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What is Blockchain Technology

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Although many people have heard about blockchain technology, relatively few know exactly what it is, how it works, and why it is important. If you’re a little fuzzy on the details, consider this your blockchain crash course.

What Is Blockchain Technology?

Image via Flickr by QuoteInspector.com

Blockchain is a special type of database that organizes blocks of encrypted data into a unique chain-like structure. It functions as a sort of digital ledger. The blocks of data in the chain are distributed across several independent servers or computers for decentralized storage. Blockchain is designed to render the data transparent and unalterable.

How Does Blockchain Technology Work?

Blockchain technology breaks data into chunks known as blocks. Each block holds a predetermined amount of data; once one block is full, it is time-stamped and added to the end of the chain. The blocks are stored in chronological order and can be viewed in real time by anyone with access to the database. 

Most business professionals today are familiar with Google Docs and other programs that allow for real-time collaboration by multiple users. When working in Google Docs, collaborators all access the exact same file rather than working with separate copies. Any changes made will be visible to all collaborators, and the program keeps an automatic record of revisions. Blockchain technology works in a similar, albeit more complicated, way. 

Is Blockchain Technology Secure?

Blockchain technology has several features that make it more secure than traditional databases:

  • Timeline structure: As explained above, blockchain technology organizes data along a timeline. The order of the blocks cannot be altered, and each block is assigned a permanent timestamp that shows exactly when it was added to the chain.
  • Encryption: The individual blocks in a chain can be encrypted for greater privacy and security.
  • Decentralization: Blockchain distributes data across a decentralized network of nodes. These nodes can be any type of electronic device that maintains a copy of the blockchain. The decentralization of blockchain networks makes them less susceptible to network attacks.
  • Cross-checking: All the nodes in a blockchain network have a full record of the data. If a user or hacker attempts to make any alterations, the data in the tampered-with node would be cross-checked against the records of every other node and corrected to match the consensus. This process ensures the integrity of data.
  • Transparency: The nodes in a blockchain network are updated simultaneously in real time. This allows for greater transparency, as individual users can view changes and review the record when needed.

What Are the Implications of Blockchain Technology?

The inherent security of blockchain technology explains its increasing popularity. Although blockchain technology is most commonly associated with cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin, its usefulness extends into a wide variety of other fields. It is worth a professional’s time to gain a deeper understanding of blockchain and find ways to leverage this technology into innovative solutions for their business. Blockchain has already begun to revolutionize everything from online advertising to the energy, health care, real estate, and travel industries.

As consumers begin to understand the benefits of blockchain and more large companies adopt the technology, the use of blockchain is becoming more widespread. Those who want to remain leaders in their fields would be wise to sharpen their understanding of this technology and implement blockchain solutions for their businesses.

Why Everyone Should Practice Being Polite

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Why Everyone Should Practice Being Polite

Being polite is one of the most basic social skills. This will show others that they are valued and that they are treated with a certain level of respect. There are times when it seems that people have forgotten the basic rules of being polite and how to treat others. Alexander Djerassi has taken notice of this. Djerassi feels that people should take a look at how they are and think of the reasons why everyone should be polite.

Develop Relationships

Polite people have an easier time connecting with others. They are able to build relationships. This is done on a personal and a professional level. Politeness will help decrease the distance between people. It will also open up communication lines. If people are polite they do not have to worry about any negative feedback they would get from expressing their views or ideas.

First Impressions

People that are polite make a better first impression. A first impression can be everything. If things get off to a bad start it will be difficult to change. A person that is polite is more likely to make a good first impression than a person that is rude or seems uninterested. Studies have been done showing that businesses with polite customer service representatives made shopping more enjoyable for the customers and the customer spent more money.

New Approach at Life

People that are polite are able to get along with others that are different. They take the time to learn about others and a new point of view. Politeness is cross cultural. There are things in every language or culture that are a sign of politeness. If a person is nice to others they are more willing to get along with them. A person does not need to accept everyone they meet or even like everyone they meet for that matter. They do have to be polite to them. This will help reduce tension and will allow everyone to feel comfortable.

