Benefits of the Discovery Phase for Your Business

Benefits of the Discovery Phase for Your Business

By admin on

Developing any product requires taking many steps before it actually is released. One of the crucial stages in any software development project is the discovery phase. Unfortunately, many businesses still skip this stage, which leads to unsatisfactory results in development. By carrying out a successful discovery phase, you can secure yourself and guarantee the success of your product. Learn more at the link: https://agilie.com/en/blog/why-you-need-to-start-your-project-with-the-discovery-phase

About the Discovery Phase

Before discussing, why exactly a discovery stage is so important, let us find out, what is it exactly. A discovery phase is a stage that comes before software development for an application or a program. This phase is held by an expert team, which includes defining business goals, visualizing the process, conducting tech analysis, etc. This stage is crucial for having a clear idea of what will be right for your project and how to execute it perfectly. Here are the activities included in the discovery stage:

· Business study – the discovery phase team has to evaluate your business to develop the best plan for the project;

· Interviewing business owners and employees – by talking to the people that work at the company and know it inside out it becomes possible to develop a thorough strategy;

· Looking through the business documentation – this will also help with understanding the company better and coming up with more efficient ideas;

· Thorough study – this stage involves three different stages actually. They include doing market research, evaluating competitors, as well as analyzing target audience;

· Researching similar cases – it is extremely beneficial to examine discovery phases held at some other companies;

· Thinking as a user – this stage will allow you to understand, what is better for the product from the consumer’s standpoint. After all, you are creating a product with your clients in mind. It is vital to develop a solution that will thoroughly satisfy all the needs of your customers;

· Developing a strategy – after all this research it is time to design a thorough strategy and stick to it to ensure smooth creation of the product.

Usually, a few different specialists are involved in the discovery stage. They are business analysts, designers, software architects, and PMs. Each of them is responsible for a certain part of the whole process, which requires their expertise. One of the successful examples of implementing a discovery phase is Kyivcity.travel, a useful service with guides for tourists and residents in Kyiv. After finishing the discovery phase, there is still a lot of work. It is necessary to create a model of the project, design it, write the code, test this product, and then finally release it.

In order to have a successful discovery phase, answer the following questions:

· Who is your competition and how to beat it?

· How to impress your target audience?

· Who is your target user?

· What should you have as a result?

· How should your software look?

· How to receive the most credible information for analysis?

· Who are the key business owners and shareholders?

These are only a few questions that have to be answered thoroughly in order to receive the most efficient results of your discovery stage.

Conclusion

While being often overlooked, the discovery phase is vital for successful software development. In addition, this phase should be carried out by professionals in order to receive the most efficient and thorough results. For business owners, it is important to incorporate professional assistance by a highly skilled discovery team. Agilie is a perfect solution for developing digital products, as this company has already finished more than 200 successful software projects. With professional help from the very beginning of your project to its release and following maintenance, you are guaranteed to have a perfect product designed with users in mind.

Motivating Salespeople in Business

Motivating Salespeople in Business

By Article Editor on

Motivating Salespeople in Business

It’s no secret that salespeople are the lifeblood of any business. Without them, they would not bring in new customers or generate revenue. Therefore, businesses need to find ways to motivate their sales staff and keep them productive. In this blog post, educator Jonathan Osler discusses how businesses can do just that. He provides several tips that will help any business get the most out of their sales team.

1. Set Clear Goals:

One of the best ways to motivate salespeople is to set clear goals. This means establishing what the business wants from the sales team to achieve and then putting in place a system that measures their progress. Salespeople need to know what they are working towards and how they can improve their performance. An excellent way to do this is by setting measurable goals, such as increasing revenue by a certain percentage or acquiring a certain number of new customers.

Another way to set practical goals is by using SMART criteria: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. Jonathan Osler says, “Without specific, measurable goals, it’s difficult to determine whether a salesperson is successful or not. By setting SMART goals, you can help your salespeople achieve their targets while also monitoring their progress.”

