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Best places to visit in Egypt

Home to the legendary Pharaohs, Egypt is a mesmerizing land with temples and tombs wowing everybody who visits. But these are not all historical gems.

There is something for everyone here with thousands of acres of deserts, excellent scuba diving, as well as the historic Museums.

Egypt has plenty of locations to choose from for tourists, it is the ideal place that blends history, exploration, and tranquility with a mix of various experiences. If you plan a visit this year, here is a list of must-go places for you.

Grand Egyptian Museum

The Grand Egyptian Museum has been constructed a little outside from the city center of Cairo, very near to the Giza Pyramids. The museum is structured in such a way that the structure not only contains the artifacts but also makes them prominent It has been built to be not only a safely and securely to store and display the heritage of Egypt (especially of Tutankhamun, royal Egyptian Pharaoh) but rather to help to develop a more interactive and pleasant visitor environment. Although some may still wonder why the destination is moving away from Cairo’s heart, it is quite obviously a very calculated move that will help visitors. The museum will be opening this year – and tourists will be able to explore the fascinating riches of Ancient Egypt with Luxor and Aswan Travel via one of their Egyptologist travel agents deals for Egypt tours. You better not miss this chance if you wish to make the start of your 2020 memorable.

The Islamic Cairo

You might have heard a lot about the temples, pyramids and the tombs but this year go a step further and to the streets of Egypt that is not commonly credited much. The scenic, narrow streets of the Islamic Cairo area of the capital are lined with mosques, madrassas (Islamic learning schools) and monuments from the Fatimid to the Mamluk era. And here is where you will enter Khan El-Khalili’s labyrinth shopping souk, where coppersmiths and craftsmen still have their tiny studios, and vendor stalls filled with pottery, handicrafts, spices, and fragrances. Inhabiting the marketplace is a muddle of roads, home to many of the old Islamic civilizations’ most stunning surviving architectures. There seems to be a lot of knowledge to discover here.

The White Desert

The dopiest world heritage site of Egypt is indeed the White Desert, where bewilderingly formed chalk mountains have produced what looks like a frozen fantasyland amidst the arid desert plains. The surroundings here feel like something out of a sci-fi film, with blinding white rocks and iceberg-like peaks. In any desert on the planet, the amount of unearthly and stunning wind-carved outcroppings made up in the style of massive mushrooms or pebbles is unparalleled. The desert is a snowy, creamy colored place and has huge chalk rock formations formed in the field as a product of periodic sandstorms. This uncommon desert is definitely worth a visit for you to see how much of the surprises the planet has in stores for us.

Siwa Oasis

Siwa is the serene antidote to the hustle of the towns and villages of Egypt. Encircled by date palm plantations and countless freshwater springs, this magnificent little oasis is among the most secluded spots in the Western Desert. The town is built around the remains of an immense mud-brick fortress overwhelming the sight. This is a prime spot for winding down and going slow for a couple of days, besides being an excellent choice from which to prepare trips into the desert.

Red Sea Resort, Hurghada

The Red Sea resort in Hurghada, which was established in the early 20th century, took on a growing boom owing to the visitors in the 1980s. Today’s Hurghada consists of three main centers and several tourism sites located within themselves. To the north exists Ed-Dahar, which guests over half of the current locals, as well as many of the more expensive places, restaurants and tourist bazaar in Hurghada. New Hurghada has a special focus on market restaurants and hotels. This whole evolution has placed Hurghada among the most famous beach towns on the Red Sea coast in Egypt. Hotels and improved amenities have excellent marine services for sailboarding, windsurfing, deep-sea fishing, SCUBA diving and snorkeling for vacationers.

Alexandria

Alexandria, most Western of Egypt’s metropolises, has a legacy that cannot compare plenty of others.

Established for its whole by Alexander the Great, Cleopatra’s birthplace, and razzmatazz renegade Mediterranean city, this seaside city has an enticing, day-by-day aura that does not have a match.

While today there are very few historical remains of its glorious past — feasted in music and paperbacks — it is a place that makes for goalless strolling through the Corniche shoreline, café-hopping, and shopping for souks.

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Plan Your Retirement So You Can Live the Life You Deserve

Men and women rarely know how to go about planning their retirement. They may lack information on one step or find themselves completely lost on how to start the process. Retirement planning involves five steps. A person must know when to save for retirement, determine how much money they will need to retire and live the lifestyle they desire, set their priorities, choose which accounts to put their money in, and select investments.

Experts recommend people invest aggressively when they are young. As they get older, they should move to a more conservative mix of investments. This move protects their money if one or more investments take a downturn. Men and women may choose to manage their retirement savings or turn this task over to a professional. King of Kash recognizes many people struggle to save for retirement and provides the following information on the five steps of retirement planning to help these men and women.

When Can a Person Retire? 

Individuals may retire at any time. When they do so depend on whether they have the funds to replace the income they have been bringing in. People in the U.S. cannot begin drawing Social Security benefits until they turn 62, although Congress has discussed raising this age. However, individuals must understand that the earlier a person files, the less they draw in benefits.

