close

Simon Toby

Business

How to Improve Your Employee Onboarding Process: The Complete Guide

You’ve reviewed dozens of resumes and gone through a few rounds of interviews to find the perfect candidate for a job opening. The person accepted your offer, so now it’s time to go through the onboarding process.

Before you do the same thing you’ve done, consider how to improve it. That way, you can give your new hire the best possible experience and set them up for success.

Read on to learn more.

Review Employee Exit Interviews

Before you start working on your onboarding process, take a look at answers from recent employee exit interviews. Ideally, look at the answers from the person who left the position you need to fill.

As you look at different interview answers, look for trends. For example, maybe multiple employees said they liked receiving one-on-one help when they first started.

Or maybe a few employees wished they had more guidance when learning new tasks. You can use this information to prepare for onboarding your new employees to give them a better experience.

Prepare Before the First Day

Once you hire employees, you should prepare for their onboarding before their first day. Start organizing paperwork, such as tax forms, employee contracts, and the employee handbook.

Consider what supplies the new employee will need, such as a computer or other office supplies. Order those items and set them up before the new worker gets to the office.

You should also set them up with a new phone extension and a company email. That way, everything will be ready for them to get to work or training when they start the job.

Outline Goals

If you didn’t outline goals and expectations in the job description, do that now. You can make a list of goals that apply to all positions, such as to be on time and to be courteous to others.

However, you might also want to outline some goals for the new hire’s specific role. For example, if they’re going to be a sales representative, you may outline sales quotas or processes they’ll need to follow.

As you come up with goals, think about goals in general as well as for during the employee onboarding and training process. That way, the employee will know what they need to do to start their job successfully.

Communicate With the New Hire

As soon as you decide to hire someone and they accept the offer, maintain communication. Especially if someone is leaving another job, they may not be able to start for a couple of weeks.

However, you can send the new hire emails with information to help them look forward to their first day. Human resources, the employee’s supervisor, and the company CEO can all send messages.

When the new hire gets to the office, they may already feel like they know a few people, even if they haven’t met. Communicating with the employee may also help them with their nerves before the job, so they may feel better on their first day.

Send the Hire What You Can

Along with sending welcome notes, send the new hire as much paperwork as you can. For example, you can email them tax forms and a copy of the employee handbook.

That way, the hire will be able to review all of those documents on their time. You won’t have to worry about spending a few hours on these forms when the new worker comes in for the first time.

They also will have as much time as they need to read over contracts and other data. You may make time to review the documents and to answer any questions the person has, but that won’t take as much time.

Use Onboarding Software

An easy way to send new employees their paperwork is to use employee onboarding software, such as WorkBright. A good onboarding program will house all of the files you need.

That way, you won’t have to search through your computer to find what you need. And you won’t need to spend time scanning the documents or making print copies and using up paper.

The new employee can create an account with the software to access the documents from home. They can sign everything virtually, so you won’t use as much paper, and you can save time on looking for what you need to send.

Implement Other Automations

Along with employee onboarding software, consider other ways to automate the onboarding process. Maybe you know that the new employee will be taking over the schedule of someone who left.

In that case, you can replace the names in your employee scheduling program. All you’ll have to do is print or email the schedule to the new worker so that they have a copy.

You may also add the new hire to employee newsletters so that you don’t have to send those emails separately. The more you can automate, the more time you’ll be able to save, so you can spend more time answering questions or working with the new hire.

Prepare Existing Employees

Before the new worker’s first day, prepare the current employees they’ll be working with. Make sure the current employees know what you expect of them regarding training and other responsibilities.

If the hire will affect someone else’s work, let that employee know. Then, they can prepare for a change in their schedule or any other shift to how they work.

Of course, you can also ask current employees to be nice to the new person. Everyone will have to adjust to the change, so be flexible with both the new employee and the others on their team.

Make sure the current employees know they can come to you if they have problems adjusting. Then, you can make everyone feel like a valuable part of the team.

Create a Schedule

If you don’t have an employee onboarding schedule already, create a schedule for the new hire. Then, you’ll know what they need to do for their first day or week.

You can send the employee a copy of their schedule before they come in so that they know what to expect. The schedule can be as open or as detailed as it needs to be depending on the training and other things the new employee will have to do.

Having a schedule will help everyone prepare for the first few days or weeks the worker is on the job. You can also make sure the training won’t interrupt other workers, so they can keep the team running.

Make Training Engaging

Another essential part of improving your onboarding process is to update the training. Maybe your former employees said the training materials were boring and hard to understand.

That’s a great reason to make sure the training materials are engaging for your new hire. You can incorporate a few different training tactics to help the employee learn the company’s processes.

