Tristan

As the amount of raw data in our world continues to grow exponentially, companies and organizations are undergoing a digital transformation in order to keep up. Cloud environments just aren’t strong enough to hold back the flood of unstructured data that comes from the many sources of data that companies use such as applications, websites, and physical devices. A data manager might try to solve the problem by moving their databases onto silos, but this can severely corrupt the data integrity and hinder a company’s ability to grant data access to its international branches.

Companies that have decided to move to a data fabric solution are realizing that they gain a competitive advantage from the real-time insights other benefits that data fabric provides. Let’s take a closer look at data fabric, and why it solves some of the most crucial problems facing data scientists and companies today.

Big data is only getting bigger.

It doesn’t matter what products or services a company is selling, an organization’s ability to leverage its data assets has become crucial to its survival. Companies that don’t take advantage of the insights that can be learned from data engineers and passed onto the decision-makers often fall behind the companies do. However, the biggest issue that data analysts face is not performing analytics, but finding places to store and organize the unimaginable amounts of data that flood their databases every day.

Although data may seem small and unobtrusive, it’s currently making a mess for companies that have more data than they know what to do with. Due to storage issues and disorganization, the valuable information that companies could be using to gain a competitive edge is often located in different on-premises servers, as well as hybrid cloud environments. This means that the data is maintained on different file systems and databases, so there is no continuity, creating more and more barriers between companies and their valuable data. Because data is growing rapidly for all companies, these problems will only continue to worsen for organizations that have not implemented data fabric solutions.

No more data silos, lakes, or warehouses.

Many organizations use data lakes, data warehouses, and silos to try and solve this big data problem, but this only acts as a bandaid and does not solve the deeper issue. In fact, silos can often make the problem worse because they limit data access to a select group, meaning that decision-makers are bound to the location of their servers.

As a consequence, useful and important data can stay unused and forgotten in the back of a dusty silo for years. This means that data is not paying rent on the expensive storage it takes to maintain it. Companies are losing money two-fold: by throwing cash away on storage for data they can’t actually use, and by missing out on valuable insights that are lost when data remains unaccessed.

A data fabric, on the other hand, allows the company to extract their data from the source point no matter where they are in the world. This breaks the chains of silos that give decision-makers the ultimatum of staying on-premises or missing out on important information. Data fabric software allows useful information to be processed in real-time, giving organizations more options, more storage space, and more freedom.

Enhanced quality, availability, and insights.

One of the biggest frustrations that data engineers face is the fact that less and less of their jobs have become about data. Due to the device-intensive nature of silos and data lakes, analysts have to deal more and more with hardware issues and spend less than 25% of their time addressing issues that require advanced analytics. This is a waste of the analysts’ time and a huge waste of money. Data is only valuable if companies can use it to learn more about their customers, the market, and themselves.

When data becomes inaccessible and forgotten it becomes highly likely that data integrity will become comprised. This is especially true when different types of data exist in multiple locations on separate file servers. This kind of storage solution was not designed to face the big data problems we face today.

Data fabric solutions have become the future of big data because they are the best way to profit from your data without wasting money on storage space for data that is unusable. Data fabric was built to anticipate the big data problem and give companies the data integration tools they will need to survive in the changing data world by making all data operate in a single environment, providing continuity, organization, and peace of mind.

Funding is, perhaps, the biggest hurdle many entrepreneurs must cross when starting their businesses. Without sufficient capital, you will be unable to run day-to-day operations, produce products, market your business, and hire people to run it successfully. If you have already written a kickass business plan, listed below are a few ways you can raise enough money to bring your dreams to life.

Self-finance

If you’ve saved enough by earning big from your current job or have inherited a fortune from your elders, self-financing your business is an excellent idea. This way, you won’t be answerable to anyone, and you can do what you think is best for your business. It helps build a sense of responsibility and ownership, knowing that your own capital is employed.

However, it’s necessary to ensure your decisions are carefully curated because you are potentially putting everything you have on the line. The stakes may be high, but the right choices will help reap immense benefits in the long run. Therefore, consider skilling up your business know-how to ensure you steer the ship successfully. In fact, this will help you come off as a more convincing investment for other funding opportunities as well. You can opt for MBA programs no GMAT required if you want to fast-track the learning process. Getting higher education will help you brush up on your competencies and learn the ropes of successful business management.

