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What are the hottest tech jobs right now?

By
Claire James
-

The British technology sector is worth nearly £184 billion and is growing 2.6 times faster than the rest of the economy. Prospects are particularly good when it comes to roles in London, which is the world’s second most connected place for tech after the famous Silicon Valley. Aside from the capital, a further 15 UK cities have more digital tech employees than the national average.

Between the generous salaries, variety of roles spanning multiple industries, and job satisfaction, it’s easy to see why tech is such a popular sector with employees. If you’re interested in joining their ranks, you’ll be pleased to learn that UK tech employment is at a record high. These are five of the most attractive tech jobs you could aim for.

SAP professional

SAP (Systems, Applications, and Products) is an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system, which uses a database management system to show an integrated and continuously updated look at business processes. This allows a company to easily track everything from raw materials and inventory to orders and payroll.

SAP, in particular, is currently used by over 90% of Forbes Global 2000 businesses, with most large enterprises working with SAP S/4HANA—reportedly the fastest-selling product in the company’s history. According to Centiq’s State of SAP HANA Report 2018, 68% of chief information officers believe their businesses need more knowledge of S/4HANA functionality. And with an average salary of £52,500 for SAP roles in the UK, it’s certainly an appealing tech job.

You don’t necessarily need to be an IT professional to start your SAP career—there are plenty of potential career paths within the industry, including business intelligence, project management, and technical consultancy. To help get your foot in the door, it’s recommended that you familiarise yourself with the finer points of the software by attending SAP user events to network, and ask for advice. LinkedIn is a good place to find relevant roles, as well as specialised SAP recruitment agencies, who can help place you with the right company.

AI engineer

AI engineers deal with algorithms, neural networks, and additional tools to advance the field of artificial intelligence. These tech jobs are in very high demand given the industry’s current rate of expansion, which is predicted to create $3.9 trillion worth of business value by 2022. As such, it’s no wonder that demand for AI skills has tripled in the UK over the last three years.

As AI is now part of so many working environments, this role gives you the opportunity to work across a number of different sectors. For instance, employment as an AI engineer could see you contributing to healthcare, retail, or even public planning. Alternatively, you could focus on theory and research by joining the AI academic community. Strong computer and mathematics skills are essential for this role, so a computer science degree will be beneficial.

Blockchain developer

If you have any interest in cryptocurrency, you’ll already be familiar with blockchain. This is the technology behind bitcoin—a growing list of records linked together via cryptography, acting as a decentralised data storage system that members of the public are able to access and use.

Though predominantly associated with financial transactions, blockchain has the potential to affect the way many major industries operate, including messaging apps, Internet advertising, and real estate. A blockchain developer takes control of every stage of its application, which means assuming responsibility for research, analysis, design and execution. Duties may include building infrastructure and launching security measures, while you’ll often collaborate with fellow engineers and IT professionals. Experience with cryptography is a bonus, but programming skills and knowledge of programming languages such as Java, Python, and C++ are what will really help you land this technical job.

Cybersecurity engineer

Considering that a typical cyberattack costs a business an average of $1.1 million, it’s no surprise that data security is of paramount importance to many modern companies. As more companies expand their prospects through the use of digital platforms, cybersecurity jobs are expected to grow by 12% between 2016 and 2026, which is faster than the average rate for all occupations. In this tech role, you’d be responsible for formulating strategies to help enterprises protect their information from cybercriminals.

As well as planning and constructing effective security measures, you’ll also be required to troubleshoot any problems, test for network failures, and promptly respond to any data breaches that may arise. Experience with firewalls, hacking techniques, and cybersecurity trends are essential if you want to bag a job in this field. Aside from a degree in computer science or systems engineering, there are multiple industry qualifications to enrol in which can help you tackle this career path, such as the Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) and GIAC Certified Penetration Tester (GPEN) certificates.