But try to include things like videos or pictures, which can be more interesting than text alone. If you’re hiring a group of people to do the same job, you may want to host a group training session where people can ask questions.

Personalize What You Can

When you hire employees, it can be easy to give everyone the same exact training. You may have basic training materials that make it easy to teach new people your processes in one way.

However, people can learn in a few different ways. If you have the resources, personalize the training process so that employees can learn in a way that works for them.

Maybe you download a transcript of a video training for someone who learns better by reading. Or perhaps you let the new employee shadow an existing worker to see what their new job involves.

Get Them Working Soon

A good onboarding process will get new employees working as normal as soon as possible. They may still need to review training materials after a few days.

However, the longer it takes before they start doing their job, the easier it will be for the employee to get bored. Even if they can’t do everything, they should be able to do a few tasks after a bit of training.

You can always have a manager or coworker watch the new employee do certain tasks. That way, the person with experience can verify the new person is doing everything correctly, and the new hire can learn by doing.

Order in Lunch

On the employee’s first day, consider ordering lunch for the whole team. That way, the employee won’t have to worry about packing anything, so they can focus on their tasks.

Ordering lunch for the team also gives everyone a chance to get to know the new worker and vice versa. Employees can connect over food, and they may learn new things they wouldn’t otherwise learn.

If you want to do this, ask the new employee ahead of time about their favorite foods or restaurants. Order from their favorite place, and you can make them feel at home, and they can look forward to their first day.

Assign a Contact

When onboarding the best employees, assign someone to be that new hire’s point of contact. This person could be their supervisor or someone else working in the same position.

You may have someone from human resources be the point of contact as well. Either way, assigning a contact will give the new employee someone to email or call whenever they have questions.

Make sure the contact knows their role, so they can keep an eye on their inbox for messages. Having a contact can make the employee feel better about being at work, and they can get answers to any issues as soon as they arise.

Expect Questions

Whether you’re the point of contact or not, you should expect plenty of questions from the new worker. You could give them the most comprehensive handbook and the best training materials.

However, it’s easy for people to forget what they learned, and they may have missed a section in the handbook. Plus, there may be tasks that come up that the training and handbook don’t cover.

Make sure your new employee feels comfortable asking questions about the job. Ask all current employees to not judge the new person and to answer their questions when possible.

Check in Regularly

It can be easy to think the onboarding process is over once a new hire completes training. For the most part, they will settle into their job, but you should still check in regularly.

Ask the employee how they’re doing and if they have any questions about the technology you use other things. Remind the employee that you’re grateful they’re working for you, and tell them to come to you with any problems.

You want to make sure the employee settles in and that they feel good about their job. That way, you won’t have to find employees to replace that person if they leave after a few months because they didn’t feel welcome.

After a few months, you won’t have to check in as often. But be sure to keep an open door and be willing to talk with all employees if they have issues so that you can resolve them.

Ask the Employee Their Thoughts

Once an employee completes the onboarding process, ask them to meet with you. Come up with a list of questions regarding the different steps, such as the communication before the first day.

You can ask the employee if they felt the training prepared them well enough for their role. Other questions can cover their first day and their first few experiences working with customers.

Keep a record of that employee’s answers, and do this whenever you hire employees. That way, you can review the answers and make the onboarding process easier the next time.

How Will You Improve Your Employee Onboarding Process?

Having a good onboarding process is critical if you want to hire and retain your best employees. Be sure the process starts well before the worker’s first day and continues for as long as necessary.

That way, the employee will be able to learn what they need to so that they can do their job. And you can make them feel good and reinforce what they’re doing.

Did you enjoy this article? Check out our business section for similar content.

read more
News

10 Real Examples of Personal Value Statements

Do you really know what your values are?

Every person values something different in life, whether it be great communication, trusting work relationships, or putting 100% into everything you do. If you’ve never thought much about what you truly value, then it can be helpful to sit down and come up with a personal value statement.

Personal value statements are exactly what they sound like. They’re concise statements that tell someone who you are and what’s important to you in work/life.

Today, we’re going to give you 10 examples of personal value statements. By defining your values in this way, you can better seek out careers, people, and situations that fall in line with them. Keep reading and you’ll be able to craft your very own personal value statement and approach life with your values in mind.

Famous Personal Value Statements

Some of the best examples of personal value statements come from stars of the world(s) of business, media, and activism. These people all rose to the top of their respective professions because of their dedication and strong values.

1. “If Something Is Important Enough, You Should Try, Even If the Probable Outcome Is Failure” -Elon Musk

Elon Musk is famous for risk-taking, so it’s no surprise that his personal values reflect that. This statement is powerful for its simplicity, but more so if you look at the accomplishments of the man that said it.

