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In this day and age, you may be thinking more about how you’re going to keep your small business afloat than how to take it to the next level.

Granted, there are a lot of businesses out there that are basically fighting for survival, just trying to make it to the other side of the pandemic. However, taking your business to the next level is part of keeping your business afloat. There are over 32 small businesses in America operating right now, and some of them are competing for the same customer base that you covet, which is why, as part of keeping your business alive, you should do all you can do to take your business to the next level. Here are some great tips that will have your small business going leaps and bounds above the competition.

Make Your IT Team More Efficient

With the majority of workers now working from home, IT is a more important position than ever at most businesses these days.

It is essential for a business to have a well-functioning IT team that can troubleshoot problems with your company’s computer systems before they become big problems. IT support is also important for many of your workers, as if they’re having a problem with their programming, the first people they will call is IT. Make sure your IT team has a great managed hosting service that can easily spot problems before they become headaches for your company.

Improve Your Marketing Strategies

There are so many ways you can market your business these days.

Back in the day, you only had TV, the newspaper, and billboards. The internet, however, has opened a door to a new world of marketing, and social media platforms have only expanded on the multitude of opportunities a business has to market itself. Marketing on social media has become a central focal point for small businesses looking to gain an edge over their rivals. Social media also has enabled the rise of mobile marketing, which can take your marketing plans to a brand new level entirely. Your competition is surely upgrading their marketing game, so you should too in order to get a better edge on your competition.

Take A Chance On Second Chance Employees

Once the pandemic runs its course, we’re going to face an employee shortage sooner or later.

The coming lack of employees will spur many small businesses to think outside-of-the-box to find the staff they need to take their business to the top. One such employee that businesses should look to hire is “second chance” employees. These are workers who received some training in the modern workforce while incarcerated. These are individuals who are begging for a second chance to make it in the workforce once they’re released from jail, and a business should take a flyer on this workforce. Most businesses look away from those who have served time in prison, and the lack of opportunities leaves little choice for these workers to re-offend.

By giving “second chance” workers a look, not only are you helping them ease back into society in a positive way, but you will be one more step ahead of the curve and could potentially spur a new wave of hiring that will give “second chance” workers a better shot at making it in the workforce.

Have Networking Chops

While another business may be your competition, it is also very important to find the best workers for your business before your competition does.

This is called “networking,” which will allow you to find the talent that you need by attending events and pitching your company to prospective employees. To do this will require the services of another company that specializes in recruiting. That’s the beauty of networking, utilizing businesses to help your business get and retain talent. So don’t shun other businesses. Instead, do some networking to boost your business and find the next great superstar.

Invest In Corporate Parking

Now, you may read this step and wonder why in the world would corporate parking take your business to the next level?

Well, it’s simple: It makes your business look “official,” and potential employees and customers love a business that has a sense of professionalism to it. Invest in corporate parking that will make your parking lot stand out. Also, you’ll want to invest in a security system for your parking lot. Things can happen in the parking lot, even during the day, and customers and employees value safety above anything else. Having a good security system will go a long way to making sure that your corporate parking lot looks, feels, and is safe for everyone.

Make Your Office Dog-Friendly

When workers begin to return to the office, they’ll be looking for an atmosphere that reminds them of their home office.

One way to achieve this feeling is to make your office dog-friendly. Allowing your workers to bring their pets to work will make the job feel a bit less like a “cold corporate place” and more of a relaxed spot that will make your employees feel more at home. Having pet care in your building will go a long way toward improving the productivity of your office and take your small business to the next level.

Get Insurance Protection

Having insurance protection is going to be very important, especially when you start welcoming back your workers to the office.

There is no other way to sugarcoat this: We live in a world that lives and breaths off suing companies, and if one of your workers catches the coronavirus while at work, that could be an insurance nightmare for your company. So now is the best time to review and retain a lawyer that can fight for your interest in court and get you the best advice in civil litigation. Getting insurance protection for your small business will guard you against frivolous lawsuits from customers and employees who will be sure to sue you over every little thing that goes wrong in the office.

Boost Your Building’s Curb Appeal

Curb appeal is a very important aspect to a business not only for its survival but also for getting two steps ahead of the curb (get it? Curb!) of your competition.