Data scientist

Successful companies need to analyse data before making business decisions likely to pay off, which is why they hire data scientists. These employees handle, organise, and interpret information on a large scale, with the aim of highlighting and shortcomings in a company’s processes and adjusting accordingly. The role has an impact on product development, algorithms, A/B testing and more. Candidates will need to have significant intellectual curiosity, as well as knowledge and experience of coding and cloud tools, strong communication skills, and a highly analytical eye.Data scientist salaries start at £25,000 to £30,000 in the UK, but after a few years’ experience this could increase to £40,000-£60,000. If you prefer to work alone, this job isn’t for you. Collaboration and the sharing of ideas and solutions with an extended team is essential to the role. However, if this is a role you’re interested in, you should try and gain some work experience at a relevant organisation, or stand out from the crowd by entering special competitions. For example, through the Data Science Challenge, entrants can compete to win prizes by using their skills to solve real-world issues, such as humanitarian crises and natural disasters.

The ePOS System Buyer’s Handbook

By
Emily Bennet
-

There are dozens upon dozens of ePOS systems on the market today. While it’s nice to have options, having too many to pick from can make the selection process a lot harder. This is especially true if you’ve never purchased an ePOS system before.

Thankfully there are some dos and don’ts that you can follow to ensure that you’re buying a system that fits all of your business’ needs. By taking the right factors into consideration, you can have peace of mind that your business dollars are well spent.

Here’s the ePOS system buyer’s handbook that will guide you in choosing an ePOS system to streamline, automate, and improve your business operations.

Consider the Cost

Before you start looking at the many ePOS systems that are available, it’s best to first take a look at your budget. Figure out how much you can comfortably afford without putting too much stress on your business funds. When investing in an ePOS system, you not only have to consider the upfront cost, there are also maintenance fees to factor.

Once you start to look at ePOS systems, make note that vendors often only offer partial pricing information. Many will advise that the system is “free,” but what’s free is the software. In this instance, you’ll likely have to pay for all of the component hardware.

Always ask for numbers for both hardware and software costs so that you know exactly what needs to be spent.

What Does Your Business Need?

There are no wrong or right reasons to invest in an ePOS system, but you’ll find a system that best meets your business’ needs if you’re able to determine your pain points. For example, if you’re finding that you routinely run out of top-selling items or that your manual inventory numbers are incorrect, you’ll want to look into how ePOS can help manage your inventory.

ePOS systems can help to streamline, automate, and improve many different business operations. Aside from transactions and inventory management, this system can also benefit:

  • Sales tracking
  • Metrics and analytical data
  • Marketing campaigns
  • Customer relationship management

While you’ll likely want to invest in an all-in-one ePOS system, it helps to know which features are must-haves versus which ones are just nice to have. This way, you can more easily narrow down system options.

If you’re unsure exactly what types of features your business needs in an ePOS system, start by researching an ePOS system that is designed for your specific industry. There are systems designed for retailers, restaurant owners, hospitality, and much more.

Look at Each System’s Data Management

What makes an ePOS system so powerful is the type and amount of data that it can collect. Data is crucial in making business decisions that can have lasting effects on success and profit.

When choosing a system, look at how data is collected and stored. It’s just as important to determine how system data can be accessed. For example, if you want to be able to remotely view system data, you’ll want one that is hosted in the cloud. There are even systems that allow mobile device access.

It’s crucial to choose a system that allows you to track important metrics such as:

  • Inventory numbers
  • Peak sales hours
  • Average purchase total
  • Customer purchase frequency

The more data that an ePOS system can collect, the better. Be sure that system data is properly secured and protected. You don’t want your customers to become the victim of a data breach or leak.

Test Each System

Once you’ve compiled a list of possible ePOS systems that meet your business’ needs while also fitting your budget, the next step is to test each system for usability. There’s nothing worse than wasting thousands of dollars on a product that isn’t easy to use.

Many ePOS vendors offer free trial periods and/or live demos of the system. This allows you to get a hands-on experience of how the system works, what it looks like, and how each of the features operates.

Plan a day where you and a few of your employees can spend time working within each system to get a feel for how it works.

When testing each system, pay close attention to usability. Look for features such as inventory search, quick keys, and digital signature pads. You don’t want to invest in a system that’s confusing or complicated to use. This makes getting employee acceptance even harder. 

