Brighter Prospects For Small US Businesses in 2022

Brighter Prospects For Small US Businesses in 2022

Analysts remain optimistic that the final phase of 2021 carries lots of hope for small businesses in the US. In particular, US business financing prospects seem to grow brighter by the day. I the wake of the pandemic subsiding, most credit card issuers and small business lenders successfully reopened for business. This means it was easier to secure funding. At the same time, technology continued to play a crucial role in helping business owners manage the cash flow.

According to a Capital One survey, 67% of small business owners recently expressed confidence that they'd return to full business operations and earn revenue comparable to the pre-pandemic situation. Another 60% of the respondents said they believed the US economic prospects would be favorable in 2022. Mr. Sameer Gulati, the CEO and President of Plastiq to the business.com outlet expected things to start reopening fully and growing again either in the 3rd or 4th quarter of 2021. But this is not the same as saying the typical small business owner would bounce back to normal operations post the pandemic. The truth is millions of thriving small businesses were hit hard by the pandemic; many of them even closed permanently. However, companies that hanged on and survived were set to enjoy many financial options in 2021/22, much more than they did at the height of the pandemic in 2020.

In this regard, we might begin by considering the situation of credit card and loan issuers. Once the pandemic set in, most US credit card companies and lenders quickly reacted by slowing down lending and slashing the credit card limits. Of course, this worsened an already bad situation. For many small businesses that sorely needed access to such facilities, the situation became untenable. Mr. Gulati says: "Around March 2020, the traditional credit card providers experienced a massive knee-jerk reaction; they pulled back hard. Hence it became very difficult to access a loan anywhere. As a result, the rate of business failures increased exponentially." He adds: "This was the first time in the entire credit card history that there was a massive line reduction in just a few days or weeks." Comparatively, banks and credit card companies took months to react to the 2008/2009 recession. What was the difference in 2020? It the current scenario, financial institutions enjoy unprecedented technological advances- technology has gradually integrated with most business bank accounts- this makes it much easier to see the red flags well in advance. However, as we move ahead, most credit card institutions can now gauge the Covid-19 risks clearly; it follows that many are willing to extend credit facilities for thousands of small businesses.

"In 2021, there was a more progressive credit card issuing regime; most institutions were willing to increase the lines," Mr. Gulati says. "Generally, many credit-issuing partners are indicating they have big plans for 2021 and beyond."

Mr. Gulati, however, notes that the increased credit facilities aren't available for everyone across the board. He said that most credit lines are steadily rising for sectors of the US economy that have striven t hold up during the pandemic. These sectors include e-commerce, construction, healthcare, and professional services. Brock Blake, the Lendio CEO, observed that many banks, fintech, online lenders, and credit unions are more than willing to offer cash t small business operators without stringent conditions. "We generally expect the SBA to increase the guarantee from 85% to 90%," said Blake. "This will increase lender confidence on the issuance of SBA loans," he concluded.

Analysts expect that with increased liquidity, most lenders will happily serve the small businesses. In turn, this indicates many businesses owners will find it cheaper to borrow since they already enjoy good credit scores. Further, banks and credit unions are expected to play a crucial role in business lending. However, pundits predict that fintechs will be the greatest and most significant issuers of loans in 2022. Most investors are also willing to lend more because they aren't getting much yield outside the stock market. Ultimately, "Lots of money is now flooding the non-bank lending market," says the CEO of SMB Compass, Matthew Gillman. "Yes, the new year will be quite exciting for many alternative lenders. We expect lots of liquidity beyond the form of banking financing," he says.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Corporate Insourcing

Advantages and Disadvantages of Corporate Insourcing

Insourcing is a management tool used in organizations- it involves hiring a specialist to either provide services or educate your staff to do tasks that you usually require a third party to accomplish. Doing this gives your organization complete control of activities by enabling tasks to be done within the company.

Insourcing is an intelligent plan which offers clarification for STEM companies. It's a beneficial science field where specialized talent is always in high demand. These services include the repair and maintenance of medical devices, pharmaceutical manufacturing, and diagnostics, among others. From quality control to shipping cost, users need to consider which among the two models suits their needs. The following are the pros of insourcing in any market:

First, owners and managers feel the effects of poor services. They have to go through all the reviews and try to figure out how to reply to the senders. At times, this leads to service improvement (primarily since they are held accountable). There are increased chances of having a good relationship with outsourcing partners due to the different organizational structures used.

