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How to Protect Your Small Business From Potential Risks

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Experienced mentors can help entrepreneurs implement practical safeguards for your small business.

WASHINGTON, June 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Whether you’re starting a new business or your company has been up and running for a while, protecting the business you worked hard to build is essential. Unfortunately, in the excitement of managing a small business, many entrepreneurs skip over this very important consideration. As mentors to America’s small businesses, SCORE encourages entrepreneurs this National Safety Month to take proactive steps to protect your business from risk.

1. Find an accountant.
Even if you plan on doing business bookkeeping yourself, getting a good accountant is worth the price. Not only can they ensure you take advantage of any tax breaks, but they can also provide valuable advice on how to structure your business, the best way to finance business expansion, and how much you should pay yourself.

“One of the main reasons businesses fail is poor cash flow management,” said SCORE mentor Cheri Hoffman. “If you don’t have a ton of experience with accounting/bookkeeping, there are some things you need to know. The money you will spend for these professional services is worth it.”

2. Buy business insurance.
Most businesses need general liability insurance, which protects the business from a variety of claims that can arise from business operations. A business owner’s policy combines general liability with property coverage and is a popular solution for many small business owners. If you provide advice or professional services to customers, you may also need professional liability insurance, also known as E&O (errors and omissions) coverage. If you use a vehicle for business purposes, such as traveling to customers to perform services, transporting materials or people or delivering products, you will likely need commercial auto insurance.

3. Be smart about new customers and clients.
Small business owners can face cash flow issues due to late or unpaid invoices. Fortunately, there are some things you can do to mitigate the risk. Start with a contract. A written contract outlines the terms of your agreement, including the scope of work, the price, the payment terms and any deadlines. Consider having an attorney review your master contract template before customizing it for clients.

4. Plan ahead for when disaster strikes.
From an electrical fire that destroys your inventory to a natural disaster like a flood or hurricane, disaster can strike your business at any time. That’s why having a disaster plan for what you will do in an emergency is important. Create a plan and assign responsibilities for how to get employees and customers out of the building safely, what to do if a disaster keeps you and employees from getting to your business, and how you will keep running even if you can’t get to your physical location.

5. Protect your business data.
To protect your business from cyber threats, start by backing up your company data and documents and storing them securely. A cloud-based file storage solution keeps your data safe off-site and accessible no matter where you are. To protect your business from cybercrime and hackers, install appropriate firewalls, use business-grade computers and antivirus software, and train your employees in cyber security measures, such as creating strong passwords.

To help you assess and avoid potential risks for your small business, SCORE client Jackson Dalton, owner of Black Box Safety in El Cajon, Calif., recommends utilizing resources that are readily available. “Take all the free SBA and SCORE classes that you can and sign up for a SCORE mentor,” said Dalton. “Network with friends, family and acquaintances to find a reputable accountant and attorney, as they will keep you out of trouble.”

A SCORE mentor can help guide you in managing potential risks and protect your business. Find one today at score.org/find-mentor.

About SCORE:
Since 1964, SCORE has helped more than 17 million entrepreneurs start, grow or successfully exit a business. SCORE’s 10,000 volunteers provide free, expert mentoring, resources and education in all 50 U.S. states and territories. Visit SCORE at www.score.org.

Funded [in part] through a Cooperative Agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration.

CONTACT:
SCORE
202-968-6428
media@score.org

Looking for a small business expert or owner for an upcoming media story? Email media@score.org to request an interview source.

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Xthings Empowers Subsidiary U-tec with Strategic Upgrade and Brand Revamp, Ushering in a New Era of Smart IoT

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UNION CITY, Calif., Nov. 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Xthings, a global leader in IoT solutions, has announced a comprehensive brand revamp and strategic upgrades for its subsidiary U-tec. This initiative aims to solidify its leadership in the smart IoT market by enhancing brand positioning, product competitiveness, and promoting innovations in smart electronic technologies.

Strategic Upgrade 

As U-tec’s parent company, Xthings will provide extensive support to elevate U-tec’s product and service offerings. This strategy encompasses:

Data-Driven Product Optimization: Utilizing Xthings’ advanced data analytics capabilities, U-tec will gain deeper insights into consumer needs, driving superior product performance and functionality.New Product Launches: U-tec will introduce an expanded range of smart devices, including locks, doorbells, cameras, control systems, and personal electronic products, all powered by the Xthings IoT platform.Enhanced Compatibility through Connectivity Standards Alliance (CSA) Collaboration: By adopting the Matter standard, Xthings ensures its products are seamlessly compatible with leading platforms such as U home, Apple Home, Google Home, Amazon Alexa, and SmartThings, thereby enhancing user experiences.