Make sure that the landscaping around your business is top-notch. Have the grass mowed and the area around your business look as clean as it can be. Also, if you have trees, now will be the best time to contact a contractor that specializes in tree care. Having the outside of your business look just as great on the inside will go a long way to putting your business in front of your peers and setting you up greatly for the future.

Keep The Building Clean

In addition to keeping the outside of your building clean, you must also keep the building itself as clean as possible so that it can be an attraction to potential customers.

No one likes to venture to a business that has overflowing trash bins and clutter, and it’s also not an effective work environment either and will be the ticket to some (if not all) of your employees asking to work from home for the foreseeable future. Make sure that you’re keeping your office building free of clutter and contracting with trash operators to come and collect garbage from your commercial trash dumpsters regularly so that customers and employees won’t have to witness looking at overflowing garbage and have a business that they can freely move to do their jobs.

Watch Your Taxes

When you first decide to go into business for yourself, the very first thing you will be introduced to is business taxes.

Taxes can be a pain, but if you make a smart budget and stick to that plan the best you can, then those taxes won’t be so much of a burden on your company’s bottom line. When it comes to business taxes, you should always be thinking about how you can make a profit from your taxes, not trying to one-up “The Man.” You should do whatever you can legally do to lower your taxable income so that your business will be able to make a nice profit; and once you do, reinvest your profit back into the business, either by introducing new products or giving your hard-working employees much-deserved raises.

Have A Long-Term Strategic Plan In Place

The one thing that gets many businesses caught up in today’s marketplace is that too many small businesses think in the short term.

Yes, it can be hard to see well into the future of where your business will be, but developing a strategic long-term goal will get your company on the right path to go into the next level. Everything about your operation should have a long-term plan attached to it, from the people you hire to your budget, and, especially, the customer service you provide. We’re not saying it’s not important to think of the present, it is. However, if you really want to make sure your small business has longevity, having a strategic long-term plan will put everything into place for your business to acquire the knowledge and assets needed to take your business to the next level.

Build In Downtime

Maintaining a small business takes a lot of time and work, which is why it’s important to not overexert yourself.

It is very important that you build in some downtime that will allow you to recharge and focus on working on the business, not working in the business. If you read that last sentence as “this is not a vacation,” you are correct because downtime is not a vacation, it’s a chance for the business owner to firmly work on growing their business instead of working hard just to maintain it. The pandemic has forced many small business owners to do more “business maintenance” than actually working to grow their companies, and rightfully so as most of the nation’s 32 million small businesses are fighting for survival.

While many business owners are working hard to keep their business afloat, one shouldn’t forget the crucial aspect of building up their business, as it will be these companies that will truly come out of the other side of the pandemic a winner and keep their business growing.

Make Sure Your Company Is Attracting Tomorrow’s Workforce

You’ve heard this saying all the time, that the children are our future.

Well, the future has arrived, and your business needs to be focused on attracting the next generation of workers to your company. That means hiring a younger workforce while paying them nearly the same salary as you would a more experienced one. Having an experienced workforce can pay dividends, but a younger, more energetic workforce can bring new and exciting ideas to your business that can help it grow and prosper into the next phase of your expansion. So don’t shy away from hiring tomorrow’s workers today, as they can be the ticket to boosting your small business to the next level.

In conclusion, many business owners are in survival mode right now. The pandemic has wrecked their bottom lines and 2021 is seen as a crucial year to get their businesses back afloat. By trying to maintain their bottom lines, that mentality has also caused them to ignore building up their company to take it to the next level, and while it is important to keep your business maintained so that it won’t drown, now may be the perfect time to make it into a company that will not only be sustainable for the future but also set it up for future growth.

In the end, that’s the ultimate goal for any small business with big dreams and venture, growth. Without growth, your business will be stagnant, and won’t have the tools in place to weather the changing of the times. Small businesses should be focusing their efforts on growing up their businesses so that it will come out on the other end of the pandemic stronger and better than ever before.

An auto accident, also known as a car crash, occurs when a car collides with another vehicle, human, animal, object, or a stationary object such as a tree, telephone pole, or electric pole. Auto accidents are bound to happen, especially with how many vehicles are sold each year. Around 17 million cars and light trucks were sold in the United States back in 2018. That’s a lot of vehicles on the road and a lot of chances for accidents to occur.

