Photography is a beautiful pursuit, whether you want to do it professionally or as a hobby. Taking this passion to the next level means having a good website that can serve as your portfolio. I’ve put together some of my favorite photography website designs and graded them so that you know what to look for when building your own. (more…)
According to a recent survey, more than three quarters of small business owners feel the effects of burnout in their everyday work lives.
One way to fight that sense of burnout is to meditate regularly. If you’re not sure where to start with meditation, there are plenty of mobile apps out there that can guide you. Here are seven top options to consider.
Benefits of Mediation Apps for Small Business Users
Meditation apps offer a multitude of benefits for small business users, primarily focusing on enhancing mental wellness and productivity. These apps provide guided meditations, breathing exercises, and mindfulness practices tailored to fit into busy schedules. By incorporating meditation into their daily routine, small business owners and their employees can experience a significant improvement in various aspects of their professional and personal lives. Here are some key benefits:
Stress Reduction: Regular meditation helps in managing stress, a common challenge in the fast-paced environment of small businesses.
Improved Focus and Concentration: Meditation enhances mental clarity and concentration, leading to better decision-making and problem-solving skills.
Enhanced Creativity: Engaging in mindfulness practices can unlock creative thinking, beneficial for strategy development and innovation.
Better Emotional Regulation: Meditation aids in managing emotions, promoting a more positive workplace atmosphere.
Increased Productivity: With reduced stress and improved focus, overall productivity can see a notable increase.
Enhanced Employee Wellbeing: Offering meditation as a resource demonstrates a commitment to employee wellness, potentially leading to higher job satisfaction and retention.
Flexible and Accessible: Meditation apps provide flexibility, allowing users to meditate anytime and anywhere, which is ideal for the varied schedules of small business teams.
Criteria for Choosing the Best Meditation Apps
To provide the most value for small business users, we used the following criteria to evaluate various meditation apps. We rated the importance of each factor on a scale from one to ten, with ten being the most important.
Content Variety and Quality(Rating: 9/10)
Range of meditation styles (guided, unguided, mindfulness, etc.)
Quality of audio and video content
Availability of beginner to advanced levels
User Experience and Design(Rating: 8/10)
Intuitive and calming interface
Ease of navigation and content access
Customizable session lengths and settings
Personalization and Goals Setting(Rating: 9/10)
Tailored recommendations based on user preferences and goals
Ability to track progress and set personal milestones
Features for specific needs (stress reduction, better sleep, focus improvement)
Pricing and Subscription Model(Rating: 7/10)
Free trial period or free version availability
Transparent and affordable subscription options
Value for money in terms of content and features
Offline Access and Downloadability(Rating: 6/10)
Ability to download sessions for offline use
Access to content without constant internet connectivity
Community and Support(Rating: 5/10)
Access to a supportive community or group sessions
Availability of expert advice or coaching
Responsive customer support
Compatibility and Integration(Rating: 8/10)
Availability on various platforms (iOS, Android, web)
Integration with other health and wellness apps or wearables
Syncing across devices for seamless use
Scientific Basis and Credibility(Rating: 7/10)
Use of scientifically-backed meditation techniques
Credibility and expertise of content creators
Positive reviews and endorsements from reputable sources
This framework ensures that the meditation apps recommended are well-suited for entrepreneurs and business owners, focusing on enhancing mental well-being, reducing stress, and improving focus.
Best Meditation Apps
Headspace
Headspace is a free app offering daily guided meditation prompts you can fit into your busy schedule. It also offers a platform specifically for businesses seeking to help their employees de-stress as well. Big names like Google and LinkedIn have made use of it in order to create healthier and happier workplaces.
Calm
Calm is another free app offering guided meditation as well as sleep stories and white noise options for those who need help falling asleep. For business owners, getting on a regular sleep schedule can make a major difference in health and productivity at work.
Insight Timer
Fitting meditation into your busy schedule might not seem feasible for some business owners. But Insight Timer is a free app giving users the ability to choose exactly how long they want to meditate. So if you only have 10 minutes to spare at the end of your lunch break, you can easily use the time for a guided session.
Aura
Aura offers even shorter meditation options, with 3 minute guided micro-sessions created specifically to relieve stress and anxiety. The free app is available for both iOS and Android and offers in-app purchases as well.
Timeless Meditation
Timeless Meditation allows you to choose the amount of time you want to meditate for and then track your time and mindfulness goals, a feature likely to appeal to entrepreneurs who are constantly striving for improvement and tracking results.
