One and Co

One and Co

Archives for September 2021

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Training for a Job in Silicon Valley at San Francisco Bay University

San Francisco Bay University is committed to career readiness. They create pipelines that connect people with jobs, careers, and advancement opportunities in the United States. Most of their students are first-generation college-goers, workers re-entering the workforce after being laid off during layoffs, or immigrants seeking new career opportunities.

By offering training programs in high-demand areas such as technology, engineering, and business administration, SFBU is able to ensure that its students attain the necessary skills and knowledge to be competitive in today’s job market.

Their curriculum blends classroom education with hands-on experiences through industry internships and employer relationships to provide real-world skills and knowledge that translate into immediate employment.

For a recent graduate of their Master of Computer Science program, a degree from SFBU translated to a career as an iOS Engineer at Apple and working on making Apple products even more impactful for their users. These are the types of jobs that SFBU students hope for and many gain access to upon graduation.

Another student who obtained a Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science at SFBU is currently employed as a UI Software Engineer at Citigroup. Citigroup is just the kind of company that pays great wages and offers generous benefits to their employees. These are the kinds of careers anyone would be lucky to have.

San Francisco Bay University degree programs include bachelor’s and master’s in Computer Science, bachelor’s and master’s in Business Administration and a master’s in Electrical Engineering as well as an Intensive English Language Program.

It’s a common mistake that even the most successful businesses make: not properly training their new employees, especially for highly technical or complex jobs.

Some companies believe that new employees will learn as they go, on the job, foregoing a new hire training program. While there is plenty of space for on-the-job training, knowing how to train new employees effectively means happier employees and better retention rates. SFBU knows this and weaves this philosophy into how they teach. Silicon Valley companies also utilize this approach in how they train their new employees.

Even better, students who get a job at a Silicon Valley company have access to some of the most extravagant employee perks in the job market. From remote working to catered meals and generous paid leave, Silicon Valley jobs offer graduating SFBU students the opportunity to work for a company that treats them how they truly should be treated.

Comprehensive wellness programs are also usually offered at Silicon Valley companies. Private health and dental care is a benefit that many look for in a job and is a tax-deductible business expense for Silicon Valley firms. Offering help when it comes to health, fitness, stress, and general wellbeing, can be beneficial to staff, and help to improve productivity as well as reduce absenteeism. Students graduating from SFBU who land a job at a Silicon Valley firm can expect perks just like these.

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Finding the Right Talent for Startups with Josh Melick

Josh Melick is a multi-talented individual who has worked as an engineer, a project manager, and sales. Josh was the former CEO of Broadly.com, a mobile small company CRM and messaging platform. We spoke to him about what new startups need to know about finding and attracting the right talent.

What are some of the most critical strategies people can use to find the talent they need for their new venture?

“I think the number one rule is ‘the more you look, the more you’ll find.’ I’m not convinced it’s necessarily about volume, but definitely quality. A lot of times, people aren’t looking nearly as much as they can. The second thing is that it’s easier to be the right person you’re looking for than you think, especially if you are willing to try different angles or take on a slightly customized role. I started Broadly with two guys I had never worked with before but who had skills in areas where we were knowledge deficient…and it worked out great.

Finally, remember that you’re in a super-competitive market for talent and that if you don’t move quickly, it’s going to be too late.”

How can new founders find the right people?

“First is definitely LinkedIn. It’s not perfect, and you have to know how to use it, but it’s the only tool I’ve found that has enough volume and connections to be practical. The second is by being very open about what you’re doing, who you are, your experience level, your willingness to learn/grow/move quickly on things. Finally, you have to look at helping people find their passion or purpose, not just a paycheck.

I think the most important thing for people in new companies is to recognize that they’re going to just sort of screw up and know how to handle it. You’ll hire too early, or maybe not at all…but you have to be willing to deal with those things and move on quickly.”

What kinds of skills should founders look for in new employees?

“Not everyone can do everything, but they should be looking for as many of the following as possible: empathy (which is underrated as a skill), creativity/think-outside-the-box mentality, humility and ability to learn, business sense or acumen, strong communicator with a high emotional IQ, money-motivated but not money-driven, able to think big picture/strategy, ability to work in a team.”

