Data Management – Is the Payoff Near
2012 May 17 by Peter
Using ‘Big Data’ Can Net You Big Payoffs
In today’s world, it’s impossible to get away from data. Bits of data are everywhere – in the grocery store and in historical crime data. They are also behind the gadgets we use each and every day.
In fact, there’s so much data, it’s hard to know what to do with it all.
But there is a silver lining on the horizon. There’s a Big Payoff when you learn how to analyze the Big Data that’s out there for your benefit.
So what exactly is Big Data? In short, the phrase refers to dynamic trends in technology that help the world make better decisions.
Think of the microscope – a tool that allowed the world to measure things like never before, says Erik Brynjolfsson, an economist at Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s Sloan School of Management. Learning how to analyze and measure data is the equivalent of the profound effect and opportunities the microscope created.
Twitter hashtags, Facebook wall posts and Google queries are all types of data now being used to measure people’s behaviors, feelings and desires in real time. Continue reading »
Is it a Good Idea to Sell Your Life Insurance Policy for Cash?
2012 May 14 by Peter
Thinking of Selling Your Life Insurance Policy?
Unemployment remains high and the housing market is still in the doldrums. Although the stock market improved in late 2011 and early 2012, it remains volatile. So it’s no wonder some investors are considering selling their life insurance policies for cash.
But is it a good idea? First, let’s review how one sells a life insurance policy.
Selling a life insurance policy is referred to as a life settlement transaction. Under such a transaction, someone buys your life insurance policy for a lump sum. The new owner of the policy continues paying your premiums until you die, at which point the new owner collects your death benefit.
This can provide immediate income, which may be beneficial in difficult times. But taking cash in exchange for your life insurance policy may not make as much sense as it used to, thanks to two factors. Continue reading »
Retirement Savings to Annuities – Does it make sense?
2012 May 10 by Peter
Considering Annuities? Ask Your Advisor
When finances get tight, as they do in economies and markets like these, you may wonder if you should move a portion of your retirement savings to annuities. Depending on your individual financial circumstances, it may make sense to talk to your advisor about the topic of an annuity.
An annuity is a contract with an insurance company. In exchange for making a payment to the company now (either as a lump sum or in installments), you are guaranteed a stream of income at some point in the future.
Annuities offer many benefits. For example, if you pay a lump sum to the insurance company for your annuity, not only will you be guaranteed monthly checks for life but you will start receiving those checks immediately. Best of all, your checks will arrive regardless of how markets perform.
Continue reading »
Tricks to the World of Online Sales
2012 May 7 by Peter
How Online Calls to Action Translate Into Offline Sales 
All businesses need an online storefront that shifts visitors into customers with a decisive call to action. A call to action shakes your site visitor from a passive web surfer to an active participant interested in your business.
And with online shopping positioned as one of 2011′s market success stories, despite the tough economy, it’s clear that competitive businesses need a solid online strategy that includes a call to action.
Engage customers proactively
A call to action isn’t just about selling online. It’s about understanding that most customers research their purchases on shops’ websites before they buy, either online or offline. Small businesses can take advantage of this by engaging prospective customers proactively.
Instead of just having an informative website, have your site work for you 24/7 by baiting customers with irresistible hooks. Continue reading »
The What and Why of Additional Insured Requests
2012 May 3 by Peter
How to Handle Requests for third parties to be added to your insurance policy as liability coverage?
As a business owner, you may have been asked to add an Additional Insured to your insurance policy. But what does that mean and how does it work?
When you run a business
, you form relationships with your customers, vendors, landlords, bankers and subcontractors. In some of these relationships, you enter into contractual agreements with these parties. There are instances when the other parties want to limit their liability. To do that, they ask you to share your liability coverage by adding them as an insured on your policy. This will give the other party status as an insured on your policy, which allows them a certain amount of rights and coverage in the event of a claim.
This is most often seen when Continue reading »