2. Offer Incentive:

Another way to motivate salespeople is by offering them incentives. This could be something as simple as providing a bonus for hitting specific targets or giving employees a gift card or other reward for reaching their goals.

However, to be effective, incentives need to be relevant to the individual employee. For example, if an employee is motivated by money, awarding them a cash prize would be the best incentive. However, if someone is more driven by recognition, giving them public praise or putting them in the spotlight might be better.

It’s also important to change up the incentives on occasion. If employees feel like they’re always getting the same rewards, they may become less motivated over time.

3. Providing Feedback:

One of the best ways to motivate salespeople is to provide them with feedback. This could involve giving them regular updates on their progress or giving feedback after each sale. Salespeople need to know what they are doing well and where they can improve to continue being successful.

It’s also essential to be honest with the employees. If they are not meeting expectations, it’s better to tell them than have them continue down a path that will only lead to disappointment. Providing constructive feedback is one of the best ways to help someone improve their skills.

4. Developing Skills:

To be successful, salespeople need to develop their skills continually. This means taking the time to learn about new products and technologies and learning how to sell them effectively. Sales training is an integral part of this process and should be offered regularly.

Businesses can also help their sales team by providing access to resources such as eBooks, whitepapers, and case studies.

Sales motivation doesn’t have to be complicated, and these tips should help. Businesses can help their salespeople achieve their targets while keeping them motivated and inspired.

6 Ways to Get a Great Cardio Workout At Home

6 Ways to Get a Great Cardio Workout At Home

By admin on

Image Source: Pixabay

It’s always a good idea to mix up your workout routine and try new things, especially if you’re getting bored with your cardio workouts. If you don’t have access to a gym or other cardio equipment, here are five ways that you can get a great cardio workout at home: 

Burpees

Burpees are a full-body cardio workout that works your arms, legs, and core. To do a burpee, start in a standing position. Drop down to the floor and do a pushup. Then jump up to return to the starting position. Repeat as many times as you can in one minute. You can also find other alternative exercises that are effective.

Jumping Jacks

Jumping jacks are a classic cardio exercise that works your entire body. To do them, start in a standing position with your feet together. Jump up and spread your legs out to the side. Then jump back to the starting position and repeat. Try to do as many jumping jacks as you can in one minute.

If you’re looking for a more challenging cardio workout, try adding in some jump squats. To do a jump squat, start in a standing position with your feet hip-width apart. Squat down until your thighs are parallel to the floor. Then jump up and explosively extend your hips and legs as high as possible. Land softly and immediately squat down again to repeat. Try to do as many jump squats as you can in one minute.

Jumping rope

Jumping rope is a great way to burn calories, get your heart rate up, and strengthen your core. If you don’t have access to a jump rope, try jumping on a trampoline instead. It takes some coordination at first but it’s actually very easy once you learn how to do it.

Try doing three sets of 30 seconds of jumping rope (or jumping on a trampoline) with a 30-second break in between each set. You can also increase the intensity of your workout by wearing ankle weights or doing plyometric jumps. 

Sprinting

Sprinting is a great way to burn calories, strengthen your cardiovascular system, and improve muscle endurance. It’s also really easy to do anywhere without any equipment! You can sprint outside on the sidewalk or in an open field. Try doing three sets of 30 seconds with a 30-second break between each set. If you have access to a treadmill or stationary bike, you can also do sprint intervals. 

Pilates

Pilates is a low-impact cardio exercise that strengthens your core, improves flexibility, and increases muscle tone. If you’re looking for a challenging but low-intensity cardio workout, Pilates is a great option. You can do Pilates at home with no equipment needed. Try doing three sets of 30 seconds with a 30-second break between each set.

HIIT

HIIT, or high-intensity interval training, is a cardio workout that involves alternating short periods of intense exercise with brief recovery periods. HIIT is a great way to burn calories and improve your cardiovascular health. You can do HIIT at home with no equipment needed. Try doing three sets of 30 seconds with a 30-second break between each set.