When founders are trying to hire someone quickly, how can they tell if what they might lack in experience is being made up for by the potential employee’s talent?

“You won’t know for sure, but you have to be willing to evaluate that situation quickly. There are a few things you can do to help with the evaluation, but again it requires talking to people and uncovering what they know…it’s not about whether they’ve done something before.”

Can you talk about your favorite startup hires? Why were these employees so successful for your company?

“We have a very talented young lady on our team who came from a customer service background and struggled when she first joined the company. It took her about six months for her to get settled in. Still, it has been great since then….she’s gone from being responsible for one channel of the business model to multiple channels, including a lucrative white-labeled offering. She loves what she does, but more importantly, knows that the company supports her growth and that she has a large impact on the direction of the business.”

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The Web Accessibility Market Leader, accessiBe, Launches A New Search Engine Called Accessfind To Assist People In Finding Accessible Websites

Today, accessiBe, the global leader in web accessibility, announced the imminent launch of accessFind. This consumer-centric nonprofit initiative will provide the first-ever search engine designed particularly for disabled end-users. This effort was created for the community, by the community, in collaboration with major disability-focused nonprofit groups.

“Search is a powerful tool that empowers end-users with the ability to find what they need,” said Michael Hingson, Chief Vision Officer of accessiBe. “One in five Americans identifies as having a disability, and for this community, finding accessible websites has been an onerous task.”

Accessfind’s purpose is to provide people with disabilities a fast, simple way to search for websites that are accessible. Users of accessibility find can also benefit from an extensive directory of services and apps.

This new search engine provides users with detailed information about the various features of each website, including whether or not they are compatible with assistive technologies such as screen readers, refreshable Braille displays, or magnifiers used by people with disabilities. In addition, businesses, web developers, and accessibility consultants can also use accessFind to determine how they stack up against the competition when it comes to making their sites accessible.

“These tools will help businesses create more accessible, marketable websites,” said Mark Riccobono, Board President of Telecommunications for the Blind and Visually Impaired. “We are also excited that the directory of services will provide users with information about accessible apps, thus creating a win-win situation for both end-users and businesses.”

AccessiBe is seeking input from people with disabilities in order to develop a comprehensive resource that best meets their needs. The feedback will be instrumental in identifying ways to improve the content and functionality of the product.

“We are committed to continually enhancing accessFind,” said Hingson. “We aim to provide a dynamic, user-friendly resource that not only provides end-users with a fast, simple way to search for accessible websites but also makes it easier for companies and developers to create sites accessible for all.”

About accessiBe

accessiBe is a SaaS service driven by AI that improves the accessibility and usability of any website. Over 20% of your website visitors with disabilities will benefit from accessiBe, which will make it easier for them to navigate your site. In addition, thousands of small businesses and industry leaders rely on it to keep them safe.

“accessiBe was designed as a service to assist companies in creating websites and applications that are accessible, allowing them to remain compliant with Section 508 and reach more customers,” said Hingson. “The accessibility market is estimated at $1.3 trillion and continues to grow exponentially as the population ages, and mobile computing becomes more popular. Today, more than one in five Americans consider themselves to have a disability. As a result, accessibility is no longer an option; it’s a necessary business practice.”

“Going forward, we believe that this new initiative will significantly contribute to the education of companies, consumers, and webmasters about how they can improve their sites to serve all better. We are even more excited that accessiBe’s technology is helping to create opportunities for people with disabilities who can provide quality input about what works best.”

 

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Some Of The Most Common Metals To Use For Jewellery

When you want to purchase jewellery, the best way to get value for money is commissioning bespoke jewellery. You can get much more bang for your buck choosing custom-made jewellery. There’s also that added benefit of getting something that is 100% unique. However, you will need to consider the precious metal to use in your jewellery, and there are many more options available than gold. Below are some of the various precious metals you can consider for your jewellery to help you decide which one to use in your bespoke, one-of-a-kind jewellery design.

