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Saving Money on Transport Costs with Packing Optimization

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StrategyDriven Tactical Execution Article | Saving Money on Transport Costs with Packing OptimizationThe pandemic. War. Soaring fuel prices. Economic turndown. The global cost of living crisis. Everyone knows how hard these recent challenges affect everything. Business owners know, too – especially those working in production and logistics. With transport costs ever-high, many company owners and managers seek ways to lower the burden, keeping their employees employed and their businesses healthy.

Sure, nobody can control the global problems driving up prices – but they can implement solutions to reduce their impact and save precious cash. Some solutions are simple; others are complex. But one thing’s for sure: they make a difference. Here are a few strategies to try if you’re a business owner or manager looking to reduce your logistical monetary nightmare and keep the company – and your teams – flowing seamlessly.

Optimize Packing

For significant savings on time and money, you must optimize shipment packing. Doing so is essential if your business sends or stores goods, with 3D Bin Packing an excellent example of this kind of modern service enabling packing optimization and, therefore, reduced costs. Currently, many businesses, small and large, manually organize and pack goods and orders. However, much of this process is guesswork, wasting materials and space.

Think of how many packages arrive full of air and unnecessary filler or small items cased within enormous boxes – such a waste! Not to mention, all that wasted material consumes staff time – and time is money, after all, even when enjoying the benefits of automation.

Still, that’s not the sole fund-draining source; unoptimized packing also wastes time and money on transporting all that unnecessary packaging, filler, and air, as well as all the fuel and labor that goes into production and logistics until the customer receives their goods.

Smart Planning

In logistics, planning heavily influences the supply chain budget. Failure to plan schedules, orders, and deliveries can lead to last-minute decisions – and worse, delays and missed deadlines. When delays and missed deadlines rear their heads, desperation calls, meaning your company might pay higher fees for urgent transport and even make avoidable packing errors that affect logistics costs.

To avoid these problems? Plan production, transportation, and deliveries well in advance. Still, it’s not enough to mark dates in calendars and send them to employees and drivers; smart planning and inventory management will enable you to take other variables into account that could, if unforeseen, impact your production and transport. Roadworks, traffic, the holidays, the weather, and even unexpected events like protests and strikes all have a place in smart planning.

Consolidated Shipments

Shipping goods in full container loads (FCL) is faster and cheaper compared to less than container loads (LCL). That said, plenty of businesses don’t have shipments large enough for an FCL. Instead, these companies have to opt for LCL, which entails higher costs and poorer efficiency.

Luckily, there’s a way to take advantage of FCL, even without larger shipments: shipment consolidation – when the transporter combines LCLs from multiple shippers to create a full container shipment (essentially, an FLC). Upon arriving at their destination, the goods are separated into their original LCL shipments, which the customers/owners can collect. Although this solution is ideal when suppliers share the same destination, it helps smaller ones lower logistics costs.

Is Buying a Franchise a Good Idea for Entrepreneurs?

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StrategyDriven Entrepreneurship Article | Is Buying a Franchise a Good Idea for Entrepreneurs?You’re an entrepreneur. You always have been, and you always will be. But you are also interested in starting a business with some built-in brand recognition and stability, and you could benefit from the advice of someone who has been there before. So, should you consider a franchise?

Franchise ownership is unique in that it affords the opportunity to own your own business while benefiting from the franchisor’s history, structure and support. You are on your own – an entrepreneur in every sense of the word – but you also have a solid foundation upon which to build. However, while buying a franchise can afford several benefits, it entails unique risks as well, and if your franchise is unsuccessful, you could lose far more than if you had started a business on your own.

Key Aspects of the Franchise Relationship for Entrepreneurs

If you are an entrepreneur and you are considering a franchise as an alternative to starting a business from scratch, here are three key aspects of the franchise relationship to consider:

  • As a franchisee, you own your own business. You are responsible for hiring your own employees, and you are responsible for your own success.
  • While you own your own business, you must operate within the confines of the franchisor’s model. Although this promotes brand uniformity, it can also have undesirable consequences in some cases.
  • As a franchisee, you can rely on the franchisor’s support – to a point. Your franchisor will only provide so much guidance, and some are much better at supporting their franchisees than others.

5 Risks to Consider Before Buying a Franchise

Along with these key aspects of the franchise relationship, there are some important risks to consider as well. These risks include:

  1. Initial Investment: Since you will need to pay an initial franchise fee in addition to your other startup costs, the initial investment for a franchise can be much greater than that for an independent business.
  2. Royalty Fees: Your royalty fees (and advertising fund contributions) will take a chunk out of your monthly revenue, and if your franchise relationship ends prematurely, you could be on the hook for “lost future royalties.”
  3. Unanticipated Costs: Franchisors regularly make updates and modifications to their system standards. If your franchisor makes any updates or modifications, you will be required to comply at your expense—even if this means taking on more business debt.
  4. Termination: Your franchisor will have the contractual right to terminate your franchise for various reasons. If you lose your franchise, you will lose your investment, and you will likely be subject to a post-termination non-compete and other restrictive covenants.
  5. Non-Renewal: While your franchise agreement should include provisions for renewal, the franchisees’ right to renew is generally subject to the franchisor’s approval. As a result, there is no guarantee that you will be able to renew when your initial term expires.