Brand Revamp 

Since its inception, U-tec has earned market recognition for its innovative smart home solutions, including smart locks, cameras, and lighting control systems. With Xthings’ support, the brand revamp will include:

Brand Image Refresh: A modernized logo and visual identity that reflect innovation and leadership in smart home and consumer electronics industry.Revised Brand Positioning: A renewed focus on providing smarter, safer, and more convenient home solutions while expanding its personal electronic consumer products.Enhanced Market Promotion: Through Xthings’ support, U-tec will bolster brand visibility and market penetration via multi-channel marketing initiatives.

Market Outlook 

This revamp and strategic upgrade underscore a deep synergy between technology and branding for Xthings and U-tec, reflecting the immense growth potential in the smart home market. Market projections indicate rapid expansion, with the global market size expected to reach $250 billion by 2028.

Matthew Brown, Xthings’ Chief Strategy Officer, remarked, “We are excited to support U-tec’s brand transformation and strategic evolution. This initiative showcases our technological expertise and shared vision, as we remain committed to delivering smarter, better user experiences.”

About U-tec Group Inc.

U-tec Group Inc. is a leader in smart home innovation, known for its superior product design and user experiences. Its portfolio includes smart lighting, security, and personal accessories, beloved by consumers worldwide.

About Xthings Inc. 

Xthings Inc. has driven advancements in IoT technology since its founding. With a track record of innovation in smart security, Xthings aims to improve quality of life, accelerate AIoT industry growth, and promote the intelligent transformation of society.

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/xthings-empowers-subsidiary-u-tec-with-strategic-upgrade-and-brand-revamp-ushering-in-a-new-era-of-smart-iot-302306534.html

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Gaudio Lab Secures CES Innovation Award for Third Consecutive Year: “AI Audio Technology Capturing the World’s Attention”

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SEOUL, South Korea, Nov. 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Gaudio Lab, a leader in AI audio technology, has won the CES 2025 Innovation Award with its comprehensive audio solution, “Gaudio Music Placement,” designed to address challenges in video content production and distribution. With this accolade, Gaudio Lab has marked its third consecutive year of CES Innovation Award wins, bringing its total to four awarded products over this period, further proving its position at the forefront of AI audio technology on the global stage.

Gaudio Music Placement: Revolutionizing Video Content Production

The award-winning “Gaudio Music Placement” offers a comprehensive solution that addresses various challenges in video content production and distribution. By simply uploading a video, the AI engine efficiently handles tasks such as background music selection and placement, music replacement, dubbing, subtitles, sound effects, noise reduction, and dialogue isolation – significantly reducing the time needed for these labor-intensive processes. Currently, an early version with select features, “Gaudio Music Replacement,” is commercially available, with the complete version set for release in the first half of next year.

A Solution to Copyright Challenges in Global Contents Distribution

Gaudio Music Replacement tackles the prevalent background music copyright issues that arise in video content distribution. Traditionally, resolving this required manual replacement of background music, but Gaudio’s AI quickly replaces original music with high-quality, copyright-free options that closely match the original, thus greatly accelerating the workflow. The solution leverages world-class audio separation technology to isolate and enhance dialogue, provides automated foreign language dubbing, and simplifies the application of various sound effects. Leading broadcasters in Korea have already adopted this solution, and discussions are underway with broadcasters in Japan.

Gaudio Lab’s CEO, Henney Oh, expressed his enthusiasm, stating, “We are thrilled to receive the CES Innovation Award for three consecutive years, affirming our AI audio technology as world-class. As global demand for cross-border content continues to grow, we will keep refining our products to enable fast and easy access to content distribution worldwide.”

Gaudio Lab at CES 2025

Gaudio Lab will showcase its award-winning and other AI audio products at CES 2025 in Las Vegas this January. During CES 2024, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella visited Gaudio Lab’s booth, garnering significant attention. At CES 2025, Gaudio Lab will host a booth in the Global Pavilion, exhibiting a range of innovative AI audio solutions.