Choosing Gold For Your Jewellery

One of the most common metals people use in jewellery is gold, but you will not want to use pure gold in your jewellery as it is too soft. If you use pure gold, also known as 24-carat gold, you will find it easy to damage your jewellery and bend it out of shape. Choose either 22-carat or 18-carat gold which is much tougher and less likely to get bent out of shape. Many people think about yellow gold. However, trusted jewellers in Mayfair and those in your local area offer gold in other colours such as:

  • White Gold
  • Rose Gold
  • Green Gold
  • Grey Gold

Choosing Silver For Your Jewellery

Silver is another common metal that people use for jewellery, and it is much stronger than gold, so it is less likely to bend out of shape. Another significant benefit of using silver for jewellery is that it is much cheaper than gold but looks fantastic. The best option for silver jewellery is Sterling Silver, which has a purity of 92.5% and is suitable for the jewellery you wear every day and for extended periods.

Choosing Platinum For Your Jewellery

If you are looking for a precious metal that is hard-wearing and will last, an excellent option to choose is platinum, which is increasing in popularity. However, the one drawback with this durable metal is its price, as it is often more expensive than gold. Platinum has a similar look to silver and is usually between 90% and 95% pure when used in jewellery. Although it is costly, you will know it will last when choosing this metal for your bespoke jewellery.

Choosing Palladium For Your Jewellery

If you want a similar look to platinum without the expense, you may want to consider using palladium instead for your custom-made jewellery. It was first used for jewellery after 1939 when platinum was declared a strategic metal reserved for the military. It is a white metal that is also very durable, like platinum and has increased in popularity. It will usually be around 95% pure palladium and is often mixed with ruthenium, making it a suitable alloy for jewellery.

These are the four most common metals you can consider for your bespoke jewellery, but there are more besides. Speak to the jeweller who will design and create your custom-made jewellery and see what they recommend. They can definitely create something beautiful for you using your preferred metal of choice.

 

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DIY Home Interior Design Style Tips

If you are a huge fan of Downton Abbey and are curious about how you can transform different rooms in your home, using Downton Abbey as your inspiration, you’re in luck. A recent interior design campaign was released which shows modern takes on how different British celebrities would decorate some of the iconic rooms in Downtown Abbey for today’s modern world. If you love home DIY and Downton Abbey, continue reading to discover how to give your home a much-needed update with Downton Abbey as your inspiration.

Use large framed prints to decorate your walls:

In Downton Abbey, large framed paintings were hung up on the walls of many of the rooms to create an air of stately elegance. British celebrity Ruth Langsford would likely recommend hanging up large framed contemporary prints on your walls instead. As prints are thoroughly modern and are relatively inexpensive to purchase. As they are so inexpensive, you’ll also be able to swap out the prints that you choose from time to time to give your room a whole new look.

Use stand out pieces to decorate your rooms:

Graham Norton who is known for being Britain’s most famous talk show host and interviewing A-list celebrities from the UK and the USA would likely use stand-out pieces to give Downton Abbey’s rooms a modern update. For example, it wouldn’t be surprising to see Graham select a sophisticated floor lamp and a large leafy potted plant, in order to transform a room into a contemporary haven.

Take inspiration from minimalist Scandanavian style:

Joe Wicks, who is known for being a health and fitness personality, would likely transform the rooms in Downton Abbey by taking inspiration from minimalist Scandinavian style. As in his video workouts which he frequently posts online, Joe has been spotted working out in a home that boasts a contemporary white fireplace and Scandinavian furniture. So if you are looking for a fresh way to update your home, it’s a great idea to paint your fireplace or the wall behind your fireplace white and to add a few pieces of trendy Scandanavian furniture to your home. As a bonus Scandanavian furniture is often reasonably priced. One piece of furniture which Joe owns is a Scandanavian coffee table that he has placed on top of a neutral rug.

Consider artfully mixing light and dark tones:

If you’re a fan of Ruth Langsford who is a famous Irish TV and radio host, you may want to decorate the rooms in your home by carefully mixing both light and dark tones into your room design. For example, you may want to opt for dark wood furniture in a room that has light-colored walls.

So if you love Downton Abbey, are curious about how British celebrities would transform the home in Downton Abbey for modern times and love collecting DIY home inspiration, hopefully, your curiosity is satisfied. Especially if you’ve been searching for ways to modernize your living room as the most used room in your home.

 

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Can You Get a US IP for Free?

A US IP address lets you do lots of things on the web – the most important one being that you can unblock US entertainment anywhere in the world.

