Estonia
As the original author, I cannot be held responsible for any changes made by the client post-delivery that may affect quality, present factual or libelous issues, or result in grammatical and orthographic errors. Ghostwritten and co-written pieces may appear under the client's nominated name.
All pieces originally added to clippings are written by myself.
COVID-19 has turned the world on its head. Our way of life and our very way of existing has been thrown into focus. As we look for ways to cope with a new global threat to every human's health and well-being on the planet, it appears that there are changes we can all make to our lifestyles that may strengthen immunity and improve our overall health.
Illustration by Natasha Remarchuk from Ouch! Before you begin with any new client project, it's a good idea to start with a plan. Specifically, a task plan. It's even more helpful if you're trying to better communicate with clients, colleagues and others. Why not just write it down in Excel or Word?
Illustration by Natasha Remarchuk from Icons8 In today's on-demand world, it is evident that client portals have become a critical component of the client-accounting firm interaction. Uku understands this.
Illustration by Murat Kalkavan from Icons8 Tasks and workflows are approached surrounding transactions within client engagement. At Uku, we based our CRM on a customer-focused approach. Naturally, we have workflow processes that you'd expect from all CRM software. Yet ours includes time tracking, so it is even easier to track all billable hours to determine how profitable a client is.
Copywriting
by David Bailey-Lauring If you clicked on content in your newsfeeds, what writing style would you expect to find? Would you recognise what type of content it is? You may guess that the digital content has been written to either: engage with you to sell to you to entertain you or written so you discover it Confused by what I mean?
by David Bailey-Lauring Post summary: But what precisely do they mean? And what's the difference between the two skills? What is web copy? What is web content? How bad web copy and web content can ruin businesses Well, this is ambiguous and open to interpretation. Which theoretically means there's no correct answer.
by David Bailey-Lauring Post summary: What is sales copy? What is conversion copy? Why use conversion copywriting over SEO content writing? Hiring sales copywriters Stellar sales copy focuses on how the end consumer benefits from what is being sold. What marketers refer to as the "value it brings to the customer."
by David Bailey-Lauring Post summary: I'm asked this all the time, after all, is writing just writing? The point is, the difference does matter - as these two types of writing can bring very different results for businesses.
Industry
Tens of billions of IoT devices are currently in operation across the globe, from well-known devices like Amazon's Echo smart speakers and smartwatches to smart homes regulating our air conditioning and heating. However, IoT is not only for the consumer. Industry and various businesses already utilise IoT applications.
If this critical information - in particular, intellectual property (IP) - is lost or stolen, it can ruin a business overnight. Losing this IP could mean losing a competitive advantage in the market. How can you efficiently produce your IP without worrying that the company building it will commit IP theft?
For more than 16 years, Tech Group, as a custom machine builder, has produced custom machine building projects to businesses in various industries. Our machine-building capabilities range from focusing on building the full solution, to the initial prototype, then the first batch and later assembly and installation.
To step up their game, businesses in all industries have sought out building new products by integrating manufacturing techniques with the benefits offered by automation companies. One approach these automation companies do is to transform manufacturing by guiding them to adopt factory automation. This trend has been increasing.
We noticed that many established hardware development companies sometimes struggle to understand the actual needs of the client, especially when it involves startups or smaller companies. Companies are required to have already a detailed plan, clear budget and an excellent technical understanding of what is needed for development.
"I trust this thing because I know it will predictably do a specific function, even if I don't know how or why it does it." Autonomous technology is rapidly spreading beyond the automobile and transportation sectors into healthcare, logistics and manufacturing. In 2021, as their use proliferates, how will consumers and businesses trust the benefits of autonomous technology?
Co-founder Siim Täkker was previously working on building energy simulations and optimisation algorithms at a scientific engineering level. In 2016 Täkker began working for one of the biggest building servicing companies in Estonia, observing huge savings potential if they altered the way they operated.
Manufacturing partnerships were already transforming manufacturers' operations before the pandemic. Now, when outsourcing to partners, manufacturers need to consider what in-house capabilities each partner has to offer. Even in countries where COVID-19's initial impact has begun to recede, severe disruptions are likely to remain a fact of life for several years to come.
Elevate efficiency Ensure full traceability Manage volume fluctuations Challenge us Market competition, ever-changing customer demand, and faster delivery expectations are placing more strain on manufacturing businesses. Manufacturing leaders must improve their productivity, profit, and product quality, simultaneously ensuring a sustainable workplace that protects employee health and safety.
Speys is a European Digital Freight Forwarding Platform for Innovative Manufacturers and Retailers.
Speys is a European Digital Freight Forwarding Platform for Innovative Manufacturers and Retailers.
Chief Maintenance and Development Officer, Viru Keskus "2 up-to-date and reliable automation systems (Siemens Desigo Insight and Schneider Electric Struxureware) managing the technological systems have already been used in Viru Keskus, located in the heart of Tallinn. The technological systems of the shopping centre are managed by Ermeesia OÜ, the company providing the best service in this sector in Estonia.
Business owners, employees and investors in the manufacturing and logistics sectors will be anxiously keen to know how long it will take the industries to recover from the coronavirus pandemic. Based on the experience of the 2003 SARS epidemic, it could typically take several months for the sector t
Tech
What is cloud transformation? Why migrating to the cloud is critical for businesses Challenges in cloud migration Choosing the right cloud migration strategy Choosing the right cloud migration strategy is no easy feat. Along with the roadmap to migrating your business infrastructure to the cloud, there will be inevitable challenges that must be overcome.
by David Bailey-Lauring Avoiding your devices becoming hacked requires the use of long, strong and secure passwords. However, why else are they important? Victims of hacking often have their bank details, money, or even worse, their identity is stolen. Hackers assume the identification of their victim by changing their passwords and taking over the devices including phones and laptops.
Web and mobile app development Proekspert's engineers are savvy in next-gen technologies, intelligent algorithms, and modern UI. All web-based interfaces we create work equally well on mobile devices. Technologies like React, Angular, Vue and Firebase blur the difference between web-based solutions and native apps. B2C portals and mobile apps Consumers need simplicity.
