andrewkleopa

[andrewkleopa]

*clears throat* I would like to share some of my favorite Justin interview moments!

Starting off strong: Pat McAfee Show (11/21/23)

“Any chance I get to slide and avoid a hit, I’m gonna do it”

Fast forward two years later:

My favorite little liar 🥲

[andrewkleopa]

Meanwhile, in the world of football, the Pop Tart Bowl had an anthropomorphic Pop Tart who asked to be lowered into a giant toaster, holding a sign saying "DREAMS REALLY DO COME TRUE"

The toaster then spat out a human-sized Pop Tart with a face for the winning team to eat

And they devoured the edible mascot ravenously

[andrewkleopa]

NFL WEEK 6 SUNDAY SCHEDULE

[andrewkleopa]

flapanthers: their reactions say it all 👀

[andrewkleopa]

the cats see their stanley cup ring for the first time

[andrewkleopa]

the cats see their stanley cup ring for the first time

[andrewkleopa]

matthew tkachuk ࣪ ִֶָ☾. bruins @ panthers 10.08.2024

[andrewkleopa]

[andrewkleopa]

Why You Should Shop Around For a Mortgage

Most people tend to become overwhelmed by the thought of all the paperwork that’s required to apply for a mortgage. They settle down on the first mortgage provider that seems dependable. But should know that it’s a bad decision to do so. Sure, the paperwork might be a little off-putting, but that doesn’t mean that you have to settle down for a bad deal. Here’s looking at some reasons why you should look around a little before choosing a mortgage plan for yourself.

Interest rates accumulate over a period of time – Mortgage interest rates are subject to fluctuations. Even though these fluctuations are not very radical, one should be wary of them. You may think that half a percentage point up may not affect you, but when you look at the amount on which the percentage point is being calculated, you will be forced to reconsider your opinion.

Mortgage interest rates change daily – As discussed above, mortgage interest rates are not static. So when you’re looking to get yourself a mortgage, you should go for the one which comes with the lowest possible interest rate. All you need to do is keep an eye out on the market. Mortgage interest rates, like stocks, are dependent on market health. When the economy is strong, the interest rates charged are high, and vice versa.

There may be hidden costs – When you are interested in buying a mortgage from a lender, ask them to provide you with a full breakdown of the costs involved. Lenders charge several amounts that include a processing fee, origination fee, and so on. When comparing the mortgage plans you are offered by separate lenders, compare the total costs charged by each instead of just the prima facie charge. 

Buying a mortgage can be complicated, but it doesn’t necessarily need to be. Shop around for the most profitable rates, and you will benefit from the time and effort you invested in doing so. 

from Andrew Kleopa | Real Estate http://andrewkleopa.net/why-you-should-shop-around-for-a-mortgage/ via IFTTT

[andrewkleopa]

What is Business Intelligence and Why Should You Use It?

Business intelligence refers to the tools, infrastructure, applications, and best practices which help a business optimize their operations in a manner that is profitable. 

Fundamentally, business intelligence provides insights based on the analysis of available company data, which helps the management better their business processes. An example of harnessing business intelligence is coming up with a weekly or monthly sales report. 

Small businesses could really use some business intelligence. Why? Read on below –

Business intelligence will prepare real-time data available to all departments. For example, the marketing team will no longer need to wait for the IT team to come up with their performance report, so they can begin to effect improvements as and where required.

BI helps a company understand the needs of their customers better. Once a company comprehends what their customers want, they can easily come up with a marketing campaign that they know will speak to them. You can personalize your marketing efforts and offer deals and discounts that you know will appeal to your target customers.

BI and analytics provide a company with reliable and actionable data. If the data that’s available is unreliable, then the company will be at a disadvantage of being unable to assess and mitigate potential risks. Being able to gain access to data that helps them counter future risks puts a company in a favorable position as compared to others.

Last but not least, BI aids you in making smart business decisions. The decisions that you make are more informed now, and you do not make rookie mistakes. Since you are made aware of the kind of customers that have purchased from your brand, you have a fair idea which customer demographic you should prepare to market to. Now that your marketing efforts are focused, you are able to elicit more sales.

