Blockchain, Bit License in New York and Other Jurisdictions

cryptocurrency digital coins bitcoin

Regardless of some of the projected failings in the future, the cryptocurrency business continues to flourish and mature. There are limitless opportunities already available on the blockchain. Legal opinion (the most common one, at this time) is that establishing a cryptocurrency exchange seems like the most lucrative crypto-themed business.

Depending on the structure of the exchange, it enables the users to either trade different cryptos or exchange them for traditional assets (fiat). To ensure the fully lawful function of such exchange, proper certification is mandatory.

FAQ >>> Blockchain | Legal Opinion on Types of Crypto Exchanges

Traditionally, crypto exchanges are split into the following categories:

#1. Classical crypto exchanges. It’s the type that focuses on crypto-to-crypto exchange. Users can only trade cryptos, including major crypto-currencies such as BTC, Ethereum, and lesser-known altcoins. 

#2. Fiat crypto exchanges. Secure, fast, and easy way to exchange traditional (fiat) currencies to crypto and vice versa.

The latter allows for more flexibility, but some experts claim that the former option is going to become the more in-demand option in the nearest future. Time will tell.

Most Popular Jurisdictions to Obtain a Blockchain Software License

The simplest way to catalog the most commonly picked jurisdictions, countries, states, and territories is to divide them based on the continent. We are, of course, not saying that some options are objectively more preferable than the others, we are just saying that some options are better suited for specific projects. 

Registration of a Crypto Exchange in Asia

The most popular picks include:

  • Singapore
  • Thailand
  • Philippines
  • Malaysia

All of the countries mentioned above have proven and reputable legal frameworks as well as quickly developing economies. The best license for blockchain option out of the bunch seems to be Malaysia.

There exists a plethora of reasons that make this country so tempting, including the fact it offers a lighter compliance framework when compared to most others. You can’t overlook the fact that the competition is rather thin (at the time of writing, anyway) – there are only three registered exchanges operating out of the country.

Best European Options for a Cryptocurrency Exchange

Almost all the countries in the EU would make a solid choice, but we would like to highlight the following:

  • Portugal
  • Estonia
  • Montenegro

Unlike the section above, there’s no clear leader. Each option comes with its own set of perks. For example, Estonia can offer a beautiful 0% corporate income tax to those wondering how to obtain blockchain license in Europe. For what it’s worth, Portugal has already topped countless lists of the “most crypto-friendly countries of 201X/202X.”  The Crna Gora state is no slouch either: it can easily sway future crypto businessmen with its extra-flexible economic system that can potentially be fitting for every kind of project. 

North American Crypto Exchange Registration Options

As far as North America goes, there are two popular options:

  • New York
  • Canada

The reader can already tell that we refuse to get into the intricacies of the process itself: after all, writing about HOW to obtain a blockchain license is a herculean task. The step-by-step guide is a colossal article in and of itself, so we are going to be focusing on the surface-level information only, including types of crypto exchanges and most popular options within each continent. 

This little side note here is important because we will NOT discuss New York and its BitLicense. As mentioned above, all of this information deserves to be examined in an entirely separate article, not as a footnote. Let’s just say this: even though it’s exceedingly hard to obtain the license, it WILL inevitably become your gateway to one of the most prolific and well-respected crypto markets.

Canada, on the other hand, is nowhere near as strict, but it’s nowhere near as prestigious as well. The jury is still out on which of those two should be elected by smaller-budget projects.

Blockchain Software License – Trusted Offshore Options

Top options for offshore include:

  • British Virgin Islands
  • Saint Vincent and Grenadines
  • Seychelles
  • Cayman Islands

Depending on the scope and budget of the crypto exchange project, investors are free to pick and choose jurisdictions to optimize taxation and diversify the risks. In our personal opinion, the British Virgin Islands is the one that’s going to be suitable for the highest possible number of projects.

Here are the key things that make the BVI the preferable option (or the best-license-for-blockchain option):

  1. Tax free. If you are able to “prove” that all the operations are carried out outside of the BVI soil, then your business is not subject to income tax.
  2. No additional fees on the licensing process.
  3. Yearly maintenance is on the lower side, as opposed to other jurisdictions in the same area.
  4. Crypto-friendly environment. You can tell that the government is interested in facilitating the growth of such an innovative economic sector.
  5. No minimum capital requirements.

