Personal Qualities Section in a Resume Summary. What to Write?

What do you write in the “Personal qualities” section of your resume, and how seriously do you approach the filling of this particular section? It is possible that the qualities you point to are indeed your key benefits. But before you send your resume next time to your employer, make sure it doesn’t list the same as hundreds of other resumes.

Finding out what others are writing is very easy. On the job site, look in the “Resume” section, and not in the usual “Vacancies”. According to the observations of employees of HR services, about 90% of applicants write the same thing about personal qualities – based on what the employer wants to see in the applicant for the position. In addition, when many people say that they are executive, proactive, have excellent communication skills, a kind of devaluation occurs, and employers stop taking this section of the resume seriously. You can trust resume writing services to do this.

So What Should You Write?

The main thing is not to try to excel just to get attention. The list of personal qualities-advantages should:

a) reflect the characteristics of your character and style of work, which you consider to be your strengths;

b) take into account the specifics of the vacancy. For example, honesty is important for the cashier, attentiveness for the air traffic controller, and for the sales manager the ability to tell about the product so that there is a line for it.

What Qualities can be Noted as Strengths in the Resume?

Systems thinking

We mean by this the ability to see the situation as a whole, to understand what link you, as a specialist, occupy in the general process of production or sale of goods and services. And this is important not only for people applying for leadership positions. It is also useful for the seller to understand what customer demand is and why promotions are held. Systems thinking allows you to make more informed decisions, see the future, be able to determine priorities when making decisions.

Ability to maintain high productivity throughout the working day

It is important for an employer to understand that you radiate energy not only in the morning after a cup of coffee, and not only when you have a brilliant idea. Much more important is consistently high labor productivity, which does not fall after stressful situations or too nourishing lunch.

Ability to adequately perceive criticism and respond to it

This is actually an important quality, and the employer will appreciate if you really have it. The workflow is much more productive if you can listen to criticism and learn from it.

High concentration of attention and the ability not to be distracted by personal affairs during the working day

The employer is unlikely to make the employee happy with the bonus, who now and then speaks with family members on a cell phone or tweets and posts on social networks. Emphasize that at work you are only doing work – and you will benefit.

Ability to provide information (proposals, reports, results of analytical work) in an accessible and visual form.

The leader has to look through many sources of information, and how much information is presented in them determines how much time the leader will spend to study the material and see the “grain” in it. Therefore, the ability to present information, to present it in a structured manner, without “water”, using diagrams, pictures is an absolute advantage.

Summary

Do a little self-analysis and look for the answer to the question: «How do I compare favorably with the specialists of my profile? What special qualities do I have?» Writing a resume, and let it work for a successful job search!

7 Fantastically Beautiful Schools in the World

School is not just walls. However, you must admit that I would like to study at a school with large windows, spacious classrooms and an unusual design. It is important to not only gain knowledge, write essays with an essay editor, or get grades. School is the foundation of outlook and communication with the outside world.

We have collected 7 schools – works of architectural thought. I want to come to them every day and even stay a little longer after lessons.

1. Denmark, Ørestad High School

Urban spacious gymnasium in a developing area of Copenhagen, where children from 15 to 20 years old study. The main principle of the school is the absence of classes and the openness of space. Schoolchildren study the humanities, art, media communications here. The heart of the building is a staircase, along which each student walks 5-6 times a day, a place of communication and new acquaintances. Despite the fact that there are no classes, the whole space consists of cozy small corners where lessons are held. Here you can always find a quiet place to do your homework or work on a project in a group.

2. France, Marcel Sembat High School

In France, “green” schools appear in different cities, which organically fit into the surrounding nature. The Sembat High School in Marseille specializes in technical education, training future engineers and mechanics. And when the school needed space for workshops, the municipality provided the school with a part of the park where the damaged houses stood. The houses were demolished and the new school building was designed to naturally blend in with its soft lines and slopes with the physical features of the park. In addition, according to the idea of ​​the architects, the green roof slopes resemble the body lines of retro cars.

3. China, ChiCheng No.2 Primary School

In Chinese cities, in general, there is an acute issue with the lack of land for the construction of schools. The architects decided to save space and build a sports stadium, consisting of a basketball court and a 200 m long running track, on the roof of the building. Thanks to this unusual architectural solution, there was no need to increase the number of floors and reduce the classrooms inside the school. The stadium at the top is fenced off with three levels of fence, so everything is safe. The project has turned from a unique to a typical one, now in China more and more schools are being built with stadiums on the roofs.

4. USA, Centerview Elementary School

Another example of school openness and flexible planning. This school in Blaine, Minnesota, was invented by the teachers themselves. And they got very creative with the design process. The walls separating the classroom and the public space can be folded and unfolded at the request of the teacher. Between different parts of the school, you can walk, or crawl, or crawl through tunnels of different sizes. All school furniture can be easily moved as it is on casters. A wide creative space is located in the center of the school, where an assembly hall, a cinema and a library are combined. It is pleasant to gain knowledge in such an atmosphere. Moreover, Editius.com will help you with some difficulties in writing works.

5. Russia, Khoroshkola

Russia, Moscow, there is also something to brag about. In 2017, in Khoroshevo-Mnevniki, a large, light high-tech school was built, where for each student there is 3 times more usable space than in ordinary schools. Inside, there is not only a swimming pool and open public spaces, but also equipped laboratories for various objects: an experimentarium, a megalaboratory, a fab laboratory, a culinary. And yes, there are glass walls and furniture on wheels here too.