Conclusion

An ePOS system may be one of the most expensive business purchases that you make. What’s beneficial is that this is a system that offers a high return on investment, and the upfront dollars all but pay for themselves. Keep these tips in mind when research ePOS system options to ensure that you choose a system that best fits your business’ needs.

How Brexit will affect the Gambling Industry

By
Amy Richards
-
Woman worried about financial problems. Jobless or to many bills

The UK’s decision to exit the European Union was a surprise to many people given the life-long ties the country has had with the union. This decision has a significant impact on many spheres of the economy, particularly the gambling industry.

The European gambling market is said to be the largest in the world. It explains most bookies’ move to oppose the decision ahead of the count. Their decision caused a stir throughout the region with experts looking to understand why they want the UK to remain part of the European Union. Evidently, Brexit is bound to affect the gambling industry negatively. Experts cite three crucial areas will be affected.

Employment

The primary concern of UK’s decision is the fate of Gibraltar. The state has been a subject of dispute for many years between Spain and the UK, and its future looks bleak after Brexit. Nearly 98% of its citizens want to remain in the UK without sharing sovereignty with Spain. However, if Gibraltar is part of the UK, leaving the European Union means it leaves too. This move will have a significant impact on the employment levels of its citizens. Most Gibraltar natives cross the Spanish border to go to work with 60% working in the gambling industry living in Spain.

Therefore, the future of Gibraltar and its betting industry relies on the decision the Spanish government makes. If it decides to close the border to and from Spain, it makes it difficult to access Gibraltar from both sides. Consequently, natives have to leave Gibraltar by plane or sea, not to mention the hundreds and thousands of people who will lose their jobs.

The regulation will also affect top casino sites and licenced brands established in the UK. Companies such as Bet365 set up as early as the year 2000 have their headquarters in Britain. However, since they are located within a member country of the European Union, they are subject to EU online gaming regulations that accord them certain priviledges. Thus, losing these benefits may compel them to move to other countries, leading to mass unemployment. Companies that choose to remain as EU casinos will have to move from the UK when the Brexit process is completed.

Regulation

Before the 2014 Gambling Act was enforced, gambling operators were not required to acquire licences from the UK Gambling Commission. Its implementation meant any online casino operating in the UK needed to acquire the license, including operators with servers located outside the country. As such, Brexit will make it more difficult for gamblers to play on new and existing casinos if compelled to acquire new licences to operate in the UK.

Taxation

Over 30 gambling companies have set base in Gibraltar, including sportsbook, bingo and casino operators thanks to the low tax policy. Before the year 2014, sites with fixed odds gambling operations only paid 1% of their turnover in tax. The 2014 ruling, however, meant that companies needed to increase their taxes in line with British laws. Additionally, they were compelled to acquire UKGC licences to reach UK players.

What to do when clutter is a problem in your home

By
Claire James
-

Many businesses have their roots in someone’s home, starting perhaps in the spare room, dining room table or even the garage. As the business grows, it is important to establish a working environment conducive to productivity, and the best way to do that is to create sufficient space.

Decluttering your working spaces will enable you to better focus on the task at hand. Clutter can often take over one’s working space and the longer it is left, the bigger problem it becomes.

Organising your office (as well as the areas of your home in which you relax) will enable you to focus on your operations and deal with the challenges of the day more effectively.

Here are some helpful tips on how to create space by decluttering:

  • Identify problem areas and address them

Stop for a moment and take notice of all the clutter-filled spots around your home. Take the time to clear out these areas, whether it’s 10 minutes a day or once a week for an hour. Going forward, avoid letting this situation build up once again by doing regular clear-outs.

  • Eliminate the excess – declutter

Start by doing a systematic clean out of your cupboards, drawers and shelves to make the most out of your home space. Remember to work room by room as this will help keep you focused and make the job at hand seem more manageable. Consider donating any items which you no longer have use for. For the items you need for future use or which hold too much sentimental value, use self storage.

  • Choose the correct storage containers

Storage containers are ideal for keeping your items under control and in order. Avoid using bulky containers and make sure the ones you choose are easy to stack.