The tool gives you complete business control. Indeed, it's one of the primary merits of such types of business management. When you keep a project or facility in your organization, your staff has all total control over it. Once you outsource your task, your supplier has control over it. However, control over a project also has its drawbacks. On its part, insourcing leads to increasing staff and resources to manage projects.

Insourcing reduces production costs; it helps you avoid unnecessary commissions and fees from intermediaries, as well as other outsourcing costs. It points to other exponential costs (of incorporating and utilizing a third-party vendor who can offer value-based prices). Although outsourcing reduces labour costs, it doesn't mean victory; you should look for other elements that make shifting from this management model viable. Insourcing builds the reputation of any product's value. Most people prefer goods and services near them; this means you can go back to them in case of difficulties.

Companies who insource their tasks create employment for local people. This helps in obtaining a better customer relationship. Since outsourced things are visible to people, this ignites certain factors in their minds. It makes customer care issues superior to outsourcing companies; overall, this builds positive product values. Insourcing also develops leadership on the bench; it certainly cultivates talents when you consecutively insource tasks for years. Hiring and working with employees for years helps you access their abilities. One might see a leadership talent among the employees that one can build into a better leader. In outsourcing, one gets the products from third parties after a while. When outsourcing, one gets access to a global pool of talent where you enjoy your benefits until the termination of your contract.

Insourcing leads to effective quality assertion. As a business owner, it's important to comprehend that quality is the critical industry factor. Quality issues can even lead to disruption or customer dissatisfaction. Most outsourcing companies face many regulatory affairs that negatively affect quality assurance; this is often difficult to monitor and evaluate.

Apart from those numerous pros, insourcing also has its fair share of cons. First, it's expensive and time-consuming. Many companies and human resource teams find it easier to find qualified applicants when a vacant post is announced. If you want immediate hiring, you might waste much time and resources. Also, the inability to locate temporary labour can lead to the employment of unqualified employees to fill vacant positions.

Insourcing also requires specialized skills. Everyone does not possess some skills like video creation, graphic design, and writing; this makes them high demand skills. It helps a company hire qualified personnel to do the tasks. As the company gets bigger, this becomes a major issue; it may not be easy to contact an insource team in some situations.

Insourcing often produces a poor response; this can harm the company's reputation. For example, inappropriate reactions from an emotional superior can affect the morale of employees. Outsourcing projects may offer a solution to agencies that respond appropriately to the manager or business owner. Ultimately, with insourcing, a business has greater control over the employees, resources, privacy, and properties. As a result, the company runs a lower risk of losing property.

Characteristics of a Good Business Manager

Characteristics of a Good Business Manager

To successfully perform their jobs, the business manager must have the relevant skills to work efficiently. Management is divided into four components, namely organizing, controlling, leading, and planning. For anyone interested in becoming a top manager, here are some of the features you should have to be a good business manager: First, it's essential to build strong connections among workers. To master the art of multi-tasking, collaboration, and co-operation among team members is very vital. Developing a team environment is one of the crucial characteristics a good business manager should demonstrate.

It's often emphasized that coordinating with others is a significant factor in the modern world's success. Start seeking partnerships with colleagues of different departments in your company. One is seen as a team player by building a positive coalition with other employees. As you progress with team building, you also need to manage a variety of responsibilities simultaneously. You must be ready to solve things and get them done by meeting the needs of workers. Since you can't do it alone, consider the work at hand and empower your staff to get the things done.

Be a comprehensive manager: One essential tip to consider is being ";equal"; in staff management. Recognize that there's a direct connection between the multicultural and competitive world of business. The right attitude to acquire when building a working environment in a company is mind diversion. When you become sincere with your employees, you gain their respect; this is a significant factor in any working atmosphere. Being concerned with the employee's well-being is vital since their emotion can affect the entire workplace. Resolving staff disagreements is another quality that encourages open communication where mediation is necessary.

Turn out as a role model among your employees: Perfect the behaviour that you would like your workers to have. To be a strong business manager, loyalty and hard work are of great importance. Your determination never goes unnoticed by your supervisor and employees. This motivates employees; work hard and show up on time during working hours. Even on a bad day, try to induce positivity in the workplace to keep the team going. Demonstration of self-passion is another essential quality of a good business manager.

Participate in self-awareness and likeness: Try and face your weaknesses and strengths. You s work hard to make sure you don't mess up with your work. Evaluation of feedback from the staff and supervisors is a crucial step in self-awareness. Understanding how others see you is the road to improved performance. However, one is bound to come across difficult situations. Since your job is to encourage employees, avoid being motivated by others. Staying calm in the work environment makes your team feel safe when approaching you for help— yes, containing frustration rewards everyone with a positive work environment.