In all of his endeavors, he’s proven that failure is capable of making you stronger. From his dedication to sustainable vehicles to his unrelenting desire to take humankind to Mars, whatever little failures have occurred along the way pale in comparison to the progress he’s made overall.

2. “To Have Fun In My Journey Through Life and Learn From My Mistakes” -Richard Branson

As one of the biggest thrill-seeking billionaires on the planet, Richard Branson has always exuded a desire to have fun. It’s easy to have fun when you’re so rich, but it’s the rest of the personal value statement that really hits home.

Life is a journey and it should be lived to its fullest. One of the ways to do that is to pay close attention to everything and learn from what works and what doesn’t work.

3. “To Make People Happy” -Walt Disney

Walt Disney has made billions of people happy, so he certainly lived up to his concise, but poignant value statement. At the end of the day, whatever life priorities you have, happiness for yourself and those you come across should always come first.

4. “To Be a Teacher and to Be Known for Inspiring My Students More Than They Thought They Could Be” -Oprah Winfrey

In all of Oprah Winfrey’s media endeavors, the lasting impression one gets is of someone that wants to make a positive impact on the world. She says as much in this personal value statement and has certainly succeeded in doing so.

From propping up authors with Oprah’s Book Club to empowering female voices on her TV channel, Oprah has taught us all that you can do whatever you want, so long as you work hard and give back.

5. “I Want to Serve the People. And I Want Every Girl, Every Child to Be Educated” -Malala Yousafzai

Malala is one of the most important activists of the 21st century, raising her voice in an environment where so many young women have been silenced. Her personal value statement is about as clear as one could be and at 24, she’s done everything in her power to make it happen.

Personal Value Statements for Your Inspiration

You don’t have to be famous to write a personal value statement. Often, they’re used simply to convey your personal goals on a CV or cover letter. Here are a few common examples:

6. “To Create Stories that Educate and Entertain”

If you’re an aspiring writer, journalist, or filmmaker getting your start in the world of media, you always want to make a strong statement about the type of work you want to do. This personal value statement is putting a special emphasis on education rather than just entertainment.

7. “To Offer Excellent Care to All Patients”

As a medical professional, whether you’re a surgeon, nurse, or specialist, the goal is always to provide the best care possible. When you’re writing your CV for your first job at a hospital or clinic, you’d be remiss not to include something along these lines to show your potential employer the type of employee they’ll be getting.

8. “To Cultivate a Positive Working Environment and Inspire Coworkers”

This value statement is a simple, yet effective way to get an employer’s attention. No matter what niche you’re working in (learn more here about finding your niche), positivity and productivity are important shared values.

Every good business strives to have a positive working environment and you can only cultivate that by hiring positive employees. In firmly stating your positive intentions to the employer, you’re giving yourself a greater chance of landing the job you seek.

9. “Use My Project Management Skills to Deliver Productivity”

It can be extremely helpful, in a broad field like project management, to pinpoint what you’re in it for. A personal value statement like this is, once again, simple, but conveys a very specific notion.

Delivering productivity is an important aspect of project management. If that’s why you do what you do, then don’t be afraid to say it.

10. “To Inspire Students to Work Hard and Achieve Their Goals”

Teachers are a great example of how a using value statement can help you guide your own intentions. Why did you become a teacher?

It’s a simple question that evokes complex answers. Try to distill your intentions down to one or two key components, as this one does, and use that as your personal value statement.

Use These Examples of Personal Value Statements as Inspiration

These are 10 great examples of personal value statements and how they can be used to great effect. Use them as examples to find your own voice to create your very own personal value statement that you can live and work by in the future.

If you enjoyed this post, come back again for more on business, advertising, and tech.

read more
News

Tips that help you in starting your small business

Are you planning to start a business? Even if it’s a small or big business, you still need to follow some steps and advice to be successful. You certainly heard a lot of advice from various people. Most of these come from people who don’t have enough idea about running a successful company. You can do research, check the internet and you’ll be overwhelmed by a lot of articles about this matter.

There are 4 main types of business organization. These are sole proprietorship, corporation, partnership, and LLC. A small business depends on the amount of money it gains and some employees at all its business locations. Avoid overanalyzing and overthinking it all. Instead, you can consider these tips for starting your small business.

Tips to make your small business successful:

  • Acknowledge your strengths and weaknesses

Every small business owner has certain abilities, experience, skills. And the knowledge that gives them an advantage. By the time they establish a business and start managing it. Yet, no small business owner is already an expert in the process. Eventually, you may encounter different challenges along the way. Especially during the earliest phase of your business. You need to have a strong understanding of your strengths and weaknesses so you can focus on them.