If you’re looking for a more intense HIIT workout, you can add in some plyometric jumps or weight-bearing exercises. Plyometric jumps are explosive jumping exercises that work your muscles and improve your power and speed. Weight-bearing exercises involve lifting weights or using resistance bands to increase the intensity of your cardio workout.

There are many different ways to get a great cardio workout at home without any equipment needed. If you’re bored with your current routine, try one of these exercises for a new challenge.

8 Activities to Teach Elementary Students About Finances

8 Activities to Teach Elementary Students About Finances

By Full Editorial on

Is elementary school too early to teach kids about being money smart? Research done by Standard & Poor’s in 2019 found that only 57% of adults in America are financially literate. This astoundingly low number highlights one of the missing components of the American public education system: a lack of consistent, complete financial knowledge provided to students. Even if the curriculum in upper grades involves concepts supporting financial literacy, for some students, a lifetime of sound financial practices can actually begin in elementary school.

1. Introduce Budgeting

Kids love to be involved in reaching a goal that rewards them with a treat or something out of the scope of regular life like a special toy or video game. Parents and educators can model and assist with budgeting using allowances, classroom prizes, or other transactional tokens to earn items or experiences they would like.

2. Use Multiplication to Teach About Paying Compounding Interest

Let students work through a real-world problem of wanting to buy something without having enough money. Introduce basic interest through the multiplication equation of interest = principal x rate x time to discover how much extra money is needed when interest is compounded.

3. Use Multiplication to Learn About Earning Compounding Interest

Using the same multiplication concepts, students can also learn about how compounding interest can benefit them. Create a “bank account” for students to practice anticipating how much money they can earn with compounding interest is applied to a savings account.

4. Teach Compounding Interest with a Game

Kids love tangible practices so using a game like Double the Penny is a perfect way to illustrate the growth of compounding interest. Using a jar with a preset amount of change and a worksheet to fill out each day, students double each day’s totals for two weeks to explore compounding interest benefits.

5. Practice Buying on Credit

While elementary students are arguably too young for their own credit cards, they can understand the concept behind buying something by paying out a little or a lot at a time. Using an online credit card comparison tool, students can see early on how having a well-designed card can benefit those in need of making big purchases or be detrimental to increasing debt loads.

6. Create a Savings Thermometer

Utilizing an old-school growing thermometer that is colored in to indicate growth, let elementary-aged kids create a visual representation of savings growth over time.

7. Introduce Savings Accounts

Using an academic lesson plan from Scholastic, show elementary students the differences between savings and checking accounts as well as what Certificates of Deposit are.

8. Play Monopoly

This classic board game is fun for kids of all ages. Students can learn how to budget their money, pay taxes and fees, buy and sell the property as well as how to keep track of their savings along the way. Monopoly is even an excellent tool to use in small doses. Since a game can go on for a long time, playing for a specific goal like only buying as much property as you can provide an opportunity for a more targeted lesson to be understood or practiced.

4 Crucial Mistakes to Avoid When Buying a New Car

4 Crucial Mistakes to Avoid When Buying a New Car

By Full Editorial on

Buying a new car is quite a large investment, and you need to make sure that you buy a car that will fit your needs for a long time. Because of this, it’s imperative that you take your time to find the right car. Here are four crucial mistakes that you should avoid when buying a new car.

1- Not Doing Proper Research

Cars change quite often, and you can determine which cars will meet your needs by doing the proper research. Don’t just walk into a car dealership without researching each type of car that you are interested in beforehand. Take the time to write down the pros and cons of each car so that you can narrow down your search to several makes and models that you may want to purchase.

2- Having Your Heart Set On Just One Model

While it is good to have a general idea as to what type of car you want, you don’t want to have your heart set on just one model. This can limit your car search quite a bit. Not all dealerships will have the car available that you want. Even if you are in a rush to buy a new car, you should look at more than just one model.

3- Failing To Negotiate

Many people don’t realize that the sticker price on a car isn’t what they have to pay. A lot of dealerships price their cars too high simply because they know that people will try to negotiate with them. Because of this, you shouldn’t make the mistake of not negotiating. Offer the dealership at least several thousand dollars lower than the asking price. Chances are that they will come back with a counteroffer that’s in the middle of what you are offering and their asking price. If they don’t come back low enough, don’t be afraid to walk away. Many dealerships will lower the price even more if they think that they are going to lose out on a sale.