Ultimately, whether it makes sense for you to pursue a franchise depends on your unique background, skills, risk tolerance and financing opportunities. If you are interested in a franchise, you should consult with an experienced professional who can help you make an informed decision.

About the Author

Jeffrey Goldstein is a franchise lawyer and the founder of Goldstein Law Firm. He has been exclusively representing franchisees and dealers for over 30 years. Mr. Goldstein represents prospective, active and terminated franchisees nationwide.

What You Should Know Before Hiring a Federal Workers Compensation Attorney

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StrategyDriven Managing Your Business Article | What You Should Know Before Hiring a Federal Workers Compensation AttorneyIf you sustain an injury at work, you will likely need the services of a federal worker’s compensation attorney to ensure that you receive the medical treatment and financial benefits you need and deserve. But what should you know before you hire a federal worker’s compensation lawyer?

Getting a disability rating from a doctor is not guaranteed by the workers’ compensation carrier

If your workplace has a medical network, you can take advantage of this service. You will have access to a doctor, and your employer’s health insurance provider may pay for the visit. It is particularly true if the incident included not your fault. Often, you can also opt to get treatment from a doctor not affiliated with your employer. Regardless of who pays the bill, the patient has a better shot at a speedy recovery.

The workers’ compensation system offers many other benefits, like income, rehabilitation, and medical care. Regarding the medical component, you can choose from a local doctor pool or an out-of-town specialist. Regardless of who your doctor is, you should always keep a copy of your medical records. Also, ensure you have your doctor’s contact information handy so that you can be on your way to recovery. It would be best to ask your physician about other medical services, such as workman’s comp and life insurance.

Form CA-1 is a notice of (1) traumatic injury and (2) initiates the claim for compensation

If you work for the government, you must notify your supervisor as soon as you become ill or injured. It is vital to comply with health and safety laws and regulations. In addition, employees must seek medical attention immediately.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration and the Department of Labor Administration (OWCP) require employers to follow specific guidelines for reporting workplace injuries. They also encourage all supervisors to provide first aid for injured workers and to file compensation claims.

A worker’s compensation claim must be filed within 30 days of the traumatic injury or occupational illness. A claimant’s medical condition must be documented in detail. Information about the injury must include a description of the damage, the injured worker’s injuries, the injured worker’s medical care, and the injured worker’s restrictions.

An employer must notify an employee of the right to continue to be paid while a compensation claim is being processed. It is a benefit available only to employees who have suffered a traumatic job-related injury.

Establishing a personal connection with a workers’ compensation attorney

The best way to learn about the benefits of your federal workers’ compensation program is to be a regular on the phone line. This will give you access to an experienced federal workers compensation attorney that can make the best of your situation. Knowing the specifics of your workers’ compensation program will also give you an advantage when negotiating a reasonable settlement. If you’re in the throes of a workers’ compensation claim, don’t let the bad guys get the best of you. Take a page out of the book and read up on the best practices for your particular industry before you go down the road of disaster. Aside from a plethora of information, you’ll be able to snoop out the dings and dents before the crooks show up at your door.

ECAB is like the Supreme Court of Federal Workers’ Compensation

The ECAB (Employee Compensation and Appeals Board) is an administrative body of the Federal Employees’ Compensation Act. It can issue decisions for claims submitted to the Office of Workers’ Compensation Programs, also known as OWCP. These decisions are based on a written finding that OWCP makes and must be appealed within 180 days of the decision’s date.

There are several different types of appeals that an injured worker can make. They all depend on the type of claim and the timeliness of the request. If the Department of Labor has denied a claim, the injured worker can file an appeal to the ECAB. In most cases, the ECAB will take a year to process a claim and reach a decision.

The ECAB is not adversarial; it does not consider evidence gathered in the workplace. It will only review the evidence that has been submitted to OWCP. An injured worker has the burden of proof in the case of all issues.

How To Manage A Successful Construction Project

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StrategyDriven Project Management Article | How To Manage A Successful Construction ProjectProject management isn’t simple. People, resources, budgets and time need to work together. If something isn’t in place, it can slow down productivity and cost you more money. This post will show you how to manage a construction project successfully by using the right tools and staying organized. Check out our tips for successful construction project management below.

Be Prepared

Being fully prepared with the most information possible is necessary for a construction project of this scale. This can be difficult, especially when you’re trying to coordinate the schedules of multiple contractors, engineers, and other stakeholders. Most information can be found from clients, suppliers, and co-contractors; however, some information may need to be found with a request for information (RFI). This means you may need to ask for information from the other parties involved with your claim. To benefit, your RFI in construction should be specific and relevant to your case.