Mood

People that are polite are often viewed as being in a good mood. People want to be around others that are positive and will make them feel good. In modern society, people that are polite are seen as more friendly and seem like they are more fun to be around. No one wants to be around someone that is a downer so it is worth taking the time to show manners.

Keep the Peace

Alexander Djerassi knows that being polite can help keep the peace in society. People will be able to treat others with some basic respect. This does not mean they will need to go along with them. A little respect does go a long way so a person should be polite to others.

These are some reasons why everyone needs to be polite. Being nice to others and showing manners is a skill that many people are forgetting. Being polite goes a long way so people should take the time and remember the nice and proper way to interact with others.

Why Voice-Based Technology Won’t Replace Court Reporting

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Court reporters are one of the most valuable jobs in the legal field. They keep a record of everything that is said throughout the trial which allows for lawyers and litigants to have word-for-word access to the court proceedings. But what happens to court reporters as technology continues to advance?

During COVID-19, there was a shortage of court reporters due to layoffs, stay-at-home orders, and social distancing. There was a fear that voice-based technology would take over the need for court reporters altogether.

But this generation of court reporters is adapting along with the technology to provide more cost-efficient remote reporting that can’t be replaced.

The Downside to Voice-Based Court Reporting

If you try to use your phone for voice text messaging, there is a big chance you might send the wrong message. The same goes for voice-based court reporting. Digital recording and voice-recognition technology leave a lot of room for error. Many of these do not have the ability to rectify technical issues that arise during or after the proceedings.

There is also the element of transcribing accents in various cultures and languages. Technologies may not be up to date with their ability to properly recognize certain words, which can alter or leave out pertinent information an attorney may need for trial. This means that if a person’s testimony is heard incorrectly, it could still be used in the courtroom and alter the end result of a case.

Even with voice recordings used for court cases, humans are still being hired to transcribe the audio of what is being said and turn it into a text format. Therefore, it could end up taking more time, money, and resources to use voice-based technology than to use human ability in the first place.

Not to mention, audio recordings of trials have been used for several decades and have been pertinent when arguing against what a court reporter may have transcribed. The debate ultimately remains whether or not technology can outperform court reporters in the long run.

But as you can see, court reporters are continuing to take action to stay several steps ahead of the game.

How Court Reporters Are Adapting Since COVID

Remote depositions have become significantly more acceptable since the global pandemic. As we near almost a year and a half since the initial lockdown in the United States, it seems that these remote depositions aren’t going anywhere anytime soon.

According to The Cooper Group, a court reporting company that started in 2007, a recent report said 83% of attorneys who went with remote depositions are intending to continue the use post-pandemic.

Of those who responded to the survey, 46% of the attorneys had been practicing law for more than three decades and had little to no experience with practicing law digitally.

Companies such as The Cooper Group have found ways to adapt since the pandemic. They’ve enhanced their security measures while still remaining HIPAA and PII compliant and offer remote services with their technology as the country continues to navigate the coronavirus in its second wind.

Court Reporting Still Outrules Technology

In a heated debate in the courtroom, there may be times in which multiple voices are heard at once. Neither technology nor a court reporter can properly transcribe these types of situations. But what a court reporter can do that voice-based technology can’t is bring the human element to the courtroom.

“I think the highest level of accuracy is a court reporter slowing everyone down and making sure everyone takes their time,” said Nate Alder, an attorney with Christensen and Jensen in Salt Lake City, Utah.

At the end of the day, technology is still not advanced enough to be able to sway the opinions of professionals in its direction.

Office Décor Tips

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Office Décor Tips

Shalom Lamm, the New York real estate developer primarily works from home now, but when he does go to the office, he definitely wants a peaceful work environment.

When they were young, entrepreneurs like ]Lamm would be happy with a metal chair, a rickety old card table, and a telephone. But as they age, entrepreneurs quickly learn that they get much more out of their employees if their work environment is pleasant.

