New Jobs and Less Stress

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As the new year gets ready to kick off, employees are making a lot of resolutions. Finding a new job, getting a promotion and cutting down on stress level are all goals workers will be striving for in 2016, according to a new study from CareerBuilder.

Overall, 21 percent of employees are setting their sights on a new job in 2016, up 5 percentage points from a year ago. The number is even greater for younger workers, with 31 percent of employees between the ages of 18 and 34 planning to leave their current employers for something new by the end of 2016.

“Just because a person is satisfied with their job doesn’t necessarily mean they aren’t looking for new work,” Rosemary Haefner, chief human resources officer at CareerBuilder, said in a statement. “Because of this, it’s critical to keep up with your employees’ needs and continue to challenge them with work they feel is meaningful.”

When looking for new work, employees are after more than just money. The research revealed that job stability, affordable benefits, location, a good boss and good work culture are all factors workers rank as more important than salary when considering a

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Best Tablets With Stylus

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A stylus-equipped tablet is the perfect alternative to a traditional paper notebook. That’s because digital notes can be backed up to the cloud, so they’re safe and accessible from just about any device. With the right software, your digital notes can even be indexed and searched through using keywords. Here are the tablets with the best stylus support for 2016

iPad Pro

Apple’s iPad Pro was built for business, with productivity-boosting accessories such as a snap-on keyboard cover and a stylus, which is dubbed the Apple Pencil. The big 12.9-inch device offers excellent pen support, with full pressure sensitivity and reliable palm rejection. But the iPad Pro is a premium device that comes with a premium price. The tablet itself starts at $799, and the pen is sold separately for $100, making this one of the pricier pen-equipped slates on the market.

Why the Mobile Tech News Out of CES Today Was on Wheels — Tech Roundup

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With CES — what used to be called the Consumer Electronics Show — under way in Las Vegas, you can expect plenty of news about mobile devices and smart technology to arrive this week. But the companies that are making some of the biggest splashes have been in the “mobile” space since way before it was cool.

Case in point: Ford (F – Get Report) , which announced a new partnership with Amazon (AMZN – Get Report) that will allow its cars’ software to integrate seamlessly with Amazon’s mobile and connected-home devices such as the Amazon Echo, which features its much-touted digital assistant, Alexa.

Coming on the heels of Monday’s news that Toyota (TM – Get Report) would be using Ford’s SmartDeviceLink in-car infotainment system in its own vehicles, and a deal that will see AT&T (T – Get Report) providing mobile Internet in Fords, it would almost be possible to overlook the other interesting announcement from the Detroit giant: A deal with Chinese autonomous aircraft maker DJI that will integrate communication between its drones and

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What Business IT Support Means for a Business Today

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You have a business, but you don’t have total control of its operation if you don’t have a backup specialist taking care of your computer operations. When setting up any business, it is essential to use a provider that can supply a fast response time and can provide round the clock technical help over a broad and diverse range of servers and systems. Usually, IT support for businesses are offered in one of two ways: fixed-price managed computer support, where the company manages an organisation’s IT infrastructure on a consistent and proactive basis; or ad-hoc support services, where the technology firm responds to any unforeseen needs and reacts to IT emergencies with on-the-spot and targeted support.

Whichever method you choose for your company will give it a competitive advantage. Using business IT support today enables companies to improve their networks, systems and software so they can advance to the next level of profitability. However, using this kind of technology also requires IT expertise.

Plan for Any Downtime

Unfortunately, many new businesses become so dependent on their computer infrastructure that they do not anticipate any unforeseen instances of downtime – downtime that can negatively impact

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The Best Tech Skills to List on Your Resume

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For many job seekers, the start of the New Year brings a renewed motivation to take the next step in their careers. Now is the time of year that people are polishing their résumés, brushing up on their networking skills and researching companies they want to work for.