6. Indonesia, Green School

Bali is warm, so the school doesn’t need external walls at all. The principle of space openness has been brought to its logical conclusion here. During the construction of the school, 95% natural materials were used – bamboo, local grass and traditional clay walls. The school receives electricity from solar panels and micro-hydroelectric power plants. The children are taken to school by buses running on biodiesel, which is made from vegetable oils. Everything here is very environmentally friendly, although schoolchildren have Internet and computers.

7. Russia, Point of the Future

In 2020, a modern school opened in the suburbs of Irkutsk – “Point of the Future”, a charitable project of a Russian businessman. It includes a kindergarten, junior, middle and high school. According to the project, the school will accommodate 1000 schoolchildren, including children from foster families, who will live in the boarding house. Russian and Danish architects (CEBRA company) worked on the creation of the school. 627 children entered the school this year.

The school meets the principle of open and flexible space, there are several public spaces with different designs, transparent classrooms with free seating, Finnish transformable furniture, and workshops for a variety of creative activities: from a choreographic class to a pottery workshop. Schools seem to be changing for the better. Perhaps the design will come to our native schools as well.

iPad Mockup: Vital Things You Should Know

To showcase how great your product designs are, you need to use one of the best presentation tools – mockups. There are things that you need to know why using a mockup is highly recommended by experts. Of course, your main goal is to have a product design that can capture the interest of potential customers. Providing the best solution to the audience is important for your startup or existing venture to prosper.

Creating a website and/or mobile app is significant for your business to shine. That is why you have to consider using an iPad mockup. This mockup has been tested by its users as effective in showcasing the design for the purpose of getting the feedback and comments of the target users. Your brand can stand out when your offers are accepted by the potential market. For this reason, you need to recognize the importance of iPad mockups.

Read more details here: https://store.ramotion.com/Ipad-mockup

Selling your products to potential customers is not easy. You should convince them that what you’ve got is the right solution for them. That is why it is a must to have a perfect product for the target users. Realizing this objective requires you to observe a certain approach. Using a mockup is perfect in this sense. Why? This is a proven tool that you can utilize to get the impression of the target customers. Scheduling a product idea presentation is one of the basic requirements you have to abide by for your business to be recognized as a top solution provider on the market.

Instead of bringing with you an actual product, you can use a mockup design to portray how beneficial and functional a certain design is. For instance, you need to have a website to display the content regarding your product. The website structure needs to be polished before the web designer and developer will finalize the output. To have a well-polished website information architecture and structure, all you need is an iPad mockup template.

iPad mockup templates

Did you know that there are free-to-use and subject-for-subscription iPad templates nowadays? If you are worried because you don’t have the technical know-how about codes, you should rejoice because even the unthinkable is now made available for grab. Meaning, you don’t need to worry about having no knowledge of coding. You can look for ready-to-download and ready-to-use mockup design templates on the web today.

Those free mockup templates are created and made available for every business organization to try to use. Boosting the performance of your business is definitely easy with the help of a free mockup provider.

According to Ramotion, “This is the main reason why companies like ours exist. We want to help business people have the great opportunity of hitting their goals and objectives. We know the importance of mockups. That is why our own website serves as an extensive online library where business entities can get their free mockup designs and templates.

With the available iPad mockup templates nowadays, you can have a wonderful chance of hitting the so-called competitive edge. Take note that it is important for your brand to compete strongly. Your business can only stand out from the rest of the crowd when you have the right product for the audience. Definitely, you badly need an iPad mockup. Beating the competitors is possible when you are using the best mockup ever. It is a great tool to get and gather the impressions and perceptions of the audience. Once you have the right mockup, chances are, your business will become strongly competitive.

Photorealistic Presentations

With the right mockups, you can present your business-related designs in a photorealistic manner. Do you see how essential it is? Yes, it is really vital to have a tool which can help you in showcasing and portraying your photorealistic designs. Good news because the availability of a mockup design is great for this purpose. Choosing the right iPad mockup template is highly suggested because it can work to help you have the right product in the end.

The design of your conceptualized product needs to be polished well. Otherwise, you are going to lose the full potential of your business to stand out. Photorealistic presentations are what you basically need for you to have the right foundation. What is the bottom line? Simply put, you should have presentation material that can help you reach your goals and objectives. As a business organization, you should have a well-polished and greatly-refined product design. This is the best way towards the achievement of great and favorable results.

All you need is an image design to be placed on the template. You don’t need to possess and apply high-level technical knowledge. If you are not a tech-savvy person, then there is no problem. Why? All you need is a perfect mockup which can help your business achieve the results you ever wanted. You have to determine the right perspective vis-a-vis your goal to have a perfect and suitable product design. At the end of the day, you should be using an iPad mockup design for the purpose of improving your own concepts.

A user-focused product design is what will bring your business to the pedestal of success. This is quite true. That is why you are advised to look for a mockup provider. Through a perfect mockup template, you can present your product design in a photorealistic way. This is a significant approach for you to hit your main goal which is to attract your potential customers. The identity level of your brand will increase dramatically granting that you can offer what is best and right for the audience.