And while employees don’t expect exotic desks hand-carved out of mahogany, a $5,000 Vita Grand Executive high back chair, nor a $140 million dollar Jackson Pollock painting on the wall behind their desk, there are a few things that make a huge difference in office decor.

  • 1. Stand up, adjustable desks

    No office piece of office decor may be more important than a stand-up desk. Stand-up desks, even if they are used for even an hour per day, can significantly boost the energy of your employees and offer a great many health benefits.

    Strongly consider
  • 2. Consider using your office space as a showcase for local artists

    While employees don’t expect multi-million dollar pieces of art in their workplace, there are many starving but talented artists who would give their right eye to have
    their work displayed prominently in a local business.

    With diverse but tasteful art, you create a showcase work environment and a great place to meet clients.
  • Consider different rugs to outline different areas of your office.

    Rugs are not really that expensive, and if you buy several to distinguish different parts of your office, you make a statement relatively quickly.
  • 3. Be creative with dividers

    Most businesses buy the cheapest, generic dividers, making the office look industrial at best.

    Buy glass dividers with frosted glass patterns if you really want to liven your office up.
  • 4. Make your office space livable with plants

    Go to the finest shopping malls and you will most likely find rest areas with living
    plants and trees.

    Don’t divorce your employees from the living world outdoors. Decorate with plants.
  • 5. Rest areas built into the office

    Don’t hide your rest areas. For example, if you have 10 employees, separated by 5 glass dividers, outside the divider should be a small, 2-person couch.

    Shalom Lamm believes that this allows supervisors and subordinates to talk to one another by going to the supervisor’s office and allows employees to take mini-breaks.
  • 6. Splurge on the restrooms

    Restrooms should look inviting for both men and women, and have no resemblance to
    the restroom at a local gas station.

7. Make the break room truly a break room

This is the place to have a space-age coffee machine, some really nice furniture, and
plenty of diversions. The nicer your break room looks, the more relaxed your employees will be after they come back from work.

And if you have the room for it, have a separate room for eating, complete with a refrigerator and several microwaves.

The Role of Mental Health in Women’s Sports

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Whether you are a diehard sports fan or not, you have probably heard about Naomi Osaka making significant headlines recently in the world of women’s tennis. Even if you don’t follow tennis at all! Why? Because she has become an icon and a standout – she was known for taking a mental health break and stepping out of a major competition and right now is considering pausing her career entirely. This is significant because out of the Forbes 50 most influential athletes, she is the only woman listed in this prestigious list.

Similarly, in the most recent Olympic Games, professional athlete and gymnast Simone Biles bowed out of the competition entirely, but her performance was still good enough to take home a bronze medal. While some criticized that she could do better, she needed to take herself out of the competition due to mental health struggles, no doubt in part because of the death of her loved ones.

Women in professional sports have a massive imbalance of pay: only 0.4% of sponsorship dollars goes to women’s sports, and it’s time to level the playing field. If you are a fan, insist that your cable or streaming provider carries more women’s sports. Also, show your support for women’s sports through attending the games and buying more merchandise.

Learn more about the unfair game of women’s sports along with how things can, and are, starting to change, in the visual deep dive below:

The Business of Women

5 Tips for Bringing a Franchise from the United States to Australia

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There is a lucrative opportunity to bring your United States franchise to Australia. After all, the industry is worth $146 billion. Companies in the U.S. are constantly looking for thriving markets to expand to. Australia is certainly one of those markets. There are a number of things to consider before diving into the Australian market. It can be a worthwhile endeavor but you must do your research beforehand if you expect to find success in another country. We have rolled out five tips for bringing a franchise from the United States to Australia.

Finding A Local Entity

One way to make your mark in Australia is to allow a master franchisee to essentially become a franchisor. It’s one of the easier ways to make your mark in Australia. The newly-minted “franchisor” would train franchisees that they have recruited. A master franchisee can also be tasked with handling legal matters. The master franchisee will always report back to the top of the company. This ensures that you are filled in on the day-to-day operations in Australia without having to physically be there. As long as the franchisee can be trusted, this is an ideal way of having success with your expansion.

