide food products to the public. It varies depending on what you’re doing, so make sure you do thorough research.

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Choose The Right Platforms

Take your time to select the platforms that are best for your business, whether they are based solely online, or you’re starting a physical business. When starting an online business you will need to familiarise yourself with the latest softwares and  applications to ensure you are being efficient and working to your full potential. This can be anything from payment software, to complete checkout, to Qualtrics  survey maker tool; so you know exactly what your target audience wants. Starting a physical business can be a little more complicated, as you need to consider things like overheads and warehouse flooring safety. Having both an online and physical presence can garner the best results.

Keep Yourself Healthy

You should be mentally and physically healthy, and this means taking care of yourself. Finding balance can be tough, but it’s even more important when you own a business. Make sure you stay active, find a support group, and take breaks when you need them.

Make Your Goals Specific

When you set goals for yourself, make them as specific as possible. Vague goals can easily get put on the backburner. Give your goals specific deadlines, and ensure they are specific enough that you can measure them. Break them up into baby steps if you need to.

Hire People Who Aren’t Like You

When hiring, hire people who bring something new to the table. Make sure you know how to delegate, too, or you’ll still be shouldering most of the hard work.

Do Your Market Research

Market research ensures there’s a gap in the market for what you offer, and helps you to find ways to differentiate your product or service. It’s one of the most important steps in getting started.

Ask For Feedback and Act On it

Always ask your audience for feedback – and make sure you act on it. This shows them you care, and helps you to hone your business until it’s next to perfect.

 

 

Tips for starting a business from home.

Are you ready to take the plunge and start your own home based business?

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Whether you’re a landscaper, CPA, child care provider or stylist, many small businesses can be operated out of your home. Follow these recommendations from the business professionals to ensure your business gets started on the right foot and is a huge success. A good avenue to go down if you’re wanting to work from home, whether that’s because you have children to care for or you’re just ready to start working for yourself, would be to offer copywriting services. It’s something you can do around your own schedule and doesn’t require much (if any) capital to get started.

One of the most important items to confirm is the zoning laws in your area. Some municipalities allow for certain types of home based businesses, such as those that will not have any clients or customers in the home, and those that will. Check with your local city hall for the ordinances in your area. You’ll also need to apply for a business license. While this involves a small fee, it’s required of home based businesses as well. If you’re providing a service, make sure your industry licensees and credentials are up to date.

Select a software to keep track of your clients, expenses and income. Many software programs will also provide profit and loss analysis, track costs and determine margins for profitability. This is the basis of your business plan. Make sure your business is in accordance with any new laws and regulations that have been introduced such as the IFRS 16 compliance which has brought lease accounting into the 21st century by creating a standardised way for everyone to report their leased assets. Do you plan to offer a product or service for which there is an unmet need in the market? Have you priced your product or service at a price the market can bear and that will also allow for adequate profits? Maintain the integrity and on line security of this data. This is especially important if you maintain client information on your computer.

Develop a marketing plan. How will prospective clients learn about your business? Word of mouth and referrals are by far the best way to gain loyal clients.
Develop a simple website that describes your business, the value of your product or service and the options available to customers. Include all of your contact information on the website. As you begin to secure customers and deliver your service or product, it is critical that you deliver on all of your promises. Provide excellence and exceed client expectations and your business will be off to a great start.

A fun part can be designing your space, what will your work space look like? It will be very different for someone doing freelance accounting work compared to someone with an in house salon. So, do you need to invest in an acoustic office pod so you have a quiet space to work and make private calls away from the noise of family/kids, do you need specialist treatment chairs for pedicures? Whatever it may be it’s an investment into the future of your at home business. You have to make sure you have everything you needed to provide a professional service that will keep people coming back to you. Getting a business off the ground takes a lot of work and preparation but I think the best thing about the end result is that it’s yours.

Continue on this path and your business will be sustainable for years to come!