  • Begin with a simple business plan

Developing a business plan is the first thing you need to do as a business owner. You must make this document to hold yourself accountable and to guide your future work.  Focus on your target market and customers, products, or services. Costs and basic prices and the work needed to make your concept turn into a reality.

  • Understand your existing market and target customers

Sometimes business owners develop a great business concept and establish it in the wrong area. That’s why it is necessary to understand the area you’re planning to start your small business. Also, your target customer, seeking out the presence of possible competitors. Determining the market for your products or services and assessing how your business will perform.  Can all make your idea in the appropriate direction. You can also get some ideas from the same businesses as Bonuses.

  • Concentrate on something you’re passionate about

Searching for an existing need and targeting it is a key element of beginning a small business. Pair your strong business plan with your passion as early as possible. Combining it with something that motivates, excites, and interests you can result in great development.

read more
Technology

5 Errors with Crypto Investing and How to Avoid Them

One in six Americans say they’ve used, invested in, or traded cryptocurrency. And for the others, not knowing how to might be at the root of their hesitation.

Not knowing the ins and outs of investing with cryptocurrencies can lead to some risky mistakes.

Read on for five errors with crypto investing you should avoid, whether you’re a beginner or not.

1. Not Having a Strategy

Cryptocurrency is easily available, and there are few barriers to investing in it. But that can lead to impulsive investments made with no strategy in mind.

It’s important to have a crypto investment strategy, including an exit strategy. Know your investment goals, and only choose cryptocurrencies that align with those targets.

Then, check in on your portfolio regularly, and make changes or pull out of investments that no longer work for you.

2. Following the Crowd

Crypto investing is still relatively new, and a lot of advice is based on casual hearsay or content made by amateurs.

It can be easy to trust what you hear and jump on the latest crypto bandwagon. But a lot of advice floating around is either completely subjective or based on paid deals with certain cryptocurrencies. In other words, take everything you hear with a grain of salt.

Be sure to do your own research into different types of crypto, how they’re mined, and what benefits they offer. Read more on eco-friendly Bitcoin mining in this article.

3. Sticking to One Type

After you’ve learned about different types of cryptocurrencies, choose around three to invest in.

Many people stick to only one, staying loyal to the crypto they think is the strongest. But the investment risks and rewards of each currency can be hard to predict, and diversifying your portfolio can increase your chances of earning a profit.

When choosing which to invest in, try having at least one stablecoin option and two cryptocoins.

4. Being Cheap

The investment that requires the least amount of money in the beginning may seem like the safest choice, especially if that investment grows later. But buying cheap cryptocurrencies is one of the most common cryptocurrency mistakes.

While it’s always important to consider your return on investment and get the most bang for your buck, many extremely cheap cryptocurrencies only get cheaper over time. Then, your investment, no matter how small it was, will be completely worthless.

Avoid investing in crypto just because you found a cheap option, and stick to those that show signs of growth.

5. Overlooking Scams

The world of cryptocurrency is getting safer, but there are still scams and frauds to be aware of.

Cryptocurrency hacks aren’t unusual, and fake giveaways and other scams only aim to steal your cryptocurrency or personal information.

Always do your research before accepting any investment, and make sure to keep your wallet security details and keys secret.

Avoid These Errors With Crypto Investing

As cryptocurrency becomes more commonplace, investment mistakes become more common too.

Avoid these errors with crypto investing to minimize your risk and protect your earnings.

For more on investing and earning money safely, check out our latest business articles!

read more
Technology

How to Find a Certified Shopify Expert: A Guide

Shopify is one of the most popular eCommerce platforms in the world. The platform has more than 200 million users and brings in approximately $135 billion in revenue every year.

Shopify makes it simple to build a dynamic online store and sell products on the internet. Though, if you’re like most entrepreneurs, you may not know how to create your own online store.

The good news is that you can simply delegate the task to a certified Shopify expert.

In this article, we’ll teach you everything you need to know to hire a Shopify expert for your online store.

Check Job Sites

The first place to look for a Shopify SEO expert is on job sites. Here, you can browse dozens of different Shopify experts that can help you build your online store.

The good news is that there is an endless source of experts to choose from. Though, you should be careful when making a hiring decision.

Check the expert’s profile and reviews to make sure you’re making the best decision for your online store.

Collect and Verify References

References are important tools for any business owner. You can’t simply take the word of any expert you want to hire for your business.

Instead, you should do your research and see if the expert is who they say they are. It’s also important to note that you shouldn’t just collect references from a Shopify expert near me.

You should also do your best to verify these references. This means asking vivid questions about each reference’s experience with the Shopify expert.