Set Realistic Budgets

Setting realistic budgets is essential to good construction project management —and it’s one of the most important things you can do to ensure that your project meets its budget. A budget is important because it helps you manage your construction project by defining how much money you have to spend so that you can manage your client’s expectations properly and they don’t end up with costly surprises. A good budget will help you manage your construction project because it forces you to think about how much money is available for each aspect of the project.

Plan Your Resourcing Correctly

An important part of project management is resource allocation. In construction management, resource allocation is essential for project success. If you don’t allocate your resources correctly, it can lead to delays and cost overruns that could have been avoided altogether. Resource allocation is one of the most important skills in construction management. It’s easy to understand how resource allocation can lead to costly mistakes if you don’t take the time to think through all the details before you start a project.


Revaluate Project Plans

Even the best-laid plans can go awry, so keep an eye on your plans and update and adapt where necessary. Check in with your team to see how they are doing so that you know what time targets you’re hitting, and if you’re missing any find out why. If you have a to-do list, make sure that it’s up-to-date and complete. If you don’t, start using one! It will help keep your plans clear so you’ll know if anything is falling through the cracks.

Communicate Continuously

You need to communicate with your team members and clients on a regular basis so that everyone is on the same page. Communication should be open, clear, and concise. Many construction projects are large and complex so it’s vital to have the latest information from all parties involved. Your job managing the project is to be the glue that holds everything together.

Do you run successful construction projects? Share your tips in the comments to inspire others.

Do Australian Brokers Use Forex Robots?

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StrategyDriven StrategyDriven Editorial Perspective Article |Forex Robots|Do Australian Brokers Use Forex Robots?Yes, Australian brokers do use forex robots. These automated trading systems are designed to minimise the time and effort taken to analyse data from the global financial markets, enabling traders to make more informed decisions while trading.

The technology is becoming increasingly popular in Australia due to its ability to provide traders with a comprehensive overview of their investments and help them identify potential opportunities without investing hours in analysis. This article will explore how forex robots work, their benefits and risks for trading on the foreign exchange market.

How forex robots work

Forex robots are computer programs that use algorithms based on mathematical formulas and historical data sets to open and close positions in the foreign exchange market. They are designed to handle transactions quickly and accurately, helping traders manage their investments. The robots also use technical indicators such as moving averages, support and resistance levels or pivot points to decide when to open and close trades.

Setup

The first step to using a forex robot is to set up the program with your trading platform, link it to data feeds, input parameters such as risk tolerance, and set money management rules. Once the program is configured, it can begin autonomously operating following its instruction.

Trade execution

Once the parameters have been set, the robot will execute trades based on market conditions. The software may enter and exit positions automatically or provide trade signals that traders can follow manually or automatically according to their preferences.

Optimisation

Forex robots are constantly being improved as new algorithms are developed, and information becomes available, allowing traders to optimise their robots’ performance and better manage their investments.

Benefits of using forex robots

Investors can benefit from several advantages when trading with a forex broker using forex robots. These allow investors to save time, reduce risk and improve their overall trading performance by automating trading decisions.

Increased Speed

One of the main advantages of using a forex robot is increased speed, as it can quickly execute trades and provide trade signals without needing manual input from traders. It allows investors to take advantage of market opportunities more quickly than they would otherwise be able to do manually.

Reduced Risk

Another benefit of using a forex robot is that it can help reduce risk by executing trades in a predetermined manner. The software also enables traders to control their risk through money management rules such as stop-losses, enabling them to manage their investments more effectively.


Automation

The most significant benefit of forex robots is that they automate the trading process, which eliminates the need for traders to spend time analysing the markets, allowing them to focus on other tasks or enjoy free time while their investments are managed autonomously.

Improved accuracy

Forex robots use algorithms and mathematical formulas to analyse data from the financial markets, which can increase accuracy when making decisions. It can help minimise losses and maximise profits for investors.

Flexibility

Robots are designed with parameters that brokers can adjust according to changing market conditions or individual preferences, allowing traders to tailor their strategies and adjust their investments as needed.
Risks of using forex robots

Despite the potential benefits, there are some risks that investors should be aware of before investing in a broker with forex robots. These include potential losses due to a lack of expertise, unexpected market conditions and incorrect settings.

Losses due to lack of expertise

One risk associated with trading with a forex robot is that it can generate significant losses if there isn’t sufficient knowledge or expertise in the foreign exchange markets. It could occur if the programmer needs to consider important factors such as economic or political news. In this case, traders may need to adjust their strategies manually or seek expert advice.

Unexpected market conditions

Some robots may be unable to cope with unexpected market conditions, such as sudden news announcements or changes in volatility. It could lead to significant losses for traders who need to monitor their investments more closely.

Incorrect settings

Another risk is that the robot’s parameters may be set incorrectly and lead to a trading strategy unsuitable for the current market conditions. Traders should ensure they understand how the robot works and adjust its settings periodically to minimise potential losses.