Sat.Oct 19, 2019 - Fri.Oct 25, 2019

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Creating a Customer-Centric, Digital Financial Institution

Abrigo

A farmer, a university student, and a business owner walk into a bank. It sounds like the beginning of a joke, but for many community financial institutions, a spectrum of different customers and banking needs is something that they see every day. However, they’re probably seeing fewer of these customers walking into a physical branch. Today, 73% of all consumer interactions with financial institutions are done digitally , according to the 2019 FIS Performance Against Customer Expectations (PACE

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The 11 Best Untapped Cities for Startups in 2020

Fundera

The location of your startup could have a big impact on its growth and eventual success. The interest of investors in your startup, the availability of talent in the local labor pool, and an area’s cost of living can all work in a company’s favor or against it. . Startup culture is centered in a few regions in the United States. The Silicon Valley Bay Area accounts for 45% of total venture capital investment in the U.S.

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GoCardless now powers more than 50,000 businesses worldwide

GoCardless

Hiroki Takeuchi, Co-founder and CEO, reflects on 2019 and a new milestone.

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How to Start a Winery: 5 Steps Starting a Wine Business

Fundera

How to Start a Winery: 5 Steps to Starting a Wine Business. Come up with a name and choose a business entity. Write a business plan. Navigate licensing, permits, and taxes. Create a budget. Get funding for your wine business. To take on the challenge of how to start a winery, you need to be determined, fearless, and passionate about your craft—although owning a vineyard seems romantic, starting a business in any industry is work, and the wine business is a tough one. .

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23 Time Management Tips for Business Owners

Fundera

As a small business owner, you’re probably juggling about a million different tasks and projects, so your time is in short supply. Learning how to manage your time effectively when you start a business is crucial for increasing your productivity, getting through your miles-long to-do list every day, and generally maintaining your sanity. And who better to ask about time management tips for entrepreneurs than entrepreneurs themselves?

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Amazon Lending: How to Determine If an Amazon Loan Is Right for Your Business

Fundera

Amazon Lending: An Overview. Amazon Lending is a program in which Amazon offers short-term business loans to qualified sellers so that they can finance additional inventory to sell through the Amazon marketplace. Amazon loans are invitation-only and amounts range from $1,000 to $750,000. Amazon Lending does not check credit. Between their online marketplace, streaming service, and grocery delivery platform, there isn’t much that ecommerce giant Amazon isn’t involved in—and that incl

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E-Commerce Merchants: A Hot Commodity in the Dark Web

Abrigo

Dark Web | 5 minute read Key Takeaways Cybercriminals are now targeting e-commerce merchants with malware attacks. Merchants of all sizes are being targeted. Financial institutions should be proactive with their fraud prevention on the dark web. . The New Frontier on the Dark Web. In recent years, cybercriminals implanted malicious skimming code directly on e-commerce shops and online content management and payment platforms as a way of stealing payment card data at scale.

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Cyber Complications for Vendor Risk Management

Abrigo

The following article was first published in ABA Banking Journal on October 17, 2019. Cybersecurity | 4 minute read Key Takeaways Third-party/vendor risk management is becoming increasingly challenging with more cloud-based providers. 6 key areas of due diligence to consider before signing a contract. On top of initial vendor due diligence, there are ongoing, systematic approaches to managing third-party relationships. .

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Best Shipping Services for Small Businesses

Fundera

Best Shipping Services for Small Businesses. United States Postal Service: Best for small businesses looking to ship smaller items. UPS: Best for shipping larger packages. FedEx: Best for businesses that need quick shipments. DHL: Best for small businesses looking to ship internationally. Most small businesses will need to ship their products at some point.

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How to Create a Small Business Organizational Chart in 4 Easy Steps

Fundera

How to Create an Organizational Chart for Your Small Business. Step 1: Decide how to organize your business organizational chart (i.e. hierarchical, functional, matrix, circle). Step 2: Collect employee information and categorize this data. Step 3: Complete your business organizational chart using your chosen template and employee data. Step 4: Consider the technical options for generating your business organizational chart.

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SKU Numbers: What Are They and How to Set Them Up

Fundera

SKU Number Definition. A SKU—or stock keeping unit—is a unique numeric or alphanumeric code assigned to products in order to make it easier and more efficient for a business to manage inventory. Most SKU numbers range between eight to 12 characters, and are located on the price tag of a product. If you visit just about any retail business and look at the price tag on a product, you’re likely to find something called a stock keeping unit number, or SKU number for short.

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15 Ways to Propel Your Business into the Future

Fundera

If you’re a small business owner, you know the importance of building a business that lasts. You don’t want to create a company that won’t be relevant in a few years—you want something that will be around for the long haul. The easiest way to do that is to ensure your business has the tools it needs to propel itself into the future. Making sure you have the tools to grow your business will ensure that you’re ready for change: whether change is occurring in trends, markets, customers, or even eco

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What Is a Convertible Note and How Does It Work for Startup Funding?