Individuals born in 1960 or later find they cannot draw full social security benefits until they turn 67. Nevertheless, if they hold off on claiming their benefits until the age of 70, they increase the amount they get each month. Some people choose to leave the workforce early while others continue working after they can draw Social Security. Many men and women choose to work part-time rather than retiring outright. This is a matter of choice. However, planning is key to the retirement you desire.

When Should You Start Planning Your Retirement? 

People need to start planning their retirement in their 20s. However, it never hurts to begin this process as soon as you get your first job. By starting early, you have more time to allow your money to grow. Don’t despair if your 20s have come and gone. Begin saving right away. The more you put away now, the more you will have later to live the life you desire. If you put your money in the right investments, you’ll find you can catch up quicker than you imagined.

Determine How Much You Will Need When You Retire

The amount a person will need to retire comfortably depends on their income and expenses. One thing people often overlook when calculating this amount is the fact that their expenses will likely change as they get older. Experts recommend a person should plan to replace at least 70 percent of their annual income before retirement with their savings and social security. However, it is helpful to replace 90 percent of this income if possible.

Prioritize Financial Goals

Many people have financial goals outside of retirement. They need to be factored into the process when calculating your retirement needs. For example, one person may work to build an emergency fund so they don’t need to use a credit card when an unexpected situation arises. Another person may find they need to pay down credit card debt. Try to work on all financial goals at the same time.

This is particularly important when an employer matches contributions to your retirement plan. This allows you to build your retirement faster without taking additional funds out of your own pocket.

Select the Right Retirement Plan

People may know how much they must save but find they don’t know where to put the funds they are accumulating. A 401(k) remains the best option for individuals who have access to this or another employer retirement plan. If this option isn’t offered where you work, open a personal retirement account. Look for a plan that offers tax advantages and a savings incentive, much like the matching contributions offered by many employers.

Once these plans are in place, max them out each year. Additional funds may be placed in an IRA. Work with an online broker or account provider to establish this account. Options to consider include the 401(k), a Roth IRA, a traditional IRA, or a simple IRA. Speak with a financial advisor to learn about all options and which may be right for your situation.

Choose Investments

Individuals find they gain access to a variety of investments when they open a retirement account. Some people choose to invest in stocks and bonds while others prefer mutual funds. Finding the right combination of investments requires knowing how much time you have to build the fund before the money is needed. In addition, the investor must know the level of risk they feel comfortable with when it comes to their retirement funds.

People should invest aggressively when they are young. If an investment fails and the funds are lost, they have time to rebuild the fund before retirement. As your retirement age gets closer, move the investments to conservative options. Market fluctuations won’t be of much concern when you become more cautious with your investing.

One thing many investors do that they shouldn’t is put their money into investments and never reevaluate their investment strategy. Needs change as your situation changes. For example, a person needs to rethink their investment strategy when they get married or have children. These major life changes impact the funds they will need at retirement. Take time to reevaluate your investment strategy yearly so you don’t unintentionally fall behind in saving for your later years.

Don’t monitor your investments on a daily basis. The stock market experiences ups and downs. When you put retirement funds into the market, do so with the intention of allowing the funds to sit for the long term. By only monitoring the funds monthly, you won’t panic when you see a major dip or choose to sell when the market has a significant upturn. There’s less temptation to deviate from the plan you created when you only check the accounts monthly. Stay on the path you set and you’ll find you are prepared for retirement when the time comes for you to stop working and live life to the fullest.

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Healthy Weight Loss Programs

The health and wellbeing of anyone is one of the most important aspects of their life. This is true regardless of who you are or where in the world you happen to live. There is a lot to be said about the fact that health and wellbeing have always been two instrumental aspects of who we are. And over the years this has not changed. However, what has changed is that there has been a significant amount of attention to detail and overall emphasis placed not only on how we understand and appreciate health and wellbeing from a collective perspective but also how we do from an individual standpoint as well. Today, we are living in an area where there is more awareness and understanding of the true value of health and wellbeing. And this is truly expected to be just the start.

More active prioritisation of health and wellbeing

Today more than ever, more and more individuals around the globe are focusing on prioritising their health and wellbeing. This is very much a response to the fact that we are living in a world that is far more interested and invested in opportunity than it has ever been before. Having access to information is another way has been one of the biggest saving grace is for individuals and how they approach their own health and wellbeing as well as how they approach it from a collective perspective as well. There is more of an active prioritisation on health and wellbeing today than that has ever been before. And it continues to become more important individuals across the board and around the globe.

The value of investing in healthy weight loss programs

Investing in a healthy weight loss program is a fantastic way for individuals to focus on their health. Healthy weight loss programs are essentially all about giving you the materials and tools to be able to form a meaningful and sustainable approach to waste management and overall health and wellbeing without listening to unhealthy standards or practices to be able to achieve those results. The value of investing and healthy weight loss programs speaks for itself. There is a tremendous amount to be said for the fact that when you invest in high quality approaches, they often last longer and have more positive impacts. And this is no different when it comes to finding a weight loss program that works for you.