Don’t Ignore Obvious Red Flags

If you want to avoid making a mistake when choosing a Shopify expert, you shouldn’t ignore your gut feeling.

For example, if a candidate is very adamant about collecting an upfront payment without scheduling a meeting, you should avoid doing business with them.

The reason is that a true professional will try to understand the nature of your online store and your brand. They’ll begin to collect as much information as possible before sending you a bill.

Don’t ignore any obvious red flags. If you’re getting a bad feeling from a candidate, steer clear from them.

Ask About Their Pricing Upfront

You can only choose the Shopify expert you can afford. These experts usually bill their clients on an hourly basis.

This is ideal for most clients because you can use their services for small development projects without breaking the bank. Plus, you can maximize every hour they spend working on your behalf.

Though, every expert has their own rates. The most experienced experts usually have the highest hourly rates.

Schedule an Exploratory Meeting

The last step of finding the right Shopify expert is scheduling an exploratory meeting.

This is a type of consultation, where the professional will analyze your brand and guide you on the best course of action to build your online store.

Choose a Certified Shopify Expert Today

As you can see, it’s not difficult to select the right certified Shopify expert for the job. By following these tips, you can avoid making the wrong choice.

To learn more about Shopify or eCommerce, check out more of our helpful articles.

read more
Business

What Is the Importance of Invoice Factoring?

A small business owner can turn the unpaid customer invoices into fast cash with the help of invoice factoring. This method has gained much popularity in the last few years for businesses whose customers are other businesses. It can be quite frustrating to wait for customers to make the payment of their remaining balances. These issues get easily resolved with the help of this smart financing option. Read the complete post to know the advantages and disadvantages of factoring in the invoices.

What is invoice factoring?

It is one type of finance facility that is offered by a broker to help business owners leverage their unpaid invoices with an instant cash flow. Whenever a business owner gets a cash shortfall, he can get in touch with a trusted factoring company. The logic is to sell the invoice to a factoring company in exchange for a huge amount of cash. The factoring company then owns the invoices and collects the cash from the customers of the partnership company within 30 to 90 days.

Advantages of factoring invoices

  1. Immediate Cash Flow: Applying for a bank loan can be time-consuming and it also takes additional time to receive the status. But invoice factoring offers access to cash quickly so that the business can run smoothly. When a business has short-term financing needs the company needs not to wait for the payment of the customers.
  2. Flexibility: The better cash flow allows the business owner to plan the business accurately. Many businesses can’t run long due to poor cash flow. It is a suitable option for companies that deal with huge customers.
  3. Reduced business overhead: It is a great way to reduce business overheads. Invoice factoring can also boost the morale of the employees working in the finance department.
  4. Affordable: This finance facility can reduce expenses as it’s cheaper than those bank loans and suitable for short-term financial needs. Depending on the size of the company and the number of employees, one can determine the amount of money. Those facing a low credit score can take the advantage of invoice factoring. A factoring company can hardly change 1% – 5% of the total amount.
  5. Improved customer relationship: Debt collection can be time-consuming and irritating.  Handing over the responsibility to a factoring company can help in maintaining a strong customer-company relationship. In case the customers are not paying on time, the business owner can pay the employees on time without worrying about the cash flow.

Conclusion

This method is not suitable for companies that deal with a few customers. When an invoice is factored in, the factoring company handles the credit which also indicates handing over some control on customer relationships as well. In a nutshell, business owners who need fast funding can rely on this business strategy. There are too many factoring companies available in the market. But not all of them are reliable. Make sure to check their reviews, years of experience, license, and certification before handling the financial responsibilities to the particular company.

 

read more
Business

Common Applications for Cardboard in Packaging

Cardboard boxes are prefabricated cardboard boxes, more commonly used for packaging materials and products and are also sometimes reused. Cardboard Boxes, as the name implies, are made of cardboard, a natural, renewable, and sustainable product. Cardboard is commonly found in homes, businesses, and even in industrial settings. Cardboard Boxes, being easy to produce and fairly inexpensive, have found widespread use.

Cardboard Boxes are made of a single sheet of thick paperboard covered on one or both sides with either cloth, paper, vinyl, plastic, or Polyvinyl Choloride (PVC), a transparent plastic. Cardboard Boxes are also referred to as cartons, or pallets, and come in many different sizes and dimensions. Some boxes are long and narrow and called shelf packs, while others are wider and have a long top. Some types of Cardboard Boxes are referred to as “high-density” cardboard, as they weigh more than other types of Cardboard Boxes.