Make Sure Your Trademarks Are In Order

Protecting your IP is a vital part of businesses. It’s no exception when you’re looking to expand to another country. You can help protect your IP by filing for trademarks. It’s key that you don’t issue franchises until your trademarks are locked in and registered. Make sure to leave no stone unturned.

Legal Advice

You’re always entering uncharted territory when you’re doing business in another country. There are different laws in Australia that you must familiarize yourself with. It will benefit you to seek out legal advice. This includes consumer laws, taxes, employment, privacy, and more. There are also differences in regulations throughout various industries. Grasping these laws will help you avoid any potential legal issues when taking your expansion to Australia.

Disclosure Document

Franchisors must present a disclosure document in Australia. This document requires yearly updates. The disclosure document should have an overview of the business as well as the franchise’s history and operation details. Only one document spread across all of your franchisees is required.

Be The Sole Franchisor

If you’d rather take the reins yourself in Australia, you can do so. Setting up your own company or using your company in the United States to get your foot in the door of franchises in Australia will work. Franchise Direct has an extensive list of franchises up for sale in Australia. When setting up a company, realize that there are different rules depending on whether your company is public or private. Public companies require at least two directors who primarily live in Australia, while private companies only need one.

It’s important to be prepared when expanding your franchise to Australia. Make sure your documents and trademarks are in order and follow the rules.

3 Interesting Ways Data Visualization is Used in our Daily Lives

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Many companies all over the world are using a wide range of innovative tools to operate their businesses efficiently. It can be extremely hard to keep track of everything going on in a business as you grow and scale. There is an ever increasing demand for ways to visualize and conceptualize data, which is why companies are searching for those solutions and putting those tools in the hands of workers who make decisions. 

The biggest way that companies can find these tools and benefit from them is with software and hardware products that generate data visualization technologies. Fortunately, these same data visualization tools can be used in our daily lives, and they have a great impact on what we do. Here are 3 interesting ways data visualization helps everyone with the things that they need and want.

1. Traveling Back and Forth from one destination to the next – Online Real-Time Digital Instructions

Even though there are a huge number of visualization tools on the market today, one of the most advantageous is presently known as GPS (global positioning system). Many people have access to global positioning systems on the devices that they carry every day. You will also find these tracking devices installed in cars, animals, and any other things that require a visual real-time account of what is going on. For instance, if you have an android phone, you will most likely have access to the internet via a Wifi connection. By using this type of device, you can request a visual picture of the driving route you should take to get to your intended destination. These types of applications are ideal for anyone who needs to know the best route to take, especially to new places that they have never traveled to before.

For a corporate standpoint, the information obtained from global positioning systems can be extremely beneficial. For example, a company that ships products or manages vehicles can use GPS tracking to optimize routes, insure their products, and use the data in tandem with feedback from employees to make the most effective business decisions for everyone involved.

2. Fitness Information – Different Types of Relevant Data Shown About Personal Exercise Activities

Another great example of using data visualization in our daily lives is the fitness tracker. Fitness in general is difficult to create a set plan that works for everyone. Similar to the use of the GPS, you can wear a fitness tracker (i.e. watches, mobile phone, etc.) to keep up with your daily exercise activities. Anyone who wants to know how many miles that they have walked or run for a specified period of time can find these types of data visualization resources excellent for keeping up with goals that have been set. For instance, if you have decided to lose weight by dieting and exercise, you can use these devices to track milestones as you go. In many cases, people who walk every day may track their heart rates so that they can monitor their health.

3. Budget Management Apps

Keeping up with a budget is not always easy. However, if you are interested in using data visualization tools, you can make your life a lot easier. This is because these tools can give you the capability to look back on the history of how much you have spent in the following ways:

– identifies the types of items that you spent your money on

– provides you with resources to plan your financial future in detail

– gives you a quick look at your finances via a graph or chart

– helps you to determine what items need to be eliminated completely from the budget.