Maximize the value of cloud investments Quickly adopt new technology Respond to immediate market needs Scale your business operations Challenge us Most of today's enterprises have adopted the cloud in some form to unlock the capabilities a modern business requires: greater flexibility, more agility, and new opportunities for innovation.
The purpose of digital business transformation should be enhancing customer and employee experience. Building services in accordance to user needs gives no reason for your customers to look elsewhere. Digital technologies - and the way we utilize them personally, at work, and within our communities - have changed the face of business.
Partner / CEO Post summary: What is robotic process automation? Why do companies invest in RPA? Eleven RPA use cases Robotic process automation (RPA) is the use of specialised computer programs, known as software robots. These robots automate and standardise repeatable business processes that are typically carried out by employees.
Partner / CEO Post summary: Why use Robotic Process Automation? Why do so many RPA projects fail? Learning from RPA failures How RPA transforms the industry Robots are part of heavy industry, that is nothing new. However, its virtual colleague, robotic process automation (RPA), is only getting started within the industry.
Changes within a business begin when companies wish to improve their business processes. Ensuring that new processes deliver substantial business value, companies must first seek to clarify their goals and expectations. Business process reengineering is the process of turning those expectations into a reality. Business process reengineering (BPR) is the remodeling of a business's current processes.
by David Bailey-Lauring Avoiding your devices becoming hacked requires the use of long, strong and secure passwords. However, why else are they important? Victims of hacking often have their bank details, money, or even worse, their identity is stolen. Hackers assume the identification of their victim by changing their passwords and taking over the devices including phones and laptops.
At our recent Seminar on predictive maintenance and condition monitoring of devices in the manufacturing sector, Proekspert discussed why digitalization doesn't always mean huge costs or long-lasting projects; and why it is crucial for manufacturing companies to consider the importance of analytics.
Today we are happy to announce that our new websites, so that we are better able to serve our customers. However, why did we feel we needed a new look? How will this improve our customer experience? How will using Timbeter make the forestry industry more profitable, sustainable & efficient?
UI Design vs. UX Design - What Is the Difference? You have probably overheard discussions about the magnificent 'UX' of a product, or the poor 'UI' of a website. But what are those people talking about? What exactly is the difference between User Interface Design (UI) and User Experience Design (UX)?
Top 15 Web Design Tools Web design is changing, the lines between designer and developer are increasingly becoming blurred. For instance, static mock-ups are becoming less useful and increasingly, clients and stakeholders want to see more dynamic prototypes. The client because of the look of the design and furthermore, the developer for the coding that can be required during the process.
42 Web Developer Tools to Boost Productivity The web is constantly changing and web developers face quite frankly, an everlasting battle to remain up to date on which of the web developer tools are ideal for top web development.
Top 7 Most Usable CMS There are hundreds of content management systems developed now, listing which ones are the most usable is a Pandora's box itself. Whether you are setting up an exquisite business website, a standard blog or just want to announce your presence on the web, getting the right content management system (CMS) is imperative.
Entrepreneurship
Recently leaked FinCEN documents that are being shared by the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists revealed damaging revelations about shell companies and banks that laundered profits for criminal organisations. Journalists have been delving through the documentation, the same they did for the 2014 LuxLeak papers and the 2016 Panama papers.
Talented. Driven. Perseverance. Not an answer to a question in a job interview about why you would be ideal for a job, but the defining traits of one group of people: Solopreneurs. Whilst it's obvious the word is portmanteau of 'solo' and 'entrepreneur,' it is not entirely obvious what precisely a solopreneur is.
Doing business in Estonia is easy. Setting up a company, whether as a resident, business, e-resident or freelancer makes it even easier. With several choices as to the type of legal entity you can create, it can, however, puzzle entrepreneurs, company owners and freelancers as to which business framework works best for their interests.
According to research, 40% of millennials and 53% of Gen Z's are now working for themselves. It's more common than ever to be self-employed. But how does it affect your wellbeing? Is freelancing better or worse for your mental health? Read these statistics from freelancers themselves : 46% of people think freelancing harms their mental health.
A year ago, I quit my 9-5 job to focus solely on a digital marketing business. My goal was to create a life where I could travel more, learn more, have greater ownership over my time, and work in my pyjamas.
When running a side business whilst working for an employer, getting paid on time is paramount. Plus, you need to ensure that your invoice is compliant with local taxation laws. How can you find the right invoicing solution to complement your side work? Post summary: What is a side business?
With the increase in using freelancers to support corporate business projects rather than hiring new employees, freelancers themselves are taking on more work. Not all the work can be done by one freelancer alone. Freelancers are now seeking out freelancer partners to fulfil projects and off additional value.
by David Bailey-Lauring Unless you've been hibernating for the past few months, you're probably aware that the majority of global workers have been told to self-isolate and work remotely. Post summary: What is remote working? Increase in remote working How to forge excellent remote team communication Useful remote team communication tools But how do you forge successful remote team communication to keep your organisation going?
The COVID-19 pandemic has sent the business world into a state of uncertainty and panic. With the situation seemingly not changing for the foreseeable future, it has left many businesses feeling lost and lacking direction in what to do next. Most of us have reduced workloads.
It's Wednesday afternoon; you get an email from your boss asking how your work is going, and if you'll meet the agreed deadline. Realising you need to crack on, you put down your sangria, slip on a pair of sandals, strut across the beach and unfurl your laptop at the nearest cafe that offers wifi.
We asked Dylan, a British national who wanted to become a digital nomad, why he chose e-Residency to support his ambitions. I'm a British national based in London where I've always worked for large companies like Hootsuite. After speaking to many of my friends, I found that they're digital nomads, and wanted to know how they did it.
We asked John, a seasoned Digital Nomad based in the US, to write about his experience in becoming an e-resident and why he set up his company in Estonia. After graduation I settled in New York City where I held Creative Technologist positions at Wieden + Kennedy, McCann, and as Senior Creative Technologist /Tech Lead at TBWA.
I'm originally from the beautiful Black Forest in Southern Germany, and I attended school there, but it wasn't for me. I left to become a car mechanic and later studied Electrical Engineering. In 2007, I went to Stanford University to work on self-driving cars for a while, but left to pursue a passion of mine - kitesurfing in Maui!