Why this is genuinely just the start

There is quite a lot to be said about the fact that the inclination towards healthy and responsible weight loss programs has begun to really grow into its own recent years. Even so, this is very much expected to be just the tip of the iceberg with the best still being definitively yet to come. This is genuinely just the start for the healthy weight loss program because as time goes on and individuals become more aware and understanding of the impact that their weight loss programs have on their health, they become more focused than ever on actively prioritising it in the most convenient and efficient way possible.

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PM Kisan Yojana Installment

PM Kisan Yojana Installment will be credited in Accounts of beneficiaries through DBT Mode. This will be the 9th Installment which will be given to farmers in all Over India. In this Installment of PM Kisan Yojana you will get financial assistance of Rs 6000/- through Direct Bank Transfer in Aadhar Link Bank Accounts. You can get all information related to PM Kisan Yojana Installment like Beneficiary List, 9th Installment date of PM Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana and answer all your FAQs and PM Kisan Status Check.

PM Kisan 9th Installment August 2021

See the points below to grab all the information about PM Kisan Latest 9th Installment.

  • This is the 9th Installment of PM Kisan Yojana.
  • This benefit will be credited into the accounts of farmers on 9th August 2021.
  • You will get benefits of Rs 6000/- annually to get social security throughout the year.
  • PM Modi initiated this yojana in order to empower Indian marginalized farmers.

PM Kisan Yojana Beneficiary List August 2021

Beneficiary list for PM Kisan Yojana is a list of enrolled farmers which are eligible to get benefits under PM Kisan Samman Nidhi yojana. You can see your name in list through the official portal which is pmkisan.gov.in. This month on 9th august new installment of yojana will be released for farmers, now you must assure your name in beneficiary list August 2021 to ensure benefits.

  • Beneficiary list is available on block and village level.
  • This list can be checked online on official portal pmkisan.gov.in.
  • This list has names of all the eligible beneficiaries who can claim Benefit under PM Kisan Yojana.

How to See PM Kisan Beneficiary List on Pmkisan.gov.in?

Follow the points below to check PM Kisan Beneficiary List on pmkisan.gov.in.

  • Open your Browser and visit pmkisan.gov.in.
  • Now click on the beneficiary list on the right panel of the Homepage.
  • Now you have to select your State, then District, Block and then Village.
  • Click on the Submit button and see the list below.
  • Search for your name in the list.
  • If you can’t find your name in the beneficiary list then check your Pmkisan.gov.in Status.
  • All eligible beneficiaries have their name in the PM Kisan Yojana Beneficiary list.

PM Kisan All Installment List 2021

Installment Number Period of Benefit
Ist Installment December-March 2018-19
IInd Installment April-July 2019-20
IIIrd Installment August-November 2019-20
IVth Installment December-March 2019-20
Vth Installment April-July 2020-21
VIth Installment August-November 2020-21
VIIth Installment December-March 2020-21
VIIIth Installment April-July 2021-22
IXth Installment August-November 2021-22

Important Links

Official Website pmkisan.gov.in
Beneficiary List https://pmkisan.gov.in/Rpt_BeneficiaryStatus_pub.aspx
Aadhar Information Update https://pmkisan.gov.in/UpdateAadharNoByFarmer.aspx
Status check https://pmkisan.gov.in/BeneficiaryStatus.aspx

FAQs About PM Kisan 9th Installment in August 2021 

  • How to check beneficiary list for 9th Installment August 2021?
  • You can download beneficiary list through direct link above or visit pmkisan.gov.in
  • When will PM Kisan Yojana 9th Installment credit into farmers bank account?
  • It will be credited into the beneficiaries account on 9th August 2021, you can check your bank account statement on 10th august 2021 to see benefit in your account.
  • How to update Aadhar details for correction in PM Kisan Yojana?
  • You can click on the direct link above to update or correct Aadhar details in PM Kisan Yojana.
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Astounding Benefits of PMP Training

The benefits of Project Management Professional training are numerous. Most project managers vie for these benefits.

Even though Project Management Professional certification is universally accepted, getting into a PMP course is not easy.

There is a strict set of eligibility criteria that PMP follows. To apply for a PMP certificate, you need to have a four-year bachelor’s degree, project management studies comprising 35 hours, directing and leading project experience of 4500 hours.

However, you can still avail of PMP benefits if you don’t meet the above criteria. You need to have a diploma or a secondary degree. Along with that degree, you’ll need 35 hours of project management studies and 7500 hours of experience in directing and leading projects.