Getting into an auto accident is stressful, but it’s important to stay calm if you get into one. Keeping calm will help you keep a level head and think clearly about what your next steps should be. Part of keeping calm is knowing what to do in case of an auto accident. If you aren’t sure what these steps are, don’t worry. Here are some key things to do if you get into a crash and why it’s important to follow them closely.

Stay at the Scene

As you learn what to do in case of an auto accident, the first thing to do is stay at the scene. Do not drive away, even if you think the crash isn’t a big deal. If you drive away, you could be charged with hit-and-run. Even if a car tow service stops and offers to take your car to a shop, do not go until the police have investigated.

Fleeing the scene of a crash comes with hefty ramifications, including fines and possibly jail time. If you flee the scene of a crash and someone is injured, you could be charged with a felony. Even if the accident is your fault, stay at the scene.

Check For Injuries

When thinking about what to do in case of an auto accident, one of the most important things to do is to check yourself and the other parties involved for injuries. The injuries people receive largely depend on the severity of the crash. Some common injuries resulting from accidents include whiplash, back pain, broken bones, head trauma, broken teeth, and spinal cord injuries. Many people can also receive minor cuts, scrapes, bruises, and other non-invasive injuries.

Even if you don’t think you’re severely injured, it’s not a bad idea to be evaluated by a medical professional. You may look fine on the surface, but you could have internal bleeding. If there’s an EMT at the scene, they can evaluate you and determine if you can be released or if you should go to the emergency room. Also, remember the injuries you sustained in case you need to hire an injury attorney down the line.

Pull Your Car Over

The more you learn about what to do in case of an auto accident, the more you realize how important post-accident safety is. If you got into an accident in the middle of a road or busy highway, try to pull your car over to the shoulder or a safer space away from traffic. The last thing you want is to risk getting others involved in the crash.

If you can, turn your hazard lights on when you pull over. If you get into an accident at night, see if you have flares and set them up if you do. Doing these things will help others on the road safely see where your car is.

Call the Police

When learning what to do in case of an auto accident, one of the most important things you must do is call the police when the crash occurs. The police are responsible for investigating the scene, taking a report, and directing traffic if the accident is blocking the road.

Calling the police is a vital step in this process for a number of reasons. For starters, some states require you to call the police after car accidents, even if they’re minor. Police are also responsible for taking an official report of the crash, which is important for insurance and legal reasons. An auto insurance company may want to see the report, and if someone involved in the crash wants to pursue legal action, their accident attorney will want to see the report.

Don’t Admit Fault at the Scene

This may seem like a minor tip, but it’s one that you must remember when learning what to do in case of an auto accident. Do not admit fault at the scene of the crash. Don’t tell the other parties involved in the crash or the police that it was your fault. If you do, it can be used against you. If others involved in the crash decide to sue you, they can use that statement in court, and it’s tough to argue against your own words in a court of law.

Plus, you may think the accident was your fault but the police investigation could prove otherwise. If that’s the case, and you actually state the accident was your fault, you could unnecessarily put the blame on yourself and let the person who actually was responsible walk free.

Exchange Information With the Involved Parties

It’s important to get the names and contact information of everyone involved in the accident. You should also get their car insurance information. You should get all this information because if legal action is taken in the future, you can tell your lawyer how to get in contact with all involved parties. In addition to getting information on the other drivers involved in the crash, should get the names and contact information for passengers and witnesses alike.

You should also take down the makes and models of the other cars involved in the crash for your own reference. That way, if there’s a discrepancy in the report, you can identify it and have it be corrected.

Take Pictures of the Accident

Documenting the accident is a crucial step in this process. You must take pictures of the damage your car sustained in the crash. Take pictures of the front, side, and rear of your car, along with any other parts that were damaged. Your insurance company will likely want to see pictures of the accident once you make a claim. They want to make sure the damage you’re reporting in the claim is accurate, and they can verify your claim through photos of the damage.

Be sure to take pictures of your car from multiple angles. While the damage may look minor from one angle, it could actually be more substantial when looking at it from another angle. This will help you determine just how damaged your car is and what kind of insurance claim you need to make. If you need collision repair, they need to see why. If you say you need to visit a shop that does paint car services, you must show them why.

