Hiscox 2013 Small Business Stars

I was named one of the 2013 Small Business Stars!

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Do You Need Insurance For Your iPhone 5s?

Do You Need Insurance For Your iPhone 5s?

The Apple iPhone 5s is a fine piece of engineering genius, and definitely merits the AppleCare+ an extended iPhone 5s warranty if you can afford it. Your carrier will also try and convince you to buy insurance at the same time. The question is, will the warranty do or do you need the insurance as well?

So, Why Take Insurance At All?

Of course, you might argue that you don’t need to take out iPhone 5S insurance at all. After all, doesn’t Apple offer an out-of-warranty iPhone 5S replacement at $229 to replace damaged or broken phones? Yes, of course they do. That doesn’t really solve your problem, does it? You’ll still be shelling out money from your pocket. Plus, Apple won’t retain the same good old rate for ever. So don’t depend on the out-of-warranty replacement device. Think in terms of protecting your device long-term and getting full value for the money you’re investing.

Ok So Why Not Just Take Up The Extended Warranty?

Here’s what you need to understand. True, Apple offers a one year warranty that covers major defects – bad battery life, for example, or the touchscreen going crazy. What do you do if your iPhone 5S gets lost, stolen, or your little rugrat drops it into the loo? You will have to look into a warranty that covers accidental damage. But warranty does not cover accidental damage, only insurance does.

Ok, Yes, I See Why I Need Insurance

Now that you’re coming around, we suggest that you read through the fine print and compare features, benefits and prices before buying iPhone 5S insurance. True, iPhone 5s insurance does cost more than Apple’s iPhone 5s warranty. That’s because it offers greater coverage. There’s an upfront fee, a monthly premium and a pre-determined deductible that you pay while making a claim. However, take a look at these facts:

• It costs less than $200 for an iPhone 5s from your carrier.
• If your phone is lost or stolen and you’re without insurance, you’ll be shelling out no less than $649 for a new iPhone 5S.
• If you bought a higher capacity model, you’ll be shelling out more to purchase another one off contract – $849 and more.
• Without the carrier subsidy, the iPhone 5S is an expensive phone to own, and even more expensive to lose or damage.

Want More Reasons For Insuring Your iPhone 5S?

Water damage is an ever-present danger. A coffee spill is something that happens at least once a week in most people’s lives. You don’t want your iPhone 5S to become wet, do you? How do you predict that your brand new iPhone 5s, one that’s been dearly bought with hard-earned money, won’t suffer water damage? Water damage is the most frequent kind of damage reported by smartphone users; if you own an iPhone 5S, consider buying insurance that provides coverage for water damage.Why do you think so many iPhone 5 owners buy insurance? There’s no pred

The importance of networking when setting up a business from home

Most people understand the importance of networking for their business – the increased contacts and opportunities for development, the ability to make friendships amongst peers and look for problem solving solutions through group discourse and, of course, to forge valuable workplace connections which can help with staffing needs. However, this can be difficult to achieve when one is working from home. The usual networking opportunities – such as dinners, benefits or events – can be relatively inaccessible for someone working alone, without the influence of big business backing.

For those coming from a self-employment background, there are other ways to network than the standard channels. The internet opens up new methods of communication. Message boards and online forums are effective ways of sharing information. Responding to other people’s posts helps to establish sources of information and make your brand appear credible and knowledgeable, and people will begin to associate your brand name with the help they received on the internet. There are forums specifically tailored to a wide range of fields and industries on which serious professionals often advertise their services. Developing relationships on the internet can be a valuable way of forging networks and connections.

Alternatively, for those who prefer to communicate on a face to face basis, the wide range of trade shows and conferences can provide an ideal platform for sharing ideas. Alternatively look for business networking events or groups in your area. Working from home does not preclude attendance – in fact, working from home means that trade shows are even more valuable in offering the opportunity to meet likeminded professionals with whom you might not otherwise have come into contact. Likewise, any social events which are advertised by local business groups are perfect places to meet other entrepreneurs. Some are advertised as discussion panels, others are informational presentations whilst others still are targeted at women-only audiences.

Social events organised for pleasure shouldn’t be discredited as places to network, either. Although it is important to be cautious, so as to not bore people and lose friends, talking about your business at every possible opportunity is to be recommended to help people learn your business name. Offer your services to suitable friends who need your industry, or ask them to recommend you to those who might need help in the future. Building a network can be done at any level, from corporate and commercial to starting on a smaller, private, scale. Gaining the support of friends and family can be valuable additions to any network. Although networking from home is harder than when working for another organisation, it is by no means impossible and remains equally important.

 

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