For instance, if you would like to save money for your kid’s college education, you can use these budgeting apps to set up a college account. Once this account has been set up, you can watch it grow. You can also look at a snapshot of your credit card amounts, loans, and all investments made in one centralized place.

Consider a Custom Welcome Home Banner in Greeting Your Guests of Honor

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Posters and banners are a great way of attracting attention and expressing your feelings. It’s the perfect way of delivering a message to the intended recipient. You can customize your banner and make it in a size that provides visibility and includes compatible graphics to add to the effect. As we all know, pictures tend to speak louder than words. You can have a banner designed with meaningful pictures in the background to greet your guests and your loved ones.

Uses of a welcome banner

Imagine meeting your favorite person after a long period of time. Would you want them to feel special and at home after the long gap away? A custom welcome home banner will set the tone and adequately convey your excitement. 

  • You can make use of banners to appreciate and welcome soldiers home after months of deployment. A warm and kind gesture like a custom message will surely melt their hearts.
  • You can use these customized banners to bring home your family and friends after surgery or stay at the hospital. Nothing expressed joy and excitement better than a welcome home banner.
  • You can even use them to welcome your friends or family members who have been away for a long time simply to make them feel loved.

Whether indoors or outdoors, a custom banner can set the tone of every event and is an extremely cost-effective way of planning and arranging small events and parties to celebrate your loved one’s arrival.

Appealing features of custom banners

Custom designed banners are colorful and vibrant and will easily grab attention. These are extremely handy and feature-packed. 

  • Custom banners are lightweight and sturdy at the same time. Durability is a guarantee. High-quality PVC flex used in printing ensures longevity and reusability of the banner.
  • The full-colour, 720DPI, eco-solvent printing technology in use promises fade proof colors and vibrant hues even when fully exposed to harsh elements. 
  • These banners are easy to install, take down and store for future use. You will not require special tools and equipment for any of it.
  • You can have your banner personalized and alter its length, width and height to match your requirements.

The facility of hiring an in-house graphic designer to design your banner is always at your disposal. You can get help with design-proofing and also upload your own artwork on the website to have it printed on your welcome home banner. 

You should invest in one right away

Custom printed banners only sound expensive. In reality, they are quite reasonably priced. You will not have to pay extra for customizations that you get done on your banner. The affordability ensures individuals can access and order these banners within every price range to host a dream reception for loved ones. For more ideas and inspiration, please go through the numerous customer reviews and recommendations on the site itself. You will surely not be disappointed. If you have doubts regarding and costs and availability, contact customer support teams for redressal and guidance. 

Skin Care Benefits of a Coffee Scrub

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Coffee was once thought of as a beverage that could be potentially damaging to health. Now experts are finding it provides benefits making it the perfect thing to drink in moderation. It boosts energy, it can help burn fat, and it contains essential nutrients for optimal wellbeing.

It has also been found that coffee is beneficial to the skin. It can reduce inflammation, reverse signs of aging, and it may even reduce the risk of skin cancer.

There are several ways coffee can be applied to the skin, but a coffee scrub may be the most convenient and the most effective. Read on to find out what you can expect after using a coffee scrub on your skin.

7 Skin Care Benefits of a Coffee Scrub

Reduces Cellulite

Coffee is rich in caffeine which dilates blood vessels beneath the skin to boost blood flow. This effect has been shown to reduce the appearance of cellulite. Applying a scrub will also smooth the skin providing a more even appearance.

Reverses Signs of Aging

Coffee may also be effective in reducing sunspots, fine lines, and redness when applied directly to the skin. Drinking coffee has been found to provide similar results.

Reduces Inflammation

The chlorogenic acid (CGA) and melanoidins in coffee have anti-inflammatory characteristics that reduce puffiness and swelling in the skin. CGA has also been shown to reduce hyperpigmentation.