Those looking for a job in the tech field have the added challenge of keeping up with the industry’s ever-evolving demands. As trends emerge and technologies advance, it’s important to keep your skills sharp and up to date if you want to get hired.

Ten hiring managers, executives and tech experts shared the top tech skills employers are looking for on a job candidate’s résumé. [25 Hottest Job Skills on LinkedIn]

Mobile development

A comScore report from June 2014 found that 60 percent of total digital media time was spent on a smartphone or tablet, and this number is only expected to rise. As mobile devices continue to grow in popularity, businesses must be ready to move to these platforms, said Rona Borre, CEO and founder of Instant Technology. Since this technology is always changing, it’s often wise to
hire internal talent to keep up with the ever-shifting market. As a result, Borre said that mobile talent

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The 10 Best (and Worst) Jobs

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If you’re looking to land one of this year’s best jobs, you would be wise to sharpen your math skills.

Four of the highest-ranked occupations on CareerCast’s 2015 Jobs Rated report involve mathematics, including this year’s top job: an actuary. Actuaries are business professionals who use mathematics, statistics and financial theory to assess the probability of financial risk in an event. Other math-related occupations among this year’s 10 best are those for mathematicians, statisticians and data scientists.

“Jobs in mathematics rank among the nation’s best jobs because they are financially lucrative, offer abundant opportunities for advancement and provide the opportunity to do great work in a supportive environment,” Tony Lee, publisher of CareerCast, said in a statement.

Information technology and health care are two other industries that have a number of highly ranked jobs. Audiologist, biomedical engineer, dental hygienist, software engineer, occupational therapist and computer systems analyst were all ranked among the top 10.

To determine which jobs were the best and worst this year, CareerCast analyzed 200 U.S. jobs using a wide range of criteria such as income, outlook, environmental factors, stress and physical demands. To a large extent, the data used to evaluate each job came from the Bureau of Labor Statistics,

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13 Ways to Do What You Love for a Living

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Some people are lucky enough to know exactly what they want to do in life and love the career path they’ve followed. Others, however, don’t know where their true passions lie, or pursue their dream career only to find out later on that they hate it. Doing what you love and loving what you do is important for long-term career satisfaction and success, but how exactly do you follow your heart and find a job or start a business that you truly enjoy? Here are 13 tips for doing what you love for a living.
Do some soul searching

Steve Zeitchik, founder and CEO of Focal Point Strategies, said that to do something you love, you have to first spend time thinking deeply about things that bring you enjoyment.

“Take a step back and figure out what it is that you enjoy doing,” including as many specifics and details as possible,” Zeitchik said. “Don’t categorize it into a specific career or industry.”

Only after you come up with the list of things that bring you joy should you think about the careers that each might fit.
Make time to make it happen

Once you’ve determined which of your passions you want to shape into

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Unique Business Ideas to Inspire You

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Every business strives to do something unique, like solve a problem no one else has figured out, or find a different way to do something necessary or complicated. However, some businesses go above and beyond when it comes to creativity. There are myriad unusual businesses out there finding success by taking advantage of a niche market or an interesting business model. From faux-handwritten thank-you notes to a Tinder-like app for rescuing pets, here are 10 unique business ideas to inspire you.
Capitalizing on the burgeoning beverage market is Design A Tea, which offers consumers the ability to design their own tea blend from scratch. Founded in 2007 by J. Brian Pfeiffer, the online business lets tea drinkers choose from among more than 40 flavors that can be mixed and matched to create their own artisan tea blend. Shoppers first select a base flavor — black, oolong, green or rooibos — and then mix in two other ingredients, such as almond, Irish crème, passion fruit, rum or wintergreen. In total, there are more than 10,000 different combinations tea drinkers can create. As part of its mission, Design a Tea has adopted numerous socially responsible practices, including Kids who grew up
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Business Smartphones With the Longest Battery Life

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A top-notch business phone won’t do you much good if its battery is always drained. That’s why smartphones with long battery life make the best work phones. The devices on this list have the endurance to last through the end of the workday and beyond.