Education
Students and teachers alike often believe that the only correct English teacher is a Native English Speaking Teacher (NEST) or referred to as a Mother Tongue speaker. Sadly, the term doesn't define teachers or their abilities very well. As I'll discuss below, just because you are a native English speaker doesn't equate to better tutoring.
"Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn." - BENJAMIN FRANKLIN Online tutoring is a great side hustle for someone in search of passing on their knowledge to others and earning some additional income.
First embraced by schools, colleges, and universities, Edtech, short for education technology, has moved from in-classroom tools to out-of-school online learning. Perhaps as a testament that learning and self-development don't stop on graduation day. Read how Edtech companies are making it easier and more efficient for students to learn new skills, both academic and for business.
Finance
Üha suurem osa meist pöörduvad pankade asemel teiste laenupakkujate poole, et kiiresti raha hankida või kriisi aegadel finantsabi saada. COVID-19 tõttu on paljud laenupakkujad hetkel uute laenutaotluste vastuvõtmist vähendanud või karmistanud laenude väljastamisele kohaldatavaid reegleid. Siiski pakutakse laenuturul ka konkurentsivõimeliste intressidega laene.
Kui sa ei kasuta krediiti targalt, siis võid lõpetada suurtes võlgades. Nüüd on aeg saada teadlikuks krediidikasutajaks kasutades 14 lihtsat strateegiat. Olenemata sellest, kas sulle meeldib või ei meeldi, siis krediit ja selle kasutamine on täna osa meie elust. Samas toob teadmatu krediidi kasutamine tihti kaasa võlgu, millega tegelikkuses hakkama ei saada.
But, what can you do about it? Well, it turns out, you can do quite a lot! Almost of us feel pressured to spend more than we could afford just before and over the festive period.
For the majority, homeownership appears to be a choice that is far out of our grasp. House prices are still beyond our reach, and the ability to scrape together a deposit means that most British renters appear stuck in the current cycling of always having to rent.
A bridging loan is a form of short term property backed finance that is often used to fund borrowers for some time while allowing them to either refinance to longer-term debt or sell a property. Bridging loans are typically offered for between 1-18 months, with the loan repayable in full at the end of the term.
Credit cards are a fast way to borrow money. According to figures UK households have £15,385 on credit cards as of 2019 , with each home owning £886 on average than it did twelve months ago.
However good you are at managing your money, your emotions can urge you to make financial decisions that could end up costing you a small fortune. Emotional spending occurs when we spend more money on something because we feel bored, lonely, worried or perhaps because we feel like celebrating a particular life event like getting a new job.
Making improvements to your financial situation is a lot easier to do when you have a better understanding over it, an exemplary credit report and better knowledge of how to utilise options to escape a bad financial situation.
Looking to get a small loan then ensure you do the below eight steps before applying for one. 1. Check your credit report and score An adverse credit score will make it harder for you to get a small loan.
It's a new tax year and with it comes change! It's easy to tune out to any news surrounding taxes. But, any change announced has the potential to have a major impact on your personal finances.
Sadly, it doesn't always work out that way. The internet is full of tales of dodgy hotels, crammed tours with other tourists, flight delays and over-priced car rental. When this happens, your holiday excitement can be ruined in minutes. But, with summer just around the corner, many of us are beginning to think about budgeting for our next holiday .
Fuel is still one of the most significant expenditures for motorists in the UK, despite prices being frozen for the ninth year in a row. Drivers can save hundreds of pounds on fuel by making small changes when it comes to their driving, and it is not as difficult as you might think.
The words 'credit score' and 'credit report' have firmly entered our financial lexicon ever since the advent of cheap and easy-to-apply for credit in the late 1990's to the credit crunch in the late noughties.
there is something about a "source" that is indicated in the article and it is has a link with it. but it seems off.
The payday loan sector in the UK has repeatedly been at the centre of debate and has continuously been scrutinised and reprimanded for charging high extortionate rates of interest by politicians, the media, other traditional banking lenders and even the religious hierarchy.
Winter should be firmly behind us now, and for many households, they can breathe a sigh of relief from higher energy bills and the wear and tear of living through winter. Household costs like electricity, gas, water, broadband, car insurance and mobile phones consume most of our household budgets.
You're looking to save some money; this could be to pay for a holiday each year or something long-term like a deposit for a home or retirement. There's no single approach to saving up your desired amount, as it will depend on your timeframe, your current financial circumstances... and even your age.
David Bailey-Lauring is a single father of three boys so he knows what it takes to stretch a budget when it comes to family finance! David is a small business entrepreneur and regularly writes about entrepreneurship, tech, sport and personal finance in the UK, USA, and Europe.
Do you need some quick cash to cover you until the end of the month? Or maybe you are searching for a way to reduce your debt burden and consolidate your debts? Credit cards, overdrafts and payday loans are several ways borrowers can apply for when they don't have money in their bank accounts.
They say that Brits are more likely to get divorced than split with their bank. However, why is there little switching? There is even a current account switching service ensuring that direct debits and salary payments are smoothly changed to a new bank. The numbers say it all.
Unsecured consumer loans dropped by 38.7% in the first three months of last year, the most significant fall since 2007, according to new figures from the Bank of England. Banks and building societies reduced their lending to consumers during the first three months of 2018 at the quickest rate since the credit crunch, according to the bank's figures.
Many people associate exercise believing they need expensive equipment or having a gym membership, but this is just not true. There are so many ways you can work up a sweat without it costing the earth. Months later, the only thing that's getting leaner is our bank balance because we've paid for expensive gym memberships but never actually went.
Let us dig in and attempt to forecast. First, some good news. At the recent budget announcement in October 2018, the UK Chancellor announced an increase in the personal allowance, rising from £11,850 to £12,500 for the tax year beginning in April 2019. This will be a welcome addition to the take-home pay of millions of taxpayers.
However, before applying for that credit card , or payday loan , it is best to check that you are receiving your entitled financial benefits for your family. There are several child financial support options open to families, Child Benefit and Child Tax Credit.
We know that Christmas is a time for giving and receiving. In doing so we make our loved ones happy and thus spread the Christmas cheer. Yet sadly, the part is causing untold strain on people's finances.