Be optimistic: As a manager, you should focus on optimism by believing the impossible to be possible in the team. One should always see the bigger picture when the staff focuses on tasks; this enables the company to move in the right direction. Hire the best employees who can cope with anything that might come their way. Decision-making is one of the most challenging parts of a management experience. Why? Employees always rely on you for directions. Thus, try to collect enough information and be timely in your decisions making.

Acquire more knowledge and develop new skills: Learning new things every day should be among the top features of a successful manager. Try to consider what you need to grow your profession; create a strategy to remain a revolutionary in the industry. Many universities have held discussions about the importance of paying dues in time; this describes a good business manager. In the real sense, gaining knowledge and new skills gives you credit to lead your team effectively. Also, effective communication needs to be a priority for a good business manager. Verbal skills are also of great importance when supervising employees.

To be the ideal manager, you need to be a great leader by developing or improving emotional intelligence; this means being consistent in learning things and recognizing your team's effort. Since it won't happen overnight, making consistent efforts improves those skills. It's the hallmark of a healthy business where more employees engage for a better bottom line.

Disneyland Resort from Sept - Oct 2021

Disneyland Resort from Sept - Oct 2021

Halloween Time at the Disneyland Resort returns with frightfully fun experiences for guests of all ages from Sep. 3 through Oct. 31, 2021, with Halloween magic throughout Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park. From transformed Halloween-themed attractions Haunted Mansion Holiday and Guardians of the Galaxy – Monsters After Dark, to sightings of favorite Disney characters and villains, beloved seasonal décor including the Mickey Mouse jack-o'-lantern and delightfully delicious treats, there is family-friendly fun for every ghoul or goblin to enjoy at the Disneyland Resort. Downtown Disney District gets in the spirit as well, from Sept. 9 through Oct. 31, with delightful décor, seasonal treats and an all-new Halloween-themed pumpkin hunt, Pluto's Pumpkin Pursuit.

Plaza de la Familia adds to the fun with an immersive, limited-time celebration at Disney California Adventure inspired by the tradition of Dia de los Muertos. Guests will enjoy a spirited extravaganza, including live entertainment, delicious food, interactive experiences and special merchandise.

For family fun after-park hours, Oogie Boogie Bash – A Disney Halloween Party* will be offered as a separate-ticket event at Disney California Adventure park on 25 select nights starting Sept. 9. Tickets will be available for purchase beginning July 13 on Disneyland.com.

At Oogie Boogie Bash, kids and guests of all ages can trick-or-treat their way through the park in their favorite Halloween costumes and encounter characters both spooky and fantastic. Guests will experience Disney California Adventure in a unique way, with exclusive offerings like immersive treat trails, "Frightfully Fun Parade," Villains Grove at the Redwood Creek Challenge Trail, "Mickey's Trick & Treat" show and more.

Retail locations throughout both parks will offer seasonal merchandise. Guests may add to their wicked wardrobes with apparel and accessories, and find novelty items such as pins, plush and decorative items to cast their own Halloween spell at home. For guests looking to add a sweet treat to their day of tricks, food and beverage locations will offer Halloween-themed specialty items.

Guests will encounter favorite Disney characters throughout Disneyland. On Main Street, U.S.A., Mickey and friends show off their Halloween finest with Minnie as a witch, Donald dressed as a pumpkin and the rest of their pals adding to the Halloween family-friendly fun. Other characters found throughout the park include dastardly Disney villains who have come out to cause some mischief.

Guests will find festive seasonal décor and pumpkins galore to add to the Halloween magic. The Main Street Pumpkin Festival transforms Main Street, U.S.A., with whimsical pumpkins displayed in store fronts. Guests of all ages will enjoy taking photographs with the iconic giant Mickey Mouse jack-o'-lantern. As guests journey into the park, they will find pumpkin statues representing Fantasyland, Tomorrowland, Adventureland, Critter Country and Frontierland surrounding the Partners Statue in front of Sleeping Beauty Castle.

Befitting the supernatural season, Haunted Mansion Holiday will feature a merry makeover of the beloved eerie estate. Jack Skellington is behind the mayhem, decorating the mansion with frightfully festive touches inspired by "Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas." Dedicated fans of the holiday house will look forward to spotting the annual bespoke gingerbread house on its precarious perch on the ballroom table, making its 20th appearance for this collision of two holidays. Other favorite sights await, including Sally, Zero and other characters from the movie.