Oak
Oak is a meditation app with guided sessions specifically aimed at practicing mindful breathing techniques. You can choose sessions of different times starting at 10 minutes. And you may even learn some breathing techniques handy throughout the work day when you get an important email or are about to give a presentation.
MindFi
This meditation app is created specifically for busy humans. MindFi sessions are made for you to listen to during lunch, your commute, or other brief moments you have during the day. It also offers sessions specifically for improving focus and productivity.
Feature / App
Headspace
Calm
Insight Timer
Aura
Timeless Meditation
Oak
MindFi
Target Audience
General, with a platform for businesses
General, with a focus on sleep assistance
General
General
Entrepreneurs
General
Busy individuals
Main Offerings
Daily guided meditation
Guided meditation, sleep stories, white noise
Customizable meditation length
3-minute guided micro-sessions
Meditation with goal tracking
Mindful breathing techniques
Sessions for focus and productivity
Special Features
Business-specific platform
Sleep assistance
Flexibility in session length
Short, stress-relieving sessions
Time and mindfulness goal tracking
Sessions starting at 10 minutes
Designed for brief, daily moments
Cost
Free
Free
Free
Free, with in-app purchases
Free
Free
Free
Platform
iOS, Android
iOS, Android
iOS, Android
iOS, Android
iOS, Android
iOS, Android
iOS, Android
Notable Users
Google, LinkedIn
–
–
–
–
–
–
Suitability
Business owners seeking employee wellness
Business owners needing better sleep routines
Owners with limited time
Those needing quick stress relief
Entrepreneurs focused on tracking progress
Those seeking to improve breathing techniques
Individuals with limited free time
How to Make the Most of Meditation Apps for Your Small Business
Integrating meditation into the routine of a small business environment can greatly enhance mental clarity and overall well-being. It’s about creating small, manageable habits that fit into the busy schedules typical of small business owners and their employees. Here are some practical ways to incorporate meditation:
Start the Day Mindfully: Encourage starting the workday with a short meditation session. This can set a calm, focused tone for the day ahead.
Scheduled Breaks: Incorporate brief, scheduled meditation breaks during the day. Even 5-10 minutes can make a difference.
Lunchtime Sessions: Utilize lunch breaks for a longer meditation session. This can help in rejuvenating the mind for the afternoon’s tasks.
Group Meditation: Organize weekly group meditation sessions for the team. This can enhance team bonding and collective stress management.
Meditation Apps: Utilize meditation apps tailored for business users. They offer guided sessions which can be easily followed.
End-of-Day Wind Down: Encourage ending the workday with a short meditation to help separate work life from home life, aiding in work-life balance.
Training and Workshops: Host meditation training or workshops to educate employees on its benefits and techniques.
Encourage Personal Practice: Support employees in developing their own meditation routine outside of work, emphasizing its personal and professional benefits.
With its latest innovation, TikTok has taken a significant leap in enhancing user experience: a mobile effect editor. This game-changing feature is set to democratize effect creation, making it accessible to TikTok’s global community directly from the app.
Bringing Effect Creation to Your Fingertips
After the successful launch of Effect House, TikTok’s desktop effect creation platform, the mobile effect editor marks a new era of creativity. It allows creators, regardless of their technical skills or access to sophisticated software, to craft effects that could potentially set the next big trend on TikTok.
The Simplicity of Mobile Effect Creation
To create an effect on TikTok:
Open the Effects tray.
Go to the Create tab.
Tap the plus (+) button.
Start adding objects to create.
This feature is available in the latest TikTok version (v32.1 on Android, v32.0 on iOS), ensuring a seamless and integrated effect creation experience within the TikTok app.
Advanced Features and Endless Possibilities
TikTok’s mobile effect editor is equipped with a user-friendly interface, advanced features, and a vast selection of special effects, templates, and over two thousand assets. It allows for creating interaction-based effects like randomizers and mini-games with triggers such as screen taps, smiles, and winks.
Commitment to Safety and Inclusivity
Aligning with its dedication to community safety and inclusivity, TikTok ensures that all effects adhere to its Effect and Community Guidelines. Effects that violate these guidelines, including those used inappropriately, are promptly removed. The platform also encourages community reporting of effects that do not align with its policies.
The Future of TikTok Effects
TikTok aims to continuously innovate both its mobile and desktop effect-making experiences. It plans to expand its library of templates, Effect House functionalities, and effect development tools, empowering creators to share their unique effects with TikTok’s global audience.
TikTok’s mobile effect editor represents a significant step towards empowering a broader range of creators. By simplifying the effect creation process and making it more accessible, TikTok continues to cement its position as a platform where creativity knows no bounds.