  • Use vertical space

If you’re struggling for space, consider looking up and utilising overhead space. This will open up your floor and desk space, therefore creating more space within your home office space. A simple solution is to invest in vertical shelving.

  • Invest in a self storage unit

One of the most viable solutions to controlling clutter and creating more space is to take advantage of self storage. Self storage is simple and affordable for households wanting to eradicate their clutter problems. Self storage enables you to unclutter your life without having to say goodbye to your belongings for good. Self storage facilities offer convenience and security, as well as flexibility as many facilities are accessible 24/7.

These are just a few helpful ways to eliminate clutter problems you may be experiencing, and allow you to reclaim your home and office space.

Is investing better than saving? A guide to the facts

By
Claire James
-

In theory, it might seem like putting your cash in the bank is the best thing to do. After all, most banks are too big to fail – and there are laws in place to protect your deposits. But there’s no way to protect against inflation – or, indeed, the lack of choice that the big banks provide. With that in mind, this article will explain the options and point out what you need to know to make an informed decision about your savings and investment pathways.

The appeal of savings

The old joke about people storing cash under the mattress is surprisingly still a realistic depiction.
While most people – at least in the developed world – are now what the industry terms “banked” and hence have access to bank accounts and other financial services, it’s still the case that most people are cautious. Having savings in cash means that you’re not subject to the ups and downs of an investment market such as the stock market, while it also means that you can take them out – or “liquidate” them with greater ease.

Inflation is a risk

But it’s also worth remembering that savings are not necessarily bulletproof. It’s certainly the case that savings which are stored in a bank covered by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (or FSCS) will be protected up to a certain amount if the bank goes out of business, which does mean that in theory you can’t lose by putting your money in the bank.

But what isn’t protected is the value of that money, and that’s because of inflation. Take the following example: if you deposit £100 in a bank savings account and the inflation rate is 0% over the course of a year, you’ll find that you’ll be able to buy the same items at the same price. But if inflation is 2%, you’ll find that you’ll have to have £102 in order to purchase the same. And as the amount of savings you have scales up, you’ll quickly find that inflation eats into what you have more and more. The interest rate on bank savings is currently not keeping pace with inflation rates – so you’ll never be able to recoup those losses.

More choice

Investing also provides a range of choice. Cash savings accounts tend to be just that: your cash goes into a specified bank account, and it is invested or lent out on your behalf by the bank. With investments, you can choose in various levels of detail where this can go. Taking a look at this review eToro reveals that there are diverse choices, from stocks and shares to cryptocurrencies. By investing, you have the opportunity to learn about a certain area of the investment market and become a mini-expert who can make informed trading decisions. There’s not necessarily a right or wrong answer to the question of how to grow your wealth and keep your deposits protected, however, by keeping yourself fully informed about the level of choice on offer in the savings and investment markets, you’ll be able to decide whether you would rather save or invest for long-term growth and security.

Smart Investing Tips for 2020

By
Amy Richards
-

Every time the calendar gets ready to flip to a new year, experts come out of the woodwork and offer their advice for the “best investments.” In most cases, these tidbits of guidance are simply re-hashed versions of previous suggestions. Fortunately, several resources for wise investors have some fresh ideas for 2020, including a different type of IRA, non-standard thoughts about precious metals and clever ways to invest in your own health for a longer, less costly lifestyle.

If you’re looking to re-set your financial thinking as the new year approaches, here are a few of the best ideas from the minds of the world’s monetary gurus, all to be taken with a grain of salt and a healthy amount of due diligence:

Invest in Your Home

People are always saying, “My home is my biggest investment.” If that’s true, shouldn’t we be monitoring that large investment just as we would a huge stock portfolio or a collection of rental properties? Investing in a home means upgrading it when necessary and future-proofing it for our own long-term needs. Two recent approaches to this challenge include the installation of home lifts and having a thorough upgrade of electrical systems. 