[About Gaudio Lab]

Gaudio Lab is a leading AI audio technology start-up that was founded in 2015 following the company’s spatial audio technology for headphones was adopted as the binaural renderer for the ISO/IEC MPEG-H Audio standard in 2014. Ever since its establishment, the company has worked to develop technologies to deliver superior audio experiences wherever there is sound, gaining the attention and support from top global strategic investors such as SBVA, Samsung Venture Investment and Naver Corp. Across and between reality and virtual reality, Gaudio Lab’s solutions will continue to provide optimized audio on a diverse range of platforms such as earbuds, smartphones, VOD, VR/AR, theaters, automotives and more. Gaudio Lab secured three consecutive CES Innovation Awards (2025/2024/2023, 4 products), finalist nominated for the SXSW Innovation Award 2024, adopted the ANSI/CTA international standard (2022), and obtained recognition through the adoption of the ISO/IEC MPEG-H international standard (2018, 2013). The company was also honored with the VR Awards for the Best VR Innovation Company in London (2017).

 

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/gaudio-lab-secures-ces-innovation-award-for-third-consecutive-year-ai-audio-technology-capturing-the-worlds-attention-302302125.html

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Intelligent.com Survey Finds 1 in 5 Managers Have Considered Quitting Due to Stress of Overseeing Gen Z Employees

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Managers report stress, increased workload, and challenges adapting to the expectations of younger workers

SEATTLE, Nov. 15, 2024 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — Intelligent.com, a platform dedicated to helping young professionals navigate the future of work, has released new findings on the challenges managers face overseeing Generation Z employees. In a survey conducted in October 2024, 1,000 U.S. managers shared their experiences, revealing high levels of stress and frustration with the newest workforce cohort.

“Managers may need to adjust their approach, acting more as coaches than traditional supervisors to better support and guide younger workers.”

Among key findings, 18% of managers report they have considered quitting due to the strain of managing Gen Z workers.

The survey highlights specific challenges in managing Gen Z employees, including excessive phone use, poor work ethic, and communication issues that impact team cohesion and productivity. Over half of the managers surveyed report increased workload and the need for additional resources to manage Gen Z employees, with many saying these workers require more guidance and attention than previous generations.

The survey found that 51% of managers experience frustration and 44% feel stress in managing Gen Z employees, with issues like workload increase (27%) and productivity declines (20%) among their top concerns. Additionally, 20% feel overwhelmed and 16% report burnout due to the demands of managing this group.

“Part of the frustration comes from a misalignment in expectations,” says Huy Nguyen, Intelligent.com’s chief education and career development advisor. “Gen Z employees often bring strong technical skills but may lack the soft skills that develop through hands-on experience, which many missed out on during the pandemic. Managers may need to adjust their approach, acting more as coaches than traditional supervisors to better support and guide younger workers.”

The majority of managers (65%) have adjusted their management style to better accommodate Gen Z employees. This includes providing more frequent feedback (44%), micromanaging (38%), and allowing more time for tasks (32%). Three-quarters of managers feel that Gen Z requires more time and resources to manage effectively compared to older generations, with 54% having experienced inappropriate communication from Gen Z employees.

Over half of managers (52%) report that Gen Z employees create tension with older generations, primarily due to differences in workplace attitudes, communication styles, and priorities. Additionally, 54% of managers say Gen Z work habits lower team productivity.

Given these challenges, 50% of managers have fired a Gen Z employee, and 27% would avoid hiring Gen Z if possible. Despite this, managers cite filling junior roles, cost-effectiveness, and concerns over ageism as reasons to continue hiring Gen Z.

This online poll was commissioned by Intelligent.com and conducted on Pollfish in October 2024. A total of 1,000 U.S. managers completed the survey. Demographic criteria and screening questions were used to ensure qualified respondents. To view the complete report, please visit: https://www.intelligent.com/1-in-5-managers-have-considered-quitting-due-to-stress-of-overseeing-gen-z-employees/

ABOUT INTELLIGENT.COM
Intelligent.com stands at the forefront of innovation, empowering young professionals to navigate the rapid technological advancements shaping our world and the future of work. The platform is dedicated to unlocking each individual’s unique potential, guiding them toward achieving their career ambitions, and maximizing their financial prospects. To learn more, please visit https://www.intelligent.com/.

Media Contact
Hannah Hayes, Intelligent.com, 0000000, hannah@intelligent.com

View original content:https://www.prweb.com/releases/intelligentcom-survey-finds-1-in-5-managers-have-considered-quitting-due-to-stress-of-overseeing-gen-z-employees-302306725.html

SOURCE Intelligent.com

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