Fundera

What Is a Convertible Note? A convertible note is a type of short-term debt that converts into equity, typically during a subsequent round of financing. Most often, convertible notes are used by startups, whose investors issue a convertible note loan in exchange for equity in the company. I f you’re an early-stage startup looking to grow quickly, finding the right form of financing is essential.

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How to Set up a Home Office: The Ultimate Guide

Fundera

How to Set up a Home Office: 9 Tips. Find the right place to set up your office. Invest in the right furniture and supplies. Decorate your office to suit your mood. Remove distractions, wherever they may be. Create a schedule that works for you. Take periodic breaks throughout your day. Get out of your pajamas. Separate your personal and business finances.

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Best Accounting Software for Medium-Sized Businesses

Fundera

Medium-sized businesses experience many of the same challenges as their small business counterparts, only on a larger scale. One of the growing pains you might have in your medium-sized business is choosing the best accounting software for your company’s needs. Of the dozens of options available, how do you know you are choosing the best accounting software for your medium-sized business?

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13 Low-Cost Business Ideas That Are Easy to Launch

Fundera

13 Low-Cost Business Ideas. Professional Organizer. Nannying or Babysitting. Home or Office Cleaning Services. Online or In-Person Tutoring. Freelance Creative and Editorial Services. Social Media Consulting. Consulting. Event or Wedding Planning. Reselling Secondhand Clothes and Accessories. Become an Odd Jobber. Life Coaching. Virtual Assistant. Pet Sitting and Dog Walking.

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The Ultimate Guide to Managing Small Business Finances

Fundera

How to Manage Small Business Finances in 5 Comprehensive Steps. Choose a business bank account and separate your personal and business finances. Organize your business finances by using accounting software and hiring a professional. Understand and fulfill your business tax responsibilities. Get a handle on your personal and business credit scores. Understand your business loan options and work to qualify for the financing you’ll need in the future.

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The 8 Best Business Insurance Companies in 2020

Fundera

The Best Business Insurance Companies. Next Insurance: Best for businesses that need coverage fast. State Farm: Best for customer service. Insureon: Best for finding the lowest premiums. The Hartford: Best for purchasing a business owner’s policy (BOP). Chubb: Best for international businesses. Lloyd’s of London: Best for hard-to-insure industries. Founder Shield: Best for high-growth startups.

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How to Provide Excellent Customer Service

Fundera

Providing Excellent Customer Service: 13 Tips. Maintain an open line of communication. Don’t be a robot. Be honest. Provide your customers with helpful resources. Keep your digital updates brief. Offer gifts and incentives. Hire the right people. Train your employees. Respect your customers’ schedules. Get to know your customers. Connect with your customers on social media.

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How to Start a Daycare: A Step-by-Step Guide

Fundera

How to Start a Daycare in 9 Steps. Step 1: Decide What Kind of Daycare Business to Start. Step 2: Write a Daycare Business Plan. Step 3: Obtain the Necessary Certification and Licenses. Step 4: Find a (Safe) Daycare Facility. Step 5: Get Insured. Step 6: Get a Business Checking Account and Credit Card. Step 7: Get Financing. Step 8: Hire Staff. Step 9: Write Your Daycare Contract and Policies.

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Best Online Legal Services for Businesses in 2019

Fundera

7 Best Online Legal Services. LegalZoom: best for standard legal needs. RocketLawyer: best for legal forms. Incfile: best for business formation. LegalMatch: best for finding a local lawyer. UpCounsel: best for complex legal needs. Atrium: best for startups. Avvo: best for free online legal advice. When you need legal help for your business, there’s usually a lot at stake.

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Starting a Business in Indiana: A Step-by-Step Guide

Fundera

Starting a Business in Indiana: 8 Steps. Choose a Business Name. Choose Your Business Entity. Write Your Business Plan. Register Your Business in Indiana. Separate Your Personal and Business Assets. Secure Startup Funding. Obtain Your Licenses and Permits. Know Employer Responsibilities. Starting a business can be the scariest and most exhilarating venture in an entrepreneur’s life.

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LLC vs. Sole Proprietorship: Differences, Similarities, and How to Choose

Fundera

LLC vs. Sole Proprietorship. An LLC is a registered business entity whose owners are shielded from personal liability for business debts, whereas a sole proprietorship offers no legal separation between the business and the owner. Both LLCs and sole proprietorships are taxed as pass-through entities, but LLCs can opt for corporate taxation. Choosing a business entity structure for your company is one of the most important—but potentially most confusing—decisions you’ll make as a small business

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7 Data-Driven Ways to Optimize Your Online Store for Mobile

Fundera

It is easier than ever before to have items delivered to your home or office. With a click of a button, nearly anything you could ever need is available for direct order. As businesses adapt to shifts in technology, establishing an omnichannel approach has a heavy influence on profit levels. An omnichannel business model provides customers with a seamless shopping experience, whether shopping online, over the phone, or in a brick-and-mortar.