In-home elevators, sometimes called residential lifts, are an ideal way to future-proof a home and make it more useful for people who can’t, or don’t want to, negotiate unsafe staircases. Elevators are becoming more common in new homes this decade and are also popular as add-ons in older and existing homes. Having an electrical system check-up makes sense for many reasons. It’s the best way to uncover fire hazards and sub-standard or outdated wiring. Best of all, a professional electrician can upgrade your system to accommodate smart appliances and other newfangled devices that seem to be popping up in every home. 

Consider Roth IRAs

Everything old is new again, and Roth IRAs are enjoying a resurgence of popularity. These after-tax IRAs let people put already-taxed money into a retirement account. The original investments can be withdrawn tax-free at retirement. One advantage Roth’s have over traditional IRAs is that there are fewer restrictions on when funds can be withdrawn and put in. Once the province of wealthy investors only, young folks are now flocking to Roth’s.

Invest in Gold and Silver

Here’s another old piece of advice with a new twist. Silver is the new gold, as many investors are saying, which means that precious metals portfolios are now including an equal portion of the two popular metals. Many young investors are also opting for metals, which were once almost exclusively the domain of middle-aged and senior investors.

Invest in You

In addition to getting yearly medical check-ups, it’s important to monitor your overall health and exercise regularly. Experts say that too many people simply visit a doctor once per year and don’t do anything else to maintain good health. It’s not just about exercise, either. The single most effective way to invest in your health and longevity, according to medical experts, is to eat right. Cut out junk and overly-processed foods. Don’t smoke. Don’t consume more than one or two alcoholic drinks per day and stay active.

5 Important Features to Take into Account When Choosing a Call Center Software

By
Amy Richards
-

The choice of the right call center software  for your company is a very important step to help you improve the customer service that you offer  -and subsequently, make your business grow in the long term. Customer experience is one of the most relevant factors in business when it comes to ensuring that potential clients remain loyal to your brand, and therefore you must offer the best service to them in all the steps of the business process -including phone calls.

A call center software has the function of managing and administering the incoming and outgoing calls of the company, either from customers, suppliers or between employees within the same company -in the same way as traditional  call centers used to do. Any company that wants to manage the volume of calls they receive or emit to users, must use a software call center equipped with the latest technology to cover all these needs, because the business communications system is one of the fundamental aspects that companies must take care of, especially if they want to maintain a good reputation towards the customer. 

Today, the cloud has changed the way call centers work. Versions of cloud-focused software are a revolution that attracts small businesses as well as higher capacity traditional call centers. However, there are many things to consider for an entrepreneur who wants to enter this field. The most important task is to remain competitive, which is not the case for everyone. The choice of software can be made according to the functionalities that the company needs, but there are also essential options to ensure the productivity and viability of the call center. There are several effective strategies in terms of productivity. Since it is difficult to know which of these strategies is the most appropriate., it is important to consider the results you want to achieve and make sure your call center software has the all the features you need -being easy to use, intuitive and comprehensive are key factors- to help you grow your business. Here are 5 important features that your call center software must include if you want to offer the best customer service to your clients.

Automatic call distributor

The Automatic Call Distributor (ACD) is an essential functionality in a call center, since it manages incoming calls and transfers them correctly. Calls are counted and managed according to predefined instructions based on the caller ID, an external database or any other rule. Automatic distribution ensures fast call processing and customer satisfaction. The ACD also makes it possible to make outgoing calls, transfer calls to another extension and put user data together in different groups, which is a vital function for the smooth running of a call center.

Predictive Dialer

In general, call centers work through two types of call campaigns: Inbound and outbound campaigns. A predictive dialer is an outbound calling system that automatically dials numbers from a list of numbers for either sales or portfolio retrieval purposes. This is an important feature because it is more efficient than dialing in the traditional way. This allows you to identify busy, unanswered or disconnected numbers before the call is assigned to an agent. The predictive dialer allows multiple numbers to be dialed at the same time, increasing productivity.

Interactive Voice Response

An IVR is a technology that allows the caller to get an answer or service by using voice commands or DTMF tones, the already well known “menu options”. Because this function helps consumers and customers to know the products, services and solutions offered, it can be considered one of the most important features within a Call Center. The IVR is used to manage a large volume of calls and optimizes the response given to customers without using the human resources of the company, for example, a customer consulting the expiration date of a policy or the summary of movements of his credit card.

