Rural Businesses and the Impact of the Digital Divide

Lack of broadband Internet access limits growth opportunities for rural businesses throughout the nation. This lack of Internet access is termed the digital divide, by the federal government, and refers to the gap in high speed Internet availability between different socioeconomic brackets, age groups, race, physical disabilities and geographical regions.

For businesses, geography makes a huge impact because those located in urban areas have a variety of different high speed Internet options to choose from while those in rural areas do not. Without access to high speed Internet, opportunities for businesses vary greatly today, creating a disconnect between the growth of urban and rural businesses.

Efficiencies are Decreased

Every business is different. However, they all stand to benefit from efficiencies that can be created online. This can include streamlined billing procedures, accounting tools, data storage, outsourcing of tasks, efficient sourcing of needed materials, project management and much more. Rural businesses without high speed Internet access are stifled in their attempts at efficiencies, because in order to avail of these opportunities, you need an always-on, dependable high speed Internet connection.

Lack of Tech Skills in Employees

Rural businesses are primarily staffed by rural employees, who like businesses in the area, have limited access to rural broadband services. Many of today’s technological advances rely on a high speed Internet connection. Because these employees are unfamiliar with technology and Internet use, or may only be used to high speed connections via a smartphone, their productivity is lower than it would be for a tech savvy employee.

Shortage of Marketing Options

Lack of access to online marketing opportunities stifles the rural business’s options for growth. Today’s businesses that have adopted strategic online marketing strategies have found that their marketing costs have dropped and results have increased. The rural company without high speed Internet is missing out on the effective and efficient use of social networking and targeted online marketing that delivers results.

The Solution for Rural Businesses

No matter the size of the business, there are efficiencies and improved opportunities awaiting online. For that reason, it makes sense to seek out solutions to the need for high speed Internet. According to the White House’s June 2013 Broadband Growth Report, broadband Internet speeds are those delivered at 3 Mbps for downloads. However, it also states that speeds of 10 Mbps downstream respond better to the needs of today’s Internet.

Luckily, there are high speed Internet services available that deliver such speeds to every area of the country. Even if cable and fiber providers have ignored rural businesses and DSL providers can’t deliver on the needed speeds, high speed satellite broadband service like those from Blue Fire Broadband ensure that rural companies have what they need. Today, rural businesses throughout the nation have the option to close their own digital divide by getting satellite Internet service for business and enjoying the opportunities fast Internet brings.

Changes in Bankruptcy for Small Business Owner Cases

Bankruptcy can be a difficult decision for any small business. There are a number of consequences associated with bankruptcy, including tax consequences that you may need to consider. For more help on the tax issues involved, I would suggest you consult with a small business tax attorney, Samuel D. Brotman or a lawyer within your own jurisdiction to help you mitigate any potential legal problems with the IRS.  However, when evaluating whether or not it is time for your small business to file bankruptcy, before you hire an attorney, it is important to know exactly what the requirements for bankruptcy are and how they impact you. These requirements differ slightly when a small business owner files for bankruptcy vs. a regular Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 debtor.

Here are some examples of how small business cases In small business owner cases, if the court makes the finding that there is enough information about the business in the reorganization plan then the debtor may not be required to file an additional disclosure statement related to the business. Also, to determine the classification of small business debtor, the debtor must pass a two-part test. The first part of the test requires that the small business debtor be participating in actual commercial activity. This means that the small business cannot be dedicated to passive income, such as owning real property. In addition, it is required that any liquidated debts, whether secured by a fixture or UCC filing or otherwise unsecured, must not exceed approximately $2,343,300. The second part of this test does not have to do with the business at all, but rather the creditors’ committee. If the creditors committee has already been appointed or if that committee is not active enough, in the court’s eyes to provide sufficient supervision of the debtor, than it will fail that part of the test. A qualified tax attorney or bankruptcy attorney can help explain the nuances of the test to your small business.

The small business debtor is required to submit with the petition a recently prepared balance sheet, a statement of operations, a cash flow statement, and the most recently filed tax return. The debtor is also required to submit a statement under oath explaining the absence of such documents and must attend court and the U.S. trustee meeting through senior management personnel and counsel. To meet ongoing filing requirements, the small business debtor must report information concerning the company’s profitability and projected cash receipts and disbursements, and must report whether it is in compliance with the Bankruptcy Code and the Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure and whether it has paid its taxes and filed its tax returns.

Knowing the nuances of the changes of in the bankruptcy code is important when considering bankruptcy as an option for your small business. For more information and specific advice, please speak with a qualified small business tax or bankruptcy attorney.

10 Ways to help you unwind

There’s lots of things that can cause us stress be it money (or a lack of it), work, love-life or home-life, and that’s without all those other things that can that you never expect. Stress is a problem though; in fact it’s one of the world’s biggest killers as it often causes strokes and heart attacks. Therefore – it’s important to know ways to unwind, whether that’s unwinding on your own or with loved ones or friends!

Here are our 10 favourite ways of unwinding and – even better – none of them cost very much!1.     1.Walking

Walking is a great way to relax and get our natural endorphins flowing. Whilst country walks involving beautiful scenery, wildlife and fresh air are what we all really need, there not always an option. When they’re not, raise your heart-rate by parking the car a little further from work and doing a little power walk to beat the stress-blues.

2. Napping

A short nap at some point of the day can really help you reduce stress levels. Okay, so it’s not always easy finding a place to do it – but try. Whilst a bed or a couch is ideal, even shutting your eyes for five minutes in a workplace toilet will help take the edge off a stressful day.

3. Bath time

This is one to enjoy after a hard day’s work. Think relaxing hot water, mountains of bubbles and an aromatic oil burner. You might want to play your favourite CD or start that book you keep promising you will – even the thought of having a bath makes you relax – and when you’ve relaxed you can always ask your spouse or partner to bring up a bottle of wine and join you.

4. Sex

Regular passion isn’t always easy to fit into a hectic schedule – but it’s one of the best ways to relax. Date night is a popular craze at the moment – so take it in turns to plan a special evening for the loved one in your life. Bath-time can be part of it.

5. Yoga

Yoga teaches you how to relax, stretch and breathe – so throw on some comfortable clothing and banish those stresses and tensions. Naked yoga is even more relaxing – and may lead to number 4.

6. Dance and Sing

If your singing is more X-rated than X-factor or you wouldn’t win Just Dance – who cares! In the privacy of your own home you can be John Travolta or Olivia Newton-John or anyone else you fancy being for a night – just let yourself go and have fun.

7. Online Games

Online games are a great way to relax and unwind. There are a whole host of online games sites which you can chose from. Flash games such as Pool, Golf, Tennis, checkers, chess and other sites where you can play cards, poker, and blackjack. If you want more of a buzz when you play your online games then you could head over to play bingo at Butlers. Online bingo games are a great way to unwind after a hard day at work. Play on your own, invite some friends round or make new friends via online bingo forums and chat-rooms. There’s also the advantage of playing for big cash prizes. Win and you might be booking that all-inclusive holiday you really need.

8. Daydreaming

Even if you don’t win at online Bingo, you can still daydream about being on an exotic island and sipping cocktails. Sure it’s not as good as the real thing but daydreaming is like napping with your eyes open.

9. Reading

If that book you’ve been planning to read for a while is still on your shelf – then make time to read it, especially if it’s fiction. The vicarious thrill of living someone else’s fantasy is a great way to let your mind escape.

10. Gardening

Weeding has been proven to be therapeutic – psychosomatic in a way that it makes feels like you’re removing all the rubbish from your life. Watching flowers or vegetables grow that you’ve planted also gives you an endorphin- releasing sense of achievement.

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