You should also take pictures of the injuries you sustained in the crash. These pictures could come in handy if you decide to take legal action against the person who caused the crash. Your lawyer could present these pictures in court to prove you did sustain the injuries you said you did.

Call Your Car Insurance Company

As you research what to do in case of an auto accident, you’ll notice that an important step is to call your car insurance company and file a claim. A claim is a request for money to help cover the cost of the damage associated with the crash. This includes getting help with auto body repair and more serious car repairs, such as engine and transmission repair.

You should also review what your insurance policy covers as you file your claim. See what your deductible is and what kind of liability insurance you have. This is crucial information to have because it’ll help you determine how much you’ll have to pay out of pocket for repairs. You may also have to budget for others’ medical expenses, depending on if you’re at fault for the crash.

If you need to go to the hospital or see a doctor, it’s not a bad idea to call your medical insurance provider and get brushed up on your policy. You may think you’re covered, but the last thing you want is to have an unexpected medical bill added on top of the repair bills you may have. Ask what your deductible is and what kinds of medical services are covered under your policy.

Contact a Lawyer

Figuring out what to do in case of an auto accident is important, and a smart step to take in this process is to contact a lawyer quickly. A lawyer who specializes in auto accidents can help you understand your legal rights as either the victim of a car crash or the person at fault.

They’ll help you understand what the legal process looks like as well. An attorney will carefully lay out what your legal options are and how you can pursue them. You should submit as much information about the accident to them as you can, including the police report, pictures of damage and injuries, and the names and contact information of those involved in the crash.

The most important thing to remember when dealing with an auto accident attorney is to be completely honest with them about what happened in the crash. If you aren’t honest with them, they can’t help you to the best of their ability. Plus, if you go to court but leave out details of the crash, the other party involved could bring those details up and blindside your lawyer. This can make your case look bad, so be honest with your lawyer about the crash and the role you played in it.

You should pick a lawyer who has a good record with cases like yours and who has your best interest in mind at all times. After all, they are helping you through a stressful situation that can get messy if it’s brought to court. Having an experienced attorney you can trust is crucial, so don’t be afraid to do your research and talk to multiple attorneys before officially hiring one for your case.

Look For Another Car

Determining what to do in case of an auto accident is a sign of good planning on your part. One part of the plan you shouldn’t leave out is looking for a car to replace yours if needed. The damage your car sustained in the accident may be too severe to fix, or the collision repair could cost more than the car is worth. If that’s the case, you’ll likely need to find a new mode of transportation.

The kind of car you choose to look for is completely up to you. You may want a brand new car, or you may want a used car that’s in good shape. When picking a new car, remember that you may have other expenses stemming from the accident to pay for. These expenses include outstanding repair bills, medical bills, and attorney fees. If these bills are adding up and will cost you a lot each month, you may want to look for an inexpensive car. That way, you aren’t struggling to make ends meet.

There’s a lot to keep track of when thinking about what to do in case of an auto accident. The most important thing to do, though, is to stay calm and not to jump the gun on anything. Don’t get angry at the scene and don’t admit anything was your fault. Take this process one step at a time and make sure you complete each step thoroughly before moving on to the next one.

Getting into a car accident and dealing with the aftermath is stressful. However, having a plan in place and knowing what to do can help reduce the stress and complications that come with the aftermath. Remember to keep your health and safety, as well as the health and safety of those around you, a priority after the crash occurs. Things will work out, and you’ll get the help you need each step of the way.

Did you know that 17 million cars and light trucks were sold within the United States in 2018 alone? The unfortunate reality is that many of the people that most need cars and light trucks, however, will not be able to afford them. Most Americans rely on vehicles in order to not only commute to their occupations, but to grocery stores, their children’s schools, and importantly in a post-pandemic world, the doctor’s office. The structure of the U.S. means that the vast majority of Americans do not live in cities that are easily walkable or easily accessible through public transportation. Additionally, cars can be considered major investments by most Americans, but particularly those that are living on compressed budgets due to economic hardship or long term poverty.