Routing According to Skills

Skills-based routing is the enhanced version of the ACD. With agent-based routing, customer calls are redirected to the most competent agent to meet the specific demand. It can be a matter of language, specialty, or any other specific skill of an agent. It is a vital feature to improve the customer-agent relationship.

Call Queues

From an agent’s point of view, it is important to know which call to deal with first. The “call queues” function allows agents to route calls to an intelligent queue. In addition, many call centers allow their agents to work remotely. Agents can stay connected to the call queue and when a large number of calls arrive simultaneously, this feature allows each agent to remain silent and filter important calls for priority processing.

What to do when clutter is a problem in your home

By
Claire James
-

Many businesses have their roots in someone’s home, starting perhaps in the spare room, dining room table or even the garage. As the business grows, it is important to establish a working environment conducive to productivity, and the best way to do that is to create sufficient space.

Decluttering your working spaces will enable you to better focus on the task at hand. Clutter can often take over one’s working space and the longer it is left, the bigger problem it becomes.

Organising your office (as well as the areas of your home in which you relax) will enable you to focus on your operations and deal with the challenges of the day more effectively.

Here are some helpful tips on how to create space by decluttering:

  • Identify problem areas and address them

Stop for a moment and take notice of all the clutter-filled spots around your home. Take the time to clear out these areas, whether it’s 10 minutes a day or once a week for an hour. Going forward, avoid letting this situation build up once again by doing regular clear-outs.

  • Eliminate the excess – declutter

Start by doing a systematic clean out of your cupboards, drawers and shelves to make the most out of your home space. Remember to work room by room as this will help keep you focused and make the job at hand seem more manageable. Consider donating any items which you no longer have use for. For the items you need for future use or which hold too much sentimental value, use self storage.

  • Choose the correct storage containers

Storage containers are ideal for keeping your items under control and in order. Avoid using bulky containers and make sure the ones you choose are easy to stack.

  • Use vertical space

If you’re struggling for space, consider looking up and utilising overhead space. This will open up your floor and desk space, therefore creating more space within your home office space. A simple solution is to invest in vertical shelving.

  • Invest in a self storage unit

One of the most viable solutions to controlling clutter and creating more space is to take advantage of self storage. Self storage is simple and affordable for households wanting to eradicate their clutter problems. Self storage enables you to unclutter your life without having to say goodbye to your belongings for good. Self storage facilities offer convenience and security, as well as flexibility as many facilities are accessible 24/7.

These are just a few helpful ways to eliminate clutter problems you may be experiencing, and allow you to reclaim your home and office space.

MaxiTrade: Getting to Know a Successful Brokerage Company

By
Claire James
-

Finding a good brokerage company has always been a challenge for novice traders. There are many of them out there. However, if you subscribe to the opinions of experts and examine reviews on the internet, you will find out that there are a lot of entities in the industry that only aim to scheme and put one over unsuspecting traders. There are numerous cases when the operations of a promising company suddenly takes an unfortunate turn and files for bankruptcy. So when choosing a broker, you need to consider all the possible scenarios.

Regulatory organisations are well aware of such problems. In different countries, regulations have been adopted with respect to companies operating in the foreign exchange market. Some of these regulators are stricter that the rest. 

Regulators are expected to foster a high degree of confidence in the financial markets of different countries, strengthen and protect the stability of the financial system, and protect consumer rights by creating rules to help combat market crime such as fraud, abuse, and manipulation. As this is the case, regulators adopt stricter approaches to companies that do not meet the requirements of the law. 

International Forex brokers MaxiTrade, Saxo Bank, and OANDA are examples of brokerage companies who are not only able to follow the rules implemented by regulators, but are also able to establish successful working relations with traders around the globe. 

How to win the trust of a trader

Unfair or uncivilised competition exists wherever there is a chance of earning money. Various reviews are written that accuse this or that company as being fraudulent, despite the lack of evidence. 