Remote access software can be an invaluable tool for teams that telecommute and work independently. Remote access software enables employees to share files, access each other’s devices and collaborate with ease from remote locations.
This type of software can also benefit IT support teams, helping them manage the devices and PCs of staff members remotely. Sales reps can also take advantage of remote access software to provide support and assistance to external customers.
Increasing advancements in technology and telecommunications translate to more and more businesses allowing employees to work remotely, thereby heightening demand for remote access software.
Remote access software is available in different configurations. Some are multiplatform compatible, others have reporting and session-management features. Certain software solutions include meeting and collaboration tools, while others provide remote customer support features.
From customer service support teams to app developers, marketing agencies to IT support teams, there are a whole host of businesses requiring this type of technology to conduct remote business at optimum efficiency.
Benefits of Remote Access Software for Small Business Users
Remote access software offers a range of benefits for small businesses, enhancing operational efficiency and flexibility. By enabling employees to access work systems and data from anywhere, these tools facilitate a more dynamic work environment. This flexibility is particularly valuable in today’s fast-paced business world, where mobility and swift response are key. Furthermore, remote access software can reduce costs by minimizing the need for physical office space and resources. It also promotes better work-life balance for employees, leading to increased job satisfaction and productivity.
Key benefits for small businesses include:
Enhanced Productivity: Employees can access work files and applications from any location, ensuring work continues seamlessly, regardless of their physical location.
Cost Savings: Reduces the need for extensive physical office infrastructure, leading to significant cost reductions in office space and resources.
Flexibility and Scalability: Easily adaptable to changing business needs, allowing for scaling up or down as required.
Improved Work-Life Balance: Offers employees flexibility in their work schedules, contributing to higher job satisfaction and retention rates.
Disaster Recovery: Ensures business continuity by providing remote access to critical data and systems in case of emergencies or disasters.
Global Talent Access: Enables hiring of top talent from around the world, not limited by geographical constraints.
Enhanced Collaboration: Facilitates better teamwork and collaboration through shared access to files and applications.
Data Security: Many remote access tools include robust security features, ensuring sensitive business data remains protected.
Reduced Commute Time and Environmental Impact: Decreases the need for daily commuting, contributing to lower carbon emissions and a reduced environmental footprint.
Overall, remote access software aligns well with the evolving needs of modern small businesses, offering them a competitive edge in a rapidly changing business landscape.
Criteria for Choosing the Best Remote Access Software
Here are the most important factors we considered when compiling our list of the top remote access software.
Security Features(Rating: 10/10)
Encryption strength
Two-factor authentication
Compliance with industry standards (e.g., GDPR, HIPAA)
Ease of Use and Setup(Rating: 8/10)
User-friendly interface
Quick and straightforward installation process
Availability of support and tutorials
Performance and Reliability(Rating: 9/10)
Connection stability
Speed of access
Minimal latency
Compatibility and Integration(Rating: 8/10)
Supports various operating systems (Windows, macOS, Linux)
Integrates well with existing systems and software
Mobile access compatibility
Cost-Effectiveness(Rating: 7/10)
Transparent pricing models
Scalability for growing businesses
Free trial or money-back guarantee
Customer Support and Resources(Rating: 7/10)
Availability of 24/7 customer support
Access to comprehensive resources and FAQs
Regular software updates and maintenance
Customization and Features(Rating: 6/10)
Ability to tailor settings to specific needs
Range of features (file transfer, remote printing, etc.)
Multi-user capabilities and session recording
Reputation and User Reviews(Rating: 5/10)
Positive feedback from current users
Industry recognition and awards
Longevity and track record in the market
We believe these criteria comprehensively cover the essential aspects small business owners should consider when selecting remote access software. Each aspect is weighted based on its overall impact on the effectiveness and security of the software.
Best Remote Access Software
If you are looking to invest in quality remote access software to help simplify collaboration and increase productivity within your remote team, take a look at the following seven best remote access software solutons for your small business.
Zoho Assist
Zoho Assist offers an all-in-one solution for remote support including unattended desktop access and screen sharing. The company says its software provides a variety of features including Wake-on-LAN, File Transfer, Clipboard syncing, support for mobile devices and more. As far as integration, the software also support multiple platforms including Windows, Mac, Linux, iOS and Android.
Zoho Assist has a free version available, but if you want more features, they have other plans that go up to $25 per user.
TeamViewer
TeamViewer empowers secure remote desktop access and support. This powerful software connects people located around the world on a vast array of platforms and technologies, including older operating systems.