When in doubt, turn to family & friends

If you’re on good terms, your friends and family might be willing to lend you a penny or two to start your own business. In most cases, they are the first ones to help you out, morally and financially. Having a blood relation or a healthy bond makes them strong contenders to finance your business, as they’d be delighted to see you succeed. Chances are, you might be able to score a loan with a relatively low or zero interest rate.

Bank Loans

Banks are the oldest and most reliable sources for acquiring financial assistance for a start-up. However, banks do not give loans to entrepreneurs they don’t trust. Therefore, a well-made business plan is crucial if you plan if you want to stand any chance of securing a loan. The more convincing your pitch, the higher your chances of getting money from them. However, you might want to double-check on the interest rates as these can be considerably high. If they are, look for cheaper alternatives such as credit unions and microloans provided by other organizations.

Crowdfunding

Crowdfunding is a fun and easy way to raise capital for your business by engaging the community and potential investors/customers. People, in large groups, raise small amounts that fund business projects and ventures. An exceptional pitch and out-of-the-box product/service idea can help you raise money from crowdfunding platforms such as Kickstarter, Patreon, Indiegogo, etc. Then, if your start-up does well, the funds will continue to flow.

Pre-selling products

You can also raise capital for your business by selling your products before manufacturing them in bulk. Though this is very intimidating and difficult to carry out, it is very much possible. If your business functions on selling one product at a time, this source of investment may work for you if you know how to pre-sell your product. However, being overconfident may come back to haunt you. If you don’t have everything planned out and things go south, you will have to pay back your customers.

Ask venture capitalists

Venture capitalists provide new businesses with initial investments to help kick things off. If you have an overwhelming pitch and your business is likely to grow bigger, you stand a good chance of getting VCs on board. As a return on their investments, these investors demand interest, or they charge a fee for taking care of the funds provided by them. In addition, VCs are notorious for wanting to have a say in business decision-making, unlike other investors such as angel investors, which brings us to the next funding source.

Angel investors

Angel investors are wealthy people that choose to give back to society by investing in promising start-ups. They can be an invaluable source of finance for your business. They generally provide vast sums of money. What differentiates them from venture capitalists is that angel investors ask for ownership equity, usually one-fourth of the company. Thus, they will receive profits, just like you. Therefore, making it a bargain for you and your angel investor. On the bright side, you won’t have to return any loans or pay interest.

However, angel investors require a clear direction, a business plan, and sheer devotion because they are ready to splash a handsome amount on your business. You must show them you are enthusiastic about your venture in the short and long term.

Last but not least, government funding

If all else fails, you can look to your country’s respective government for funds. As compared to the other methods of gather capital, this may be more laborious and time-consuming. In addition, the paperwork and bureaucracy can be quite the pain in the butt. However, if you’re here, you’re probably not in a position to complain! For example, the US has the Small Business Administration (SBA). They provide American citizens with different loans at different interest rates.

Conclusion

Raising capital for your brainchild is all that stands between its inception and your success as an entrepreneur. This article mentioned several funding options for you to choose from. Self-finance to friends and family, bank loans, crowdfunding, venture capitalists, angel investors, and government funding. Regardless of the method you opt for, you must have a solid business plan to pay back your loans and provide equity holders with a return on their investment. The ways mentioned above should help you gain a thorough understanding and help you make a wise choice.

 

Native American tribes are subject to federal and state laws but they are unique, sovereign nations so they can build and operate casinos as long as they are within the borders of their reservation lands. Tribal casinos go back as far as the 1970s when Native Americans opened bingo halls to raise funds. Tribal gaming offers a way to boost the economy and benefit social development in indigenous communities.

Tribal gaming revenue

There are 524 tribal casinos in the U.S. and many of them are massive and very glamorous. In fact, none of the largest casinos are in Las Vegas. The five largest casinos are owned by Native American tribes. They are ranked by the number of table games, slot machines and square footage. Tribal gaming revenue generates almost 45% of overall U.S. gaming revenue and this revenue is increasing all the time.