But how do you actually get a US IP address? That’s the difficult part, right?

Not really – there are a few online tools that let you change your IP address.

But now comes the next big question – are they free?

Some IP changing tools are free, but we don’t recommend using them. We’ll tell you why in this article.

First Things First – Which Online Tools Get You an IP Address?

To change your IP address, you need to use one of these tools:

  • VPNs – Using a VPN is good way to change your IP address. It’s an online tool that routes your connections through a VPN server. Any website you visit will think your traffic is coming from the VPN server, so it will only see its IP. To get a US IP address, you need to connect to a US server.
  • Proxies–Proxies work just like VPNs. They also change your IP by sending your connections through servers that sit between you and the web. But unlike a VPN, a proxy doesn’t encryption your traffic, so it can’t secure it.

We usually recommend using a VPN instead of a proxy because it’s more secure since it uses encryption. That way, it can protect you from traffic eavesdropping and MITM attacks.

Can You Get a US IP Address for Free?

Yes, you can get a US IP for free – but we really don’t recommend doing that. While there are free VPNs and proxies out there, they’re not worth it.

After all, how could an online service offer you a good experience for free? To offer US IP addresses, the service needs to rent servers in the US. Also, they need to rent servers with enough bandwidth so that people don’t deal with slow speeds. That gets expensive very fast.

We ran multiple tests with free and paid IP changers. We always had a better experience with a paid service. Here’s why:

  • Free tools are always slower than paid tools because the servers don’t have enough bandwidth. In our tests, we experienced 60-70% slowdowns with free proxies and VPNs, and only 20-30% slowdowns with paid services.
  • With free tools, you have to put up with monthly or daily data caps. On average, you’re limited to 500 MB or 2 GB of data each month. If you want to stream HD content on Netflix, that’s barely enough for a few episodes of your favorite TV series!
  • Free proxy and VPNs might give you a US IP, but it won’t be very helpful. Streaming sites have an easy time blocking free IP changers because they don’t refresh their IP addresses very fast. So you should get used to seeing the Netflix proxy error if you use a free proxy or VPN.
  • With free services, the apps you get are usually buggy and don’t work well. We had to deal with features that are non-functional, random crashes, and text that’s not aligned right.
  • Free tools are usually missing important features. For example, a free VPN might not have encryption, secure and fast protocols like WireGuard and OpenVPN, or a kill switch (a feature that shuts down your Internet access if the VPN connection drops).
  • Free providers don’t have the money to pay for good customer service. You either have no way of contacting the provider, or you have to deal with email support that takes very long to respond (over 72 hours). With paid services, you usually get 24/7 live chat support.

All in all, it’s obvious that free IP changers just aren’t worth it – they don’t deliver on their promises and just don’t work well.

Plus, Paid Services Aren’t That Expensive!

Not all paid IP changers cost a lot. For example, many paid VPNs have very cheap long-term plans (they cost around $2-4 per month on average).

What’s more, many paid providers have money-back guarantees (30-day refunds are the industry standard). So you basically buy with no risk!

Can You Get a US IP for Free with Tor (The Onion Router)?

Yes, it’s possible to get a US IP free of charge if you use Tor – it’s a privacy network that hides your IP and is free to use. You just have to download and install the Tor browser (which is free) to use it.

But using Tor to change your IP isn’t very straightforward. Unlike a VPN or proxy, you don’t just pick a server location from a list and call it a day. Instead, you need to keep refreshing the Tor connection until the exit server (the last server your traffic passes through) is from the US. Sometimes, we were lucky enough to get a US exit server on the first try. But, other times, it took us 10+ tries to do that.

And that’s not the only issue with Tor – it’s also extremely slow. When we ran tests, we saw 80-90% slowdowns (even bigger than our slowdowns with free proxies and VPNs). The slowdowns are so big because:

  • Tor encrypts your traffic at least three times. That makes your data very heavy, and it takes longer to transport it to its destination.
  • Tor doesn’t have enough servers to meet its user base’s demand. Right now, there are around 6,000+ servers and over two million Tor users, so people struggle to get the bandwidth they need.

All in all, if you want a US IP to unblock content, Tor isn’t a good solution – stick with a VPN instead.