Turn your passion into a business

When it comes to a career, it is one of the most important choices of your life, and can also be the subject of some of your biggest dreams. Many people may know what they want their career to be from a young age; they train at university or take on an internship that can progress them up their chosen industry ladder. However, sometimes things don’t turn out the way you thought they would, and you may find yourself after all that training and experience thinking that you’re on the wrong career path. A lot of people have negative fj1                                  (Source)

opinions of someone doing what they love for a living, but the truth is that life is just too short not to. So, ignore the negativity, and have a look below to see how your passion can be turned into the career of your dreams. Whether you passion lies in hands on creatives fields or making money online, its so important to love what you do, here is a london seo expert success story you’ll never believe.

 

Fashion

Whether you are into modelling or want to create your own clothing line one day, you don’t always have to follow the typical path of being scouted or taking on an internship which is unpaid. Social media platforms like Instagram, Youtube, and Blogger, are leading the way for young entrepreneurs to take a different path, and the success rate has been phenomenal. Simply starting an “Outfit Of The Day” on your Instagram, rating your monthly purchases on your blog, or filming a lookbook for your Youtube channel could get your name out there and begin to build a loyal following. This will help open up opportunities with different brands, and other professionals using your chosen social media platform in the industry, helping you to start climbing the ladder whilst doing what you love, and continuing to inspire your followers. If you want to create your own clothing line, it may be worth investing in a high-quality sewing machine and starting to work with patterns, creating your own designs. Though it may take time to build skill, when the opportunities start to roll in, you’ll thank yourself for time well spent.

 

Makeup

If you have always wanted to be a Makeup Artist but have been unable to bag a job on a makeup counter, or simply do not want to work in retail, it is definitely not the end of the road for you. Similar to the fashion section above – showcasing your skills on social media is a great way to start – whether that be filming a tutorial for Youtube or photographing your skills for Instagram. As an aspiring  Makeup Artist make sure you utilize social media as much as fj2(Source)                                                             

 possible to advertise your brand and skills. Ask clients to review your services on your professional Facebook page as this will help to build up a reliable and trustworthy reputation for your business, bringing in more customers. You may also find that through using Youtube and Instagram, you are able to get sponsored by a reputable industry brand, which will not only open doors for you, but help to rapidly build up your artistry kit. There are also quick courses available from accredited makeup schools like DFMA Makeup Academy which will help to build on your natural talent, and confidence, for going freelance. When looking for Makeup Artist potential clients tend to look at previous client reviews, qualifications the artist has brands used within their kit – so it is essential to pay close attention to these three areas.

 

Tattoos and Piercings

Unlike some of the professions previously mentioned, being self-taught is, unfortunately, not an option in this industry. A passion, as well as a reliable and industry accredited qualification, in either piercing or tattooing, is needed. These are easier to come by than a full undergraduate degree qualification, and usually shorter. However, they will need to be saved for as, like degrees, they can be expensive. Then again, a life-long career doing something you love is truly invaluable. After gaining the relevant qualifications, if you decide you would like to go freelance, you will need to buy all the piercing equipment or tattooing equipment required, so it may be worth putting money aside for that as well as the qualifications. You may even decide to partner up with another professional who is passionate about body modification to open a business. Using social media to show your artistry or even your work in progress will be a great way of creating interest, and if you have competitive prices to other business in the industry, you may find you grow in success quite rapidly. It is important to invest in quality equipment to start out with as it will be more cost efficient for you in the long run. For example: a tattoo with high-quality ink will retain its design and colour through the healing process, and the ink will not bleed away from the design into surrounding skin. If you always give out a high-quality service from the get-go, you are going to gain loyal customers that highly recommend your business – which is the key to success.

 

Health And Fitness

If you want a career in Health and Fitness but are resistant to work in a gym there are ways round it to become a successful Personal Trainer. If you have the funds, creating your own gym inside your house and using social media to gain clients could be a great way of setting up a business. Alternatively, a cheaper option would be to film your workouts or instruction classes for Youtube and gain a following. Depending on the extent of the following you grow you may be able to earn a full time wage from Youtube and be able to save up for dream gym. You may also find that having a qualification under your belt, like with the piercer and tattooist section above, will help to ensure potential customers they are getting a safe, well informed and reliable service from you. Marketing your qualification along with your skill, and positive reviews from previous clients will definitely up your numbers. Using advertisement campaigns like before and after shots of current clients, and offering a food plan alongside training services have proven to be successful industry-wide.

 

Hopefully, this has given you some inspiration and motivation to go after your career dream. Best of luck!