Gun Lake is one of the tribal casinos that launched an online casino in April 2021 and at playgunlake.com, players can experience the flexibility and convenience of betting online with a large array of online slots and favorite table games. Live dealers will be coming soon, where guests can interact with real dealers on a variety of games.

One of the productive things during lockdown was that people discovered how much they could do online, such as taking online courses. Thousands discovered how much fun online gaming could be too, and even now that social distancing restrictions are being lifted, this activity continues to grow.

Regulations

The Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA) outlines the requirements under which the tribal casinos operate and they are also regulated by the tribal governments, federal statutes, tribal-state gaming compacts, the National Indian Gaming Commission and the Interior Department.

Under the IGRA, the tribal casinos must support tribal economic development with the profits they generate, investing funds in improving roads, schools, and helping charitable organizations.

Major regulations exist with the purpose of maintaining the security of sensitive personal data and most casinos rely on encryption. Those who want to understand encryption may want to find out more about, but it basically changes data from being readable to unreadable.

Tribal casinos don’t pay taxes

Tribal casinos do not have to pay tax to the government. However, they do have agreements with states whereby they pay them some of their profits. They are good for the economy in that they provide plenty of job opportunities.

 

What makes people happy in a company? Is it the salary and benefits? Is happiness based on who your boss is and what kind of relationship you have with him? Could it be something else?

Answers to these and other questions may vary. However, it starts by putting in place simple measures that will show your employees that you care about their well-being. Here are four of them.

Rewards and Recognition

Everyone wants more money. This is common sense. No employee will say no to a salary increase, a large bonus at the end of the year, or a higher sales-based commission. Yet, most staff members understand that this is not always possible. Aside from labor costs, companies also have to pay rent, taxes, utility bills, and other expenses. As such, this is usually not what they expect.

But this doesn’t mean they don’t desire to be recognized for their work, especially if it is above standard. All human beings need praise, and it is the firm’s responsibility to provide it.

If you cannot give your workers more money, give them something else. Simple rewards like a plaque, a set of stackable engraved rings, a certificate of recognition, or a quality pen will go a long way in showing your people you care about them and value their work.

Flexible Schedules

One of the many things the covid-19 global pandemic has taught us is the importance of flexibility. Even if the mass rollout of several vaccines has already started in many countries, things have not completely gone back to normal. We still need to maintain social distancing protocols, use masks, face shields, and other protective gear, and make sure we are as clean and sanitized as we can be.

From a business perspective, this places the demand on corporations to exercise at least a minimum degree of flexibility towards the work schedules of their employees. If several of the members of your team can work from home while maintaining equal levels of efficiency, there is no reason for you not to allow them to. If you have clients or business partners in different countries around the world, why not let your staff choose the hours they work based on various timezones?

We all have to deal with a long list of issues in our lives. If we see that the company we work for is taking this into account, we will be more motivated to do our best.

Stock Options

Few people will take care of the things of others more than they do their own. This is true both from a personal and a corporate perspective. As a part-time employee, is the enterprise you work for as important now as if you were the owner? If the company computers, desks, printers, and copy machines belonged to you, would you be more mindful of how you use them?

When it comes to providing employees with stock options, there are two ways in which the company can benefit. First, it can create a deep-seated sense of belonging within their staff. After all, they are part owners. Second, it aligns the long-term goals of upper management with those of rank-and-file employees.

But what kind of avenues can the business take? There are plenty of options. For instance, a firm can offer workers stock options once they’ve reached a certain tenure within the organization. Another alternative would be to include them in general employment compensation packages or retirement programs.

Company Perks

In simple terms, a fringe benefit or perk is anything your firm will give you that is not required by law. Examples include a company car, a business trip expense account, a daycare facility for people with kids, and access to an in-house gym. These and others are all great benefits that will keep employees motivated and happy.

Yet, a perk doesn’t have to be something big to be meaningful. It doesn’t even have to be that expensive. Staff members will more than appreciate a few free snacks or drinks. They will love a small rest area to play board games with their colleagues, catch up on their reading at lunchtime, or simply relax and take a nap.

