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Social media is the most widely used tool today for communication and marketing purposes. Used by both private individuals and companies, it has become a very convenient tool as it can be accessed via mobile devices and best of all, it’s free of charge. But while this is so, there are certain rules to follow to ensure that these social networking sites are used positively to accomplish one’s objectives and not attack the reputation of people and organizations.

Each social networking site has its own set of guidelines for its users the reason why people should find time to read and understand them. Any violation won’t go unnoticed as administrators are quick to send notifications to point out what users have done wrong. And if this violation continues, a member’s account can be removed from the site. (more…)

Most eCommerce businesses rely on some kind of shipping and fulfillment process to operate successfully. For example, if you manufacture the products you sell in-house, you’ll need to find a way to ship those products to your customers. If you’re an online reseller, you may need to communicate with your warehouse and/or distributor to ensure orders are properly fulfilled.

On the surface, it seems simple, but when you’re planning, establishing, and scaling your business, you’ll likely run into a number of challenges that aren’t easy to resolve. (more…)

The fourth industrial revolution is well underway; Industry 4.0, originally coined by the German Ministry of Education and Research is the biggest challenge to cheap labour in the modern era. North American and European manufacturing sectors are creating ever greater efficiencies while making higher quality complex components thanks to higher investments in robotics, better software, and introducing the Internet of Things to the factory floor. The birth of the smart factory is the most exciting change to manufacturing in decades and it also means a new wave of investment in better equipment, machine tools, and human-machine interfaces like touchscreens. (more…)

The 2008 financial crisis was the single worst economic crisis in recent memory. There were a variety of interrelated factors that led to its development, but most people identify the first domino as deregulation in the financial industry that led to higher availability of subprime mortgages.

Put simply, banks were issuing mortgages at ridiculously low rates to subprime borrowers (those with limited or poor credit) to engage in hedge fund trading of derivatives (a newly available strategy, thanks to said deregulation). When Fed interest rates rose at a time when subprime interest rates were starting to reset, there was a cascade of homeowners who could no longer afford to keep their homes. Banks, simultaneously, suffered and stopped lending to each other, and the combination of financial industry and consumer economic woes caused global markets to spiral out of control. (more…)

College is one of those pinnacle experiences that you wait for your entire life. It gives you the chance for a fresh start, the freedom of independence, and paves the way for a new future. But with so many new challenges staring you down, it’s natural to have some level of anxiety.

6 Tips for Acing the First Semester

The summer before college may feel slow and drawn out, but once you arrive on campus for move-in day, reality starts to set in. When your parents drive away, you’ll be left in a new city, with a new room, and new friends. But instead of letting all of this change scare you, heed the following advice for acing your first semester. (more…)