While a vehicle can potentially be bought outright from a private seller, quite often these cars are unreliable or may even be damaged at the time of sale; there is a reason why they are being sold for so little, after all. Therefore, in the grand scheme, these cars are often dangerous to drive or may cost more than they are worth in repairs and upkeep. The alternative is buying a car from a dealership, which may require a new owner to commit to a payment plan that they are not necessarily able to afford. Plenty of people experiencing financial hardships are unable to buy cars from dealerships in the first place, as it can be difficult for them to be approved for financing.

Again, being unable to own a vehicle can be incredibly limiting, especially for families. Children may be unable to attend school to the degree that they should. Parents are unable to provide for their families because they simply can’t get to work. Vital appointments are missed due to a lack of transportation. This is why many charities specifically focus on ensuring that families are able to access cars affordably. Additionally, when individuals are exploring where to donate a car for charity, they may discover charities that auction off donated vehicles in order to raise money for their specific causes. While there are many charities that accept donated vehicles, not all of them do so for the same reasons. There is much to understand before making the decision to donate a vehicle to charity.

What Types of Organizations Accept Donated Cars?

When exploring where to donate a car for charity, individuals will likely be surprised by how many charities accept these unique donations. These range from remarkably well-known charitable organizations that are nevertheless not necessarily associated with donated vehicles, to more local or obscure nonprofits. For example, Habitat for Humanity actually accepts vehicles from donors, despite the fact that many donors associate the organization with donated time, money, or home goods. Unlike some organizations, Habitat for Humanity does not offer most of their donated vehicles to families in need. Rather, they sell the vehicles that are donated to fund their mission, which is focused on helping families achieve housing and overall stability. Habitat for Humanity accepts almost all types of cars and trucks, as well as motorcycles, recreational vehicles, snowmobiles, boats, farming equipment, and even construction equipment. About half of all donated vehicles are sold as is, while the other half are salvaged, which essentially means that they are sold for parts. Either way, Habitat for Humanity is able to use those funds to finance its charitable goals.

Another prominent charitable organization for people to consider when researching where to donate a car for charity is Make-A-Wish. Make-A-Wish is well known for the services that it provides to families with children that are suffering from chronic, often life-threatening or terminal illnesses. The charity essentially finances the “wishes” of these children, which are often centered around amazing experiences like visiting Disney World or going on a special trip. This can obviously become fairly expensive, which means that Make-A-Wish relies on donations like vehicles to finance its goals. Technically, a separate charity, Wheels for Wishes, handles the donation of cars. Not only standard cars like jeeps or sedans, but boats, RVs and motorhomes, and motorcycles are accepted by Wheels for Wishes. Like Habitat for Humanity, the organization can sell these vehicles as is or sell them for parts in order to fund their overall goals.

Those that are researching where to donate a car for charity with the intention of helping veterans can explore charities like Vehicles for Veterans. Vehicles for Veterans focusing on helping disabled veterans adjust to life post-service, financing programs that help veterans in need of assistance and support. Vehicles for Veterans uses the proceeds surrounding the sale of pre owned SUVs and other cars in order to ensure that veterans are able to receive counseling, medical equipment, and even necessary alterations to their homes. Disabled veterans in particular are quite at risk of experiencing homelessness in their lifetimes, and charities like these offer them desperately-needed resources.

There are also charities available that specifically offer cars to needy families. Individuals that are researching where to donate a car for charity and actually own cars in good condition may want to consider organizations like these. 1-800-Charity Cars focuses on ensuring that families in need receive the vehicles that will keep them stable. The organization carefully vets applicants before approving them for a vehicle, as it understandably has a limited amount of vehicles available. When individuals decide to donate their car to this charity, the vehicle will be assessed by its employees. Cars that are determined to be suitable as “program” vehicles will be donated to families in need. However, vehicles that are not suitable for the program can still be used by 1-800-Charity Cars. They would be moved through truck transport sold at auction or salvaged to fund the program and the purchase of other vehicles.

Cars 4 Christmas also accepts donated vehicles, focusing on people throughout the Midwest in particular that need vehicles in order to cope with hardships. Like the aforementioned charity, Cars 4 Christmas accepts vehicles in all conditions, as even unusable cars can be liquidated. Usually, recipients of cars include people with children, people with disabilities and medical conditions and people in transitional housing. The charity has also spawned an offshoot charity called Cars 4 Heroes, which focuses on providing vehicles to veterans in need. Therefore, those researched where to donate a car for charity that dream of their vehicle going to a veteran in need can choose this option instead.