It is actually challenging to distinguish law-abiding companies from those that are not. Some people do not even think twice about enlisting a company whom they have not done a thorough investigation on and end up losing their funds overnight. Putting your complete trust on the players of the industry is tough.

What then is so attractive about MaxiTrade, Saxo Bank, and OANDA? Firstly, all of them are always open and willing to communicate with the client to attempt at resolving his or her problems. Secondly, the companies provide their users all possible aids to better their financial strategies. The companies give their users the ability to trade with numerous financial instruments, access to detailed fundamental and technical analysis, various tools for trading, and the availability of advice. Through these helps, the trader will never feel alone. 

Let’s review all these companies separately.

The advantages of Forex brokers MaxiTrade, Saxo Bank and OANDA

Saxo Bank enjoys a well-deserved reputation. Being popular in the trading scene, Saxo Bank offers a large selection of financial instruments such as currency pairs, CFD-contracts, stocks and bonds, futures, options, and much more. 

Customers are invited to open three types of accounts. A trader, however, may find opening an account through Saxo Bank challenging as the minimum deposit for the opening of a Classic account is $10,000.00, this might prove quite a lot for a newbie in the market. Not everyone will be able to open a Platinum account as there is a minimum amount of $200,000.00. On the other hand, a VIP account can only be available to what are called, “chosen” who will have to deposit an amount starting $1,000,000.00.

Saxo Bank has developed its own trading platforms; the company’s technical capabilities are quite high. It has a highly responsive customer support centre that caters to customer inquiries from more than 180 countries with its offices located in major cities. 

OANDA enjoys a solid reputation and has been operating in the market for a good 20 years. OANDA offers various financial instruments and also has its own trading platforms. Any trader from any walk of life can always count on good customer support with the company. Its reliability and quality of work is unparalleled.

MaxiTrade, while much younger than the aforementioned companies, has already managed to establish itself. Unscrupulous competitors who write many negative reviews on the internet are usually not just happy with MaxiTrade‘s position. In this case, you can read about scam and fraud–accusations of a company as a fraudster. However, MaxiTrade adequately copes with this negativity and simply focuses its attention to its customers. It is not, in any way, threatened by bad reviews.

MaxiTrade’s official website is definitely one of note. It boasts of a lot of functions and can be conveniently navigated through. Much like Saxo Bank and OANDA, it offers quite a variety of financial tools. A trader can choose currencies, stocks, stock indices, commodities, precious metals, etc. 

In addition to the widely-known MetaTrader4, trading can easily be conducted on the MaxiTrade platform. The company’s own platform is distinguished by instant replenishment of the account, a convenient format for working with limit orders, a variety of time-frames and a unique technology: the built-in Autochartist trading signal system. In addition, the company offers users to undergo training for working on the platform.

The minimum amount for opening an account also draws attention. For only $500.00, you can already start working with MaxiTrade, thus, attracting a huge number of customers. Given the level of leverage of up to 1:200, the trader can count on solid profit. Among other financial advantages, MaxiTrade also offers low spreads that allow you to work almost without loss. On top of this, there are no commissions, there is a convenient system of account replenishment, and users are permitted easy withdrawal of profits.

A plus for MaxiTrade customers is the ability to use a large amount of analytical materials. The analytics includes daily and weekly forecasts, a calendar of financial and economic news, charts and quotes, and quarterly reporting dates for the largest global corporations that influence the financial market. 

MaxiTrade keeps all its activities in check and is wholly careful with its reputation. As such, its customers only keep increasing.

Expanding your business to Kuwait? Here’s everything you need to know

By
Claire James
-

One of the most exciting times in any entrepreneur’s career is growing their business on a global scale. But all the hard work they put in during its early years can suddenly look easy compared to all the responsibilities of establishing their brand abroad. What’s more, some countries are more difficult to break into than others, requiring much more planning than initially expected.