And every night from Sept. 3 – Oct. 31, in Walt Disney's original park, guests will enjoy a dreadfully delightful treat in the form of "Halloween Screams", a supernatural projection and special effects show. On weekend nights, "Halloween Screams" also will take to the skies and enhance the mischief with fireworks.* Guests will be able to view the spectacular from several different locations throughout the park, including Main Street, U.S.A., Sleeping Beauty Castle and near "it's a small world."

In Frontierland, guests may commemorate the celebration of the Day of the Dead with a colorful Día de los Muertos tribute featuring a musical trio of iconic skeleton figurines, brightly colored flowers and other decorative items.

Oogie Boogie, from "Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas," will loom over guests at the entrance to Disney California Adventure as he uses his magic to create a forever Halloween for everyone to enjoy. Under his spell, favorite attractions will be transformed for the Halloween season. Guests will mosey on over to Cars Land as Radiator Springs becomes Radiator Screams, where residents decorate their homes with frights and delights for a unique Haul-O-Ween makeover. Lightning McQueen, Mater, Cruz and Red will be ready to greet guests in their "car-stumes" before they race off to go "trunk-or-treating." Guests can continue the family-friendly fun by taking a spin on popular Cars Land attractions that rev up with Halloween spirit: Mater's Junkyard Jamboree croons spooky songs to become Mater's Graveyard JamBOOree, and Luigi's Rolickin' Roadsters takes guests on a wicked whirl as it becomes Luigi's Honkin' Haul-O-Ween.

The façade of Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT! will spark a state of total emergency as the attraction is transformed at night into Guardians of the Galaxy – Monsters After Dark, offering an exciting Halloween adventure filled with creepy creatures and thrilling drops. While the Guardians of the Galaxy have successfully escaped The Collector's Fortress, Groot was accidentally left behind. Guests can successfully complete their rescue mission to save Groot by helping Rocket distract creatures from around the galaxy that have gotten loose. By teaming up with the Guardians, every guest can find their inner hero this Halloween season.

Over on Buena Vista Street, Mickey Mouse and friends will be throwing it back with old-fashioned Halloween costumes. Guests of all ages will enjoy seeing fortune teller Minnie Mouse or taking a photo of Daisy for a be-witch-ing family keepsake. Donald is also looking devilishly handsome and Goofy has a ghostly grin that is ready for any picture.

Seasonal décor will add to the Halloween ambiance on Buena Vista Street. At night, the façade of Carthay Circle Restaurant oozes with Halloween magic as bats swarm, energy pulses from within and projections light up the iconic tower structure with a spellbinding display. Guests can also commemorate the Halloween magic with a photo in front of the 10-foot-tall statue of the Headless Horseman holding his jack-o'-lantern head to the sky.

Plaza de la Familia

Guests will experience the return of Plaza de la Familia in Paradise Gardens from Sept. 3-Nov. 2, 2021. This immersive limited-time celebration honors the spirit of Dia de los Muertos, with entertainment, festive foods, crafts and interactive experiences. Among the activities to enjoy are "A Musical Celebration of Coco," an entertaining street show honoring Disney and Pixar's "Coco" and the everlasting bonds of family. Guests at this seasonal festivity also will be treated to Mariachi music at Paradise Gardens Bandstand; The World of Coco, an evocative art exhibit; a photo opportunity with a hand-animated figure of Miguel from "Coco" as well as the iconic Arbol de la Vida (Tree of Life) photo location and memory wall.

Oogie Boogie Bash – A Disney Halloween Party

On select nights beginning Sept. 9, through October 31, the separate-ticket, after-park hours event Oogie Boogie Bash – A Disney Halloween Party will add to the spooky fun during Halloween Time at the Disneyland Resort. This limited-capacity event features special entertainment, character sightings, food and beverage and more. Kids and guests of all ages may enjoy donning their favorite Halloween costumes while taking in all the spook-tacular sights and trick-or-treating experiences.

About the Disneyland Resort The Disneyland Resort features two spectacular theme parks – Disneyland (the original Disney theme park) and Disney California Adventure Park – plus three hotels and the Downtown Disney District, comprising unique dining, entertainment and shopping experiences. The Resort's hotels are the luxurious, 948-room Disney's Grand Californian Hotel & Spa, which also features 50 two-bedroom equivalent Disney Vacation Club units; the magical, 973-room Disneyland Hotel – both AAA Four Diamond properties – and the 481-room Disney's Paradise Pier Hotel with its "day-at-the-beach" theme. For information on attractions and vacations at the Disneyland Resort, visit Disneyland.com, call (866) 43-DISNEY or contact local travel agents. Located in Anaheim, Calif., the Disneyland Resort opened July 17, 1955.