Now that you know the eligibility criteria for PMP let us discuss the benefits of PMP training

PMP Training Benefits

  • You have the mandatory requirement that most companies are on the hunt for. This instantly makes you valuable as you have a PMP certificate.
  • Be ready to welcome an increase in salary by 20% in your company. This is one of the most lucrative benefits of PMP.
  • In India, you can have a salary expectation of 1800,000 INR after completion of your PMP certificate.
  • You can weaponise the knowledge you have gained to complete your projects.
  • You’ll have elite-level access to PMP clubs. Here you can meet PMP members who are globally popular for their knowledge.
  • You become effective in corporate communication. You will find yourself speaking the same PMI jargon that your clients do. The course equips you with the language you will require to communicate.
  • It allows you to volunteer with PMI and make a contribution to the community. This allows you to network and meet other PMPs and learn from their practices.
  • You will be preferred over non-PMPs when it comes to securing a job and projects.
  • It gives you access to multiple job openings. According to the Anderson Economic Group report, you’ll have access to around 1.2 million job openings.
  • You know firsthand the latest changes and additions to your subject.
  • This is the stepping stone to Agile training if you wish to pursue it a few years down the line.
  • The PMP that you’ll have at the end of your name will boost your confidence. An additional boost would be the learning environment you take away from good places such as KnowledgeHut.

Final Thoughts

You can observe that the motivation for PMP training is far greater than any reservations you might have in your mind that is holding you back. PMP works as the ultimate step to one’s career. Getting enrolled for a PMP course that lasts a few months will let you enjoy its benefits for a lifetime.

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How To Start A Career In Cybersecurity

Cybersecurity professionals are in high demand as businesses, and government organizations strive to secure their systems and mitigate cyber-attacks.

Besides the lucrative remuneration, the industry has a Zero Percent unemployment rate. Considering the increasing demand for security experts and the many perks offered by employers, it seems now is the best time to start a career in cybersecurity.

Choose Your Career Path

When you decide to pursue a career in cybersecurity, it’s important to decide which career path is most ideal for you. Before thinking about education, you ought to consider the two primary career paths in cybersecurity. And whichever career path you choose, there are multiple job options you can choose from, based on your specific skill set and interests.

  1. Cybersecurity Operations and Leadership Route

The first option revolves around cybersecurity operations and leadership. This route requires a wide skillset and an appetite for continuous learning. To succeed in this role, you need to have a thorough understanding of IT systems and processes, strong leadership capabilities and diverse cybersecurity risk management skills.

Cybersecurity professionals with substantial specialized education and experience can pursue lucrative job options, including:

  • Information Security Analyst
  • Lead Software Security Engineer
  • Chief Information Security Officer
  • Global Information Security Director
  • Cybersecurity Analyst
  • Cybersecurity Consultant
  • Cybersecurity Engineer
  • Cybersecurity Specialist
  • Cybersecurity Architect

Cybersecurity Engineering Route

The second option to consider is the cybersecurity engineering option. This career path is best suited to people with engineering education and work experience. Most importantly, you should be interested in learning about building secure systems and mitigating threats.

Information security engineers with adequate education and refined skill set for building secure systems can find various jobs, including:

  • Cybersecurity Architect
  • Lead Software Security Engineer
  • Cybersecurity Engineer

Education and Certifications

Earning a cybersecurity degree is the first step towards launching your career in the lucrative field. If you have a background in information security, the options can be diverse.

Most people aiming to climb up the cybersecurity career ladder often start with an undergraduate degree in computer science, information systems, and information technology. After gaining adequate experience in the field, you can pursue a master’s degree in IT or cybersecurity operations to expand your opportunities and improve your appeal for higher-level positions.

If you are considering the engineering route in cybersecurity, you can start with a degree in engineering before seeking specialized experience in cybersecurity. You can accomplish this either through direct work experience or through a master’s degree program in cybersecurity.

Regardless of the career path you choose, education in cybersecurity is vital. Typically, the primary reason for the burgeoning skills gap in cybersecurity is that employers have trouble finding professionals with advanced education and high-level skills needed in this field.

In order to secure a cybersecurity job quickly, you need to earn industry certifications in specific areas and subject matter that you specialize in. Some of the most sought-after certifications in the cybersecurity industry include:

  • CompTIA Security+
  • Certified Information Security Manager (CISM)
  • Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)
  • Global Information Assurance Certification (GIAC)
  • Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA)
  • Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH)

Job Roles and Opportunities in Cybersecurity

While the increasing incidents of cybercrime are nothing to celebrate, it means now is the most appropriate time to jumpstart your career in cybersecurity.

Typically, cybersecurity professionals have diverse responsibilities, but their main job is to secure online data. As more and more business and personal data is stored online, it is becoming more important to beef up cybersecurity, and there is a growing number of unfilled cybersecurity positions. Notably, the jobs are projected to grow since cyber threats are getting more sophisticated and businesses struggle to recruit security experts with the right skill set and knowledge.

However, cybersecurity careers tend to be complex as many different roles can be found with banks, retailers, and government agencies. And due to the rising frequency of sophisticated cyber-attacks, career requirements may vary, but qualified professionals are always in high demand.

If you want to get into this fast-paced career, below are some of the job roles you can get as a cybersecurity professional.