This huge phone comes with a sizeable battery life to match. The Huawei Ascend Mate 2 lasted an incredible 14 hours and 45 minutes with continuous use. The Ascend Mate 2’s battery is so beefy that Huawei even lets you use the phone as a recharging station for your other mobile devices. Just connect a smartphone, tablet or notebook to the phone via a USB cable so you can refuel a second device on the go. Meanwhile, its enormous, 6.1-inch (15.5 cm) screen is another potential perk for business users — if you can handle the extra bulk. The large display gives you plenty of room to work, but it also makes the phone less portable and harder to use with one hand.

The OnePlus One is a great 5-inch (12.7 cm) business phone with high-end hardware, great software features, and an eye-popping 13 hours and 15 minutes of battery life. OnePlus doesn’t have the name recognition

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Business Tablets With the Longest Battery Life

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A great business tablet isn’t worth much if it’s always running out of juice. That’s why battery life should be a key concern when you’re looking for a new work slate. The tablets on this list have the endurance to make it through even the longest business flights.

No tablets lasts longer than the Yoga Tab 3. And unmatched longevity isn’t all this slate has to offer workers. Like all Yoga tablets, the 8-inch Tab 3 has a kickstand that flips out from the slate’s battery cylinder, which is handy for propping the device up while you work. Lenovo also included some useful software extras, like split-screen multitasking so you can view two apps on-screen at once. It doesn’t hurt either that the Yoga Tab 3 lasts nearly twice as long as most competing slates, even if it’s not the speediest tablet around.

Lenovo’s Yoga Tablet 10 HD+ has a beefy battery that helped the tablet run for an extremely impressive 13 hours in our battery test. It also includes a 10-inch HD display that’s big enough for screen-intensive productivity tasks, and a fold-out kickstand that lets you stand the slate up. That will come in handy if you want to pair

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Best Accounting Software for Small Business

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Not all small businesses are built alike. From startups and microbusinesses to growing and established companies, small businesses have diverse accounting needs. Our staff researched and reviewed dozens of accounting software products and picked out what we believe are the top ones for different types of small businesses.

Here is a roundup of our best picks and how we chose them.

Best Accounting Software for…

  • Small Business Overall  QuickBooks Online
    • Choose from three plans, starting at $9.99 per month
    • Save time with workflow automation and easy navigation
    • Used by accountants and integrates with more than 150 business apps
  • Mobile Devices  FreshBooks
    • Choose from four plans, starting at $9.95 per month
    • Simple and intuitive user interface
    • Features a comprehensive set of tools for on-the-go accounting
  • Free  Wave Accounting
    • Free (with ads visible)
    • Cloud-based with basic accounting functions
    • Customer service costs extra
    • Additional features available with paid service
  • Really Small Businesses  Zoho Books
    • Best pricing — $24 per month includes all features
    • Clean layout with clutter-free dashboard
    • Connects with popular online payment gateways so you can get paid faster
    Read Review

Best Accounting Software for Small Business Overall:
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Best Document Management Software and Systems

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We know that different businesses have diverse document-management needs. We researched and reviewed dozens of document-management systems and came up with the ones we think are best for a variety of business types. Here is a roundup of our top picks and an explanation of how we chose them.

Ready to choose a document-management system? Here’s a breakdown of our complete coverage:

PinPoint has everything a small business needs in a document-management system. Most importantly, it can be used in all organizations, regardless of the type of computers they’re using or if they have the infrastructure to host it. PinPoint has a self-hosted system that works with both Windows and Mac computers and a cloud-based solution that requires no server installation or maintenance. What’s impressive is that both options work exactly the same and offer the same features. PinPoint is also easy to use and provides outstanding customer service. Go here for a full review of the PinPoint document management system.