If an individual seeking where to donate a car for charity is interested in donating to a religious organization, they may want to consider Good News Garage. This nonprofit organization is run by Lutheran Social Services, and is therefore affiliated with the Lutheran Church. Operating in the New England area, it focuses on donating vehicles to families in need. As is often the procedure with these charities, the cars will be evaluated upon receipt, with professionals determining whether they need expensive fixes like transmission repairs. Vehicles that can be donated directly to families will be donated, while those that cannot be donated or repaired cost-effectively will be sold at auction to fund the efforts of Good News Garage.

What Are the Benefits of Donating a Car to Charity?

Those deliberating on where to donate a car for charity may also be considering how the donation will benefit them. This is understandable. Donating a car is a major decision, as the car was likely a big initial financial commitment. Additionally, there are admitted alternatives to donating a car besides selling it privately. There is the obvious benefit of simply doing something good for others and the positive emotional impact of making that decision. If an individual is no longer planning on driving a vehicle, they may want to donate it simply to help others. But there is nothing wrong with wanting to receive other benefits through a donation.

One major benefit of deciding on where to donate a car for charity is the fact that many of these donations are actually tax-deductible. This means that an individual will essentially be able to write the value of the vehicle off on their taxes, and receive that benefits when they are filing for their tax returns. While this is a clear financial advantage of donating a car for charity, it does require delayed gratification. Rather than receiving the financial benefits of selling a car outright, the donor will need to wait until their taxes are completed and they receive their “kickbacks”.

However, one aspect that they often do not need to worry about is the somewhat complex procedures of making these deductions. Many of the charitable organizations that accept donated vehicles will help donors through this process. They are experienced in these matters, after all, and do not want confusion to be a barrier between donors and their charities. Therefore, they will offer donors assistance.

This is not the only assistance offered by these charitable organizations. Most, if not all of them will also offer to pick up and tow cars that are donated. This can be especially beneficial if an individual is considering donating a vehicle after a car accident. If a car is being donated simply to be sold for parts and is completely impossible to drive, the organizations can still pick up the cars and tow them, thus sparing people the expenses that come with having a car towed, as well as what would likely be a fairly substantial headache.

Why Donate a Car to Charity Versus Selling It?

There are several reasons why an individual would consider figuring out where to donate a car for charity rather than selling the vehicle outright. For one thing, it is important for all vehicle owners to consider the fact that there is very little chance that they will be making a profit on their car. The conventional wisdom is that as soon as a new car leaves the lot, it begins to lose value. Cars, unless they are extremely expensive classic or collectible vehicles, are not financial investments in the conventional sense. They experience daily wear and tear, and they are not cheap to upkeep. Even buying new tires on a fairly regular, if infrequent basis will cut into the initial investment an owner put into a car.

Additionally, selling a car can be more complex than it might initially seem. If a car is owned for a limited amount of time, an owner might be able to turn it back around to the same car dealership where it was originally bought. But they will often invest the money they receive into a new vehicle, and again will be doing so at a loss most of the time.

Most cars need to be in great shape for an owner to receive any kind of decent return when they sell a car to a dealership. Dealerships need to consider how repairs will affect the value of a vehicle. Even more cosmetic issues like replacement windows can cut into the value of a car sold to a dealership.

Cars that have experienced serious trauma will be worth very little. After cars have been in collisions, for example, they are often sold to salvage companies, and owners may receive under $100 for the vehicles. This barely justifies the effort that goes into selling the car. Furthermore, owners that donate their cars to charitable organizations may ultimately receive more in tax deductions than they would from a company that buys junk cars.

These are ultimately just a few reasons why owners often choose to donate their cars rather than selling them. They may benefit more financially in the long term, they know that their cars are aiding good causes, and the process is often simpler than selling the vehicle, especially when charitable organizations guide them through the tax processes.

Being aware that a vehicle is funding a charitable organization or even going directly to individuals in need can make a car owner feel as if they made a big difference; because ultimately, they did. Therefore, those that have cars that they need taken off their hands should consider seeking out these charities before selling their vehicles outright.