It is about time small business owners realize the importance of incorporating Business Intelligence into their operations. The above reasons should be enough to convince them why doing so is beneficial for their company’s well-being.

from Andrew Kleopa | Business & Entrepreneurship http://andrewkleopa.com/what-is-business-intelligence-and-why-should-you-use-it/ via IFTTT

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How to Cut Overhead Costs

A business owner needs to deal with the overhead costs of running a business. These are bills they must pay no matter what – for example, rent of the office space, electricity charges, and so on. You just can’t do away with these costs. However, you can act smart and minimize them considerably, increasing your profit share. The trick is to downsize. 

Assess what are the things you can afford to let go around the office. Below is a list of ways in which you can cut down on your overhead costs as a business owner.

Come down hard on yourself – You can’t afford to go easy on yourself when your company is struggling. You have to ask yourself the tough questions. If your marketing efforts are not yielding the desired results, maybe you should cut down on your marketing budget and reallocate this money to paying for your rented office space.

Try to reduce your carbon footprint – Reducing your carbon footprint is not only environmentally conscious but also cost-efficient. Try to make use of available sunlight during the day instead of always having the lights switched on. Practice switching off appliances when they are not in function. They don’t always have to be powered on. You will notice your electricity costs coming down significantly if you follow these practices.

Outsource – If you can’t quite afford to hire new members onto your team, outsource these job responsibilities remotely. Maybe a person in Mexico will take care of all the company tasks you need to be completed faster and for much lesser pay than a new recruit to your home team would. Outsourcing is a great way to cut costs for a business. It is a tried and tested trick you shouldn’t be hesitant to try for yourself if being cost-conscious is your goal.

Sample the above cost-cutting techniques and you might just be able to trim down your overhead costs by a surprising margin!

from Andrew Kleopa | Business & Entrepreneurship http://andrewkleopa.com/how-to-cut-overhead-costs/ via IFTTT

[andrewkleopa]

What is a Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT)?

Real Estate Investment Trusts (REIT) own and operate income-producing real estate. A REIT does not build real estate with the intention of reselling them but buys and develops the property to be operated as part of its own investment portfolio. A number of requirements have to be met by a company to qualify as a REIT. 

How does REIT work?

It is difficult for most people to build a real estate portfolio on their own. REITs help them invest in real estate portfolios just as they would in other industries – by buying shares in the company or through a mutual fund or exchange-traded fund (ETF). Shareholders in the REIT earn money from their share in the company’s income. 

The REITs rent out their real estate property and earn an income while dividends are paid out to shareholders. A REIT must pay out a minimum of 90% of their taxable income to shareholders, but most companies pay 100%.

Types of REITs

Equity REIT – Most REITs are publicly traded equity REITs. These are traded on the stock market and own or operate income-producing real estate. 

Mortgage REIT – These REITs provide mortgages on real estate and earn an income from the interest on these investments. 

Public Non-traded REIT – These are REITs that are registered with the SEC but not traded publicly.

Private REIT – These REITs are not registered with the SEC and trade as private placement investments only.

Risks involved in trading with REITs

Like all investments, REITs also have their own advantages and disadvantages. The advantages are that they allow anyone to include real estate in their investment portfolio and are easy to buy and sell like any other shares on the stock market. Some REITs may even offer higher dividends than other investments. 

And yet the risks involved cannot be overlooked. Real estate has proved to be illiquid investments. Dividends from REITs are not exempted from tax and are subject to market risks. Some REITs charge high management and transaction fees, so personal discretion while trading with REITs is important.

from Andrew Kleopa | Real Estate http://andrewkleopa.net/what-is-a-real-estate-investment-trust-reit/ via IFTTT

[andrewkleopa]

How to Manage a Multi-Generational Workforce

The workforce today may be chock full of millennials, but there are still a good number of Baby Boomers working in offices and businesses. Add to that your young interns, who probably belong to Generation Z, and you have a multigenerational workforce at your beck and call. 

