WikiLeaks

News, World, Politics, Life

TJ

Tips For Buying The Correct Insurance For Your Small Business

by Leave a Comment

Finding correct insurance is one of those things that take a bit of time but it’s an integral part of running a small business. Whether you are just getting started or looking to sign a new agreement, it is time to break things down and know what needs to be done. If you are banking on doing things properly without a lick of research, it is going to end up differently then you had imagined.

This is one of the worries people have when it comes to doing things the right way and heading towards a solution that is worthwhile. Here are tips that anyone can follow while looking for good insurance options.

1) Assess Your Needs

Start by assessing your needs as a small business. For example, an IT shop is going to have different needs in comparison to a restaurant. You are going to have to sit down and take a look at your different assets, how much they’re valued, and what you need to protect. If this information isn’t readily available, you will need to take the time to assess your setup before starting the research phase. This is the foundation of a good commercial insurance policy and has to be kept in mind!

2) Find a Specialized Insurance Provider

When you are ready to move forward with the search, it’s time to find specialized insurance providers that have worked within your niche. For example, a restaurant business should only be going with agencies that have signed up with various restaurants in the region.

This is all about making sure you are not ending up with an agreement that doesn’t protect you or leaves things out because of inexperience. This is why you want to stick to reliable options that have done in before and aren’t going to swindle you along the way.

3) Protect Against Main Liabilities and Risks

Each small business is going to have its personal liabilities and/or risks that have to be kept in mind. You want to take the time to know what yours are in this scenario. Until you are able to map out a clear-cut set of liabilities, it is best to continue to do your research because this is where businesses lose out and end up with the wrong option in their hands. Be smart and take your time during this stage of the process.

If you are able to protect the main issues such as the property, you are going to be well on your way to a meaningful agreement.

4) Don’t Panic or Rush

One of the biggest mistakes people make is to rush during the process. In fact, a lot of small business owners don’t care about the insurance policy and assume it isn’t going to become an issue for them. This isn’t the case and anything can happen when you are running a meaningful small business. It doesn’t matter whether or not you are taking precautions! You have to be smart and avoid rushing during the process.

Instead, you want to look at everything and find something that will be in line with what your checklist requires.

5) Set a Budget in Advance

Every small business has a monthly/annually budget that has to account for insurance-related expenses. You cannot afford something that is going to take a huge chunk of the budget because there are so many costs to balance along with the insurance plan.

If the insurance plan is too expensive then it is best to compare your options to see what else is out there. Until you do this, you are not going to be able to find something that has meaningful premiums and will not charge an exorbitant rate unnecessarily. This is where your homework is going to come into the equation!

6) Protect the Assets

Always focus on your main assets, which would be the property and other technological items. If you are a landscaping company then your mowers and other relevant materials will matter and should be protected. The same goes for camera equipment when you are running a photography business. Each niche has its own expensive assets and those are the ones you want to protect at all costs.

Otherwise, your business is going to take a major hit if something were to go wrong and you were not paying attention as much as you needed to.

7) Know Your Credit History

One of the best things a person can do is to take a look at their credit history because it is an integral part of the process. If you are not taking a look at your credit history then there is going to come a time where you may end up with the wrong fit.

Insurance agencies will take a look into these details for you and it is a waste of time to go in without thinking about these details. You may end up with nothing more than a rejection and that is never a good thing!

8) Learn the Terms of Your Eventual Agreement   

Think about what you are signing and always read the agreement in detail. The premise is to know what you are signing and how it is going to help you if something were to go wrong. Of course, you don’t want anything to head in the wrong direction but life throws many curveballs at you as a small business owner. Therefore, you want to know what the terms say and don’t assume everything will work out!

You have to be aware of how your policy works like the back of your hand because it is an integral part of the business now.

These are the tips that will ensure you are able to come out on the right side of an agreement without feeling confused. Pay attention to the details and know what you are getting from the agreement as soon as you sign the dotted line. This is critical information and is the only way to ensure you are heading in the right direction.