Easy-to-Create Mockups

It’s discussed above that there is nothing to worry regarding mockup design and development. Why? Because there are iPad mockup templates which can be downloaded and used easily these days. There are drag-and-drop templates on the web at present. All you need is to find one which can make your business website, mobile app, and other digital products more enticing and more engaging. Attracting the customers is never easy but you can have the chance to realize this goal when you are using the right mockup template and design.

What you should look for are templates and designs in Sketch or PNG. Then, you need to try the mockup designs which are given for free. Even if they are free, it does not mean that their quality is inferior. You can have the great opportunity of producing a perfect mockup design even through using a free mockup design. That’s it! Thus, you have to look for a source of an iPad mockup design. This way, there can be a higher chance of beating your competitors.

The main objective to hit is to lure the potential customers that your brand does have the right product. You cannot produce the right product in the absence of a perfect mockup. This is a rule of thumb which you need to follow. Not following this rule can compromise your business future. Of course, you want to have an excellent business performance. This is the simple reason why you should look for a source of easy-to-create iPad mockups. Having one today can really make your business highly profitable.

It is more advantageous if you have basic knowledge or skill sets related to Adobe Photoshop and/or Sketch. Framing and finalizing your mockup design can be a bit easy when you have such skill sets. However, it does not mean that when you do not have such skills, you cannot create your own mockup. Point is, there is still a chance so long as a drag-and-drop mockup template is extracted from a legitimate source. Then, try to have a mockup generator tool where you can place your own design with the help of a blank mockup template.

Conclusion

Do you think it is easy to convince people that what you’ve got is perfect for them? Definitely not easy! What you need is a right and legit source of a world-class mockup design. A template that is relevantly perfect is what you need for you to test the water. Using a mockup is like testing the water. It is done to ensure that you can have the right product for the audience in the end. Pleasing your customers is absolutely necessary for the purpose of bringing your business to the top.

Being strongly competitive is a subtle thing to realize but doable. How to achieve this? You clearly need a presentation tool that can help your business have the right products. In this case, it’s an iPad mockup that is suggested. Just look for the right source of a professional and world-class mockup. This way, you can make your business profitable.

Look for the right mockup design agency today!

Why You Need a Fat Pocket to Own DGT Boards

Are you looking forward to up your chess experience? Becoming a chess champion is the dream of every player. You want to beat every opponent you encounter both physically and online. However, this is impossible without the right gears and devices.

A DGT board is one of the essential devices in the chess game. These smart boards feature unique designs and tech that enhance how you play chess and outsmart your opponents. The board enables you to record and store your moves. Any chess coach will recommend you to get one.

But one thing is clear. The DGT boards are not affordable. Only a few players can afford to own one due to their expensive price. But why are they so expensive? Here are some possible reasons why you will need a thick pocket to buy one:

DGT is a monopoly 

If you understand economics, you know about monopolies. But for better understanding, a monopoly is a firm without a worthy competitor. This means that it is the only supplier of the product in the market.

This aspect applies to DGT. It is the only company capable of making and selling electronic chess sets. No other company can match their board and chess pieces. With this freedom, they have the power to charge customers what they feel is the right price for the device. So, DGT determines the board prices depending on their profit targets and other organizational goals.   

Powerful features and functionalities 

Although they are a monopoly, DGT is not out there to only make money. They design products that are worthy of the high prices. The DGT boards have great features and functionalities that will transform your chess-playing experience. The board helps you to record, store, and retrieve your moves for real-time analysis.

You can use it to play virtually with computer software. Also, it allows you to play against an online opponent. If you have fans or friends, the board comes with a live broadcasting feature. This aspect helps you to relay the games via the internet or audio-visual devices.  Other features include tutor mode, high accuracy, and powerful sensor power. 

With such features and functionalities, you will need to pay more to enjoy their benefits. 

Unique operational and connectivity technology

The DGT boards are not just parts for playing chess but they are transformational devices. The manufacturer fits them with power and unique technology that changes the way you play chess. First, it comes with Bluetooth and USB connectivity. You can decide on the best connection option depending on your luxury needs.

Also, the board has powerful sensors with a speed of 6 scans per second. This aspect ensures that no moves will go unnoticed. Again, each chess piece features a unique chip for easy electronic recognition.   

In addition, the board has a LED indicator that shows your opponent’s moves. You can connect it with DGT Pi for playing on the go. All these luxurious and smart features will require you to dig deep in your pocket to get these devices.

High-quality and sturdy construction

Features and tech are not the only DGT boards selling points. Its construction also contributes to the high price. These boards are products of high-quality materials and skilled workmanship. Most of the boards feature luxury-oriented wooden material such as rosewood. The manufacturer has a strict material selection to ensure what they offer is durable and sturdy.

Wrapping Up

As you can see, the DGT boards are not like any other piece. They employ both crafting and technological innovation to enhance the chess experience. Though the price appears to be high, the features and their quality are worth it.  

5 Benefits of Using Bitcoin for Your Small Business Operations

The modern business sector is increasingly adopting cryptocurrencies in recent years though they have been around for a while. Industry giants including Dell and Microsoft have accepted it, why not your small business? There is so much to gain from bitcoin, and it will keep your business ahead of your competitors. Here’s what you need to know about the benefits of using digital currency for your small business operations.