Written by Spencer Calvert



Source: TG Daily – Blockchain, Bit License in New York and Other Jurisdictions

Damon Becnel Discusses Technologies That Are Changing The Real Estate Industry For the Better

House For Sale Mortgage Home Real Estate Property

The future of real estate is here. With new technologies making the industry more efficient, it’s time to rethink what you know about buying or selling a home. From using augmented reality in homes for sale to virtual tours with 360-degree views, the real estate world is changing faster than ever before. In this blog post, Damon Becnel wants to help you learn how these new technologies can help you save money and achieve your goals!

The Internet has made it easier for people to find homes and property

With sites like Zillow, you can now research homes for sale in your area with just a few clicks of the mouse. In addition, sites like Zillow provide interactive maps that show the location of a property and its value. Midway through writing this blog post, I wanted to check out some local listings on my phone, so I searched for “Zillow” in the app store and downloaded it right away! It’s been great to use my commute time catching up on all these amazing real estate deals available around me—such an easy way to find things now.

The future of real estate is here. With new technologies making the industry more efficient, it’s time to rethink what you know about buying or selling a home.

Online home listings make it easy for buyers to search through a wide range of properties in their desired location.

This technology is available 24 hours a day, convenient for those who work odd hours or have busy lifestyles. In addition to viewing homes from the comfort of your home, you can now tour these properties with virtual tours and 360-degree walkthroughs.

Virtual reality has allowed real estate professionals to create immersive experiences that allow buyers to take a closer look at everything from floor plans and kitchens all the way down to closet space.

These technologies are even more beneficial when they’re paired up with augmented reality as well! Take a look at how this works:

The use of drones can help investors see the condition of a property without having to go inside

You can get a bird’s eye view of the property to check out important details with a drone.  Drones can take aerial shots from up high, which helps buyers and investors see whether or not there are any issues with roofs, gutters, etc., and allows them to visualize their future home without having to step inside! It will help save time & money since they won’t have made appointments just for this reason alone! If these pictures look okay, it’s safe to assume that everything inside will look just as good!

Virtual reality is changing the way we view and experience real estate

Real estate companies can show you property listings in the palm of your hand with augmented reality.

You’ll be able to see how much square footage you have, where windows are located, and what kind of view a house has just by pointing your phone at an image outside.

Pretty soon, it will seem like magic!

3D printing will let you print out your dream house at home on your printer! 

Who needs a realtor when you have this cool technology?

With the help of a large-scale printer, you can print out models of houses that fit your budget and requirements all from home! It is perfect for those who want to live in an area but don’t know much about it. All they need now is some measurements, and it will print the new house before their eyes! Then, with the use of augmented reality or virtual reality, people can take a look at what life would be like living inside these homes–all without having to set foot outside their door!! It’s going to make looking for property so easy & convenient.

Augmented Reality lets you see what’s behind walls or ceilings with just a phone camera – no more guessing how big rooms are!

Augmented Reality is also being used in homes for sale so potential buyers can visualize their lives living there before they even step foot inside the door. Virtual tours give people 360-degree views of rooms that let them explore bedrooms or kitchens from any angle imaginable–and all without leaving home! This technology makes it easier than ever to find what you’re looking for when shopping for real estate. It’s also great for agents who want to show homes without having to schedule open houses.

Technology is changing the future of real estate. The internet has made it easier to find homes and listings; we use drones to see property features from a different perspective than just pictures; augmented reality allows you to walk through your potential home in virtual space; 3D printing can create anything imaginable for design or construction purposes. We’ll explore these technologies more deeply in our next blog post! Stay tuned for more insights on what technology means for real estate and how we may live and work in the not-too-distant future.

Written by Adam Eaton



Source: TG Daily – Damon Becnel Discusses Technologies That Are Changing The Real Estate Industry For the Better

How Huawei’s Partnership To Save The Rainforest Could Help Prevent West Coast Fires

forest fire burn flame fire

One of the issues concerning forest fires is knowing about them soon enough to be easily contained.  Fires spread quickly, but a relatively small team or single airdrop of water or fire retardant could put it out if you can catch it early.  Currently, the most common ways to identify forest fires are observation towers and citizen reports.  But the observation towers often don’t catch fire soon enough because, when the fire becomes visible to them, it has often already started to spread rapidly, and citizens can’t report a fire if they have no Cell service, and forests often have no cell service.  