Late for a Very Important Date? Why a GPS Watch would have saved the White Rabbit.

by Leave a Comment

Traditional analog watches are quickly becoming a thing of the past. While the classic look of a quality timepiece is still highly regarded, it’s hard to not be converted to the new wave of Smart Watches. With features such as activity tracking, GPS capabilities and contactless payment only being a few features incorporated into most Smart Watches, it’ll make you question the need for a gym membership and a complicated smartphone.

Integrating all these features and more in a wristwatch means that you’ll always have it with you to guide you through your exercise and daily tasks while staying time-conscious. Check out the range of GPS Watches and the Best Wearable Fitness Technology from Harvey Norman to see that while it’s too late for a GPS watch to save the White Rabbit, it’s not too late for one to save you!

GPS watches provide the perfect companion for those who love the outdoors. Usually used for fitness and health purposes, GPS watches include added benefits and features which make them useful for daily life as well. They roughly range from $300 up to nearly $2000 so it’s important to know which one is right for you.

Starting at the lower end of the spectrum, TomTom released a Cardio GPS Fitness Watch to help monitor your body all day as well as while you sleep. An in-built heart monitor gives you the ability to receive real-time feedback during your workout in the form of distance, speed, pace and calories burned. In addition, as its name-sake suggests, TomTom’s GPS watch features satellite tracking so that you can enhance your chosen route and track your movements.

Similarly priced, you can find a base model of the Garmin range of GPS Watches. With a few more added perks, you’ll harness the ability to store and playback music, monitor your body’s heart rate and use it for contactless payments, just to name a few. Pre-loaded sports apps for various types of training provide you with a platform to personalise your workout routines to optimise your results. The GPS feature allows you to explore new tracks while always staying in the loop by pairing to your phone via Bluetooth functions.

One of the more advanced models, the Garmin Fenix 5S GPS Watch from Harvey Norman is a customisable and adaptive essential for great adventurers. The clear Chroma Display is paired with transflective technology which means you’ll notice the readable graphics even under the bright sunlight. The Garmin Fenix 5S monitors the aerobic and anaerobic value in your exercise while occupying the ability to forecast an estimated recovery time. Used for running through to golf, the Garmin Fenix 5S can track specific speed and stroke count for various sports and activities through its use of GPS and body movement. GPS and GLONASS satellite reception combined with the Altimeter, Barometer and Compass ensures you can view accurate elevation, weather patterns and bearings so you’ll always stay on track and on time.

With growing features, the definition of a watch is progressively changing. Smart Watches help organise and guide you through your day and aid you in monitoring your own wellness. Though a GPS Smart Watch is perfect for active individuals, it doesn’t miss out on important features such as synching with your phone, contactless payment or customisable designs. Purchase a GPS Watch today and stay in shape and on time.

3 Ways of Getting Income With Minimal Effort

by Leave a Comment

 

C:\Users\otega\Desktop\FFLANCE FILE\EMMA FOSTERRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR\PROJECT 11\money.jpeg

If your mentality about getting money is through hard work and devoting extra hours to your work, this post will make you have a rethink. It will also interest you to know that there are people who don’t work themselves out before getting income. And what differentiates them is the information they have. The opportunity to make money with little effort keeps expanding, thanks to investment tools, apps, and tech advancements. Even if the process might require some hard work at the beginning to keep the money-making strategy in motion, be sure that you will rest for the remaining days. So like finding writing thesis help, here are three incredible ways you can generate income with little or no effort.

1. Earn Advertisement Revenue from a website

Having a website to share ideas and help people learn something new, can generate passive income for you. Even if you are not a passionate writer, you can share your thoughts with a ghostwriter or freelance writer to help create contents for your website.

But have in mind that you need to put in the hard work at the beginning to get your website running. Use WordPress or any other platform to create your blog.