The prospect of managing a multi-generational workforce may seem daunting at first, but it really isn’t. You just have to harness the strength and figure out a way to deal with the weaknesses of every generation represented in your workforce. Here are some tips to help you steer the ship to success.

Don’t rely solely on stereotypes to gauge what they want. If you want to understand the individual needs of every generation working for you, you need to observe them. Better still, just ask them. You can always refer to stereotypes as a starting point to better comprehend the generations working for you, but don’t think of them as Gospel truth.

Understand that every generation will have their unique requirements from work. When you work with a multigenerational team, you cannot expect to have a blanket policy in place to satisfy employee needs. Employee needs will vastly differ among the generations. You must be cognizant of this and provide accordingly. The millennial workgroup may desire an opportunity for growth in the company, while the primary concern of Gen X’ers will be job security. It’s much easier to manage a small multigenerational team than one that’s large in size. You can implement your strategies on a small team much more comfortably as compared to a larger workforce where you first conduct surveys to get a clear understanding of what your employees want from the organization.

Last but not least, tread carefully when it comes to leadership. The contemporary generation appreciates active leadership while the ones before it value a certain level of autonomy. Managing a multi-generational workforce doesn’t have to be too difficult. All it takes is a little sensitivity and willingness to learn.

from Andrew Kleopa | Business & Entrepreneurship http://andrewkleopa.com/how-to-manage-a-multi-generational-workforce/ via IFTTT

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How to Run a Successful Real Estate Investing Business

Investing in the real estate business is not a big deal. But to be able to sustain this business, one needs a lot of patience and experience in the field. Some universities also offer courses and programs specially designed for real estate investors, but a degree is not always necessary to be a successful investor. 

Here are some tips that most successful real estate investors swear by.

Selecting your market carefully 

Most successful investors acquire an in-depth understanding of the market they deal in. They keep track of current trends to make good business decisions and plan for the future. This is possible only if you limit your market. Going all out will make it difficult to properly focus on one area and may lead to losses. It is best to focus on specific markets and know them in and out so that you can predict future changes and plan your investments accordingly.

Also, limit your exit strategies so that there are fixed and systematic ways of disposing of properties that are not as profitable to you.

Hiring smaller but efficient teams

As a business grows, it is not possible for everything to be handled by the owners alone. You can identify the areas you are weak in and hire efficient people for those roles. An accountant, for example, can save you a lot of expenses including tax savings. 

It is not easy to understand tax laws and an accountant would do that best. The amount of money you spend on hiring a small team will be nominal in front of the amount it saves you.

Building a good network

For any business to be successful, it needs a good network. This network includes everyone from customers to shareholders and other business owners in the market. A good network ensures that your business stays relevant. It also helps you learn about current market trends and gain knowledge from the experiences of others.

Monitoring your processes

Lastly, it is very important to constantly monitor the processes you are using to tackle issues at an early stage and be aware of your business’ performance.

from Andrew Kleopa | Real Estate http://andrewkleopa.net/how-to-run-a-successful-real-estate-investing-business/ via IFTTT

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4 Tips for First-Time Real Estate Investors

The real estate business is undoubtedly one of the best investments currently. For first-time investors, however, it might all seem a little daunting. With hundreds of real estate agents in the market providing a number of buying and selling options, it obviously gets confusing as to what would be the best deal.

Here are some tips for first-time investors in the real estate business.

Learn about real estate – Before entering any business, it is imperative to know the business inside out. One can only make good business decisions when one has the knowledge of how the business works. So before investing time, one should first put in the effort to learn the ropes. One needs to thoroughly study the market and learn math before diving into the business itself.

Manage finances – If someone is planning to invest in a new business, he or she should be aware of their current financial situation. Qualifying for a loan largely depends on a person’s credit score and outstanding debts. Before investing in real estate, one should also make sure to pay off debts and improve upon credit score as much as possible. Also, having enough savings for a substantial downpayment is equally crucial, which translates to reduced monthly installments and reduced risk.