Establishes new revenue streams

Cryptocurrencies provide a great way to supplement your cash flow over the long term. There are numerous ways you can integrate cryptos into your business and benefit from what it has to offer. Growing your business with a crypto business account will boost innovation, expand its scope and give your business a new direction.

Improves brand awareness and visibility

Most business sectors are is overly saturated. To stand out from the rest you need to improve visibility and brand awareness. Consumers have a thing for businesses that take their marketing to a whole new level. Being able to advertise that you support cryptocurrency transactions can attract new attention to your business. It gives you a cutting edge over your competitors. By adopting bitcoin, you will improve your business innovation which will attract more traffic to your business resulting in more profits. Adapting to new solutions is one of the best ways to be innovative for your business.

Cheaper and faster transactions

Merchant transaction fees account for 2 or 3% of your cash flow income which is draining your small business cash. This new form of payment has zero fees and thus you will benefit from more revenue. There are no verifications for each transaction which might take days, and this tends to hold income, thus cryptos are way much faster than you could ever imagine. Blockchain is the technology that checks every regulation, and it ensures quick processing of transactions which might take a matter of few seconds.

Facilitate your customers’ safety. Customer safety is a service that the majority of customers highly seek since it has their best interest. When you ensure anonymity for your customers in a world where they are highly scrutinized you are sure that they will be loyal to your business. Digital consumers are tired of governments and companies tracking their moves and this explains why they are increasingly using buy cryptocurrencies to conduct their transactions.

No borders

Cryptos attracts a booming customer demographic of investors, innovators, miners, and traders who are rooting for cryptos to be adopted by businesses. They are a global currency that is not restricted by a company or government, and they ignore border restrictions. Businesses that adopt cryptos experience an increase in profits due to customer retention and acquisition. By accepting cryptos in your payment processes you will be able to materialize on a new demographic and build a long-term stream of revenue.

An investment opportunity

Similar to other currencies digital currencies fluctuate in value though they are less stable than gold or cash. This fluctuation can be a large upside by looking at digital currency as an investment. When your business accepts digital currency, you can wait and cash them in which is investing in their value increase. Digital currency possesses so much potential and it is a matter of time for the world to experience its growth.

Final thoughts

The future of modern businesses is in blockchain technology and digital currencies, and early investors will benefit from their competitors. What are you waiting for? Buy Bitcoin with Credit Card to join the future and enjoy the numerous benefits that online businesses have to offer.

Powerful Software to Increase Productivity in Your Floristry Business

Whilst many industries seemed to have soared ahead as a result of the tech boom we have seen over the last 20 years, not all required the boost that software developments delivered. With regards to floristry, for example, this still has something of a traditional feel about it. Flower deliveries after all have taken place for decades, and the only thing which really changed has been the emergence of online ordering. With this being said, however, and much like many small businesses, the software can be used to make things better for those running a floristry business.

Large scale businesses in this field such as Pearsons Florist, rely on powerful software to manage their operations. Smaller businesses can learn a lot from these kinds of businesses, and use the same software to deliver increased productivity and better service to their customers. Here are some examples of software that florists can use.

Details Flower Software

This is one of the finest software suites for any florist, whether you are a Fort Lauderdale florist or a Texas florist, and it is a purpose-built platform that provides a wealth of solutions to large and small operations. Flower shop owners can use this software to do simple stuff such as tracking sales and managing costs; they can also perform high-level tasks like managing inventory, working out margins and dealing with international sales. The team at Details has worked with some of the big hitters in the florist industry in order to design software that worked perfectly for those in the sector.

FloristWare

FloristWare is a great option for small florists around the country. This is a low-cost piece of software that actually packs quite a punch for both online and offline sales. At the heart of this software is a Point-of-Sale function that enables the digitalization of everything that goes through the business. Additionally, however, users can count on a pretty impressive Customer Relationship Management feature, which helps companies stay on top of customer care. This software focuses less on the numbers side of things, and more on helping you to increase customer relations and drive more sales to the business.

Floranext

Floranext will help you to maintain and improve your online presence, as well as helping you to seamlessly integrate what is sold in the store, with the information which you keep online. For those florists who are looking to add a level of E-commerce to the business, this is the perfect option for you. Floranext is built by florists and it is designed to help any business launch online and manage its sales through a well-built E-commerce platform.

BloomNation

BloomNation is yet another one-stop-shop that will take care of all of your daily needs in the business. This software package offers a POS portal, an E-commerce management platform and it can also be integrated with other software so that you can manage inventory and track orders coming in and out of the business. The target market of BloomNation is very much small businesses, and each aspect of the software package has been created with those florists in mind. This is a software suite that is updated on a regular basis and which has a dedicated team that is always looking to add tools and features to the package to help its customers be the best they can be.

There are many software choices to choose from and these are the top picks for us. The choice will come down to what you are looking to spend like having a flower subscription Melbourne account and where your business fits within the floristry landscape, in terms of size and customer base.

Useful Asset Management Tools and Software for The Energy Sector

In this digital era, there is a high need for businesses to manage and track their assets. With everything technology has brought about, tracking and managing assets have become a bit complicated. Furthermore, there is high insecurity of data with the employee turnover. There is a lot that a company can cost from mismanaged and misplaced assets. Companies tend to spend more than they need without proper tracking of their assets. They need to have an accurate picture of their assets and where they are located. This is very crucial for the energy sector that provides utilities such as water, electricity, and gas to businesses and households. This sector faces a lot of challenges in asset management and areas like equipment maintenance.