Once the traffic to your blog starts increasing, your next focus should be to monetize the website. You can sign up for Google Ads or affiliate network to earn money. And remember, you can always hire writers to help you write and even publish articles on your blog.

2. Create and sell courses online

If you have a skill or knowledge you feel others may want to learn, create an e-book that covers everything about that skill. You can publish the e-book on Amazon Kindle and get commission anything anyone buys your work.

Another place where you can sell an online course is Udemy. Whether it’s how to use Microsoft Excel or a new program, know you can earn money if you have sound knowledge and know how to pass it on.

3. Invest your little income

One of the easiest ways to make money is to invest. It takes sacrifice at the beginning. But if you endure and get it right, you will smile for the rest of your life.

However, there are many opportunities to invest money. For instance, with apps like Acorn, you can make significant investments in the stock portfolio from your little changes. The app links one’s credit or debit card to it. According to paper writing pros, whenever an individual using the app buys something online, it would round up the price of the item and help to invest the little change or difference.

Conclusion

Take a look at the ways to make money with little efforts. They involve little or no work but can generate passive income for you. Though many of them require hard work at the initial stage, rest assured that once set in motion, then you will no longer have any reason to worry. The money keep on entering your bank account.

How Has Technology Helped Businesses To Succeed

by Leave a Comment

When it comes to making an impact in how we all work, technology is a major player. From the game-changing development of the Internet in the early 1990s to email and more recent advances in smartphone technology or cloud-based systems, it is clear that technology has given businesses many tools to promote success. When you look at the stats around the use of technology, it is even more obvious why integrating it into your business is essential. From the 4 billion worldwide Internet users to the 300 million-plus Twitter users, technology plays a key role for any organization.

Why has technology enabled businesses to grow over the years?

In simple terms, this is split into two areas. The first is based on businesses themselves and the way technology has allowed them to work smarter. Each development along the way has given companies the chance to review what they do and use the available technology to do it better and with reduced costs.

The second area in which technology has helped to drive business success is customer engagement. This is especially true in recent years, where tech advances such as social media or smartphone use have been adopted by the general consumer. By tapping into the same tech to be where their customers are, businesses can generate more leads, make more sales and engage more effectively with their customer base.

In what other ways has tech helped the business sector?

The above paints a very broad picture of what technology has done for business over the years. But what specific areas within a business can it help with?

  • More effective marketing – the marketing world is one sector that has seen massive changes, due to the latest advances in tech. Digital marketing makes full use of email, the Internet and a range of innovative, online analytical software to reach more consumers than ever before. It not only allows for more powerful campaigns to be designed and conducted but also enables far deeper insight into your customer base.

 

  • Improved efficiency and collaboration – one other amazing way that technology has allowed businesses to succeed is in how they work. We all know that higher levels of employee engagement and productivity are what drive success in the long term. Advances in technology over time have made communication faster and clearer with email or video chat, while cloud-based computing makes collaboration much more effective.

 

  • Better customer service levels – if you want to run a successful business, customer service is key. Technology has helped a lot here, by giving businesses more ways to communicate with customers in the way that the customers prefer. From live chat on websites to email and social media, the range of choice in how customers are interacted with is huge. This enables your business to engage with customers in the manner they prefer and resolve any issues quicker.

 

  • Keeps you ahead of the pack – one really great way that technology can help any business thrive is by keeping them ahead of their competitors. Using technology allows you to offer a better customer service and better on-the-job results than your main competitors may be able to. This is especially crucial in service sectors, where having the most up-to-date equipment with the latest tech is key to producing results that will wow your customers.

 

  • Reduced training costs – there is no doubt that keeping your staff constantly updated with the latest relevant training is vital. This will allow them to perform better and offer an improved service to clients to make your business successful. In the past, though, this could be tricky as it involved them being away from their desks for hours to get the training required. Technology has helped greatly here by taking training online, so it can be done on an individual basis in the office, when staff have time – no more hours away from customers or their desks!