Cardboard Boxes can be used in almost any type of packaging application. Cardboard Boxes are commonly found in all forms of packaging – product packaging, shipping/delivery, factory packaging, point-of-sale, promotional, and laboratory/petrochemical applications. Because Cardboard Boxes are easily customized to meet the diverse requirements of every type of packaging application, they are an attractive alternative to many standard plastic or metal packaging solutions. In addition to being cost-effective, they offer a quick solution to most packaging needs, are environmentally friendly, and are easily sanitized.

Cardboard Boxes are primarily used as flooring materials for the packaging of food, beverages, medicines, and medical supplies. The term cardboard boxes is also used in the home to refer to boxes that are manufactured and specifically used for household products. Cardboard Boxes are primarily used as components of flat pack furniture that come in a large selection of attractive colors and designs. Cardboard Boxes are used to transport consumables such as food and household products, medications, electronic and electrical goods, and water. Cardboard Boxes are also commonly used as packaging or display cases for various types of media products.

Other uses for Cardboard Boxes include in the classroom where Cardboard Boxes are frequently used as shelving units for books, periodicals, files, and other reading material. Custom boxes with this material can also be used to store products that require additional protection from moisture, such as photographic and video materials, metals, and electronics. In offices, cardboard boxes that are used as file storage containers are often custom-made, as companies often prefer a more uniform appearance for their Cardboard Boxes. In manufacturing, Cardboard Boxes are commonly used to protect finished products during shipping processes. Since Cardboard Boxes are easily cleaned with a damp cloth or dish detergent, they are an excellent choice for Cardboard Containers in public areas.

Cardboard Boxes are also suitable for indoor and outdoor packaging, but some Cardboard Boxes are better suited for specific applications than others. For example, Cardboard Boxes that are required for hot-fill packaging must be made of high-quality, heavy-duty plastic that will not warp during shipping. Cardboard Boxes that are used for hot-fill packaging should be covered with a custom lamination that will not damage the box during shipping. The most durable Cardboard Boxes are those that are made of thermoplastic polypropylene, which has a high density and low price.

read more
Computer

Technology Brands: A Guide to Laptop Brands

There are three laptop brands that hold around 60% of the world laptop market. Most of the market share belongs to HP, closely followed by Lenovo and Dell. But do you know what the rest of the many brands have to offer?

If not, then we are here to help. Read on as we give you the top technology brands that dominate the laptop market.

1. Asus

In terms of price to quality ratio, Asus is hard to beat. This Taiwan-based company has quickly managed to establish itself as a competitor to big brands like Apple and Dell. Robust, well-designed products at a great price have helped them achieve their reputation.

Asus puts out a wide range of products for a range of needs. It has everything from mobile Zenbooks to heavy-duty gaming laptops.

Innovation is also at its core. It was one of the first companies to experiment with laptops that combine two screens in new forms. They also utilize bezels to get as much power as they can into their small, compact frames.

Any model you purchase from them will come with a year’s warranty and protection for spillages. Combined with low costs, it makes them a very affordable option in the search for a new laptop.

2. Dell

Dell’s hallmark is portability, mixing power with a lightweight design, and outstanding battery life. All of this has made it a favored choice for people doing mobile work and study. Dell is one of the laptop brands that always come out on top when its customer support is rated.

The catalog is split into three distinct areas. These are Alienware, Inspiron and XPS.

Alienware is the gaming laptop branch. Extremely powerful, they are capable of handling most next-generation gaming experiences. However, an XPS 13 and similar models are highly sought-after gaming laptops that money can buy so there is a crossover.

Inspiron is an every day, lower-budget model. While they may not look as sleek as others in the range, they do everything you will need. High performance will be combined with excellent prices for all business and study needs.

3. Apple

Apple is one of the laptop brands you either love or hate. People who use Apple are often die-hard fans, who thrive on its power, good looks, and reliability. For others, it can be troublesome and restrictive.

Part of this comes down to its streamlined operating system. You have fewer problems and the system is much easier to use than a Windows-based one. The payoff is that you lose some of the freedom afforded with Windows models.

Their pioneering model is the Macbook. While they command a high price tag, they carry on running long after other laptops have aged and ground to a halt. All of them have great audio, displays, and design.

Previous worries about the Macbook were its low battery life. A move toward portability in newer models like the Macbook Air m1 means models can now last over 15 hours on one charge.

While Apple is sought after by industry professionals, they do not cater well to gamers. Many titles are incompatible on the system, so it may be better to choose another brand if you want to do some serious gaming.

4. HP

Hewlett Packard had a period where their reputation dipped somewhat. Now they have rectified this and made huge improvements to the reliability and efficiency of their products.

Customer support is also renowned in HP. On some laptop options, they can even offer you a three-year comprehensive warranty. This can provide much-needed peace of mind.