In a debt-ridden environment, staying strong as a couple can be challenging. Either or both partners can become cold and withdrawn to each other, leading to repeated arguments on how the debt was accumulated in the first place . Moreover, trust within a relationship can be damaged, or worse, broken.
Each year there are those amongst us who like to do something a little more original, and yes cost a bit more to show their affection to the ones they love. Britons will spend £1.6 million on Valentine's Day gifts. However, is there any love that is worth ruining your personal finances over?
More than two in five workers under the age of 45 risks being left disappointed in retirement as they are underestimating how much money they will need to provide a decent income. For those who are saving into a pension, many believe they are not keeping enough to provide them with the standard of living they require when they retire.
Love them or loathe them, credit cards are part of our lives and are often associated with unmanageable debt. Credit cards have stringent terms and conditions, and if you don't use them wisely, you could quickly rack up debts that you'll have trouble paying back.
Managing your debt is never pleasant, and debt is one of life's most stressful experiences. The sad part is that many of us at one time in our lives have been in debt. In fact, according to the National Audit Office, up to 8.3 million people are unable to pay off debt or household bills.
Extortionate rental prices, credit card bills, and student loans are making it difficult for millennials to save for their future retirement. However, there is a new threat that is impacting millennials financial growth and security - social media.
With 'A' Level results due any day now, students are getting ready to head to university. While it's an exciting time for any student, it does come at a price. A BIG price. According to a study by the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS), three-quarters of graduates will never clear their student loan debt.
Free-spending, work-shy, tech obsessed, hedonistic and not wanting to save money. These are some of the accusations labelled towards millennials. But, are these claims fair? Studies show that the millennial generation is not saving enough in their pensions. The "you only live once" attitude translating as "spend now, worry about it later."
Don't know your JISAs from your ISAs? Let's break down your options for saving for your children's future. Brits are not known for their saving prowess, in fact, four out of ten Britons today have savings of less than £100 in their savings accounts. Hardly setting a good example for children to follow!
While debt and equity investments can both potentially deliver good returns, there are differences that may make one more appealing to you than the other. Most investments can be categorised as either debt investments or equity investments. In an equity investment, you buy an asset and your profit is related to the performance of that ...
More than 2 million people in the UK have overdrafts, stuck in a cycle of using their overdrafts to survive the month, paying off the overdraft from their salary only to begin using it again. The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) found that nearly 13 million people in the last 12 months had used an overdraft facility.
In less than 9 months, Brexit will come into effect. Whether you agree with the decision we made or not, the United Kingdom will leave the European Union on 29th March 2019. Much has been discussed about the UK's future trade, sovereignty and borders, but what does this mean to ordinary Brits at home?
After what has probably been another expensive and excessive Christmas, many will be anticipating the arrival of their post-Christmas credit card statements. Yet, despite several New Year's resolutions on making this year a more prosperous financial year, Britons are terrible at saving. Britain is still weathering the financial crisis and the so-called 'credit crunch.'
On 6th April the new tax year begins, and with the British traditionally poor at saving money, now is the time to reassess how you can make the most out of your savings. Now it's time to discover the top 5 ISA tips and make the most of your tax-free savings.
When it comes to saving, we Brits are terrible at it, putting aside less than 5% of our income on average. If you never saw the point of saving, or you've got out of the habit over the years, don't worry, it's easy to get started.
Our Dad's... We love them. We argue with them. We receive advice from them. And at some point, we've probably taken money from them... So, to honour our Dad's and the role they play in our lives, we've written 8 invaluable money-saving tips that we should have used (and probably ignored!)
Shockingly, 1 in 4 UK adults has zero savings. Worse still, 10% of Brits admit to spending more than they earn. As our daily lifestyles continue to feel the pinch of everyday expenses, it can be hard to make ends meet.
This may sound obvious but making additional payments can save you more in the long-term. Every extra pound you add can reduce the amount of interest you will pay and reduce the mortgages length. Making additional payments depends on your personal circumstances. Can you afford to do this?
Did you know that 40% of UK holidaymakers are not budgeting carefully and thus paying the price later? Alarmingly, 97% of holidaymakers didn't regret reckless spending on their summer holidays, leaving them with unmanageable debt once the summer is over.
Like most people, you are probably struggling to make any reasonable headway, and saving too much can seriously make you unhappy - changing your lifestyle too drastically is unrealistic. Figuring out how much you have to spend and critically, how much you do not, is vital if you are to budget successfully.
Can a chatbot help you manage your money? Well, if you use a chatbot savings app, the answer is yes.
Business
Illustration by Murat Kalkavan from Ouch! Accounting practices' work involves long hours, impatient clients and seemingly impossible expectations that last for weeks on end. With the amount of work to be done, you'd think there is no time for a break. With so much stress and pressure.
Illustration by Ivan Haidutski from Ouch! Uku is striving to relieve the burden on our accountants. It's why we believe in using a client portal so customers can interact on their own accord. You could call this self-service; the ability for customers to serve themselves.
Illustration by Murat Kalkavan from Icons8 It provides the ability to automate, track and monitor accountants' tasks, and in the process do more, relieving the anxiety of jobs not being completed. Digital accounting tools empower accountants to be kept in the loop for all tasks, ensuring nothing goes amiss.
illustration by Olga Nesnova from Icons8 The article title is more than just a philosophical statement. Unlike most variables in your personal and professional life, time is a commodity that is continuously within your grasp yet slipping away and zapping your energy reserves one hour at a time.
Illustration by Natasha Remarchuk from Icons8 What is CRM for accountants? Why CRM is more than a business strategy A strong customer relationship is vital to the success of any accounting firm. Accountancy practices are witnessing industry-changing trends. Automation, outsourcing, staff shortages, and the proliferation of niche accountancy practices contribute to the need for effective customer relationship management (CRM) technology.
Illustration by Maria Shukshina from Icons8 Therefore, practice managers must ensure that their accountants and services are not used for any unlawful purpose. All accountancy practices in the UK must act honestly and comply with the law. Practices must not engage in criminal activities, including financial crimes like money laundering or worse, terrorist financing.