Cloud-based computing is significant

We have already mentioned cloud-based computing above, but this is one area that is really taking off in many businesses globally. Indeed, it is predicted that 83% of enterprise workloads will be cloud-based by 2020. The advantages of the cloud for business make this a real no-brainer. Not only is it more secure than having desktop or paper files but it also offers cost reduction in IT staffing, along with scalable fee structures. When you factor in the greater staff collaboration it facilitates and the streamlined workflow, it is a great way to use technology to drive business success. The Charles Phillips-led Infor corporation is based in New York and has helped many businesses integrate this kind of software to superb effect.

Technology and business are the perfect mix

What the above has shown is that technology and business go together perfectly. While some business leaders may have been resistant to change in the past, the many advantages that tech brings to the boardroom are undeniable. From finding more customers to serving them better and helping your staff to perform, technology really is a great tool to take advantage of.

How to Collect Unpaid Consulting Fees or Freelance Income

by Leave a Comment

Whether you’re supplementing your income to help pay bills, trying to fluff up your savings account for vacation, or simply looking to be your own boss, many people have found themselves turning to freelancing and/or consulting in their various fields to bring in that extra money.

You don’t have to look far to find success stories. There are so many people who’ve made freelancing and consulting their primary source of income, it really goes to show what you can accomplish when you set your mind to it. Of course, there are issues with the freelancing process, as with any occupation. One of the biggest problems freelancers face today is delivering their assignment and finding themselves being stiffed on the bill. It happens. And, more often than not, the freelancer is left with little to no recourse to collect the outstanding compensation which is rightfully owed to them.

It’s a frustrating situation, for sure. You pour your effort, time, and possibly even resources, into creating the perfect project for the client. You know your work is high-quality and well worth the price you’ve set. So, why aren’t they paying? And, even more important, how can you go about collecting those fees you’ve worked so hard for? There is hope for the jilted freelancer. Here are some effective and ingenious ways to retrieve those elusive funds…

Consider your Salary

Understanding what you’re really worth is the first step profiting from your consulting or freelancing position. The average consultant salary is around $75,000 per fiscal year, which is actually a surprisingly high amount when compared to the average for general white-collar occupations. If you’re not making anywhere near this amount, it’s time to change things up in your day-to-day operations. If you know what you’re worth and set a firm minimum price point which reflects the high quality of your work, it will help to deter those who cannot actually afford your services. Of course, there will still be those clients who, it seems in hindsight, most likely had no intention of paying from the start. It’s these folks who make us cringe and make it necessary for articles like this.

You worked hard and you deserve to be compensated for your time and efforts. If you find yourself facing clients who are constantly trying to negotiate your baseline consulting salary, reassert your position and decline the work if they aren’t getting the idea. It may seem like a bad idea to turn down work, but rejecting work from those who you aren’t sure will even pay will leave you open for jobs which are more likely to show a good ROI. Time is money, especially in the freelancing/consulting industry.

Built-in Business Security

You should feel secure and in control when you’re your own boss. Instead, when you’re left with nothing after working on a client’s project, you can end up feeling like a failure. Obviously, it’s not your fault the client reneged on their end of the deal. If you’re just getting into the freelancing or consulting industry, it’s wise to take your time when setting up your business model to ensure consistent payments for your work. If you’re already past that point, there are ways to go about getting the money you’re owed. First, let’s take a look at some key points to include in your initial business plan.

  • Set up an ‘up-front’ payment system. Either require half of your freelancing or consulting salary before you begin working or even ask for the full amount up-front. You should probably have a lot of verifiable experience and positive feedback from many previous clients before this tactic will start working as well as it’s intended.
  • If you’re working with a client who sends more than one project, consider setting up a retainer account. This will ensure you have consistent money coming in at all times.
  • If you’re finding it difficult to snag a client with the up-front payment method, consider offering a discount for your services, but only if they pay first, and in full!
  • Set up a comprehensive and user-friendly database to track your earning and set reminders for yourself to monitor the data every so often. There are a lot of apps on the market in this area, such as Daily Income(iPhone/apple/mac) and Balance Book (android/win).