Other highly popular fringe benefits businesses can offer are discount coupons for groceries, gym memberships, hair salons, or restaurants. Once again, they show your workers that you are willing to go the extra mile to assist them in any way you can. Better yet, it is a sign that you value your people as much as you do your bottom line.

Four effective, affordable ways for organizations to keep their staff members motivated are a rewards and recognition system, flexible work schedules, stock option capabilities, and small perks.

For companies who wish to maintain work quality and efficiency within their ranks, they are the easiest, fastest way to do it.

 

 

Meta title: Affordable Ways to Motivate Your Staff
meta desc: This article looks at four simple benefits all companies looking to maintain employee motivation levels can give their workers. Read along to find out more about what they are.

 

Source: https://unsplash.com/photos/S4YyjnffcIQ

White wine is arguably one of the most consumed alcoholic beverages in both Australia and all around the world. In fact, many people drink at least one glass of white wine every single day; not just because of the taste, but also for its therapeutic and health benefits.

In this article, we’ll be taking a look at some white wine nutrition facts and just how this popular and tasty beverage can be beneficial for your health when consumed in moderation.

 

It’s Good for Heart Health

The older the white wine, the better it is for your heart, according to studies by health experts. It helps to improve cardiovascular function, allowing blood to flow more freely through the body and thus placing less pressure on the heart muscle. Aged white wine has been shown to offer higher levels of cardioprotection and is beneficial for proper artery function.

When enjoyed in moderation (1 or 2 glasses per day), white wine neither increases or decreases blood pressure, nor does it affect normal liver function, according to studies between drinking red wine, white wine or mineral water with dinner.

 

White Wine Can Speed Up Your Metabolism

The inherent ingredients in white wine are known to help speed up the body’s metabolism, which enables the casual white wine drinker to burn calories at a more efficient rate and have the ability to keep off excess body weight.

This is great news for anyone who is concerned with weight gain, or someone who has a few extra pounds they want to lose.

Keep in mind that if you overindulge and drink white wine to excess, it will have the opposite effect and you’ll start to put on the pounds, not take them off.

 

Improved Lung Health

For many decades, red wine has been considered by many as the most healthy alcoholic beverage in the world. While this may be true in many respects, one area where white wine may get an edge over its red wine counterpart is lung health. White wine has more of an impact on improved lung function and capacity than red wine does.

Lung capacity tests taken over a period of time in studies have shown that regular drinkers of white wine outperformed regular drinkers of red wine in lung capacity testing. This ties in with white wine also being good for heart health.

 

White Wine Is Loaded With Antioxidants

Most of us are aware that antioxidants, often found in various fruits and Vitamin C, are extremely beneficial for ongoing good health. Antioxidants are also known enemies of the free radicals that can cause cancer or exacerbate cancer. Drinking white wine in moderation on a regular basis loads up the body with important antioxidants that aid in the fight against free radicals and cancer, improve blood flow and heart and lung efficiency.

While white wine is not a cure-all, indulging in a glass or two daily will certainly help to ward off illness and keep you generally all round more healthy.

 

White Wine Can Help Reduce Bad Cholesterol

As a part of its positive impact on heart and artery health, the properties of white wine have been shown to help lower the levels of bad cholesterol in the body. This means less chance of developing clogged arteries or suffering from kidney or liver issues due to high cholesterol levels in the bloodstream. Anything that can help lower bad cholesterol levels is a major health benefit not to be ignored.

 

Have Your White Wine Home Delivered

In the modern world, there is no need to jump in the car and drive to your local bottle shop to pick up a bottle or two of your favourite white wine or other beverage. If you want to buy spirits online, Australia has many home delivery options.

Just go online, order what you want from an online liquor store and have your wine and other favourite alcoholic beverages and mixers delivered to your home. It doesn’t get any easier and more convenient than that.

 

The Takeaway

As you can see, there are many health benefits associated with drinking white wine in moderation, particularly with meals. So long as you don’t regularly over-indulge, a glass or two of white wine per day can be very good for your health.