  • Security Specialist -Often entry-level role with a huge potential for growth
  • Security Administrator –Ensure the smooth running of security systems
  • Security Manager –manage a team of experts keeping systems secure
  • Chief Information Security Officer –Possess diverse expertise in systems security and business acumen
  • Security Director –Design security protocols, policies, and rules and solve complex security problems
  • Security Engineer –Design and build IT security systems for organizations
  • Incident Responder – prevent cyber threats and respond after threat incidents
  • Security Architect – Design tough security systems to outsmart cybercriminals
  • Security Auditor -Find the most vulnerable spots in security systems before criminals
  • Security Consultant – Provide expert advice and implement security solutions
  • Vulnerability Assessor -Identify system vulnerabilities and design appropriate security solutions

Conclusion

We are in the digital era, and almost all businesses in every industry require a security professional with the skillset to build secure systems and prevent cyber threats. With the burgeoning shortage of qualified cybersecurity personnel, now is the most appropriate time to start a career in cybersecurity.

If you have the right education and adequate experience in information security, there are plenty of lucrative job opportunities across various sectors.

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The growth of e-commerce and some common problems faced by online retailers

The impact the internet and e-commerce have had on the retail industry is undeniable. However, while commerce experts have been predicting for many years that the e-com sector would soon overtake traditional high street sales, it’s only relatively recently that the online shopping model has taken off.

In 2019, just 14.1% of all global retail sales were made on e-com sites – by 2023, that figure is forecast to rise to 22%. With the meteoric rise of commercial titans like Amazon, Walmart, and Target, it seems populations globally are finally waking up to the convenience of shopping online – plus the substantial savings it can bring.

Moreover, from a retailer’s perspective, the online model offers significant benefits over real-world stores, including operating 24/7/365 at a fraction of the cost of holding stock in commercial premises. From automation to secure purchasing online and improved customer relations, the e-com style of selling is (in most ways) a dream come true for the majority of retailers.

The dangers presented by the e-com model

However, while moving online makes good sense for most retail operations, some associated risks are associated with e-retailing. As you might expect in such a high-worth sector, the dangers posed by cybercriminals are ever-present – though there are many other considerations retailers often overlook.

If you’re looking at embracing e-com technology – or even if you’re already operating – below are some of the most common problems faced by retailers online.

Shopping cart abandonment: One of the most frustrating and problematic areas of running an online store is the phenomenon of Shopping Cart Abandonment (SCA). In an SCA episode, a customer will browse the retailer’s site filling their cart with goods, only to suddenly become distracted by something else or simply leave the store without purchasing. Unfortunately, the problem is endemic across all e-com companies – big or small – and costs firms millions each year. Indeed, evidence shows 68% of all shopping carts are abandoned before transferring into a sale – and, in some cases, that figure can be as high as 80%.

Promo or coupon code abuse: Retailers typically run promo code discounts to gain new customers or encourage existing clients to make repeat sales. While these promotions can often be hugely successful, they are nonetheless extremely vulnerable to coupon abuse. The scale of the code abuse problem can run from the relatively innocuous (e.g., a customer creating a fake account to gain a small percentage discount on clothing) to potentially financially crippling scams developed by cybercriminals to fraudulently generate vast sums of money. In particular, referral codes where one user recommends another in return for a discount or financial reward are particularly prone – and very difficult to protect against.

Cyberattacks: Where there is money to be made, you can be sure the fraudsters won’t be far behind, and the e-com industry is no exception, unfortunately. In recent years, cybercriminals have become increasingly more inventive and sophisticated in the types of attacks they’re launching against both online stores and their customers. From launching Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks against sites to phishing scams masquerading as a recognized company to brute force attacks to hack into a site’s underlying code and database, the tactics used by online criminals are as varied as they are dangerous. For the best protection against online criminals, you should look at entrusting the development and running of your site and its e-com functions to a trusted web design company, host, and security provider.

Developing customer and brand loyalty: While selling online drastically cuts a shop’s overhead in terms of staff, stock, and premises, this reduction in interpersonal contact also presents another problem – namely, that it’s much harder to develop a relationship with consumers through technology and a screen. However, if a company doesn’t succeed in building brand loyalty, it will ultimately struggle. Research shows it costs five times more to source a new customer than it does to retain an existing one – plus the old Pareto Principle states just 20% of a firm’s clients generate around 80% of its sales. To combat the problem, try installing a live chat function on your site to encourage your trustworthiness and develop communication with potential customers. You should also be fully transparent with your contact details/terms and conditions and also ensure you provide the best possible customer experience and support. Customer Relationship Management (CRM) software can largely automate the task of customer care and support.

Returns and refunds: Shoppers will inevitably return goods from time to time – however, how you handle returns is vitally important if your e-com venture is to succeed. Somewhat unsurprisingly, given the blind nature of buying online, over 60% of all e-com shoppers check a store’s returns policy before making a purchase – with 80% saying that overly complex returns or refunds policies put them off buying in the first place.