Resolving Challenges in Energy Sector with Asset Management

The energy sector relies on heavy usage of assets and asset management tools have become important. Companies like Neara provide asset management software for a power line. You can also get the best power line design for pole compliance and efficiency. Assets management tools such as CMMS and AMS provide many benefits to organizations. Some of the benefits reaped from these tools include;

  • Creation of an active preventive maintenance program
  • Real-time tracking of assets and their performance
  • Generating RIO for individual assets
  • Managing inventories accurately
  • Tracking the life cycle of assets
  • GPS Tracking the location of assets
  • Scheduling and prioritizing work orders

The main benefit of using asset management tools in the energy sector is to collect data in real-time with a centralized system. When this data is accessible to managers, technicians, and workers, it speeds up operations and provides an overall overview of all assets that still hold value. IoT tools are best for collecting real-time performance details of an asset. IoT devices can be used to:

  • Assess the condition of an asset
  • Assess the usage history of an asset
  • Check for the latest compliance and permit history
  • Check the repair and maintenance history

CMM, AMS, and IoT devices are the best for asset management. With the data collected from these, it is easy to work on important assets like towers and transmitters. The utility sector has technicians employed specifically for repairing and maintaining aging infrastructure to minimize the chances of outage or failure. That means that these experts must have accurate data for active response. Accurate data provides more visibility and a connection between the technicians in the field and the workers in the office.

Real-time collection of data using assent management software helps in the proper calculation of asset RIO. A company in the energy sector can get a rough idea of the value of its assets. Calculating asset RIO is done by calculating the cost of maintenance and operation. Through this calculation, it becomes easy to decide if the equipment or asset will be worth replacing or throwing away at the end of its life cycle.

IoT devices can be used to minimize the costs of maintenance and avoid failure. IoT makes it easy for companies to collect accurate data on the performance of assets. Devices like trackers, sensors, and barcodes interact and pass the information to the central management system where the data is stored. Asset management tools can help companies in the energy sector in different ways as follows.

  • Reducing risks and safety issues of their assets
  • Approaching maintenance proactively
  • Reducing impact on the environment
  • Improving the use of renewable sources of energy such as solar systems, and wind and hydronic turbines

Conclusion

These are important asset management tools and software suitable for the energy sector. When finding one, you need to identify the gaps in your assent management and maintenance. You can also compare software based on the company’s needs for asset tracking and management.

Small Business Productivity Apps for Android Phones

Productivity is a big part of running a business. But, unfortunately, it cannot be easy to keep up with everything that needs to be done and maintained by your sanity. That’s where productivity apps come in handy for your devices.

In recent years, online and mobile businesses are on a full boom as you can run any campaign or your store through your mobile phone and stay updated with your business activities.

This blog post will cover some android apps for small businesses and how you can use them to stay on top of things from anywhere you go. Check on the list below.

VPNs for Android

VPNs are a crucial tool for small businesses with employees who work remotely. This type of app encrypts your internet connection and can help keep you safe from hackers, identity thieves, or other threats to your company’s data security.

These VPN apps for android phones are fantastic tools to securely transmit your data over the internet and get you connected to different regional markets trends by unblocking geo-restrictions on websites.

These VPN apps are often free and can be found in the Google Play Store. However, it is essential to note that free VPNs may not offer many features or protection. To get better security and results, you might want to research VPNs with more robust features provided by their developers at an additional cost.

The premium reliable and consistent VPN providers are optimal especially for startups and small businesses to help them run their online tasks securely and without any potential risks.

Microsoft Apps

Microsoft is one of the world’s leading providers for productivity applications, so it should come as no surprise that they have an android app. In addition, Microsoft offers a range of apps to help you stay connected with your business and customers from anywhere.

One such application is Skype, which Microsoft developed in 2004 when video chatting wasn’t famous yet. This android app will allow users to make free voice calls over Wi-Fi or data connections to others who also use this android application, making communication between staff members very easy! However, to call people on their phones, tablets, or computers outside of Skype’s network can incur additional fees. 

Slack

Small business owners know the importance of staying connected with their staff and clients, but sometimes it can be challenging.  Slack Android apps are designed to make this task easier by providing a platform for instant communication accessible from any device you have on hand, whether or not your business has an internet connection! 

This android productivity app lets users send text messages, share files, images, and videos and receive notifications when they are mentioned in chat rooms. And best of all? It’s free! So if you want great android apps for small business owners who need more than just emails to stay up-to-date while working remotely, then check out the slack Android app today!

Trello

Trello Android app makes it easy to stay on top of tasks that need to be completed. No more forgetting about what needs to get done! This android productivity app is a great way for small businesses owners or freelancers who work from home and find themselves juggling multiple projects at once to organize their time and activities. 

Trello Android applications are free, but some features such as person-to-person voice calling will require an upgrade. But all in all, this android application provides many useful tools, including creating lists of tasks, lists within lists, called boards, and attaching images, pdfs, or other files related to the task at hand. Users will also receive notifications on their android app when others comment on a board for discussion and collaboration with team members or clients.

DocuSign

DocuSign Android apps allow users to send and sign documents from anywhere in the world. This android application provides a platform for instant, secure communication that’s accessible on any device. In addition, it is easy to use, allowing you to create templates with your custom fields and information needed, so all you need to do is fill out the form before sending it off.