But what if we instrumented forests so that the forest itself could report a fire.  The solution would need to be very dense because you want to identify the fire before it spreads, and that means it needs to use inexpensive sensors that network with each other to keep the individual cost down and cover-up.

There is already this kind of solution in place in the Rain Forest to catch the people who are killing it, and, I think, it could be modified to address the West Coast and European forest fire problems.  It is one of the more interesting uses of AI, and The Rainforest Connection did it. This non-profit organization upcycles old Huawei cell phones into tree sensors to successfully catch illegal loggers and poachers.  

Let’s talk about keeping the West Coast from burning this week. 

Rainforest Connection

The Rainforest Connection solution modifies old smartphones, which would otherwise likely end up in landfills so that they will be alert if they hear a chainsaw or a spider monkey in distress.  Spider Monkeys assist the Rain Forest by spreading seeds, and they are an integral part of keeping the Rain Forest viable, but listening for sounds can be problematic because mosquitos, up close, sound a lot like chainsaws and can result in false positives.  

To solve these problems, Huawei worked with expert animal translators to develop an AI model and trained an AI to differentiate between the sounds and only alert when there was a real problem.  Not only did they significantly improve the accuracy of detection, but they were able to reduce significantly the amount of time it took to make that detection from 1 second to 500 milliseconds.  

Applied To Fires

Fires make a sound as they cook the liquids out of trees and plants; they also generate heat and light, which might require additional sensors or a creative way to use the cell phones’ built-in cameras and internal heat sensors.  In addition, a sensor to suddenly show a heat-based failure might also rapidly determine if there was a fire present.  Launching a high-speed drone could then confirm the fire, and you could also use if the fire remained small enough, drones like those being developed for refueling to carry flame retardant to put the small fire out.  Larger fires could be addressed by multiple drones or even drone swarms that could respond far more quickly than existing human-crewed aircraft and be kept much nearer to where fires are likely to emerge.  

Typical aircraft-based solutions require airfields to launch and store the aircraft, adding hours to the response time.  This extra time allows the fires to grow pretty much ensuring they are too large for the aircraft to put out by the time they arrive.  A combination of these cell phone-based sensors and a drone response, potentially, could make most large forest fires a thing of the past. 

Though fires during high winds might require a specialized solution that would allow more rapid delivery of an immense amount of retardant.  But it is using a type of drone that can still perform in high winds.  

Wrapping Up:

The Rainforest solution that Huawei helped create could be modified to address the critical forest fire problem in the US and EU.  It not only is a low-cost solution to a high-cost problem, but it keeps those cell phones out of landfills and reduces the amount of eWaste that is slowly contaminating the planet. Today’s tools to fight forest fires are inadequate for the size and frequency of fires we have today, and we need an innovative solution.  We got innovative with the Rain Forests; let’s take what we learned, and address the spreading wildfire threat before losing another town or city. 



Source: TG Daily – How Huawei’s Partnership To Save The Rainforest Could Help Prevent West Coast Fires

6 Fashion Trends That Never Get Outdated

Fashionable Woman

One thing with fashion is that trends keep on evolving. Today, everyone is wearing that trendy outfit, then tomorrow it is at the back of their wardrobe, or they want to dispose of it. Fortunately, not all fashion trends share that fate. Some are here to stay. For instance, no one will be surprised if a rapper gets on to the dance stage with an expensive chain since hip-hop culture never changes.

In the same way, some fashion trends never seem to lose their appeal even after years. They are like timeless classics. Let us look at some of them.

A tee and a pair of jeans

A tee and a pair of jeans come in handy almost any time. Whenever you are short of ideas but you still want to be stylish, just throw in a graphic tee from Miss Match and a pair of jeans, and you are good to go. It is a fashion style that is pretty much in everyone’s wardrobe. 

Fitting jeans highlight the curves while enabling you to move quickly and comfortably. Also, you can wear denim in any weather; therefore, it is versatile. T-shirts are just as comfortable. They come in complementing color combinations, various graphic designs, are cheap and easily accessible. They are always on sale at affordable prices.

