Category Archives: Business

Would You Trust a Robot for Financial Advice?

Would You Trust a Robot for Financial Advice?

Many services are being automated and often you’ll hear ‘there’s an app for that’ when talking about various strands of business. Robots, too, are taking over in the workplace. They are making cars, working in factories, performing operations, and now handing out financial advice.

Online robotic advisors are providing small investors with financial advice and managing their portfolios, with these services proving more cost-effective than their human counterparts. The rise in robot-advisors came about through concern that not enough people were getting the advice they needed at a price they could afford. Whilst they use the same software as their human counterparts, they focus mainly on managing portfolios rather than the tax and retirement aspects of wealth management.

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Meet the Robo-Advisors

Robo-advice is an automated online service using algorithms to manage portfolios. Investors can go online and fill in a form with their age, ideal retirement age and whether they want their investment to be high, medium, or low risk. The robo-advisor then puts the money in the appropriate funds and automatically rebalances the portfolio if necessary. At present, they are not poaching clients from existing advisers but capturing a new market of young people with little money to invest, who may have been ignored until now.

In San Francisco, SigFig Wealth Management has 845,000 clients but fewer than 100 employees. This new generation of financial firms gives clients access to algorithm-driven tools to manage their portfolios. SigFig has become the eighth largest adviser in the USA by number of clients.

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Somewhat closer to home here in the UK Ascot solicitors Parachute Law are proud to have the human touch offering advice but from a legal perspective.

Automation Makes Financial Sense

So, it seems as though robots are not a threat to existing financial firms but have tapped into a previously unseen market. In many ways robots and software can make life easier for professionals such as independent financial advisors, because a lot of their work can be automated or dealt with quickly by apps or software to leave people more time to deal with their clients.

All information about clients can be safely stored, their portfolios updated or created, and accounts managed using business management software which helps them manage risks and build a better business. This enables professionals to spend more time doing what they enjoy – giving financial advice.

What Are Polymer Composites?

Polymer composites are made of two or more types of polymer. Among their features are their low density, high thermal conductivity, and biocompatibility. They are also extremely durable and are used for a wide range of industrial applications, including electrical insulation, military structures, and bone and ligament application. In addition, their unique properties make them highly flexible and allow for a wide range of design forms. This means that they can be used in various ways, from medical devices to aerospace parts. Find out more about Plasma polymer composite applications at a site like https://www.poeton.co.uk/advanced-treatments/apticote-810-plasma-polymer-composite/

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Polymer composites have a wide range of uses, from structural hull panels to decking, stringers, and sail battens. They can also be used in cabinetry, door panels, and anchor pins. Glass fibre-reinforced polyester is the most common type of polymer composite used in boats, while other types of fibre reinforcement are commonly used in high-performance sailboats. While polymer composites are highly resistant to saltwater, they also have outstanding strength and dampen vibration, making them ideal for use in boating.

A variety of biomedical applications for polymer composites include the creation of implants and bone replacements. 

A polymer composite is made from two or more materials. The polymer matrix consists of two or more polymers and a support material, which may be inorganic or organic. These products can be formed using thermoplastic or thermoset matrices, and are commonly manufactured at temperatures below 200°F. There are several types of polymer composites. The most popular are fibre-reinforced composites, which are made with fibres embedded in another material.

The most common polymer composites are carbon fibre and fibreglass. However, there are other types of composites. Among the strongest, most versatile, and most resilient are the ones made from polymers. But there are many other advantages of these advanced polymer composites. They combine the benefits of two substances in one compound. In fact, some of them have multiple benefits.

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Smart polymer composites can combine glass fibres and a polymer matrix to form a smart structure. The technology behind these composites is often inspired by nature. The most popular examples of smart structures are those that are capable of sensing and healing damage. These composites are able to repair themselves in the event of an accident. This is a major benefit of these composites. They are also lightweight, durable, and resistant to high temperatures.

The Importance of Having an Accountant Who Understands Your Business

Having an accountant who understands your business is essential for many reasons. They can offer you valuable advice when it comes to the structure of your company and can help you choose the best structure for your needs. In addition to helping you choose the right structure for your business, they can also help you make important decisions regarding hiring and spending, as well as financial feasibility. A good accountant can help you make a sound decision regarding these issues. For a wealth of business advice and accounting services, consider a Tewkesbury Business Advisory like Randall and Payne

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An accountant will be able to help you develop a realistic revenue forecast, establish KPIs, and troubleshoot problems. They can also help you prepare a pitch for lenders. Your accountant will also be able to provide you with valuable advice on how to set goals and measures of progress. They know which lenders are playing fair and when not. Your accountant will be able to give you unbiased advice that will help you reach your financial goals.