Get it in Writing!

Rather than automatically assuming your client has nefarious motives when you don’t immediately receive the expected compensation for the job you’ve completed, it will behoove you to keep the client on your side. Give them the benefit of the doubt. After all, we’re all only human. Maybe their computer crashed or they’re completely swamped with family priorities. Try to be understanding, but also keep your own goal in mind: getting paid. You can still, of course, get in contact with the client in regards to your payment issue. Try taking a more subtle tactic than just outright asking to be paid. You can inquire about how their payment process works (even if you already know, this will get their mind moving in that direction if, perhaps, it has just slipped their mind).

Also, consider asking (preferably via email) for a report of all work you’ve done for the client to date. Having this information is not only useful for your own data, but it will be very effective when seeking other methods of recourse.

3rd Party Collections

If you’ve tried all of the above techniques and you’re still fighting to receive your well-deserved payment, you might want to look into hiring a third party collection agency to assist in retrieving those outstanding funds. Agencies such as And Co are well-versed in this field and will fight for your rights as an independent contractor. Remember to exhaust all other options before going down this route, though, as it can end up being a long and drawn out process. If you haven’t yet reached out to the client’s superiors or the higher-ups of your specific freelancing/consulting service, definitely do so first!

You’re Worth It!

Don’t sell yourself short. You’re worth every penny you say you are. Nobody knows your talent better than you, so you’re the perfect person to set your price. Stand your ground and follow through with your business model and you’ll begin seeing your profits increase in no time! Your freelancing and consultant salary should be reflective of the superior quality of the work you provide. Don’t let those slippery clients leave you drained- both in energy and funds. You have plenty of options and, remember, there’s always tomorrow!

Author Bio: Adrian Rubin is a climate change advocate and freelance writer.

Top Things To Know When Taking Your Business Online

by Leave a Comment

In the world of business, the digital revolution has been in place for some time now. This has seen most businesses understand the value of having an online presence to go with their offline one. With recent figures from 2018 showing that over 4 billion people globally use the internet regularly, it is easy to see why it makes perfect sense. So many of your customers and potential customers shop online now that you are really missing out if you are not there. Even if you do not sell products, having an online presence is key so that people can contact you or learn more about your services.

Casual man working on laptop in library

What do you need to think about when going online?

If you are in the process of taking a business online, then you may feel like there is lots to do or not know where to start. If this is the case, then the below tips should make everything a bit clearer going forward.

Get a website professionally designed

The website you will use to represent your services online is a direct reflection of your business. It will also have a massive part in how successful your move online is. The number of customers who like it enough to buy goods there or speak with you will be critical to it working out as planned. This is why getting a fast, well-designed website that is mobile-friendly is essential. It will not only attract customers online but also give them a good impression of you when they are there.

Social media

It really is impossible to talk about taking a business online without including social media. The big players such as Twitter and Facebook have literally millions of users who are potential customers. These amazing marketing tools give you direct access to the public, so you can show them what you do, keep them up to date with special offers, and build your brand in an organic way. When going online, make sure to set up social media accounts with the platforms that your customers use and engage with them regularly.

Consider an e-commerce store

If you actually sell products or goods as a business, then you may want to consider an e-commerce store altogether or a section on your website that allows customers to purchase goods. Magento is one e-commerce platform that many businesses use, along with Shopify. This is a good choice if you actually sell things, as you can access the many millions of people who shop online now and boost your overall business revenue.

Amazon listing optimization

As well as selling via your own e-commerce store or website, you should consider going through popular marketplaces such as Amazon. This very well-known marketplace has around 300 million users to date and is great for buyers because it is safe and easy to use.