Collaborative accounting model Collaboration as a soft skill Accountancy is evolving How collaboration reduces workplace stress The majority of accountancy jobs today require candidates who can demonstrate strong soft skills. Accountancy practices need excellent communication and listening traits, the ability to develop and maintain strong client relationships and work under pressure.
Illustration by Natasha Remarchuk from Icons8 They have all the financial resources, talent, and even access to a network of willing customers. Even most software providers usually tailor their business solutions to corporate needs. It can be the same for those targeting the accountancy software sector.
Illustration by Murat Kalkavan from Icons8 Would you believe if you were told that your accounting firm was losing £8,665* per employee, per year? (currency used for example) Feedback from Uku users has highlighted that they recovered this amount per year in billable time because they began to use time tracking within their practices.
Post summary: The rise in technology amongst financial services Accounting firms must evolve Use of soft skills The accounting firm of the future According to the latest 2020 World Economic Forum Future of Jobs report, the third-fastest job decreasing in demand are accountants, bookkeepers and payroll clerks.
Mental health and the impact on business Accountants and the rise in poor mental health How digitisation & tech is making the workplace happier Identifying stress, anxiety and depression at work Illustration by Anna Golde from Icons8 Accountants are feeling a tremendous amount of stress and emotional overload right now.
Let's not pretend that being an accountant is an easy ride. We know for sure you guys take the heat, bear the brunt, shoulder the burden. You're at the mercy of everyone's stress, questionable bookkeeping and desperation to pay as little tax as possible. And it's all on you, right?
Each day we begin our work routines, only to be sidetracked by a plethora of small tasks and distractions. Most accountants and practice managers can relate. Time at work is our most valuable commodity. It should be better spent on more profit-making work, rather than monotonous, repetitive and resource-heavy tasks.
It's time to shine a light on what our product and engineering teams have been up to since our launch - including a major new version launch packed with some exciting improvements to those who revere the blue owl 'Uku!'
According to research, by 2030, automation, digitisation and artificial intelligence will cut jobs by 29% whilst contributing as little as 13% to job creation. Further reports from The Oxford University predict that even by 2033, 47% of current jobs will also cease to exist.
Working from an office can be organisationally challenging, working from home, even more so. How can you successfully maintain a cohesive accounting business? Post summary: Stepping into remote work Accounting tech stack apps and services More of us have by now faced the reality of managing our own time and workloads.
To help ease the impact of these recent events on businesses, Uku is offering our task and time management software PRO package free until September 2020. We all know that the preferred way of working is through direct communication and personal collaboration. The next alternative is supporting your customers and team from your home office.
Post summary: Why hire millennials anyway? Why retaining talent matters 8 strategies to attract and retain millennial talent Millennial workers, whether harshly judged or not, have a reputation for moving from workplace to workplace, continually on the hunt for the next best opportunity.
New technology, combined with less red tape, is transforming the way accountants manage their fintech clients. The stereotypical image of the steady, cautious accountant is going through a shake-up. New tech, new software and new regulations mean the accountant's role, and particularly those within fintech companies is ripe for an overhaul.
Every business - no matter how small or big - must have a legal structure, with the majority preferring to be either a sole trader or a limited company. An estimated 3.5 million business entities operate as sole traders in the UK, with a further 2 million operating as a limited company.
Post summary: Which pricing model - hourly or value-based? Making Tax Digital - charge more or less? How technology is boosting profit When you start a new practice, or wish to become a more profitable and competitive practice, deciding how much you'll charge often poses a conundrum. Do you charge by the hour?
One of the hardest challenges of time tracking is remembering to note when to 'set the timer.' 4 reasons why time-tracking is critical for your business 5 easy ways to build good time-tracking habits Throughout the day, there is always too much to do, from locating that work task, calling a client, or remembering to file documentation.
Accounting workflow management is notoriously plagued by starts and stops. According to research, accountants in practice work an average of 42.09 hours a week. Industry accountants work a slightly higher average of 43.05 hours a week, demonstrating that accountants work significantly longer hours than usual.
Creating value for the customer not only retains loyalty, yet is a way to command a higher price for your knowledge, product or service. Yet, what does this value creation look like? There is one famous story that illustrates how one can charge more for simply knowing what to do.
The UK's Brexit vote has created a profound level of uncertainty - and small businesses in particular will be worried about how the post-Brexit environment will impact their dealings with EU customers when Britain finally leaves the EU.
We asked Ignacio, a Spanish national, why he chose LeapIN as the harbour for his business and why it's important to conduct business without borders. I'm from Murcia, located between Valencia and Andalucia. I began my career as a developer working for large companies and governmental departments in the capital, Madrid, working on security and cryptography.
When done correctly, networking can pay off in ways you would have never imagined. However, you cannot make the most of networking unless people don't remember
Ukrainian freelancers and entrepreneurs are increasingly utilising Estonia's digital infrastructure to conduct their business globally. Here's why Ukrainians should incorporate their businesses in Estonia. Ukraine has begun visa-free travel across most of Europe, but there's another option that Ukrainians can adopt should they wish to work from home but still access the EU's 500 million people - set up an Estonian company.
Retail & eCommerce
Office phone booths are popping up across the world. Are these a good idea, or are we trying to patch up a bigger problem with open-plan offices? Most of us have worked within an open-place office at some point in our working careers.
Nobody wishes to dump their old air conditioner if they don't need to. Reusing older household items is a sure-fire way to maximize household budgets. Yet, to make even further long-term savings, many US homes are now upgrading to more energy and cost-efficient smart air conditioning.
With spring and summer on the way, temperatures will rise in the US. When they do, higher electric bills follow as Americans attempt to keep their homes cool and seek refuge from the sweltering heat.
However, how true is this? Will installing smart AC controls decrease energy bills and save you money? Moreover, at a price that is more expensive than a typical programmable thermostat, is it worth it? Post summary: How smart AC controllers reduce energy consumption Other methods of reducing energy bills Differences between regular, programmable and smart thermostats Are smart AC controllers really worth it?
Switching from the air conditioner to the furnace places a colossal strain on your home's HVAC system. Even if the air conditioner operates smoothly over the summer and the unit turns on when you switch to heat, the HVAC may not be performing to its full capacity, which results in higher energy bills and worse, causing the system to fail and burdening households with costly HVAC repairs.