A business owner must also have an idea about how to run the company, but this is easier said than done. A professional accountant can help you test your business ideas and identify startup costs. They can also help you create a realistic revenue forecast. They can also help you prepare a business pitch for potential lenders. They can also assist you in keeping track of outstanding invoices and missing payments. A good accountant can help you create and maintain a realistic plan for your business’s success.

Having an accountant who understands your business is essential for a successful business. Having an accountant who knows your business and your industry inside out will help you focus on the critical parts of your business. Your accountant will be able to set goals and set key performance indicators to keep track of progress. If your finances are not in order, you will be unable to stay in business for long.

Your accountant is the linchpin of your business’s financial health. Without them, your business may not be able to meet its goals. An accountant will help you determine what your financial goals are, as well as provide the necessary paperwork. Your accountant will also help you file annual reports and create reports analyzing your revenue by customer. These documents will allow you to more effectively target your marketing efforts.

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Your accountant can help you file annual financial reports and prepare reports based on your business’s unique needs. They will also help you identify startup costs and create credible revenue forecasts for your business. A business owner should make sure that all of his or her paperwork is organized before meeting their accountant. For example, he or she should set up online banking and set up cloud-based money management tools. This way, their work will be easier and they will have a better view of the various aspects of their business.

 

What you need to consider when charging VAT

VAT or Value-Added Tax is a consumption tax that is passed on through a supply chain to the end purchaser. VAT needs to be charged on certain products or services once the business reaches the VAT threshold. This also enables the company to reclaim the VAT on any products or services that they have purchased. It is important that you follow all the relevant guidelines and the best way to do this is to work with a Swindon Accountants to get you set up properly.

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There are a number of things to consider when it comes to VAT and these include.

  • Rate of VAT to charge – there are essentially three VAT rates, a standard rate which is charged at 20%, a reduced rate which is charged at 5% and a Zero-rated which is charged at 0% and is not the same as those exempt from VAT. To understand these rates you should speak with Chippendale and Clark Accountants in Swindon who can help you with your VAT submissions.
  • VAT info on invoices – you must ensure that you separate out the VAT on your invoices and that you display your VAT registration number clearly as well.

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  • Reporting – you will need to submit VAT returns on a quarterly basis based on the date that your VAT registration was granted. It is important that you make a note of any VAT deadline dates and submit your return and pay the VAT owed by the deadline.

Why Stainless Steel Is Such A Popular Choice In Industry

If you’ve been working in the industrial sector for any length of time, you’ve probably wondered why stainless steel is so popular. Its high chromium content and low carbon content makes it an excellent choice for many different applications. Stainless steel is very easy to work with and is a low-maintenance material. Because of its corrosion-resistance and low-cost fabrication, stainless is the ideal metal for food and beverage industries in particular.

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Stainless steel is easily bent and moulded into desired shapes depending on the industry application. Find out more about Bending Machines at a site like Cotswold Machinery, a supplier of Bending Machines.

One reason that stainless steel is so popular in industry is that it’s highly durable and resistant to a wide variety of elements. Because of this durability, stainless is easy to form and be fabricated. Stainless steel is also easily processed in large quantities. Though the initial cost of stainless may seem high, it will be worth it in the long run. Unlike some other metals, stainless is easy to work with and requires little maintenance once it’s installed which is a further reason for its popularity.

The long life of stainless steel makes it a valuable material for any industry. Despite being a versatile material, stainless is easily cleaned and maintainable. This makes it the least expensive option in a life-cycle cost comparison. Besides its long life, stainless is 100% recyclable. New stainless steel contains between 50 and 80% recycled materials. It’s easy to see why stainless is such a popular choice for industry in an increasingly environmentally conscious world.

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Its durability is another major factor that makes it a good material for industry. It can withstand extreme temperatures and pressures without rusting or becoming damaged. It’s also very versatile and can be cut, welded, or formed, making it a great choice for both small tools and large appliances alike. It’s also very strong. The fact that it’s also a highly recyclable material gives it an advantage in a tougher world.

Stainless steel’s high hygroscopic qualities make it ideal for food and drink manufacturing. It’s also able to resist most corrosive elements, including salt. Moreover, it can resist most aggressive conditions, making it a better material for food production. However, it is still not the perfect material for processes that require prolonged exposure to salt. For these reasons, many industries use grade 316 stainless steel instead.