Specter models are one of the most popular lines. The X360 has a range of versions each boasting a bright display and high performance. Newer models even have Intel’s Tiger Lake 11th generation chips.

5. Microsoft

Microsoft has been one of the leading names in hardware and software development. Their own laptops are a fairly recent phenomenon. In the early days, there were some issues with their Surface tablets, but by 2017 these had been almost totally eliminated.

The Surface laptops now come in a range of different lines. An excellent business laptop is the Surface Laptop 4. It has excellent battery life, great audio, and visuals along with a sturdy design.

All products will come with a one-year warranty as standard. You will also get 90 days of technical support, which is useful as you set up and explore your new investment. The only real downside to the Surface range is that while budget options are very reasonably priced, as you increase the specification costs escalate fast.

6. MSI

MSI is a lesser-known laptop brand, mainly due to the fact that it concentrates on the gaming market. With great builds and specs, people have also begun to use them for a wider range of applications and creative endeavors. They eschew bells and whistles for power and reliability, providing an excellent gaming experience.

As gaming laptops, they come with top-of-the-range graphics cards. Most units are supplied with accidental damage protection, rare in many manufacturer offerings.

One of their key features is battery life. Some models have been known to produce 99.9 WHr of battery life. The MSI GE66 Raider and GS66 Stealth are two of the more popular models.

All of this does come at a price. These laptops, being niche and high-end, tend to cost more. While it does have lower-priced, more general day-to-day use options, the choice is limited.

7. Acer

Acer excel in providing reliable, budget models that can cover a range of applications. They also provide a wider range to suit higher-end markets and varied needs.

The Acer Aspire Slim laptop is a great, low price option that offers bags of potential. Many models lurk around the $400 price mark.

At the other end of the scale, they have some innovative models that push what a laptop can do and where it can go. The ConceptD 7 Ezel has a design that can transform into 6 different positions. A laptop better designed for creative individuals is hard to find.

Acer offers superb customer support. One of its downsides is that they do tend to be less durable than other manufacturers. Replacement parts and upgrades are easy to source and low cost.

8. Lenovo

Lenovo tends to be a higher-end brand, with some mid-priced models. It is famed for hardworking laptops with bags of flexibility. While they don’t look flash or futuristic, they do everything you could want and more.

These laptops have long-lasting batteries coupled with sturdy, hardwearing designs. Some models can last for around 22 hours on one charge. All of this justifies the premium price.

Recently, the company has moved into more portable laptops, designing a range of two in one computers. The Thinkpad X1 Carbon is currently one of the most attractive business laptops on the market.

Part of this has been done by thinning and lightening their devices. The Intel Evo technology included in them has pushed Lenovo into brave new directions, making lightweight machines that do not sacrifice power for portability.

9. Razer

Razer is most well known as an all-in gaming solution. Not only do they supply serious accessories, but they also have a range of powerful laptops. Their machines are built to provide power for VR and gaming on the go, without sacrificing the power you would have with a gaming tower.

When you buy a Razer laptop, literally the only thing that will stop it from working is when games advance far enough that it can no longer compensate them. Whatever current model you buy, the processing speed, graphics, and display options will last you well into the future.

With so much processing power comes the ability to perform lots of other tasks. This makes them a great new laptop for creative individuals like designers and photographers.

10. Samsung

Samsung is mostly known for its forays into mobile phone technology. Recently it has started to branch out into laptops. While they do often still feel more like phones than computers, there are some positives.

Their gaming laptops are all up to the stated specifications and perform very well. They are streamlined and can also perform a range of other functions for business or the home.

What holds them back is a lack of choice when it comes to different models. You may also find they have a shorter battery life than many of their contemporaries.

Technology Brands

Now you know these technology brands, check reviews, and speak to friends. They will have recommendations on what has been successful for them. By looking out for updates, you will surely find a model that is right for you.

If you found this article helpful, then visit the rest of our blog. We have everything from technology to consumer reviews to get the best for your money.

read more
Business

Does a CIBIL Score Impact Your Personal Loan Eligibility

CIBIL score is the parameter that most financial institutions use to determine the creditworthiness of the borrower. A healthy CIBIL score becomes necessary to enter into a formal lending arrangement. A most common question in the mind of the borrowers is whether the CIBIL score also plays an important role in availing of a personal loan. 

Importance of CIBIL Score for Personal Loans 

Like other lending arrangements, the CIBIL score also plays an important role while determining personal loan eligibility. Personal loans are the unsecured loans provided by financial institutions to the borrowers. Personal loans can be availed to meet any of the personal or business needs. Being unsecured in nature, the CIBIL score becomes an important criterion for the financial institutions to determine the repayment capabilities of the borrowers and reduce their risk of NPAs. 