A denim jacket

Many jacket styles have come and gone, but denim jackets always carry the day. Denim jackets are an iconic and classic trend since many years ago. Plus, they come in different sizes and lengths to fit into various types of outfits or to bring out any style you want. Wearing a denim jacket is the perfect way to complete a casual look effortlessly. If you like loose-fitting clothes, you can go with a bigger sized one to fit in with a pair of pants. Tight denim jackets are also an option, especially with feminine outfits.

A little black dress

Any fashionable lady must own a little black dress. It comes in handy for that romantic dinner, a night out, or when traveling. You can also wear it as an official casual dress for official purposes. Other than being classic and elegant, black makes you appear slimmer and taller. It conceals all your bumps and budges, making you look sleek and stylish.

High waisted jeans

High-waisted jeans have been around for quite a while now. Since they cover the better part of the abdomen, they make the wearer look flatter on the waste while highlighting the curves on the thighs and butt. Besides that, high wasted jeans can be styled to develop formal styles such as tucking in and throwing in a blazer.

A fashionable watch

Watches are timeless. Wearing a classic watch is the best way to accessorize any look. Watches also serve as a status symbol. Rather than going out of style, watches keep evolving to smart ones and even more functional ones. These days, we have smartwatches that can perform the same functions as your phone while others help you keep your health in check, like monitoring your heart rate.

Summing up

These trends have managed to stick around because of how versatile and universal they are.



Source: TG Daily – 6 Fashion Trends That Never Get Outdated

Fleeing Afghan Journalists Finds Refuge in Mexico

new york times news current events newspaper

Mexico received 124 media workers and their family members from Afghanistan, including New York Times journalists.

They arrived at Mexico City’s international airport early on Wednesday morning, where Foreign Minister Marcelo Ebrard waited to greet them.

Mexico was able to “cut through the red tape” to take in the media workers, unlike the United States, the Times said.

Mexico and Afghanistan are considered among the most dangerous countries for journalists. At least 141 journalists have been murdered in Mexico since 2000, according to non-profit data. In July, Reuters journalist Danish Siddiqui was killed in Afghanistan after getting stuck in a Taliban-controlled area.

Journalists are often targeted for reporting on criminal gangs or corrupt officials. Journalists have been killed in Mexico and a German public broadcaster said to have killed one family member of a reporter working for Deutsche Welle.

Taliban seized power in Afghanistan last week as the U.S. and its allies withdrew troops after two decades and the Western-backed Afghan government and military collapsed.

The Taliban follow an ultra-hardline version of Sunni Islam. It has become more media-savvy since, using social media and promising to allow a free press.

TheHill

Afghan journalists who worked for The New York Times taken in by Mexico

Afghan journalists who worked for The New York Times landed in Mexico City this week after fleeing their native country due to the Taliban takeover,

Read More

Business Insider

A female Afghan journalist has to change her address daily to hide from the Taliban, a new report says

“There is no hope for me, for my generation, for my people, for females, especially for the journalists, who are very afraid,” the journalist said.

Read More

CNN

Female Afghan robotics team members arrive in Mexico

Five women from Afghanistan’s renowned robotics team arrived in Mexico on Tuesday, following the country’s takeover by the Taliban.

Read More



Source: TG Daily – Fleeing Afghan Journalists Finds Refuge in Mexico

Nobul’s Regan McGee Showcases the Tech That’s Redefining House Hunting

Small grey brick home in a subdivision

It is an age of innovation at breakneck speeds and the unimaginable becoming commonplace. Technology has a foothold in society unlike ever before. Back in 1969, the Apollo 11 mission established the foundation for modern computing. Smartphones, now commonly wielded by pre-teens, are millions of times more powerful than the very computers that landed man on the moon. There is now so much capability in the palms of human hands. 

Many are taking that technology and using it to facilitate big purchases. House hunting of the olden days meant tedious work – procuring newspapers from a desired location and pouring over them.  It meant eyeing grainy photos and brief descriptions to try to figure out if the house was right. Now, house-hunting includes methods never before possible or likely even imagined. 