TeamViewer is available in 30 different languages and comes with 256-bit encryption, two-factor authentications, Verisign code signing and session passwords, for maximum security. The software connects without a virtual private network and can operate around firewalls.
TeamViewer business subscription costs approximately $45 a month.
LogMeIn
LogMeIn is a multiplatform remote access and management system, which includes 1TB of file storage, LastPass password managers, multiple monitor support, SSL/TLS security and remote printing.
LogMeIn’s Pro version includes collaboration and access tools, whilst its Rescue version provides remote support through quick-connection technologies. LogMeIn’s Pro version, which enables you to access and manage computers remotely, is ideal for individuals, small businesses and IT professionals. The Pro version starts at $149 per year.
GoToMyPC
GoToMyPC is remote desktop software, which provides remote access on your Mac or PC from anywhere. The software can be installed with ease and, once installed, you can easily transfer files between computers.
GoToMyPC provides multi-monitor support and you can even copy and paste between your connected computers.
GoToMyPC Pro is for small business needs that require admin access to multiple users. The software costs around $21 for two computers per month.
Chrome Remote Desktop
With Chrome Remote Desktop you can use a mobile device or PC to access apps and files on another computer across the internet. You can give remote team members access to your computer with Chrome Remote Desktop, so they will have complete access to your files, apps, emails, history and documents.
Chrome Remote Desktop can be used for free.
Splashtop Business Access
Splashtop provides fast, simple and secure remote computer access for teams spread about in remote locations. Some of the key features of Slashtop Business Access include file transfer, remote print, chat, access from any device, remote alarm clock, group view, robust security, user management, amongst other.
Costing just $5 a month per user, Splashtop offers an affordable remote access solution for small businesses on a budget.
VCN Connect
VCN Connect is screen sharing and remote access software that provides multi-platform support to businesses of different sizes and industries. Depending on which package you opt for, you can benefit from VCN Connect’s feature-rich systems, which includes file transfer, cloud connectivity, full session encryption, team management capabilities, dedicated support channel, and much more.
VCN Connect’s Professional package stars from $40 a year for one remote computer with discounts for volume and duration.
Feature / Software
Zoho Assist
TeamViewer
LogMeIn
GoToMyPC
Chrome Remote Desktop
Splashtop Business Access
VCN Connect
Basic Functionality
Remote support
Remote desktop access
Remote access & manage
Remote desktop access
Remote access
Remote computer access
Screen sharing & remote access
Special Features
Wake-on-LAN, File Transfer, Clipboard syncing
256-bit encryption, two-factor authentication
1TB storage, LastPass, SSL/TLS security
Multi-monitor support, easy transfer
Access via mobile device or PC
File transfer, remote print, chat
File transfer, cloud connectivity, full session encryption
Intuit QuickBooks has teamed up with Allstate Health Solutions to revolutionize healthcare coverage for small businesses. This collaboration is set to offer a seamless, affordable, and comprehensive insurance experience to employers and employees using QuickBooks Online Payroll.
A Visionary Step in Human Capital Management
Announced at QuickBooks Connect, Intuit’s flagship event for accounting professionals, this partnership aligns with QuickBooks’ vision of offering a unified platform for managing work, pay, and benefits. It aims to simplify business owners’ lives by integrating insurance options directly into the QuickBooks Online Payroll system.
Empowering Employers with Seamless Insurance Integration
Employers using QuickBooks Online Payroll will soon access a wide array of insurance plans through a custom-designed online portal. This integration offers a significant advantage, allowing employers to sync deductions with QuickBooks Payroll seamlessly. Such integration reduces the risk of errors and streamlines the process of adjusting employee benefits, making it a hassle-free experience.
Expert Guidance and Diverse Insurance Options
Allstate Health Solutions will provide a dedicated team of advisors to assist QuickBooks customers in selecting the most suitable insurance plans. This partnership promises a range of insurance options, including private plans, high-deductible plans, and Medicare products, ensuring a match for every business need.
Comprehensive Supplemental Benefits
Beyond basic health, dental, and vision plans, the partnership will introduce new supplemental and voluntary benefits. These include coverage for critical illnesses, life, disability, and even non-traditional options like pet insurance and identity theft protection, broadening the scope of benefits available to employers and employees.
Dedicated Support Network
QuickBooks customers will benefit from direct access to a network of over 300 agents, ensuring expert guidance and personalized insurance solutions. This direct connection promises a deeper understanding of the complex health insurance landscape.