Full Article Link Here…
Every business has a number of liabilities that it is exposed to. It’s a smart idea to make sure that all your bases are covered, particularly if you are a startup. One area that presents more and more liabilities for California business owners is the cyber world. With the adoption of the internet in various industries, it is easier than ever to start a business online, even if you don’t have a brick-and-mortar storefront. For this reason, a business can opt to get a cyber insurance plan.
What is a cyber insurance plan?
Cyber insurance, also known as cyber liability insurance, is an insurance plan that allows a business to survive the aftermath of a cyberattack. According to a study by Kaspersky Lab, depending on the business’ vulnerability to attack, the kind of data that was lost and other factors, a small business can easily see a loss of $86,000, while bigger enterprises can expect to face costs of up to $861,000. These are just the numbers for a single attack. If a business suffers two or more attacks, it will most likely be unable to recover. Moreover, the business is also at risk of facing a class action lawsuit from the individuals who suffered from a loss of data because of the cyberattack.
Cyberattacks were once considered to be the problem of bigger businesses, largely because they are viewed as more feasible targets. In fact, HBO was in the news last year because hackers not only got into their system but also tried to extort the network to pay them to get their stolen data back. While HBO was able to survive the attack, not all businesses are as lucky. Data theft, hacking attacks and more have also become more commonplace. As internet usage has become more advanced, hackers have also developed advanced tools that allow them to worm their way through various firewalls. The targets that are most vulnerable to cyberattacks happen to be medium and small businesses. This is where cyber insurance kicks in by providing businesses with capital at such a vulnerable point. Without a cyber insurance plan, cyberattacks can easily bankrupt a business before it has even had a chance to properly start.
Why are small businesses at risk?
Small businesses in California, or anywhere else, are at risk due to the fact that they are so vulnerable and often run by people who are still learning the ropes. They’re not exactly aware of the risk they are facing in terms of cybersecurity. When businesses are starting out, they are looking to minimize their overall costs, and cybersecurity is one area where they usually skimp.
Moreover, they’re also vulnerable because they don’t understand what factors could be putting them at risk. The following are major ways in which small businesses face risks when it comes to cybersecurity:
• A breach of data is not just done by hackers and other faceless individuals on the internet. Sometimes, the attackers are internal. Yes, the call is coming from inside the house. It can be done by vendors, ex-employees, computer thieves and others. A business that doesn’t focus on its security is more likely to experience this.
• Small businesses also don’t think that they are targets because of their smaller size. On the other hand, the predator always hunts down the weakest member of the pack, and small businesses are the ones that are affected by security breaches the most.
• Small businesses in California don’t always pay attention to their cybersecurity. This is even more shocking considering that there are 8 million businesses that accept credit and debit card payments online.
• Many small businesses also have poor practices, such as not following proper security protocol. They may also have one computer that is used for both business and personal use. This increases the chances of experiencing security breaches.
There are many reasons you might consider a lifestyle change that means moving from two incomes to one. Maybe you or your partner wants to go back to school. Or pursue a passion project. Or spend more time at home with your kids.
If you’re considering going to one income, take a few months to try it out. Get used to your new budget.
No matter the reason, one of the benefits of moving to a single income by choice is that you have time to plan and prepare. As you weigh the pros and cons of taking this big step, here are a few things to try before making the decision.
Create a Leaner Budget
When it comes to reworking your budget, you’ll probably want to eliminate some spending. The three biggest ticket items are housing, transportation and food.
Here are a few strategic ways to slim down your budget:
Explore refinancing options for your home
Downsize to a smaller house with cheaper utilities
Trade in your vehicle for something more affordable
Prepare more meals at home and eat out less
Small Moves
There are a lot of little ways to re-evaluate spending around your house, such as taking a look at cable packages and phone plans. With rising TV costs and new alternatives, watching TV can get expensive. Consider downsizing your cable package or cutting the cord completely. The same goes for home phones. If the majority of your phone time is spent on your cell, you might not need that landline after all.
Practice Having One Income
If you’re considering going to one income, take a few months to try it out. Get used to your new budget. During this trial run, spend only what you’ll make with one income and put everything else into savings. It could help you save a good chunk of change before the actual switch. And if you have debt, you can use some of that savings to pay it off before you move to one income.
Re-evaluate Your Retirement Savings Plan
When it comes to retirement, consider increasing contributions to ensure you’re saving as much as possible. Do your research or talk with a financial advisor about options that can help you maximize growth and provide you with the most financial security.
Talk to a Tax Advisor
A lower household income could mean that you’ll fall into a new tax bracket. If that’s the case, you might want to change the amounts withheld from your paycheck each month. You can check with a tax professional or the IRS to see whether your withholdings need to be adjusted.
Get a Side Gig
Temporary or part-time jobs can give your family extra cash, whether it’s for spending, debt payments or savings. Work-from-home jobs allow you the freedom to stay at home with the kids and earn extra income. Do you have a passion project that could be monetized? That might be another way to make up for some of the income you’ll be losing.
Side jobs can also help you network with like-minded people—just like the office. Even if it’s not for extra cash, you can get involved in the community and stay active with learning opportunities or initiatives you’re passionate about.