Editor’s Note: Looking for a document-management system for your business? If you’re looking for information to help you choose the one that’s right for you, use the questionnaire below to have our sister site, BuyerZone, provide you with information from a variety

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Best E-Commerce Software for Small Businesses

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Your e-commerce business is unlike any other. Whether you’re selling products, services or digital downloads, you need an e-commerce software product that fits your online store’s unique needs and requirements. Our staff researched and reviewed an extensive collection of e-commerce and shopping-cart software, and picked out what we believe are the top ones for different types of small e-commerce businesses.
Here is a roundup of our best picks and how we chose them.

Best E-Commerce Software for Small Business: Shopify

Shopify has everything you need to launch, run and manage a successful e-commerce business. In addition to providing you with an online storefront and payment processing capabilities, the software includes a Web host, website builder, inventory management, back-end functionality, marketing tools, customer relationship management (CRM) and more. It’s also super easy to use and requires zero tech skills, so you can get your online store up and running instantly. Go here for a full review of the Shopify e-commerce software.

Best Background Check Services

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We know that different businesses have distinct background check needs. Our staff researched and reviewed dozens of background check services and websites, and came up with the ones we think are best for a variety of business types. Here is a roundup of our best picks and an explanation of how we chose them.

Best Background Check Service for…

  • Very Small Businesses
    • Can purchase one at a time
    • Low costs
    • Online portal
  • Do-It-Yourself  BackgroundReport
    • FCRA compliant
    • Quick turnaround
    • Candidates can review results
  • Household Employees  eNannySource
    • Specializes in household employees
    • Several bundled packages
    • Emailed reports
    Read Review

Best Background Check Service for Small Businesses Overall: Pre employ

Pre Employ provides small businesses with a wide range of background check services. Its large selection of background check packages gives you the ability to pay only for the services you deem necessary. We were most impressed with the high level of customer service the company offers and how easy its background reports are to read and navigate. Go here for a full review of Pre employ’s background check services.

Best Background Check Service for Very Small Businesses: GoodHire

Of all the services we reviewed, few were

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Best CRM Software

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Looking for a better way to manage and grow your small business? Customer relationship management (CRM) software can make all the difference. Whether you’re looking for a robust CRM software solution, a simple one designed for very small businesses or a free version to fit your budget, there’s a CRM software choice for you. Our staff researched and reviewed an extensive collection of CRM software products and picked out what we believe are the best for different types of small businesses.

Here is a roundup of our best picks and how we chose them.
Ready to choose a CRM software? Here’s a breakdown of our complete coverage:

 

Best CRM Software for Small Business: Salesforce

Salesforce is an all-in-one, cloud-based solution that has everything you need in a CRM software. Although this software is typically associated with larger businesses and enterprises, Salesforce’s small business edition lets you take advantage of the product’s robust set of CRM tools and resources at an affordable, small-business-friendly price. Part of Salesforce Small Business Solutions, the platform is very easy to use and includes key features like lead generation, contact and opportunity management, sales forecasting, workflow automation, and much more. [Go here for a full review of the Salesforce

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Best Credit Card Processors

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Accepting credit cards is a must for small businesses. If you only accept cash, you’re missing out on sales big time. But for many business owners, the hardest part is choosing a credit card processor. With hundreds of credit card processors available and with the many ways businesses can accept credit cards, it’s easy to feel like you’re in over your head.< one designed with your small business’s unique needs in mind. It not only allows you to pick and choose the types of services that are best suited for your products and services, but is also budget friendly and doesn’t enforce stringent requirements or restrictions just because you’re a small company.

Here is a roundup of our best picks and how we chose them.
Best Credit Card Processor for Small Business: Flagship Merchant Services

Flagship Merchant Services is an all-in-one credit card processing solution that has everything you need to accept credit cards at your small business. The company offers a merchant account and a wide range of credit card processing options, including in-person, online and mobile credit card processing. If you need a more advanced solution, you also have the choice of using a full-featured

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Small Business Snapshot Purse & Clutch

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Our Small Business Snapshot series features photos that represent, in just one image, what the small businesses we feature are all about. Jen Lewis, executive director of Purse & Clutch, an online boutique founded in 2011 that sells fair trade purses and accessories, explains how this image represents her business.