Reduces the Risk of Skin Cancer

Coffee contains trigonelline which breaks down into vitamin B3 (niacin). This is a process that will occur only after the coffee beans have been roasted. According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, niacin may be helpful in reducing the risk of nonmelanoma skin cancers and other skin growths.

Treats Acne

Coffee’s anti-inflammatory properties can reduce the inflammation associated with acne. It can also combat harmful bacteria to treat acne at its root. The natural exfoliation of the coffee grounds cleans out skin to keep bacteria from growing.

Improves the Look of Dark Circles

Restricted blood vessels are said to contribute to dark circles under the eye. Coffee dilates blood vessels to increase blood flow making dark circles less noticeable. A scrub may be too rough for the sensitive skin under the eye, so you will be best off applying a coffee ground and olive oil solution to the area. Apply gently and rinse off after 10-15 minutes for optimal results.

Finding the Best Coffee Scrub

It’s important to find a coffee scrub that does not contain harmful chemicals that will damage the skin. Acure makes an all-natural product you can count on.

The Acure brand creates health and beauty products you can feel good about putting on your skin. Their Energizing Coffee Body Scrub features a blend of coffee and charcoal that is perfect for combination to oily skin. It is 100% vegan and paraben, mineral oil, formaldehyde, petrolatum, and sulfate-free.

If your skin needs a pick-me-up, a coffee scrub could be just the thing. Look for an all-natural product so you can get the best results possible. How will you be integrating this natural exfoliant into your beauty routine?

Tips on Choosing the Right Corporate Event Planner

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Trying to find corporate event planners NYC businesses rely on for amazing events?

It’s not easy trying to sort through the options available. One way to make sure you find the right planner is to follow these four tips, which will help you identify the ideal corporate event planners in NYC that companies count on.

Tip #1: Know What You Want

Before beginning a search for corporate event planners in NYC, businesses need to have a clear idea of what they need. Each successful event has a clear purpose, for example, to launch a product, connect customers with the business, celebrate a corporate milestone or anniversary, or build brand awareness.

With the goal clearly defined, it’s important to plan what tasks you want the planner to take on and how they will interact with your staff. Event planners can take on major aspects of the event, including finding the right venue, securing speakers and entertainment, developing food and beverage menus, and designing invitations. It’s important to understand what your expectations are about timing, budget, deliverables, and outcomes before seeking an event planner.  

Tip #2: Understand How They Operate

Working with a corporate event planner means having a strategic partner in making your event a success. But that partnership will be better for everyone if you understand how the event planner you hire works.

Different planners have different ways of working. Make sure your potential partners are clear about how they operate to ensure there’s a good fit.

Among the questions to ask are about day-to-day and day-of operations. Will you have one primary contact at the company or will there be a team of planners working on your account? Be sure how communication will occur – weekly check-ins, email progress reports, or frequent phone or Zoom communication.

When the day or night of the event comes around, who will be staffing the event? Are they full-time staffers or employees brought on just for the event?

Be sure to know what vendors they work with and whether the event planners have access to special discounts. You may want to check those vendors as well as the planners to determine their quality and reputation.

Note that some event planners have exclusive arrangements with vendors and may refuse to work with vendors that are not on their preferred list for catering, lighting, sound, floral services, or photography.

Tip #3: Learn What Kind of Event Planner They Are

Some corporate event planners specialize in certain kinds of events, whether it be the industry, audience size, or event type. Be sure you know what kinds of events they’ve done in the past. Also, be OK with asking for references; you’re investing a lot in your events and you want to be sure you’re working with a company that can deliver.

Tip #4: Ask About Their Approach to Event Planning

How does your event planner approach their work? Understanding how their philosophy aligns with yours is important. You deserve to feel like a VIP every time you interact.

Be sure you understand how billing works, what documentation is provided, and what role you will play in important decisions. Especially today, as the return to in-person events carries a degree of uncertainty, you want a corporate event planner that is flexible, nimble, and can adapt.

Twenty Three Layers creates unique event experiences that connect, inspire, and entertain. The company has worked with clients that are some of the world’s biggest companies and brands.