Marketing
What makes us stop scrolling our social media feeds when we see a particular image? What makes us engage with a post - to like it, comment on it, or even share it for our peers to see? Regarding social media, telling what works can always be problematic.
Post summary: Ideal Shopify image sizes Shopify image file formats Shopify image uses Quick tips on image file optimization Online shops and e-commerce stores must ensure that they use the right image sizes to attract visitors to their brands; more importantly, keep them there to buy something.
Will Byte live up to be Vine's replacement, or is it all about Tik Tok? It was a dark day in 2016 when Twitter stated it was closing down Vine, the 6-second video-looping social media app. Vine became a hub for micro-video memes, producing a generation of young Vine stars with its potential for easy and quirky humor.
With more than 1 billion monthly active users and at least 200 million users visiting at least one business account daily, it is safe to argue that Instagram is a huge marketing tool for businesses. But what about Instagram IGTV? Is it the latest tool in Instagram's armory of marketing tools or will it die out like so many others?
With over 1.66 billion active daily users and growing, Facebook is continually searching for new and exciting ways to keep our NewsFeed's fresh and appealing. Simultaneously, with 7 million+ active advertisers on its platform, Facebook must persist with developing new tools and features to promote brands. Enter Facebook's 3D photo feature.
Post summary: What is a mockup generator? Smartmockups, Placeit, Mediamodifier or Printful? Main differences between them Using video and imagery to sell a brand is evident. Businesses and influencers cannot ignore that having first-class visual content is imperative for their brand, to reach more of their target audiences.
Summary: What is a design template? Canva, Crello, Snappa or Mediamodifier? Main differences between them Good design is critical for businesses, but not everyone can afford to hire a graphic designer or an in-house design team. Design templates remove any complicated design steps, even equipping the most amateur graphic designer, marketer, or brand influencer to create sumptuous visuals.
Landing pages are a vital cog of every online business. You cannot merely pump out a blog post each week in the hope that this article will capture new business for your company. By David Bailey-Lauring Landing pages, however, are one of the most reliable options when businesses seek to effectively collect email addresses and leads that are vital for their email marketing strategy.
Images are the essence of contemporary websites; without them, it is difficult to establish a long-lasting impression on your visitor. Images help businesses engage their visitors and minimize bounce rates; however, they can also be the cause behind weak web performance. Search engine crawlers like Google and Bing detest image-heavy and slow loading websites.
SEO depends on search engines correctly interpreting your content so they can determine where it should rank. Conversion depends on humans being convinced about what content is on the webpage to make them buy or sign up.
Social media marketing should be one of the most trusted allies of SEO. According to research by Databox, 66% of digital marketers believe that social media shares have a direct correlation to specific pages'/post overall search ranking. The same study also found that 29% said "it does not." Why the disparities?
Last Updated on Getting traffic to your website is imperative for any online business. However, for those who have as an e-commerce website or online shop, the ultimate goal is converting traffic into online sales. You should prioritize on conversion with the same intensity as you would try to push more traffic to your website, otherwise, you are merely wasting your ad dollars.
by David Bailey-Lauring Post summary: What is E-A-T? It's impact on YMYL webpages Online security matters Personal branding in regard to E-A-T Google's June Broad Core Algorithm update Google always prefers websites that place a strong emphasis on quality content and have a good E-A-T strategy.
by David Bailey-Lauring Post summary: The importance of reporting in digital marketing Digital marketing specialists or full-stack marketers? 10 critical digital marketing skills Are digital marketing agencies the solution or better hire in-house? How many digital marketing skills do you believe you have? How many do you think you will need?
What is the next big thing in SEO? In reality, no one knows. But a strong SEO strategy can set you up to dominate Google in 2018. An SEO strategy is a roadmap for Search Engine Optimisation activities that can be mapped out in definitive steps.
Food
Traditional Estonian cuisine is based on meat, fish and potatoes. Yet, in Estonia, there has been a rise in veganism and those following a vegan diet, culminating in the creation of the Estonian Vegan Society in 2012.
Given the lower maintenance costs , many would-be restaurateurs are deciding to open a food truck business, now regarded as a decent avenue for commencing a career in the food industry. Food truck culture today offer a myriad of menu options, from vegan falafels to juicy cheeseburgers or more contemporary hybrids.
By the end of 2019, every McDonald's restaurant in New York will have self-service kiosks in its dining room. Kiosks empower customers to place their orders via touch screens located at the front of each store, then have their food order brought to their table by a restaurant employee.
So, you want to open a restaurant, cafe or nightclub. You love chatting to new people, you're a pro at crafting food and drinks, and you don't feel the 9-to-5 life is for you. Well, a restaurant, cafe and nightclub are not hobbies. They are businesses.
Gender
by David Bailey-Lauring By breaking down traditional social and economic gender barriers, blockchain technology is empowering women to participate in their nations growing economies. The blockchain is a digital ledger in which transactions are made and recorded chronologically and publicly. These time-stamped blocks cannot be modified and are spread across a global network of computers.
Estonian writer, Sky Sommers launched her new book the King of Time. Blu Mint Digital's CEO David Bailey and Katri Delimoge, CEO of HCD Services were invited to discuss her latest creation. In this article, David sought to get to know the woman behind the author: Ilona Nurmela.
by David Bailey-Lauring This month, the American Chamber of Commerce in Estonia held a You co-founded Timbeter. What is it? Women in Leadership Dinner What's your role? event, opened by the Estonian Minister of Entrepreneurship, Liisa Oviir. Blu Mint Digital was in attendance and decided to focus on three amazing entrepreneurial women in Estonia: Anna-Greta Tsahkna, Berit Bailey and Piret Mellik.
Culture & Politics
I moved to Estonia in the summer of 2014. Married to an Estonian with three young children, I wanted to try my chances at living in another country. So I packed up my belongings, convinced my wife that Estonia can be just as good as the UK, and headed off.
Sport
Euro 2020 [2021] represents the 16th incarnation of the tournament played in 13 different countries and won by 10 other nations. The Allianz Arena replaced Munich's old Olympiastadion, oepning in 2005. Allianz Arena is unique in that its facade consists of the largest membrane shell in the world.