Lewis explains…

For us, fair trade is a work of art that represents the time, talent, and design of other cultures around the world. We focus on celebrating the men and women who make the items we carry in our boutique, which carries only ethically made items to help create sustainable jobs for artisans in developing countries with limited opportunities. This picture shows the care and work that goes into a bag as well as the amazing diversity of each clutch.

I started Purse & Clutch after hearing about the amazing work one of my good friends was doing with an artisan group in Northern India called JOYN. After hearing the stories of how providing jobs for the people in this village was radically changing their lives for the better, I knew I wanted to find a way to help.

Since starting the business, we’ve expanded to include several other artisan groups around the

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Medical Billing Services Our Recommendations

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Medical billing is a central pillar of any health care practice. Although care is the top priority, your practice is still a business. To make sure you’re actually getting paid for the services you provide, you’ll need a knowledgeable, focused and reliable team overseeing your billing. From coding and processing claims to dealing with insurance companies and chasing down unpaid patient accounts, a billing department needs to be on the ball. As the leader of a small or midsize medical practice, you have one big determination to make right off the bat: Do you keep billing in-house or outsource it to a professional company?

In-house medical billing vs. outsourced revenue cycle management

The first major question to address when it comes to medical billing is whether you want your staff to conduct the billing process or outsource it to a medical billing service that specializes in revenue cycle management.

If you opt to have your own staff cover medical billing, you’ll need practice management software to keep track of your patients’ balances and send bills to payers. You’ll also need a certified medical coder on staff to oversee the operation, and the practice will be responsible for responding to any rejections

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Stock Picks From Mott Capital Alkermes, Tesla, Disney, More

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Shares of Alkermes (ALKS – Get Report) were up 30% in 2015, and the biotech company’s strong pipeline for psychiatric drugs bodes well for another strong year in the market, said Michael Kramer, CEO of Mott Capital.

“Their lead drug for a major depressive disorder should have phase III results coming in the first quarter of this year,” said Kramer. “Previous studies had indicated that patients who had major depressive disorders showed results within in seven days, which is very impressive.”

Kramer is also constructive on Tesla (TSLA – Get Report) , which saw its stock rise around 13% in 2015. The electric automaker’s shares sank almost 7% on Monday after the company said it delivered 50,580 vehicles in 2015, including 17,400 in the fourth quarter. The total surpassed Tesla’s guidance of 50,000 cars, yet Wall Street analysts were hoping for a number closer to 55,000.

STOCKS TO BUY: TheStreet Quant Ratings has identified a handful of stocks with serious upside potential in the next 12-months. Learn more.

“You have to look at the long-term picture as to where they will be in 2020, and whether they will achieve profitability,” said Kramer, adding

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Forecaster Still Believes in Gold, Expects Surprise in U.S. Presidential Race

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 NEW YORK (Kitco News) — Gold seems to be off to a good start, and looking ahead, one veteran trend forecaster says he remains bullish on the metal and expects a few surprises in 2016.

‘We believe gold is at the bottom and we’ve been saying this since it started to unravel in late 2011,’ Gerald Celente, publisher of the Trends Journal, told Kitco News Tuesday afternoon. ‘I believe in gold.’

Gold futures have started the new year on a stronger footing, getting ready for a second consecutive positive close. Comex February gold futures were last quoted up $2.80 at $1,078 an ounce.

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However, Celente’s optimism doesn’t spill over into the rest of the commodities complex. He argued that as the deflationary cycle continues in 2016, most commodities ‘with industrial use are going to continue to decline. There’s too much supply and not enough demand.’

Commodities continue to be under pressure and Celente pointed out that the Bloomberg Commodity Index is now at levels last seen the late 1990s. The index,

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