One of the favorite features about this productivity app is how simple their service makes remote signing, saving time, money, and an unnecessary hassle! So if you’re looking for a great android app for your business docs signing and record-keeping, Docusign is your good-to-go choice.

Cam Scanner

This android application is a must for small business owners who want to turn their phones into an all-in-one tool. Cam scanner android apps let you scan documents, create and send PDFs, and save them in the cloud. This means that even if your device breaks or gets lost, then any document saved on it will be accessible from another.

This android application is free and very user-friendly, making it perfect for small business owners and those looking for android apps with more features such as voice recognition software.

I hope this blog on android productivity apps was helpful for all those looking to stay productive in small businesses.  It can be hard at times, but you will find that it becomes much more manageable with the right android app.  I’m sure many other android applications out there could also make your life as a small business owner and freelancer so much easier.

The Best Apps for MS Teams Free and Paid

As Microsoft’s Teams application becomes an ever-increasing staple in the work environment and Microsoft’s conscious decision to allow third-party developers to contribute to the workplace has seen a flood of apps to supplement your workflow. Here is a list of the top free and paid-for apps that will boost your productivity.

VirtoSoftware

VirtoSoftware offers both free and paid-for apps laser focus on improving workplace productivity. The free MakeSomeBreak is great for those who realize too late they should have scheduled some break time for a coffee or to get some fresh air. Taking a break every now and then is now being seen as vital to a successful endeavor. The app allows users to schedule break times with a click of a button and to the user’s preferences. 

The developer’s paid-for apps for MS Teams like the Kanban Board App are a godsend for those who follow Agile methodologies. The app acts as a task management interface specifically designed to include a scrum board allowing for better visualization and management of tasks.

Desk365

Desk365 is a comprehensive help desk solution that integrates seamlessly with Microsoft Teams, enabling support teams to manage customer interactions directly within the Teams environment. This integration allows agents to receive ticket notifications, collaborate on responses, and update ticket statuses without leaving Teams, streamlining workflows and enhancing productivity.

Desk365 is available in both free and paid versions, with the free plan accommodating up to three agents and offering essential features suitable for small teams or testing purposes. The paid “Pro Plan” starts at $12 per agent per month, providing advanced functionalities like workflow automation, detailed reporting, and enhanced customization options. This pricing structure positions Desk365 as an affordable yet robust solution for businesses aiming to improve their customer support operations.

MindMeister

This app has been around for some time but the importance of mind mapping for professionals has never dissipated. Offered as both a free tier package and a monthly pro subscription with superior features, the app allows for the quick and legible creation of mind maps that can be used by an entire team at a moment’s notice. MindMeister’s true selling point is that it is a one-stop mind map creator without the need to rely on other third-party messaging apps.

GitHub

For those working on digital projects being able to track any changes to the development’s codebase is vital. GitHub enables exactly this eagle-eyed approach to be readily adopted. GitHub now offers many of its core features for free. There are paid-for packages, but teams will only need to consider those when they cross certain generous usage thresholds.

The GitHub app for Teams allows team leaders and developers to see all changes without having to open new browser tabs and login pages. Another great advantage of the app is that code snippets can be shared by team members with ease in-app.

Trello 

Trello is a complete project management solution in app form capable of MS Teams integration. Trello functionality means that projects and tasks can be updated without even needing to leave the Teams Chat service. All information is presented in an easily digestible way, preventing things from becoming a mess.

Offered in both free and paid versions as is the typical business model of today, the free version is incredibly feature-rich for the price tag of zero. 

The apps provided above were picked for their usefulness to an incredibly broad scope of businesses. The apps above are also apps that can put productivity into high gear. More specialized apps exist for specific needs that are equally as good as those mentioned above but have a smaller target market.

Revolution of Traffic Monitoring: How Did ANPR Cameras Evolve Through Time?

Automatic Number Reading has Evolved Significantly in Recent Years

The automatic number plate reading system was introduced at the end of the 90s’. They were in fact some of the first applications of artificial intelligence in the field of Intelligent Transportation Systems. The first of such camera systems could read the license plate of moving vehicles. Their computation capabilities were modest as the hardware and software at the time were basic yet expensive. Though there were cheaper options available, they were not all compatible to be used for access control.

Evolution of ANPR 

Over time as more and more development was done in this sector, both the hardware and software technologies rapidly evolved. Since then the possibility to use commercial processing systems with a normal or good quality video surveillance camera became a norm in many countries. As the cost of installing and acquiring them also reduced substantially, these cameras were used in a number of industries and fields. 

Since then these cameras have only seen a growth in demand. With good ANPR cameras, traffic monitoring has been revolutionized. These can provide access control, parking management, border control, toll payments, speed control, and law violation control. The law enforcers can currently benefit from this application as it provides a spread of geolocation technologies as well as a centralized database option. 

Vehicles can be monitored easily in the traffic through a web page as well as from mobile devices. This helps the traffic police officers to get immediate notification if there has been any violation of law by a vehicle driver like crossing the red light, exceeding the speed limit, or bigger crimes like theft of vehicles or hit and run incidents. 

How Does it Work?