4- Foregoing The Test Drive

Just because you’ve done a lot of research on cars, it doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t test drive as many cars as you can. You might be surprised to find that a car drives a lot differently than you think. It also isn’t uncommon to hate the way the car feels once you are sitting in the driver’s seat. This is why you need to take a car on an extended test drive before you purchase it. Try to take it on back roads as well as the highway so that you can see how it handles at different speeds and driving conditions.

While buying a new car can be a daunting process, you can do some things to ensure that you don’t make any of the crucial mistakes mentioned above. Just keep in mind that you are the one spending this money, and you need to choose a car that you absolutely love and not one that you felt pressured into buying.

The New World of Work

The New World of Work

By Article Editor on

The New World of Work

Since the coronavirus pandemic, many things and aspects of life have changed. Among the affected aspects is the world of work. New working models emerged from the restrictions to reduce social interactions including the lock-downs and social distancing measures. These working models have shifted the way things get done and led to a new world of work. Keep reading to understand how the world of work looks like.

Flexibility

Employers and employees have been prompted to adopt the work-from-home culture. Employees have been flexible to work from anywhere, and employers have been flexible to recruit people from every part of the universe. With the companies having a 100% efficiency, there have been speculations on how fast we can transition back to onsite work. There have been questions on what onsite work should entail and who should get back to onsite work. The new world of work focuses on completing work rather than the hours dedicated to the job. Employees have the flexibility to choose when and how to complete the work.

Death of 9 to 5 life

The pandemic forced people to get out of physical offices and work from their homes. This remote working led to the death of the 9 to 5 o’clock work life. According to educator Jonathan Osler, employees will be reluctant to return to physical office work. Companies also do not like the idea of physical office working spaces since the remote working model has proved to be cost-effective. Employees can now avoid operational costs and utilities involving the 9 to 5 office life by allowing people to work remotely. These savings on operational costs have made employers reluctant to get back to the physical office working model.

Creativity

The new world of working is characterized by increased creativity and innovation. Companies had to come up with ways to get the job done while adhering to measures put in place to curb the spread of the virus. This necessity triggered creativity and innovation; more technologies have come up to accommodate the new working models. Thanks to innovation, video conferencing platforms have been created and made more efficient. With the flexible way of working, employees have engaged in other creative and development activities.

Automation

Jonathan Osler comments that the difficult financial times created by the pandemic have forced companies to come up with ways to reduce costs. The cost reduction effects of automation have prompted companies to adopt this way of working. Through automation, work done by several employees can be done by a single system/machine. As the world adopts the automated working system, employees have joined the wagon and improved their skills to fit in the technological world of work. However, this has led to the loss of jobs by people whose skills are obsolete and replaced by automated systems.

Relevance in the new world of working is inevitable. Companies have to adopt the new normal and create on-demand and on-the-job training opportunities for the workers. On the other hand, employees have no other option but to develop their skills to meet the requirements of the new world’s workers.

Consolidating Credit Card Debt

Consolidating Credit Card Debt

By admin on

Consolidating credit card debt can be a smart play when your wallet is starting to look like a blackjack deck of credit cards. Especially so when shouldering the financial obligations they represent is also becoming a burden. The key is to catch the problem before it starts to have a negative impact on your credit score. This will give you a shot at the best consolidation loans out there.

What Are Consolidation Loans?

The easiest way to define credit card consolidation loans is debt you take on to combine multiple credit card bills into one. This can take the form of a credit card balance transfer, a consolidation loan, a home equity line of credit or a debt management program.

Let’s take a look at each of these options in more detail.

Balance Transfer Cards 

Credit card issuers often send these offers to customers with strong credit scores. Essentially, they allow you to combine the balances of multiple cards onto a new card with a limit high enough to encompass the shifted balances.