What is the Ideal CIBIL Score for a Personal Loan

While CIBIL score becomes an important parameter for availing a loan, a question arises as to what is the ideal CIBIL score? CIBIL score ranges between 300-900. For most lending institutions, a CIBIL score above 750 is considered ideal. This is also equally relevant for personal loans. However, CIBIL above 800 is considered great. With a good CIBIL score, the following benefits accrue to you when applying for a personal loan:

  • Eligibility: Personal loan eligibility criteria include assessment of CIBIL score. Therefore, a good CIBIL score creates a good impression in the mind of the lenders and assures them of the repayment capabilities of the borrower.
  • Favorable terms: With a good CIBIL score, you can negotiate the terms favorable to you. Most importantly, it helps in securing lower personal loan interest rates and reduces other borrowing costs as well. As a good CIBIL score reduces the risk of financial institutions, they agree to lend at affordable costs to the borrowers.

Factors that Affect the CIBIL Score

CIBIL score is the representation of the history of your borrowings and therefore is affected by multiple factors. From loan inquiries to repayments, it considers your financial behavior in its entirety to determine your creditworthiness and repayment capabilities. Following are the primary factors that affect your CIBIL score:

  • Repayment of EMIs
  • Payment of credit card dues
  • Maxing out your credit card limits or utilizing most of your limits.
  • Keeping credit card bills outstanding or only paying the minimum amount due
  • Making multiple hard inquiries for availing of the loans.

Personal Loan EMI Calculator

If you plan to apply for a personal loan, you can determine your monthly EMI in advance before applying using the personal loan EMI calculator. You just need to enter the loan amount, the personal loan interest rates, and tenure of the loan. This gives the exact idea of the amount you need to allocate monthly towards your personal loan EMI and pre-plan your budget accordingly.

Conclusion

While CIBIL score is not the only criteria, it definitely is an important criterion to enter into any formal lending arrangement. You may have a hard time getting a loan from a financial institution if your CIBIL score is at a lower edge. Even if you satisfy the eligibility with a lower CIBIL score, lending terms may become unfavorable. Such unfavorable terms may include higher interest rates, higher processing fees, and other costs, etc. Being regular in repayments of your EMI is one of the best ways to maintain a healthy CIBIL score.

For more information, please visit our Tata Capital’s website.

read more
Business

How to Take a Photo on Mac: A Quick Guide

It’s no secret. Your Macbook can do much more than you probably know.

If you’re a new MacBook user, this may seem a bit overwhelming, especially when you’re trying to learn more basic programs, such as the camera.

Don’t worry. You’re not alone in this endeavor, and we’ve got you covered!

Read on to learn how to take a photo on Mac and much more.

Take a Photo on Mac With Photo Booth

When you buy an expensive laptop, you want to be able to utilize all of the different features. One of the perks of these devices is all of the tools built into one.

Gone are the days when you need a separate camera. Now, it’s very simple to take a profile picture or send a loved one a snapshot just by opening up your laptop.

To take photos on your Mac with Photo Booth, you first want to open the Photo Booth app, which you can find inside the applications folder.

Make sure nothing is blocking your camera, which is found in the top area of your screen directly in the center.

Once you’re ready to take your picture, click the red button, and a countdown will begin. You’ll see the screen flash white when the picture is taken.

A small thumbnail of it will pop up in the right-hand corner of Photo Booth, which you can click on to view and share your photo.

There are many other settings with Photo Booth that you can use to take pictures, such as various filters and effects. You can also flip your image if you prefer it to be mirrored, and you can turn off the flash and countdown settings.

How to Screenshot on Mac

When learning how to take a photo on a Mac, you’ll discover that screenshotting is another excellent option. This option is different than using Photo Booth, as you won’t be taking photos on a Mac in real-time.

Instead, screenshotting is generally used to capture Mac photos already taken, images on your screen from the internet, or to record something you may need for work.

If you’d like to screenshot your entire screen, press Shift + Command + 3. This will capture the whole display, and you can find the picture on your desktop.

To capture a section of space, press Shift + Command + 4. Your mouse will turn into a small circle with a grid.

Drag and hold the mouse over the area you want to screenshot until it’s completely covered. Release your mouse to capture the image.

If you’re looking to learn how to avoid making duplicate photos, click here to learn what professionals gave tips on this subject.

Ready to Start Making Memories on Your Mac?

Learning how to use your new laptop is a process, and understanding how to take a photo on Mac is the first step. It’s not as complicated as it seems, and using the guide above can get you well on your way.

Would you like more lifestyle content like this? Well, then you better browse through the rest of our website today!

read more
1 2 3 4 5 16
Page 3 of 16