The architecture of these surveillance cameras has pretty much remained the same but the software has been updated continuously. The plate recognition takes place with the help of the use of software that is being run on powerful computers. These back-end computers analyze the video streams and distribute them to the front end for monitoring. These systems are limited only due to the high bandwidth demand as well as an increase in the power needed to process the frames. This is because the frames consist of millions of pixels. The company’s that make these cameras then started to miniaturize and increase the power of the processing unit in order to find a solution. 

In some commercial properties, the ANPR is usually placed at the entrance and exit of car parks. They are used for capturing and processing the details of all the vehicles that enter or exit the building. If there is an unauthorized vehicle entering the building, then the license number of that car is identified and stored. The same goes for if anyone exceeds the speed limit on parking lots or parks their vehicle for a very long time in the parking lot and breeches the stay period. In these cases, the license plate number is recognized using specialized LPR software and the driver gets a fine via post or on this mobile. For commercial properties, these give them an ideal solution to solve the problem of everyone who is trying to use their parking lot as a free facility. These cameras can not only capture the details of all the vehicles in the daylight but also in the dark at night. 

Furthermore, when you use these cameras for your business property, then you can decrease the cost of installing a manual parking system as well as labor costs. By providing all the employees with a touch screen pay option as well as display machines, their vehicles will easily be identified by the camera and allow them to enter. As the system is fully automated you will eliminate the need for every driver to display a ticket to enter. 

Future of ANPR

As more and more industries make sure of these surveillance cameras to maintain safety and security on their property, the future of ANPR seems to be bright. There is an ever-growing demand for these as businesses and law enforcement try to maintain control over car park control and management, airport security, journey time management, transport and logistics, and traffic surveys.

While these cameras continuously upgrade the use of their technology to be able to make it more smarted, there are still some challenges that need to be overcome. These cameras have given rise to a new kind of criminal activity called car cloning. In such crimes, the number plates are copied so that when they are read by such systems, they will identify fake license plate numbers. However, with the innovation and technology galloping at the fastest pace than it ever hard, it won’t be long before these challenges are overcome as well. 

Best Cybersecurity Tips for your Home-Based Small Business

The Pandemic has meant a significant switch in lifestyle and even career. Many people decided that this is the perfect time to pursue that small business idea they’ve always flirted with.

Despite the comfort of running a business while sitting in pajamas, there are still a million things pulling business owners in different directions. For example, security isn’t always a top concern and sometimes goes unnoticed until something goes wrong. But it is a crucial element. Keeping up with cybersecurity basics for a business can prevent irreparable damage and more than $25000 in losses.

So it’s time to get those ducks in a row before something happens! Here’s a short guide to the best steps business owners can take right now to protect their home-based businesses.

Set Up Admin Access Control

Access control is one of the most important things any business can do if it has any employees. It’s crucial for anyone who works remotely or with freelancers. This goes for online accounts, internal systems, and work accounts that are used by many people.

Access control is a security technique that regulates who can view or use certain accounts or data. For example, if the business has a website on WordPress, then the owner can control who gains admin access to the site and what they can do.

This prevents people from gaining full control over the website. And if their login details get stolen or their account hacked, the hackers will also have limited access. The same goes for data and account sharing. Give people access only to that information they need to perform their duties.

Keep Those Passwords Secret

There will be some preaching about passwords on a list like this because passwords are that important.

With passwords, it’s best to stick to the advice of cybersecurity experts, which are reiterated in such trusted sites as Wired, TechCrunch, and Forbes. The standard best practices stay the same:

– Use a unique password for every account.

– Make passwords long, with multiple characters, numbers, and symbols.

– Don’t share passwords on unencrypted chats.

If it’s hard to remember all those passwords, then it’s best to make use of a password manager. Also, always enable two-factor authentication on accounts. If you own an iOS device, you should always try and share Wi-Fi password with iPhone.

Perhaps this sounds like a luxury you can’t afford, but here’s why you should make cybersecurity insurance a must-have, despite the fact that cyber insurance rates are rising.

Keep Off-Site Data Backups

A lot of businesses are not prepared to deal with the consequences of having all their data stolen in a cyber-attack or locked away by ransomware. Not only do many not have up-to-date backups, but those that do often make the mistake of storing them on the same premises. Sometimes even on the same devices/servers. That doesn’t help anyone.

Backups should be stored on encrypted hard drives in an off-site location that isn’t easy to access or on a secure cloud server. The second usually costs a monthly or annual fee, but the upside is that it can’t be lost or destroyed in a fire. Both of these off-site data protection options are essential if you want to safeguard your business from a data disaster.

The downside of using cloud servers, however, is that they aren’t infallible. Hackers have managed to break through in the past.

Use Encryption Tools

Encryption is a method of changing the original plaintext of computer code into a different, undecipherable code. This code can only be decrypted by the person that has the key (app). Everyone else sees scrambled nonsense.

So, there are apps and software that can encrypt hard drives, emails, and even network connections. Even messaging systems like WhatsApp use end-to-end encryption to keep messages private.

Look for encryption apps and software that have received good reviews online. Make sure to encrypt any files and drives on devices used to run the business. Also, use a secure email provider that encrypts emails and a VPN to encrypt the network connection.

The last is important because hackers can use digital devices to gain access to the home’s network and infiltrate the business’ accounts. There are even VPNs for Fire Stick for watching shows in the background while getting work done (it’s okay, we don’t judge).