The key here is to ensure the introductory rate is low enough to afford you a significant advantage overpaying all of the cards separately.

You have to be careful with this one though.

These cards usually come with a super low teaser rate — sometimes even 0% — for a limited time frame of anywhere from 18 to 24 months. That rate tends to rocket into the 20% range or higher once that window closes and the new rate can be applied to the entire transferred amount — as of the date you accepted the card — even if most of that amount has been paid.

To win at this strategy, you have to be careful to transfer no more than you can pay in full within the grace period.

Consolidation Loans

There are a variety of loans you can take to accomplish consolidation. These range from personal loans backed by your signature to home equity loans against which you pledge your home as collateral.

The advantage here is the monthly payment is consistent, as there is no teaser rate of which to be aware. Moreover, interest rates on these loans are considerably lower than those of balance transfers once the grace period closes.

Home equity loans offer even better interest rates and the capability of using the interest as a tax deduction. However, these entail trading unsecured credit card debt for secured mortgage debt. This means you could lose the property pledged as collateral if your ability to service the loan goes awry. You can learn more about consolidation loans at https://www.FreedomDebtRelief.com.

Debt Management Plans 

While not exactly a consolidation plan, or a loan at all for that matter, going with debt management does have the advantage of combining all of your credit card bills into one monthly payment. You’ll send the money to a credit counselor, who will then make the payments on your behalf.

This option is for those who have already encountered problems making payments, as opposed to those who see trouble brewing on the horizon. The debt manager can negotiate lower interest rates on your behalf and sometime even a waiving of any accumulated fees in some cases.

However, your card issuer usually wants to see you’re in trouble before agreeing to accept to one of these deals. You might find your management offers being turned down if trouble has yet to become apparent.

A Word to The Wise

Rather than paying it off, consolidating credit card debt moves it around. You still owe the money, even though all of the cards from which the obligations were consolidated will have zero balances. You might be tempted to use those cards again, which would be a significant mistake.

Doing so would place you in a situation in which you’ll still have the original debts to pay. Along with the new ones you’ll incur. While it’s important to your credit history to keep those accounts open, it’s equally important to your finances to leave the cards in a drawer somewhere unused.

3 Healthy Hacks to Improving Your Child’s Allergies

3 Healthy Hacks to Improving Your Child’s Allergies

By Full Editorial on

All parents desire healthy and happy children. However, allergies cause misery in both children and adults. Further, some allergies can cause life-threatening reactions to the body. Sadly, allergic reactions make it very difficult for children to enjoy day-to-day activities. Varying factors can cause allergies. In this modern age, there are numerous hacks to improve child allergies.

1- Cleaning

Airborne allergies cause coughing, a runny nose, itching, and sneezing. The allergens that cause airborne allergies are found in the air. An allergen is a protein-based substance that is not harmful in itself. However, it triggers allergic reactions in some people. Common airborne allergens include pollen, pet danders, fungal spores, and dust mites.

Hence, parents and guardians need to look for ways to prevent airborne allergens. Cleanliness is a core factor core when it comes to preventing allergies. Moreover, cleaning involves dusting surfaces. Dust particles are a significant trigger of allergic reactions. Floors and dirty surfaces harbor dust mites, pollen, and pet dander. Therefore, you should vacuum, dust, and clean floors and surfaces in your home as often as you can. Essentially, as you dust and vacuum surfaces, make sure you wear a mask. It will prevent you from breathing in allergy triggers.

Additionally, you can avoid fabric carpeted floors in your home. The material used to make them is heavy; hence it harbors dust. Alternatively, if you have fabric carpets, it would be best to clean them regularly.

Cleaning your beddings and clothes often is another way of killing dust mites. Moreover, washing your clothes using hot water kills dust mites. Cleaning improves your child’s allergies.

2- Avoiding Allergy Triggers

Ideally, to prevent allergic reactions in children, you should try avoiding allergens. It might be hectic trying to avoid allergens since they are found in the air. The best way to avoid allergens is by avoiding contact. Suppose you are allergic to a specific pet; you can try to stay away from it. Additionally, you can select a different pet.