One great tip here to sell more is to optimize your Amazon product listing so that it lists higher in the search results on the site. This will get your products in front of more people when they search Amazon to generate more sales. As with standard SEO, much of this revolves around using the right keywords and how you set up your images.

What about a blog?

Many people now will shop with businesses that they feel offer insights and have authority in the sector in which they reside. One great way to help establish this for your brand is to use the online space to create a company blog. You do not have to write numerous articles each day – just a few per week will be enough to keep you visible. By posting these on your company blog and social media accounts, you will be well on the way to putting your brand right at the front of people’s minds when they come to need your services next.

Use LinkedIn to network in your sector

Although it is technically a social media channel, LinkedIn is aimed more at the business community than the public. As such, it is worth knowing about when taking a business online. Creating an account on there will allow you to network with other businesses in your sector and pick up new B2B sales that you might not otherwise have got.

Taking a business online is an exciting time

If you are at the point where you will be taking your business online, then it is a big moment. It is definitely the right decision with so many of your potential customers hanging out there when looking for services or goods. If you follow the above handy hints, then you will be well on your way to doing so in great style!

How to Ask the MMJ Doctor about the Weed Card

by Leave a Comment

Marijuana treatment is becoming more and more popular today. It is legal in many states across the US. This fact has resulted in a faster and simpler way of getting the weed card. All you need is to follow some simple steps.

Your mmj doctor might appear to be the only stumbling block on the way to successful treatment. The main problem here is the necessity to get the official approval from your healthcare provider of physicist. Otherwise, you will never be able to move forward with your medical marijuana card. The only solution is to visit your doctor and consult him or her regarding your future weed treatment.

What Questions Should You Ask Your MMJ Doctor?

The main idea of consulting medical marijuana doctors is to let them evaluate the details of your disease as well as the future treatment course. They will compare and contrast your current shape and health conditions to previous heath records and illness history. You will benefit from some useful advices and recommendations to make the course more efficient. Moreover, you are likely to get approved as a part of your weed card application.

So, here are the questions you might want to ask your healthcare provider:

  1. Can you provide any official medical studies about the use of marijuana?
  2. How much would the weed treatment course cost?
  3. Are there any side effects when using marijuana as medication?
  4. Will the treatment affect my pets or children in any way?
  5. Can weed treatment be harmful for pregnant or breastfeeding patents?
  6. What interactions cam be caused when using marijuana with other medications?

You need to find out as much useful information about the future treatment course as possible. Consider all possible risks and side effects to evaluate the necessity of using such treatment.

How Can Marijuana Treatment Help?

As for the medical use, the weed has proved to be a useful herb to cure different types of health problems. It has been used by many nations over the centuries. However, it is still illegal inn some Asian and European countries as well as in some estates in the US.

The situation with the treatment is improving thanks to great medical features the herb has. It lets patients cope with different illnesses including:

  • Cancer and ALS;
  • AIDS, Glaucoma;
  • Chronicle disease like Hepatitis C;
  • Parkinson’s Disease and more.

Apart from serious chronicle health problems, marijuana is a good treatment when it comes to the following:

  • Insomnia and anxiety;
  • Pain in the back;
  • Depression and anorexia.

As we can see, the weed has plenty of great medical features to cope with various chronic illness. It can be used to enforce your current treatment course as well as the separate course for a particular disease. Please, note that the only legal way to start the course is to get the valid weed card. The process is quite easy and requires some easy steps to complete.

Best beaches of the Maldives which you shouldn’t miss from visiting

by Leave a Comment

The Maldives is a haven for beach lovers and every year, it welcomes millions of tourists who are looking for an ideal holiday gateway. Located on the Indian Ocean and South West of Sri Lanka, Maldives is an archipelago of 1000 islands, most of them are unhabituated.