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6 Reasons Why Companies Invest in Branding (make BRAND of brand)

Branding is the most misjudged term…

 

But it’s still not the saddest part.

 

The saddest is when even the reputed branding companies have a veiling confusion regarding it.

 

Some think logo design is branding…

Others think a trademark name is branding…

 

Different branding agencies perceive branding differently.

 

But a very few top branding companies understand branding is way more than

 

  • brand colors
  • packagings
  • brand voice
  • design
  • tagline

 

Branding is

 

  • how everyone perceives you and your business
  • what goes into their minds when they hear of you
  • what memories have they attached to you
  • where do they stand with you— emotionally

 

So if you’re selling products quickly and in large quantities like hotcakes— there’s no proper reason why you wouldn’t invest in branding.

 

Let’s find out the benefits of investment in branding, NOW!

 

Roll your eyeballs now.

 

Investment benefit #1: Branding has a psychological effect on customers

 

Customers love brands!

 

Period.

 

You must have seen Apple or Nintendo fans taking pride in their favorite brands.

 

Why?

 

It’s only because they feel enthusiastic holding their devices.

 

You can sense a hint of happiness on their faces.

 

These brands can truly release dopamine hormones in their bodies— the hormone that keeps them happy.

 

But that’s not the only impact branding has on people.

 

Some psychological studies say branding can improve your customer’s performance. (1)

 

branding and their psychological effects

 

  • enhances an individual’s self-concept
  • tames performance anxiety where individuals feel anxious
  • helps concentrate in work

 

Think of it this way— you can’t wait to wear the Nike Shoes you just ordered.

 

The hunger for instant gratification wouldn’t die, and you need the order the very next hour.

 

And when the shoe arrives— you’re ironically high over heels.

 

That’s what branding does!

 

Investment benefit #2: Charge your worth with a clear brand

 

We have seen people struggle for years despite being experts in their niches.

 

What could be the reason?

 

Well, they never made themselves a brand.

 

They would charge way less than what they deserved for their experiences and insights.

 

Could they have avoided it?

 

Of course, if they worked on a solid brand establishment.

 

Many businesses bet their investments on building positive brand equity.

 

Positive brand equity:

 

  • increases the profit margin per consumer
  • skyrockets the sales volumes
  • gravitates consumers towards the brands
  • helps charge higher than the competitors

 

See! Whatever branding helps with is not rocket science.

 

It is a way to communicate your work quality constantly— if you make it good, they offer and pay you more!

 

Investment benefit #3: Open your clogged sales funnel

 

Just look around!

 

What is it you’re selling that others are not?

 

Sorry to say, but there’s hardly any product or service.

 

No matter what the niche is— you’re going to find healthy competition choking up your breath.

 

It is why most customers never move past the “prospect” stage in the sales cycle.

 

And over time, all you have is a clogged sales funnel.

 

Branding helps your customers tell:

 

  • we’re the ones you’re looking for
  • we’ll solve all your problems
  • you’re in safe and capable hands

 

You have to reach out to your customers’ ears and tell them: it’s us— the perfect fit for you, not them.

 

Better brand message = qualified leads = higher conversion rate.

 

Investment benefit #4: Get hold of the new customers

 

Branding is nothing but creating a safe space in your customer’s head.

 

Have you done that yet for your business?

 

Take it this way: would you recommend or refer to a jeans brand if you didn’t remember their names?

 

Even if you want to, you can’t do much about it.

 

And it’s not your fault.

 

The jeans company couldn’t drop memorable imprints on your head.

 

Why customers need to recognize and remember your brand

 

  • You want them to speak goody-good talks about you. Why is it crucial? 64% of marketers believe “word-of-mouth” marketing is the most effective form of marketing. (2)
  • You wish they promote your brand at a cheaper and effective cost than paid ads.
  • Brand awareness lasts longer.
  • Word-of-mouth marketing can get you five times more sales than paid marketing.

 

So if you’re looking to acquire new customers, instead of putting efforts into acquiring them, try leaving memorable imprints on your existing customers.

 

You’re not only satisfying the subsisting customers but also making way for the new ones.

 

Look! You’re anyway going to please your current customers.

 

Do it in a way they go all ballistic about your services.

 

Investment benefit #5: Keep floating when the tides are high

 

Non-branded businesses blow away in the first spurt when the economic storm arrives.

 

You don’t have to look far!

 

The global pandemic has devastated small businesses on a grand scale.

 

Businesses not only have their feet axed, but they’ve disappeared completely.

 

But who all survived?

 

Only the strong brands who invested in creating visibility.

 

The best time to spend in branding

 

  • When your business is on a roll
  • When there’s a good inflow of customers’ attraction
  • Avoid spending when the business is looking to collapse

 

Surviving an economic turmoil is not easy when you start late.

 

But if you have got a head start before the economic storm shows up— chances are high you’ll survive the hardship.

 

Investment benefit #6: You attract the ideal customers

 

A customer buys with emotions and justifies with logic… but they only show interest in your business when you and them share the same values.