Greece were the underdog winners in 2004 , whilst Spain's golden generation of players dominated the next two tournaments, winning them both in 2008 and 2012. UEFA Euro 2020 was postponed in March last year when the coronavirus pandemic escalated.
The National Council on Problem Gambling reports about 1 per cent of the U.S. adult population, or 2 million people, meet pathological betting criteria . "The increasing preoccupation with gambling, a need to bet more money more frequently, restlessness or irritability when attempting to stop, 'chasing' losses, and loss of control manifested by continuation of the gambling behaviour despite mounting, serious, negative consequences."
Your goal could be anything as small as betting on national sporting events like the Grand National or . Or it could be as grandiose as "to win enough money so you can quit your day job and never have to work again!
The best-unexpected winners, upsets, and shockers in history: Leicester City's recent unbelievable Premier League victory showed why sport could be magical. The odds on them landing the title were 5000-1, yet they won their only title in 132 years of existence. How did they do it?
By 2023 the online global gaming market is expected to reach $92.9 billion. Increasingly, more and more bettors are joining this enormous industry. Studies have shown that the top reason why people bet on sports is for entertainment purposes. Typically, people bet on their favourite teams hoping that those wagers will make watching their favourite games even more compelling.
This winter, there is no need to wait for the pandemic to alter the sporting schedule, why not enter the world of virtual sports to pass the time? Granted many governments have permitted live sports to continue, although without fans (or at least reduced the amount allowed to attend).
Walking in soft sand is wearying; running in sand is positively tiring; playing beach football is physically shattering. Although at first glance, it may appear to be a fun game played in exotic locations, unlike football and futsal, beach football is much slower, placing emphasis on technical play and high stamina.
Darts, the only sport where the 'athletes' require a steady nerve than getting into supreme physical shape. Training consists more of drinking pints of beer than training hard to obtain a body like a Greek Adonis. This is the allure of darts for many, where you can train down your local pub than on a sports field.
Squash is a brutal, fast-moving game that requires skill, speed, and supreme fitness. The ball can reach speeds of up to 270kmh and players strength can be severely sapped, but the games end - much more than most other sports.
Bet on handball Due to its fast-paced nature, the game's players are involved in a lot of body contact. Two teams play each other and consist of seven players; six outfield players one goalkeeper. The game lasts for 60 minutes, split into two halves of 30 minutes with a short break in between play.
At first glance bandy could be mistaken for ice hockey, both are played on ice, with sticks, yet that is where the similarities end. Bandy is a mix of both ice hockey and football and is popular amongst Nordic countries. So, what is Bandy?
Bet on Biathlon Biathlon is challenging because not only do they require high physical stamina, but they are interrupted by frequent stops to shoot a sequence of targets. Olympic Biathlon is a combination of five events − individual, sprint, pursuit, relay, and mass start.
Ice Hockey, or to most of the world, 'hockey' is one of the fastest, dangerous sports there is. Players move around on the ice on ice skates crashing into each other, attempting to smash a small bit of rubber into a goal at speeds of over 160 kilometres per hour.
Bet on Pesäpallo Pesäpallo, hailing from Finland, was conceived from the urge to carve a distinct national identity post-independence. Favoured by both women and men and containing distinct differences from American baseball - pesäpallo is a sport for the whole Finnish nation. The objective of pesäpallo is for one side to score more runs than the opposition.
Also known as 5-a-side football, Futsal is a faster-paced game that seems never to stop. Similar to the rules of football yet with some notable exceptions; the beauty of futsal is its reliance on close ball control, flair, technical skill and spatial awareness, making it an exhilarating game to watch.
Bowls is growing in popularity, with all ages enjoying playing and watching the game. Contrary to existing held views bowls is not only played on quiet English lawns in the summer but is a highly skilled sport that requires technique, patience and a tactical brain.
Easily described as ice hockey on a smooth wooden indoor court, floorball has similar traits exist except its non-contact with the odd shoulder barge permitted. Never heard of floorball? Read on to discover why this game is rapidly growing in popularity.
Boxing is one of the oldest and most competitive combat sports out there. For centuries, fans have tuned into to see boxers slug it out in the ring. Boxing is more than which fighter packs the heaviest punch, speed, mentality and defence are all pivotal in deciding which boxer will emerge victorious.
Although American Football is played globally, the American professional leagues like the NFL attract the world's top players. The pinnacle of American Football is the season-ending Super Bowl that is watched and betted on by millions in the US and around the world.
A game of intense teamwork and endurance, water polo is similar to handball in scoring and strategy, yet more of a cross between swimming and football and basketball. As the name suggests, it is played in the water, with players having exceptional swimming skills alongside being good at throwing, catching and passing.
Mixed Martial Arts is renowned for its multi-dimensional fighters with their own tactics and rules. MMA is one of the most demanding, brutal and technically demanding sports requiring fighters to have tremendous stamina, determination, skill and a will never to give up.
Alpine skiing comprises five individual events; downhill, slalom, giant slalom, super giant (super-G) and the super combination. Set against the backdrop of stunning scenery combined with speed and unpredictability, make alpine skiing a sport to never take your eyes off.
Playing a sport in a waistcoat and bow tie? Surely not? Yes, snooker's "sportswear" in just that. Unlike pool where you need to pot all the balls, in snooker, there are rules as to which balls you must pot first, and why is that table so big?
Bet on Sports Curling is made up of two teams consisting of four people. Each player is responsible for throwing two stones per their turn. Their teammates then sweep the ice with brooms in the aim of directing the stones to the target at the end of the ice.
Bet on cycling There are countless other freestyle bicycle sports, yet these tend not to be as competitive. The four formats listed in this article are all Summer Olympic sports that audiences worldwide follow. Cycling competitions and challenges entertain a considerable following in North America, Europe and Asia.
Field Hockey is an exciting, intense and physically demanding sport, requiring a high level of fitness. Unlike in sports like American football, football and even rugby, success in hockey is all about players ability to manipulate the hockey stick in their hands and the ball on the field.