Keep in mind that this advice goes for any employee as well.

Conclusion

It’s obvious that a lot of work could be done from home. That’s why people switched to running their businesses from the home offices. But it’s important to remember that this comes with a number of cybersecurity risks as small businesses are big targets for hackers! It’s much easier to do a little preparation now than having to deal with the consequences of a cyber-attack later.

Key Risks and Top 10 Ways to Manage Your Website Effectively Once Launched

If you’re an entrepreneur, there will probably come a time when you’ll need to set up your website to establish a presence on the market. This will be more important for you if you’re selling some sort of service; according to the eCommerce Foundation, almost 90% of customers first search for a product on the internet before going to a physical store. Things have also changed with the COVID-19 pandemic, where even people who were proponents of traditional shopping now prefer to do everything online.

If you haven’t had experience running a website before, there’s a good chance you’ll make some mistakes….

Atlanta-based web design company enhances the product design departments of the most forward-thinking eCommerce startups and established businesses. They offer continuing UI/UX design, remote staff augmentation, and continuous design iteration for your business and website.

And we’ve prepared this article to help you prevent some of them! We’ll cover the ten most common mistakes and risks when managing a website and give you our solutions for all of them.

1. Malfunctioning mobile version

We do everything on smartphones, from business to private life to entertainment. According to statistics provided by outboxerdesign, about 80% of all smartphone users have made some purchase in the last six months via their mobile device. That said, your mobile website simply MUST work!

  • Our solution — Use solutions that will make the user experience on iOS and Android as good as on the full version of the site. Moreover, consider creating a mobile app with additional benefits for your customers.

2. Data loss

Data loss, in extreme cases, can force you to start your website (and maybe even your entire business) from scratch. Because of one shortcoming, you can lose a lot of time and money — for what?

  • Our solution — Backup your site from time to time using sites such as iDrive. These will be additional costs but think of the losses you will incur if you lose the data needed to handle, for example, tax matters.

Every so often, we ignore certain parts of the site that seem unimportant to us. Meanwhile, our customer might want to use them, and if he isn’t able to, we might just lose him in a second.

  • Our solution — Have someone review the content on your site on an ongoing basis. This is especially useful if you sell third-party products where you have no control over their actions. As an entrepreneur, you can’t be up-to-date with everything, so have someone do it for you.

4. Poor content

One prominent mistake entrepreneurs make when creating websites for their businesses is trying to create content themselves. All it takes is for your market competitors to hire professionals to create content such as graphics and articles, and you are already on the losing end… We’re even talking about things like spelling errors or punctuation; one misplaced comma can affect the credibility of your services, for real.

  • Our solution — Hire content professionals. If you’re afraid about the costs of hiring a full-time employee, use freelancers!

5. Long website loading time

People no longer tolerate sites that take too long to load, not in a world where everything happens instantly. If your website doesn’t open immediately, you need to change that as soon as possible. 

  • Our solution — Factors such as the size of the graphics on the page or cluttered source files can cause the page to load too long.  To check how fast your website opens, you can use a free tool from Google called Pagespeed Insights.

6. Outdated plugins

One non-functioning plugin can disrupt the functionality of the entire site. Sometimes even after an update, one extension might stop working with another, resulting in unnecessary site bugs and potential customer loss.

  • Our solution — Regularly make sure that all plugins and extensions on the site are updated and work well together all the time. Before launching your website, you might want to try out our software testing services.

7. Not considering SEO

SEO (Search Engine Optimization) aspect is essential when launching a website. In short, the better optimized a website is in terms of SEO, the higher it will appear in Google results.

  • Our solution — Work with an SEO specialist and Copywriter for written content. SEO consultation prices may seem tremendous, but the better the SEO, the better the chance for new clients.

8. Bad meta description

Your meta description is the first thing a customer will see after searching for your business in a browser. And as we all know — you can only make a first impression once.

  • Our solution — Prepare a good meta description and see how it will look by using tools like Meta Tags. Typically, the meta description should be between 60 and 140 characters.

9. Vulnerability to cyberattacks

These days, hacking attacks and DDos are the order of the day. According to statistics provided by SafeAtLast, the healthcare industry lost over $25billion due to cyberattacks in 2019. 

  • Our solution — Backup your site, and work with two-three different website hosting companies. That way, whenever your website goes down to cyberattack, you can always pull it up through some other host.

10. Pop-up advertisements

Pop-up ads are an easy way to discourage your potential client from browsing further. Not only do they obscure the content on your site, but they are also annoying like nothing else (especially for mobile users). Furthermore, it is confirmed that use pop-up ads rank lower in Google searches.

  • Our solution — We understand that pop-up ads are supposed to monetize your website, but there are much better alternatives for that. One of the most efficient and least annoying forms of advertising are in-text hyperlinks and banners.

Conclusion

As you can see, running a website comes with various risks, and it’s not as simple as it may seem. Setting up a top-functioning site requires a lot of experience, and it just so happens that an experienced IT team has it!

 So don’t be afraid to entrust us with the task of taking care of your website and look into web development services mentioned here mlsdev.com/services/web-development.


Author’s bio: Anastasiia Lastovetska is a technology writer at MLSDev, a software development company that builds web & mobile app solutions from scratch. She researches the area of technology to create great content about app development, UX/UI design, tech & business consulting.