Identify your niche – Real estate investments can be made in different categories of property, like residential, commercial, or industrial. Within these categories again there are different types like single-family houses, condos, duplexes, or small apartment buildings under residential real estate. Each type has its own set of pros and cons, so it is important to find your niche out of these multiple options available. For first-time investors, it is advisable to start small.

Have the right attitude – Most people fail in real estate investments simply because they don’t take it seriously. Look for a good location, build relations in the market, and seek valuable guidance from other investors and agents who have been in the business for long.

from Andrew Kleopa | Real Estate http://andrewkleopa.net/4-tips-for-first-time-real-estate-investors/ via IFTTT

[andrewkleopa]

Things to Know Before Beginning a Job at a Startup

Working at a startup is radically different from working at an established corporate. People who aren’t acquainted with the work culture at a startup may find it immensely difficult to adjust to the pace and mood that persist in these places. However, in time, they come to realize the learning potential that working at a startup provides. 

What may seem like a problem at first begins to be perceived as a learning and growth opportunity later. The fault lies in the perception. It’s crucial then for an individual to know a few things about the work culture at a startup before taking up a job role in one –

Don’t judge the company by its size – You may mistake a small company for having a small profit share. You couldn’t be more wrong. A small company can compete with a mid-level company’s profit share as long as they have a product offering that they are confident in and have been able to market it successfully to customers. Startups hold so much potential for making gains. As an employee, you should believe in your company’s products and be willing to give it some time to achieve its selling potential. If you are somebody who wants instantaneous success and profit, a role at a startup is probably not your cup of tea.

You need to be flexible – Unlike companies that have already established themselves in the market, startups have nothing fixed – not their hours, their pay, or their job processes. Everything is always in flux, so you better be comfortable with change. If you aren’t, you may have a terrible time trying to cope. You need to be open to working long hours on some days and barely any the next. The hours you are required to work depends on the projects at hand. You are paid according to the net profit the startup makes, so if it’s running losses, you can’t really demand any payment from the owner. Business processes are determined on the go – what works is kept and what doesn’t yield results is discarded.

from Andrew Kleopa | Business & Entrepreneurship http://andrewkleopa.com/things-to-know-before-beginning-a-job-at-a-startup/ via IFTTT

[andrewkleopa]

Small Business Success Tips

The plans and strategies that work for running a mid-level or big business outfit successfully don’t necessarily apply to a small business entrepreneur. Small businesses have to be set up first and marketed for a profit. Only then can they even think of long-term success.

 Unlike established businesses, small businesses are still in the learning and growth stage. If you’re an entrepreneur wishing to come up with your very own start-up or planning to become a small business owner, here are some tips to help you make it big.

Network like you mean it – Networking not only helps you grow your customer base, but you also learn about other entrepreneurs working in your market niche. It gives you an understanding of what’s working and what’s failing in your industry sector. You can also reach out to helpful peers for tips on how to tackle business issues that you might be facing.

Market yourself online – The world is online. Everyone from your preschool-going niece to your septuagenarian aunt spends time online. Why not harness this to your benefit? Start a page for your business on different social media platforms and try to tap into this available customer base. Find out the products that they seek and assess your business skills and abilities to determine if you can design such a product or not. If you can’t develop such a product from scratch, perhaps you can manipulate an existing product offering into meeting the required specifications. Businesses have a lot to learn from social media interactions with potential clients and tie-ups.

Don’t lose hope – Entrepreneurship is frustrating. Let nobody tell you otherwise. When you’re starting out on a new business venture, you are bound to meet hurdles and problems that refuse to get resolved. However, you can’t lose hope. You have to be adamant and weather through the storm, keeping your long-term vision at the forefront of your mind. If you don’t have that mental resilience, then the business field may not be the right space for you to be in.

from Andrew Kleopa | Business & Entrepreneurship http://andrewkleopa.com/small-business-success-tips/ via IFTTT