Bet on beach volleyball Based on indoor volleyball rules, beach volleyball is very similar but has several differences. Volleyball court The opposing teams have only two players, playing on a court that is 8x8m compared to 9x9m for indoor volleyball.
Bet on baseball In baseball the opposing teams have nine players each, taking turns to both bat and field. The fielding team is referred to as the defensive team with the batting team known as the offensive team.
Where football is a gentlemen's game played by hooligans, rugby is a hooligan's game played by gentlemen. Ah, rugby, the sport where a group of 15 players smash into each other with the aim of moving a leather ball between the posts at each end.
Table tennis, also called ping-pong when played recreationally, is a sport that was first conceived in Britain. High-society used to play table tennis after dinner by stacking books at the centre of a table and knocking a golf ball with books across it.
Maybe you've played video games when you were younger, perhaps you haven't picked up a console controller for years, but you have probably heard about the rapidly growing eSports - a business that is estimated to be worth almost $1.5 billion by 2020.
Bet on badminton Long Chen (CHN) competes against Viktor Axelsen (DEN) in a men's singles semifinals badminton match at Riocentro - Pavilion 4 during the Rio 2016 Summer Olympic Games. The objective of badminton is to win enough rallies to gain points, thus winning the match.
Golf's early origins can be traced back to China over millennia ago; however, the modern version of the sport was conceived in Scotland in the 1400's. Today Golf is worth millions in prize money, and that is only taking into account the four major golf championships.
Four points to win a game, six to win a set, with 2 or 3 sets to win a match (depending on what tournament players play or their gender). Tennis can be baffling for the novice watcher. Yet, tennis is a fast-paced game with several elements that make up for an exciting game to watch.
Separated by a net, with two sets of teams, volleyball is a true team game that requires intense organisational teamwork to win a match. If you are new to volleyball, you'll learn there are no prima donnas in this sport!
If you aren't accustomed to cricket, it can be a challenging game to get your head around. It can be almost impossible to understand and follow the game, but if you know some basics of cricket, the game will start to become very exciting.
Bet on basketball Basketball is where two opposing teams seek to outscore each other by shooting the ball into the basket. A basket could be worth 1, 2, or 3 points. The team with more points than the other at the end of the time permitted wins the game.
History is littered with a number of the most unlikely of sporting results, where the outside has won and upset the odds predicted by sports journalists and bookmakers alike. Outsider wins provide punters with not only greater pay-outs, but the excitement derived from sports unpredictable nature.
Start betting Odds correct as off 11'th April 2018. For the latest odds click here Russia Sportsbet odds: 40:00 When Russia began their bid to host the World Cup for the first time in their history, their football team were enjoying a period of success, reaching Euro 2008 semi-finals.
Sports betting is a form of entertainment, but for some, it can be addictive. Check out these 8 signs to see if you have a gambling problem.
With plenty of bookmakers to choose from, how do you select the right one? In this article, we share 7 ways to choose the right sports betting site.
Health
There are many factors to consider when deciding whether it's safe for your employees to return to work or reopen offices post-COVID-19. It's not as easy as it may first seem. First, COVID-19 is still very active and spreading rapidly in Europe and around the world.
A gluten intolerance is the body's inability to digest or break down the gluten protein found in wheat and certain other grains. Gluten intolerance (also known as a gluten sensitivity) can range from a mild sensitivity to gluten to full-blown celiac dis
An estimated 101,200 people are living with HIV in the UK. Of these, 13% are undiagnosed and do not know about their HIV infection.
Do you regularly feel tired and sluggish? Have you lost your energy or worry about what you can eat? It could be as simple as a food intolerance or food allergy. But how do you know which to test for?
Eggs are everywhere. Not only are they served for breakfast, but they're also in all sorts of foods - from muffins to meatloaf. But what if you or your children are allergic to eggs? Now is the time to use an egg allergy home test to find out.
How can you tell if you're nearing menopause, or are already past it? Is there a simple hormone home menopause test to determine menopausal symptoms? Menopause is a biological process that occurs when a woman's ovaries stop releasing mature eggs and her body produces less estrogen and progesterone.
You may have already had your vaginal pH tested many times by your gynecologist. This allows them to determine the acidity or alkalinity of your vaginal secretions. But is knowing your vaginal pH important? You may want to test your vaginal pH if you are experiencing vaginal symptoms, including itching, burning, a foul odour from your vagina, or if you are getting an abnormal vaginal discharge.
Female cancer home tests search for cancer before a person displays any signs or symptoms. As with most diseases typical symptoms can be described as regular household ones, like influenza or a common cold. 'Googling' the answer to "do I have cancer" will provide you with a plethora of information but commonly, most people misdiagnose themselves.
Celebrate the fathers in your life this June by encouraging them to protect their health by getting up to date on male home cancer tests. Male home cancer tests look for cancer before a person has any signs or symptoms.
Haemoglobin in red blood cells carry oxygen from your lungs to your body's tissues. Taking a haemoglobin test ensures that you are aware of any abnormalities in your haemoglobin levels. Because abnormal haemoglobin levels can disrupt the shape of red bloo
Nebulisation can seem daunting for many parents who need to medicate their children. But using an nebuliser or inhaler should not be a scary experience for your child. Used right, it can be a quiet, fun and effective form of delivering medication throu
Travel
Moving abroad, eh? You are not alone, today there are nearly three million Canadians living internationally. Whether you are planning a move or already living overseas, there are plenty of differences to get used to.
So you're an expat living in Brussels, awesome! To help get you set up we've got 10 top mobile apps that will make it easier to settle in. Whether learning a language, getting around the city, nightlife or the top places to discover, this list has got you covered: ####Nemo App for Languages With Belgians speaking two languages, deciding which one to learn can be tricky.
To help you settle into your new home we've got 11 top mobile apps that will make it a breeze. Whether learning a language, finding groceries, getting around the city or the top places to discover, this list has got you covered: Duolingo Struggling with the language? Duolingo can help.
More and more Brits are taking the plunge and moving abroad, with 400,000 leaving each year. With over 5.5 million Brits now abroad, how best adjust to life in their new countries? We got together a bunch of our team members and customers to talk through their biggest surprises when they decided to leave the UK.