 

You, as a brand, need to define what you stand for.

 

If you send your message loud and clear, you’re likely to attract the right set of audience for you.

 

For example,

 

If you sell luxurious cars… your branding needs to be in line.

 

You have to propose values that match your client’s needs.

 

In this case, you’d like to have high-quality commercials, sell means-end benefits with your product, and resonate with their values.

 

Everything you put up in your branding effort should match your ideal customer’s values.

 

How you attract better clients

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  1. Understand your target audience
  2. Build a specific brand image according to them
  3. Evaluate the current reputation of your brand
  4. Avoid practices and services that match with customers’ values
  5. Stay consistent in the value proposition

 

Things we learned…

 

Number 1… branding offers the “feel good” factors to your customers.

 

Number 2… branding lets you charge ferociously.

 

Number 3… branding pushes customers deeper into the sales funnel.

 

Number 4… branding gets you the new customers from the existing customers.

 

Number 5… branding keeps your neck floating in the economic tsunami.

 

Number 6… branding has you linked with the ideal customers.

 

The final call…

 

Branding is an expensive investment… There’s hardly any counterargument to it.

 

But you can save money and still increase profit.

 

Here’s how:

 

  1. Outsource brand marketing
  2. Spend only on the tested and effective methods
  3. Don’t hesitate in trying cheap marketing tricks
  4. Go for DIY marketing if it’s possible
  5. Let influencers take awareness to distance
  6. Reward your customers for branding you
  7. Say no to expensive marketing

 

Sources

 

  1. https://gatton.uky.edu/faculty-research/research/2019/psychological-effects-branding
  2. https://www.semrush.com/blog/word-of-mouth-stats/

 

Author Bio: Brijesh Jakharia

 

Brijesh Jakharia co-founded SPINX Digital in 2005 and takes great pride in crafting web and mobile marketing solutions for mid-market businesses to enterprises. Marketing is his passion, and the thrill to build a brand from the ground up has helped him craft successful brand stories for world-class clients. While not at work, he loves to spend his time on research and reading digital content stories.

Categories
General

Understanding Complex Regional Pain Syndrome

The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke defines complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) as a rare autoimmune condition characterized by “excess and prolonged pain and inflammation following an injury to an individual’s arm, foot, hand, or leg.” Most people develop this condition after surgery or tissue-related injury.

 

According to the Spero Clinic, one the leading CRPS treatment centers in the country, what differentiates CRPS from other conditions that develop after an injury, fracture, or sprain is the resulting pain, which is usually persistent, severe, intense, and long-lasting. It’s important to note that the pain and complications arising from CRPS can sometimes spread and impact the entire body.

 

People with this condition tend to experience spontaneous pain or debilitating pain that’s much more than what is expected when recovering from surgery or an injury. In fact, it is described as an “uncommon form of chronic pain.” That’s not to mean that those with CRPS don’t get better— most people make a full recovery. However, symptoms can persist for months or even years for some people. There are also cases where CRPS recurs after recovery. Here’s what else you need to know:

 

How Common is Complex Regional Pain Syndrome?

Your doctor may have mentioned that your symptoms following a fracture, injury, or surgery could possibly be a chronic neuro-inflammatory disorder— and CRPS in particular. You may have even wondered how common this condition is.

 

The United States Food and Drug Administration classifies CRPS as a rare and unusual type of neuro-inflammatory disorder that affects up to 200,000 people in the US every year. The autoimmune condition has also been shown to have an estimated incidence of about 26.2 per 100,000 person-years. Plus, it’s more prevalent in females (at least 3 times more) than in males.

CRPS has been divided into two categories depending on the causation or rather inciting event. They are:

 

  • CRPS Type 1. It’s the most common type with approximately 90 percent of all diagnosed CRPS cases. Involves cases that can’t be definitively linked or associated with specific nerve injury. Causation may include an initiating injurious event, such as a sprain, fracture, or tissue-related injury. May also develop following immobilization with a brace, cast, or splint.
  • CRPS Type 2. Occurs with documented and defined nerve injury.

 

However, there has been debate about these two categories since nerve damage has been reported in patients with CRPS-1 as well.

 

What are the Symptoms of CRPS?

As with most autoimmune conditions, the severity of symptoms associated with CRPS and how long they last vary widely. While some patients may fully recover within one to six months, others may experience recurring episodes over a long period of time. The resulting pain can become worse over time, spreading to other body areas or even the entire body. In addition to the debilitating pain, patients may experience the following symptoms:

 

  • Skin swelling in the affected area as a result of fluid build-up
  • Increased stiffness and loss of function in the affected limb
  • Abnormal or no sweating
  • Inconsistent changes in skin color and temperature
  • Changes in skin texture (looks thin and shiny)
  • Decreased or increased nail and hair growth
  • Limited range of motion and impaired muscle strength in the limb
  • Weakness and decreased ability to move the affected limbs
  • Painful and inflamed joints

 

Many patients with this chronic neuro-inflammatory disorder are sometimes seen as being psychologically different due to some of the symptoms they exhibit and complain about. This often results in stigmatization as people around the patient can’t understand the ‘mysterious’ pain. After all, they look normal. This stigma is exacerbated if it takes months for physicians to get a diagnosis of CRPS, as is the case with Tricia Skiba.