If you have ever been fascinated with the idea of spending a holiday in a hut located just a few steps away from the white sandy beach with blue sparkling water, then the Maldives is the place where you should plan your holiday at. Not only common people find peace here, but the Maldives has been an ideal holiday destination for many well-known celebrities. These days, with the help of travel agency, planning a tour to Maldives or any place is no more a hard nut to crack. You can simply get suitable Maldives packages for holiday based on your terms and conditions and have a great vacation ahead.

So, if you are all decided to have a great holiday at the Maldives, you must list down the beaches that you must visit because hey, Maldives is synonymous to beaches. So, to sort out your list of beaches, we are sharing some best beaches of Maldives that you shouldn’t miss from visiting.

 1. Hulhumale’ Beach

Hulhumale’ Beach is situated in Kaafu Atoll and provides a striking view of the blue water stretching beyond your eyes can see. The beach has some kind of power that will rejuvenate you. The sandy beach is a perfect path to walk on with your partner and you will feel being closer to nature. As the beach is located near a Muslim area, try to dress up properly and avoid flaunting your body as much as you can. The beach is ideal to take an evening romantic walk.

2. Reethi Beach

If you are looking for a beach in the Maldives where you can taste luxury then you must visit Reethi Beach. The beach is the finest example of luxury combined with the amazing view of white sand dotted with palm trees and striking water. It is more of a honeymoon ideal beach. There are many villas and fancy restaurants located nearby where you can make your stay to taste the flavour of luxury.

3. Cocoa Island

Cocoa Island is amongst the most famous beaches in Maldives and famous for being an exotic beach. The beach is located close to Guraidhoo channel and Kandoom channel making you get closer to the marine life. There are many luxury villas and resorts located nearby the beach where you can make your stay if your budget allows you. The beach is also a home to many spa centers and you can experience authentic spa sessions.

There are many beaches in the Maldives for the fact that it is an archipelago of 1000 of islands. However, these 3 stand on the top of the list and are the best beaches of the island country. Make sure to make a visit to them and experience what a real beach life experience means.

The Internet of Things is Growing, and Reshaping the Traveling Experience

by Leave a Comment

The way we travel has profoundly changed over the last couple of decades. No longer do we need to meticulously prepare by digging out maps, carry large amounts of foreign currency on us, and queue to get a last-minute train ticket. We can book our tickets online in seconds, navigate cities that we’ve never seen before with the help of our smartphone, and even translate what the local grocery shop owner is telling us on the spot.

But it seems that it is time to go even further: The Internet of Things technology is again redefining the traveling experience.

The Internet of Things is Growing Fast

The Internet of Things (IoT for short) refers to the global network of connected smart devices that are able to communicate and exchange information through the internet. These interconnected devices open up new possibilities and are able to function without human monitoring. Even though the idea was first discussed back in the 1980s and 1990s, it took a long time until the tech finally caught up with the visionaries. Now, it seems it is getting bigger than many thought possible: There are already more IoT devices all over the world than there are people. It is estimated that in 2017 alone, 8.4 billion devices were used, which signals a 31% rise from 2016.

According to the same source, the number of IoT devices worldwide will reach roughly 20.4 billion by 2020, while the industry saw $772.5 in spending in 2018 – a rise of 15% compared to $674 billion in 2017. It is also projected that the total spending will reach $1 trillion by 2020 and $1.1 trillion the year after that. One of the main issues that developers worry about is API security, since IoT devices still have a lot of potential vulnerabilities that hackers could exploit. An API (Application Programming Interface) is the software that allows IoT applications and devices to communicate with each other, exchange information, and even control other devices. APIs, however, are vulnerable to popular hacker attacks like SQL injections, DDoS and XSS.

What Does IoT Mean for Travelers?

If the industry is able to adequately address these concerns, then IoT could truly revolutionize traveling. Travel applications that harness IoT tech could provide real-time information to travelers such as connecting flight delays and instructions on how to navigate the airport. They could also be used to tailor the traveling experience. Sensors installed in airplane seats could focus on measuring physical aspects like body temperature and anxiety level and readjust lights and temperature or alert the cabin crew.