Stainless steel is 100% recyclable. Its high resistance to corrosion makes it the ideal material for many applications in the building and construction industries. Its superior mechanical properties make it a popular choice for a variety of uses. It also offers a high aesthetic appeal. Additionally, it is environmentally friendly material. Because of its high hygienic properties, stainless steel is widely used in industrial applications where sanitation is crucial such as food, drink and pharmaceuticals.

 

How to Make Better Business Decisions

The best way to improve decision-making is to identify a problem and create a solution. Once you’ve identified a problem, you can begin to formulate solutions. You can create a roadmap of steps you need to take to solve it. If you have a large number of decisions to make, consider hiring a team to help you. The process should include input from many people and avoid technical jargon. Continue reading How to Make Better Business Decisions

What is procurement for Business?

Without the services of a procurement officer businesses would find it difficult to function fully and could not even exist. They are an often-overlooked business role which is important to the functioning of any business.  As that great sage of our age Lorelai Gilmore says to her father Richard when he’s about to start his new business, “Before anything else can happen, you need pens, you need paper, you need. . . everything else, don’t you?”. Indeed, you do but there is the small question of finding the person to do that for you. They are certainly a special part of the operation. Continue reading What is procurement for Business?

What happens during a BRC Audit

BRC is a food safety certification that businesses in the food and drinks industry use to show their commitment to following best practices within their sector. There are a number of standards that are covered within the certification and they look at everything from food safety plans through to the requirements for traded products.

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As well as offering certification a BRC Audit like the ones from hygienecheck are carried out to assess that a given company is following the food safety standards as set out by the British Retail Consortium (BRC).

The Audit is undertaken by an accredited organisation like the one mentioned. They will take a full assessment of any food manufacturing that takes place, your entire facility and premises. The company will also look through all of your documents and records and they will look at the key areas that are mentioned in the BRC Standards to check for adherence.

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In order to ensure that this audit runs smoothly it is worth taking your business through a thorough self assessment so you can check for any gaps and rectify this. It is important that your senior management team are involved in this as much as possible as this is one area that is assessed during an audit.

You should also ensure that you have your documents and records in a readily available format so you can present these to the company carrying out your audit in order for them to go through them as efficiently as possible.

Pros and Cons of Using a Fuel Card

Using a fuel card can be beneficial for a number of reasons of which I will highlight below. However, there are some disadvantages to having a fuel card which are good to consider when deciding whether to give your drivers only cards or cash for using at petrol stations. Read on to find out the pros and cons of using a fuel card.

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The first advantage of using a fuel card is safety. Carrying cash can be a potential risk to drivers in case they are robbed. Having a fuel card removes the necessity for holding cash. Moreover, it is a lot easier to organise the money each driver gets, as the fuel cards can all use the same account. Each card will have a unique PIN code that only the individual card holder will know so that all payments are secure.

An additional benefit of using a fuel card is that there are many different fuel companies to choose from. Depending on your needs, you can choose a card that offers you certain discounts or can only be used at specific petrol stations of your choice. Even for one company, there are different options of fuel cards to choose from. For example, the BP Fuel Card comes with many options that you can explore here: https://www.fuelcardservices.com/fuel-cards/bp-fuel-cards/.

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On the other hand, there are some drawbacks that you may want to consider. For example, depending on what company you choose, you can be limited by what petrol stations you can use, and therefore you will only be able to go on specific routes, even if they are longer. However, to prevent this problem, you can research all the different options of fuel cards before deciding. If you don’t do your research, you may even have to pay more for fuel, but if you find the right card, you’ll be able to cut costs.

 

How to Maximise Profit in a Courier Business

Learning how to maximise profit in a courier business is something that every successful business owner must do. Courier jobs are very profitable and if you can help your customers save money by cutting their delivery costs then you will be doing your client a huge favour. However, there is more to it than just saving money. You have to be a team player and work well together with all your colleagues in order to maximise your profits.

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When setting up a new business you should always ask yourself how much money can I earn in the first 6 months to a year. This is called the “break-even point”. This tells you what your revenue will be after costs have been taken into account. It’s the only way you can then work out your target income. You need to be sure that your business has enough money set aside to run it without running out of cash and also to cover any unexpected expenses that could arise from day-to-day usage of your business. Save money with Fuel Cards. Find out more at https://www.fuelcardservices.com/

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There are many ways you can get help when setting up your business and there are also many software programs out there which can help you. One of the best ways is to talk to other successful business owners and hear what they do to maximise their profits. Use this information and advice to set up your own business in the right way and ensure that it can make you money for years to come. If you follow these simple steps you will soon see a profit increase in your profits.