Those with food allergies like eggs could choose an alternative type of protein intake. Notably, allergens such as pollen are challenging to avoid because they are found in the air.

When pollen levels are high, you can encourage your kids to stay indoors. Installing an in-home air filtration is also a great way to reduce air pollutants. A dehumidifier is vital in homes because it prevents the growth of mold. You can cover your children’s beds and pillows with sheets to prevent dust mites. It is a great way to improve your children’s allergic reactions.

3- Use Local Honey

Alternatively, some people prefer natural remedies to treat allergies, especially children. Notably, the authenticity of local honey is because it is harvested around your area. Hence, it is available to you since it is locally made. Interestingly, local honey is unprocessed and locally made. The option is immensely favorable to children because honey is sweet. The taste of honey motivates children to take it, unlike western medication, which involves injections, which are painful to children.

Ideally, using honey to treat allergies is similar to using allergy shots. Physicians are skeptical about using local honey. Mainly, it is because its effectiveness has not been scientifically proven. However, taking honey means taking natural pollen. The body becomes more adaptive to pollen. Ultimately, your child will experience fewer allergic reactions. Honey makes the body more tolerant of pollen.

Allergies can either be caused by absorbing or ingesting allergens. They either affect the skin, respiratory system, or digestive system. Often, pollen, dust mites, and various foods can result in the body overreacting to these substances. The rise in allergies has increased immensely over the years. It is mainly attributed to the increase in foreign diets and air pollution. There are several ways to prevent these allergies in children. Research in allergies has also led to new methods to treat allergic reactions.

How To Proceed When You’ve Been Charged With A DUI

How To Proceed When You’ve Been Charged With A DUI

By Full Editorial on

Dui is a charge that can stick with you for the rest of your life. The consequences of a DUI can follow you forever, so it’s important to know how to proceed after your arrest. If you have been charged with a DUI, you must take the steps necessary to protect yourself from the potential ramifications of a conviction. DUI lawyers can answer any questions you might have about your case and what you can do to defend yourself going forward. These are some ways to proceed when you are charged with a DUI.

Post Bail

After an officer catches you violating the DUI laws, he will typically take you to the station or a nearby hospital to determine whether you are impaired. You will be detained until the results of your blood, breath, and urine test come back. If the officer determines that you are impaired and that your driving was unsafe, he will typically book you on a charge of DUI or DWI, which can lead to penalties like fines, probation, community service, jail time, and more. You need to post bail so you can start dealing with the DUI charges.

Get A Lawyer

When you don’t understand the laws that apply to your specific circumstances, you should contact a DUI lawyer in your area. A DUI case can take a turn for the worse if you choose to defend yourself against the charges alone. If you are unsure of your next steps, it is best to get professional guidance from a DUI lawyer in your area. A good lawyer will have a solid understanding of the laws applicable to your case. A DUI lawyer will explain what those laws are, and they can help you pursue the best defense for your situation.

Return To Court

If you complete all of the required steps required by the police and prosecutors, then you must go back to court before being convicted. Not showing up for court or otherwise displaying an unwillingness to participate in your defense is a bad idea. It can be detrimental to your case and even result in an automatic guilty conviction.

Request a Pre-Trial Conference

If you have been receiving letters from prosecutors, then you should make a point to contact them to discuss your case at some point. If you are not sure if the prosecutor has already written you or if you are being investigated, try to find out your status before going in for trial. Knowing will help you to take appropriate actions as the situation moves forward.

If you are unsure when it is a good time to contact the prosecutor and are interested in discussing your case, you should review the documents you have been sent. Discuss your options with a DUI lawyer in your area to help you understand what comes next and allow you to follow through with whatever best represents your interests at the time.

In conclusion, a DUI charge is a serious matter that results in penalties that can impact your life for years to come. If you are not sure of what you will do, you should contact a DUI lawyer for advice about proceeding. A knowledgeable DUI attorney will help you understand your legal options and what those options mean for how the case moves forward.