Accommodation providers could use connected devices to allow travelers to tailor their room to their liking by scheduling the heaters, the television, or a wake-up phone call. Hotels could also use IoT to equip guests with electronic keys that would arrive on their smartphones and enable them to check in independently. Finally, by installing sensors around cities, especially on public transport and spots of significance to visitors, tourists could receive real-time information about their surroundings. This could help them navigate the city more easily, find their way around major sightseeing spots, and locate parking lots and public transport stops.

IoT is used across a variety of industries already, from smart homes to construction. As we move forward, more and more applications especially designed for traveling will optimize the tourist experience.

Where Are The Top 5 Coolest Movie Cars Now

by Leave a Comment

Many movies are most remembered for the cool cars they featured, and not much else. But what has become of these incredibly iconic movie vehicles?

A great many movies are known far more for the cool cars featured in them, as opposed to anything else. But then, that is probably the idea the filmmakers were going for. After all, what will make your motion picture live on more than having audiences dazzled by a flashy set of four wheels?

But, what happens to those cool cars after shooting has wrapped and the movie has hit cinema screens? Furthermore, what happens to those iconic vehicles years, or even decades later? Let’s take a look at 5 of some of the coolest movie cars in history, and where they are now.

James Bond’s Aston Martin DB5

Few are willing to argue against the Aston Martin DB5 being one of the coolest cars in film, ever. If that wasn’t enough, many even argue that the film the car appeared in, Goldfinger, is the best Bond flick to date. You are welcome to your own opinion on both subjects, of course, but what we’re here to find out is what happened to the cars used in the film.

It turns out that two DB5s were loaned by the British manufacturer for filming, with chassis numbers DP216/1 and DB5/1486/R. One had the gadgets modified into it, while the other was used for close-up and driving scenes. After filming the standard DB5/1486/R was sold in 1969 to Jerry Lee, a radio DJ, for $12,000. He sold it in 2010 for $4.1 million. DP216/1 was stolen, sadly, and has not been seen since 1997.

James Bond’s Lotus Esprit Submarine

The Lotus Esprit in The Spy Who Loved me is hugely famous, mainly due to the fact that it turned into a submarine. Astonishingly, the car in the film was actually a working car submarine. Nicknamed Wet Nellie, the modified Esprit went on a promotional tour, after which it was stashed away and forgotten about. Wet Nellie resurfaced in an auction, and was subsequently bought by Elon Musk for £550 000. He vowed to restore it to its former glory.

Eleanor – Gone in 60 Seconds

The 2000 version of Gone in 60 Seconds was not the favourite movie of many, but it did have a 1967 Shelby Mustang GT500 that everyone loved, and it soon became one of the more iconic cars ever used in a movie. The film used a grand total of 11 of these classic cars, though most were drastically reshaped and modified to house cameras. The main Shelby used for beauty shots, however, serial number 7R02C179710, was auctioned for $1 million and can now be seen at auto shows.

V8 Pursuit Special – Mad Max

The Ford Falcon GT in the original Mad Max was drastically modified for shooting, and given to stuntman Murray Smith as payment for his work, since there was very little budget to go around. But when Mad Max 2 came around, with a bit more of a more budget, the Falcon returned to the hands of director George Miller, to once again be drastically modified for shooting. Today the Falcon resides in Dezer Museum, Miami.

DeLorean – Back to the Future

Last we have the legendary DeLorean from the Back to The Future films. 7 DeLoreans were used across the film franchise, with only 3 alive today. 2 are on display in Universal Studio theme parks, and the last was sold to an anonymous collector for $541,000.

The other 4 were sadly, scrapped for parts. The destroyed shell of one hung briefly in a Planet Hollywood in Hawaii, but has disappeared after the restaurant closed its doors many years ago. So, if you want to see a genuine Back to The Future DeLorean, it will be at Universal Studios theme parks, or it will involve tracking down the collector who is doing who knows what with it…