Kuwait is one of these countries. The nation’s rocky history has seen it fall prey to a volatile financial market, but recent years have seen a dramatic turnaround in its fortunes. In fact, the government is planning on building a new city to address urban issues faced in the country, such as housing and traffic. Plans include a new airport, a free zone, an Olympic stadium, and a tower taller than Dubai’s Burj Khalifa. These plans will not only benefit local communities, but also national and international entrepreneurs, providing them with increased opportunity to start a business in a new city.

But in order to get set up in Kuwait, there are a few things you will need to do first. From the initial approvals, to marketing planning there are some key facts you must take into consideration.

Understand the different business entities

Businesses in Kuwait are filed under the country’s commercial companies law (CCL), with foreign entrepreneurs only able to establish certain types of business:

Limited liability companies

Usually referred to as With Limited Liability (WLL), the closest UK equivalent would be private companies. They are not permitted to operate within the banking or insurance sectors, or as a pure investment fund, and the maximum shareholding by a non-Kuwaiti is 49%, unless approved otherwise by the Kuwait Direct Investment Promotion Authority (KDIPA).

Joint ventures

A joint venture can be formed by at least two people, who are jointly and severally liable. These companies don’t have legal existence and do not need to be recorded by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. Each partner in a joint venture, however, must be separately registered in their own names. These kinds of businesses are best suited for construction projects.

Branch companies

Foreign corporate bodies can only set up branches in Kuwait if they have permission from the KDIPA, otherwise, they should operate through shareholding or limited liability companies. Alternative options include running the business through a Kuwaiti commercial or service agent.

Shareholding companies

These companies can either be public or closed, but must be made up of at least five shareholders. Foreigners can be shareholders, but must only own a maximum of 49% of the company, collectively. Any founders are obliged to own at least 10% of the capital.

Partnership companies

The two types of these companies are the simple limited partnership, which consists of joint liability members (general partners) and sleeping members (limited partners). The second type is the partnership limited by shares, which is a limited partnership where capital is divided into shares.

Complete thorough research into the new market

Expanding into a new market requires plenty of research. You may already have a detailed business plan, but Kuwait offers a brand new target audience that you may not fully understand.

Market research

The cultural differences between Kuwait and western countries are big enough that you will need to conduct thorough market research in order to guide your business plan. This includes research into your target market, distribution channels, established competitors, and marketing forms.

The culture is much more conservative than in many other major markets. The distinction between men and women is much stronger and more defined, so suggestive imagery for advertisements is strongly advised against. It’s also illegal to drink alcohol in Kuwait, so any marketing would need to avoid this.

Competitor analysis

Understanding your competition is important for businesses at any stage, but breaking into a new market brings its own complications to the process. For instance, competitors might be far better established in the community, which can make your entrance even more difficult. Analyse your business through factors like price and the services and products offered, as well as the market share and marketing strategies.

Management and workforce

Expanding your business overseas brings about a situation you may not have thought of—do you hire a brand new team in that country, or take existing employees who know your business to the new location? Both options have their own benefits and drawbacks. Hiring local employees ensures you have staff who are likely to understand your audience, as well as knowing the best way to conduct business in that country. However, they won’t have the background knowledge regarding your business that older team members may have.

Expats can certainly be beneficial as you first set up your company overseas, by helping to establish your company culture abroad, and assisting in the hiring and training of full-time Kuwaiti staff. However, you will need to consider employment and immigration laws and ensure your business abides by them. Expats will need written permission from the employer in Kuwait as well as a medical report in order to obtain a working visa to the country.

Develop a market entry strategy

Once you’ve completed your research, you can create and develop your entry strategy document, which will be your blueprint for how you run your company in Kuwait. This should clearly outline the research findings, goals, budget information, action items, and timelines. Your market and competitor research should highlight audience behaviour, as well as how your rivals are selling and promoting similar products. This allows you to decide on your specific entry points into the market.

The best strategy to connect with your new audience is through using specific marketing techniques. Localising your website, for example, makes it culturally and linguistically accessible, which will help you build a better, more stable relationship with your target audience from the start of their customer journey. Launching a Kuwait-specific website allows you to alter things like the layout and phrasing in a way that will resonate well with a Kuwaiti audience, without sacrificing the content or overall visual style of your existing website.

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