Staying in the Workforce
Even if you decide not to leave your job, for whatever reason, living off of one salary is a great way to create a cushion for you and your family. This way, you get to keep your benefits, like retirement and insurance, but you’ll be tucking away one entire salary into savings.
All About Teamwork
Try to set goals and follow them as a family. You and your partner will be each other’s support system. Create a higher level of commitment to your new budget.
And don’t forget the possible benefits of this decision. Getting to spend more time at home with your kids. Going back to school for a new career. Maybe even getting a more flexible schedule working from home. Remind yourself why you want to make the switch. Going from two incomes to one is a big decision, but it could be the right move for you and your family.
This article is for educational purposes only, and is not intended to provide medical or legal advice, or to indicate the availability or suitability of any product or service for your unique circumstances.
Capital One does not provide, endorse, or guarantee any third-party product, service, information or recommendation listed above. The third parties listed are solely responsible for their products and services, and all trademarks listed are the property of their respective owners.
Print
Website Feedback
News Tip
Report Corrections
Reprints & Permissions
Style & Design #NewTech
JUL 9, 2018 @ 05:52 AM 4,867 The Little Black Book of Billionaire Secrets
Marshall MID ANC Review: Good Sounding Headphones With Mediocre Active Noise Cancellation
Forbes Finds Check out great deals, new products and gift ideas.
Opinions expressed by Forbes Contributors are their own.
RTINGS.com RTINGS.com , Partner
RTINGS
Marshall MID ANC
The Marshall MID ANC are great looking on-ear headphones with a good sound. They have the iconic Marshall design, with a well-padded and premium looking headband, faux-leather coated earcups and subtle gold accents, that make the whole build quality feel a bit more luxurious. They can be used wired or wireless and they have a great battery life that should easily last throughout the day for most people. They also have active noise cancelling, which makes them a decent option for commuting but their isolation is a bit weak compared to similar models.
Pros
+ Good audio reproduction
+ Lightweight with decent durability
+ Efficient, easy-to-use controls
Cons
– Mediocre noise cancelling
– A bit bright on treble-heavy tracks
Design
Type: Wireless On-ear
Enclosure: Closed-Back
The Marshall MID ANC are great looking on-ear headphones with the iconic Marshall design language. They have a good, decently durable build quality, they’re comfortable and don’t clamp your head as tightly as some of the other on-ears we’ve tested. However, this means that they won’t be the most stable option for jogging or working out and may slip off your ears during more intense exercises. On the upside, they have a unique and efficient control scheme that’s very easy to use and provides great feedback. The included soft travel case is also luxurious-looking and well made, which is great. However, since it is a soft case, it doesn’t offer the best protection against drops, impacts or water damage.
RTINGS
Sound frequency response
Sound
Page 1 / 3 Continue
Print
Website Feedback
News Tip
Report Corrections
Reprints & Permissions
Entrepreneurs #ScalingUp
CommunityVoice™ Connecting expert communities to the Forbes audience.What is this?
JUL 9, 2018 @ 08:00 AM 360 The Little Black Book of Billionaire Secrets
Six Overlooked Growth Hacks For Small Business Owners
Forbes Dallas Business Council
Opinions expressed by Forbes Contributors are their own.
POST WRITTEN BY
Amir Baluch
Fund Manager at Smart Block Capital, BioWise Capital, and Founder of Investment Club Realty, LLC.
Amir Baluch Amir Baluch , Forbes Councils
Shutterstock
Small business owners are hungry for gains. They either want to get off the ground far enough so their ventures can stay afloat and support founders financially, or they want to break through plateaus and realize enough market share to solidify their places in their industries before another lean startup breaks through with their ideas. Many are butting their heads against the same old walls, but the following growth strategies can help deliver. None of them require hiring a ninja “growth hacker” or creating the next viral video on YouTube.
Have A Growth Plan
It may sound overly basic, but many small business owners simply don’t have a growth plan. They may have secret hopes of bigger revenues and profits. They might know the types of numbers they need to hit to be serious competitors in their industries. Few have real growth plans. Even fewer have maps to growth. Fewer still have maps that are attainable, sustainable and shared with team members and vendors. If your team doesn’t know the game plan or what they are supposed to be shooting for, they cannot help you.
Utilize UGC
User-generated content (UGC) is a power tool for small business owners. Content is king today. Businesses need a lot of it, and that can take up a good portion of the budget. A great hack to publish more valuable content is to enroll users and fans to do a lot of it for you. This works especially well in fashion, health, fitness and nutrition. Those who encourage consumers to publish their own content can find it spurs great growth and customer loyalty.
Give It Away
It’s amazing the lengths and expenses some businesses and CEOs will go to in order to win new customers. Often, they do this while completely ignoring much faster and more effective shortcuts. Some refuse to pay for social media ads or search engine marketing (i.e., Google AdWords), even though they spend far more time and money trying to go the “cheap” route.
The same goes for refusing to give discounts or give products and services away in favor of paying a lot for ads and customer acquisition. Know your customer’s lifetime value. Once you do, it may make a lot more sense to adopt a freemium model, promote free trials or even give away entry-level products.