The Bottom Line

Using a free service to get a US IP address is just not worth it. It’s much better to use a paid tool – the speeds are faster, there are no data limits, and you can actually unblock streaming services.

How do you feel about free vs. paid IP changers? Please let us know in the comments.

 

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Simple Good Business Tips For Your Company

Good, solid business is a lucrative move for any size company. Fully grasping the tools you need to do right by every sale you make will take you far in any industry of business.

People respect a “clean” business interaction, and your operation will find higher levels of success when you invest in doing it right. Take a few moments to read over a few tips that are simply good business, and start working to take your business to the next level.

Make honesty structural

Honesty from every side of a transaction is just good business. Format your operations in such a way that there are checks and balances for every point of the process. When you can show that you are transparent, people will have an easier time feeling comfortable doing business.

Working honesty into the structure of your business is great, but you have to practice balance in everything as well. Don’t go overboard with security checks which are specifically aimed towards employees. You want your employees to feel valued, safe, and trusted by your company.

Always focus on customer experience

Your customers are the driving force behind your success, so make sure your business is always working to enhance the customer experience. Make a special initiative to incorporate today’s best technology to design a better, more engaging experience for each customer. Companies that offer lead generation in the Philippines, for example, make use of different innovative approaches to turn potential clients into actual paying ones.

Invest in proper customer service training and coaching for your employees, as they are a most critical line of communication with consumers. If you have a digital bot serving people, make sure it’s the best one on the market.

Never stop digging for better sources

When you have a really good source for key parts of your inventory, you have a good frame for your business. Your inventory is foundational, and finding a solid foundation is vital.

If you’re a part of the oil and gas industry, for example. Make sure your operation has the best O&G tools and materials at your disposal at all times. Sourcing your inventory and other materials from a solid, reliable, and trustworthy source is just good business, after all.

Prioritize record keeping

You have to make sure all the financial and legal pieces of your business are in order as well. Good business runs parallel with good record keeping. You need data for every point of your operation, so you always have a reference point, no matter the question being asked.

Invest in your employees

Happy employees can do great things for your business. Enriched employees work harder and smarter, and they show up to work more often as well. If you want to get the most out of your employees, make them feel valued.

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Saving Towards A New Home As A Veteran: What You Need To Know

If you are a veteran, you will have the chance to enjoy a few benefits in life. From unique pension programs to veteran-backed mortgage rates. This article will explain the basics to you.

Start Saving Early

You should aim to save as early as possible. For example, if you are reading this article, and haven’t yet made a savings plan, you should change that. It’s one of the reasons that people save for their retirement in their 20s. Saving early, especially after a career in the military, is a great way to protect your future interests.

Understand How Much You Need To Save

Understand how much you need to save to purchase your new home. It is always a good idea to have money aside in general, but when you know what you’re saving towards, you will be able to gain more control over your finances.

As a veteran, you can take advantage of unique loan programs and initiatives. They are provided by veteran-specific lenders who are approved by the Department of Veteran Affairs, which has led to the VA Loan program.

This type of mortgage loan requires $0 for a down payment; you will not need as much of an up-front cost compared to traditional mortgage arrangements. You still need to pay monthly payments towards your home, which is the main thing you need to prepare for.

You will not need to save the same way as civilians would; you will be thanked for your service with this benefit. Veterans will also be able to look into other financial benefits from federal sources, as well as educational tools to reskill into other means of work. New work will mean veterans can earn more money away from the military.

Use tools like as a mortgage calculator, such as this one provided by VA specialists Hero Loan. This will help you understand how much you need for your mortgage, or at least what you could afford to borrow. Speak to a specialist via consultation to learn more about your finances.

Make A Savings Goal

Once you know how much you need to save, make a savings goal. A savings goal could be a fixed amount you set aside each week or month without fail, that is affordable. Or it could be a time or date you’ve set to reach a certain amount, with you putting in various amounts when you can afford it.

Reduce Your Expenses

Aim to reduce your expenses where possible. Look at your statements to find where your money is going. It could be for a subscription that you don’t use much, or it could be you find money is going on takeaways or parties that you could cut down on. Cutting down expenses is a great saving technique in itself.