 

What are the Common Causes of CRPS?

First, CRPS is an autoimmune disorder that’s widely misunderstood and less known by physicians and other medical practitioners. This explains the increasing cases of misdiagnosis and wrong treatments given to patients.

 

While some scientists argue that CRPS develops due to general inflammation and dysfunction in a person’s sympathetic, peripheral, and/or central nervous systems, the exact cause hasn’t been clearly identified and understood. Some of the factors that are believed to contribute to the development of CRPS include limb immobilization (such bracing, splinting, and casting), surgery, fractures, sprains, strains, and other soft-tissue injuries.

 

CPRS Diagnosis and Testing

You may have been to a doctor’s office and they couldn’t run any diagnostic tests for your condition. Instead, they requested your medical history and asked questions to understand the symptoms you were experiencing. No lab tests. Only a thorough physical examination. That’s exactly how CPRS is diagnosed.

 

However, you must note that, in some cases, your physician may need to carry out MRI scans, X-Rays, bone scans, skin sensitivity tests, and blood tests. This is to help them rule out the possibility of other conditions with similar symptoms. It’s not uncommon for patients to receive a mistaken or delayed diagnosis of CRPS. As mentioned, the condition is not widely known which means you need to see a physician who is aware of and understands the signs of symptoms associated with CRPS.

 

CRPS Treatment

As with other medical conditions, early diagnosis and treatment are crucial to prevent serious complications. There are many conditions that have no cure, and CRPS is one of them. That doesn’t mean patients are doomed to live with the condition forever. No. Treatment often involves relieving the different symptoms and complications associated with CRPS. Treatment options include:

 

  • Medication and Drug Treatments such as Botox injections, antidepressants, Topical creams and patches, opioids, bisphosphonates, N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor antagonists, narcotics, corticosteroids, etc.
  • Physical therapy
  • Psychological support
  • Spinal cord stimulation
  • Intrathecal drug pumps
  • Surgical sympathectomy
  • Sympathetic nerve blocks
Categories
General

Preventing Plagiarism in Moodle with an Online Checker

Plagiarism has long been a source of concern in academia around the world. According to studies by US universities, nearly 36% of undergraduate students admit to plagiarism. With the increasing penetration of online content, the problem of plagiarism cannot be minimized.

Today’s technological advancements have made digital e-learning programs available to all students. Moodle is one such e-learning platform that is widely used by educators, students, and administrators. It is a free and open-source learning management system that is used for flipped classrooms, distance education, and other purposes. With all these applications, it is critical to ensure that student’s work is original and not plagiarised. This is where the Moodle plagiarism checker comes in useful.

How Moodle Detects Plagiarism?

Moodle is an excellent tool for communicating with educators and receiving feedback on projects and papers. It enables learner’s actions to be tracked and student’s work to be organized in a single location. The submitted content to Moodle can be scanned to detect plagiarism.

Moodle plagiarism is detected using various plugins that integrate into their system. The software scans the submitted assignment module proficiently to produce a report on the paper’s originality. It searches for similar or paraphrased content in various file formats and languages. Along with the result link, the user will receive a detailed similarity report about the copied content, percentage plagiarism, and so on.

What are the Important Features of an Anti-Plagiarism Checker?

Some of the features are:

Use Algorithm to Detect Plagiarism

Anti-plagiarism software employs algorithms to detect copied content across the internet. It looks not only for word similarity but also for all possible ways to cheat. Furthermore, it checks submissions for word changes, word replacements, switching from passive to active voice, paraphrasing, and alphabet changes from different languages.

Search Database Thoroughly

The software searches through all publicly available resources. It can also search closed libraries, archives, and other resources. The premium subscription of the anti-plagiarism checker allows for an in-depth examination of documents from multiple sources.

Usability

The software is simple for the administrator to integrate with the system. Furthermore, you can specify whether the document report is accessible to both the teacher and the student.

Report

The software supports a variety of formats and can detect plagiarism in multiple languages. The similarity report also gives you access to the original sources of the copied content, including references and quotes.

No Limitation

Another important feature of anti-plagiarism software is that there are no restrictions on its use. Furthermore, a student may resubmit his or her work at any time.

The Moodle plagiarism checker is ideal for teachers, who can now easily organize the files submitted by students into folders. It also allows them to assign grades based on the student’s work. Furthermore, it assists them in detecting duplicate content in the assignment module submitted.

Moodle allows teachers to quickly evaluate papers and assignments and provide necessary feedback to students. The Moodle plagiarism checker available online can also integrate with the Moodle 2.0 application. The software serves as an essential part of academia by not only detecting plagiarism but also saving the time of users.