“A few years ago, those in the real estate industry were a bit hesitant to fully accept technological advancement,” said Regan McGee, chairman and chief executive officer of Nobul, a platform created to facilitate the ease of real estate transactions. “There are a number of reasons as to why, but now we are seeing a catalyst in the industry prompted by the pandemic. Agents, buyers, and sellers are all recognizing that technology can prove a tremendous asset,” McGee added. 

For example, real estate photography is its own unique art form, which at one time was viewed as cutting edge, but is now rather commonplace. After all, high-definition photos can allow buyers to clearly see the living space – a vital tool as realtors vie for the sale.  

There are now real estate photography courses and certifications as photographers move into the niche market of photographing both staged and empty homes – finding the correct light and angles to properly represent – and sell – properties. Even the advancements of stunning photographs are being joined by drones. Graduates of drone school are now pushing the market of drone photography, particularly for real estate sales. 

Virtual tours of homes allow for prospective homebuyers to place their cursors upon highlighted arrows and do complete walkthroughs of homes, without even stepping foot in them. 

The sales tactic of baking cookies to make a home smell pleasant and inviting is now being replaced by high-end graphics online. The welcome mat is taking on less importance as buyers seek to welcome technology in the hunt. 

Staging has been met with digital mockups as potential homebuyers can reimagine – and envision – complete transformations, including 3D room designs and virtual kitchen planners. Spatial intelligence or the ability to imagine rooms or concepts, a skill often found in interior designers and architects, is now a click away for people who want to reimage a living space. 

The real estate market is now met with a level of creativity only made possible by technology. It is a new era and recent studies back up that buyers, sellers, and agents are embracing the times and using available tech. 

The Real Estate in a Digital Age report compiled by REALTORS® in 2019 provides the data to support that belief. 

A sign of the times: “In 1981, 22 percent of home buyers read newspaper ads to find a home and eight percent used friends as an information source. In 2018, 44 percent looked for properties online first.” 

Potential buyers can now search for homes by neighborhood and location and the online aspect allows them to more efficiently and accurately compare and contrast homes that catch their interest, according to the study

“The ability for buyers to narrow their search and to do virtual tours should prove a positive step for the entire industry – the ability to experience a home in such a way will allow them to narrow their search and should prove a timesaver for what can be a tedious process,” said McGee. 

Technology is not replacing agents, as was the concern some years ago. In fact,  according to the 2019 study, 87% of homebuyers are working closely with a real estate agent. 

So the process begins online but is then often taken to an expert – an agent. Agent reviews, therefore, are taking on more importance and word-of-mouth recommendations remain a vital source of clients for agents. 

The primary difference as discussed in the findings “is that home buyers are entering the process more educated about the market before they speak to a home seller or an agent.”

Regan McGee noted that this sort of progress is crucial to the industry. 

“The entire goal of Nobul’s platform is to empower consumers in the real estate market. The more educated people are about their options and what they want, the happier they will be,” he said. “I see technology as continuing to facilitate home sales and purchases in positive ways.” 

Written by Lara Harper



Source: TG Daily – Nobul’s Regan McGee Showcases the Tech That’s Redefining House Hunting

Coinbase users angry with the lack of customer support after funds disappear from accounts

bitcoin cryptocurrency digital coin coins

Thousands of customers across the country have lodged complaints against Coinbase.

CNBC reports that thousands of customers have reported that their accounts have been hacked and drained of funds.

The company did not respond to the complaint, according to a popular analyst Kaleo who told his 360,000 followers that the exchange had shown an “absolutely embarrassing display of care for customers” on his Twitter account.

The tweet was posted less than a day ago, which had already attracted a stream of responses from other users that had similar problems with support or had been hacked or had their account locked up for almost four months or had no help.

In April, CEO Brian Armstrong somewhat ironically told CNBC, “People no longer need to be scared of it [crypto] like in the early days.” 

In March, the New York Times ran a piece on a Coinbase customer who eventually sued the company after losing $100,000 worth of cryptocurrency.

CNBC

Coinbase slammed for what users say is terrible customer service after hackers drain their accounts

Customers of the nation’s largest cryptocurrency exchange, Coinbase, say their accounts were taken over by criminals and the company’s customer service is poor.

Read More

Jordan News | Latest News from Jordan, MENA

Coinbase users say crypto startup ignored their pleas for help – Jordan News | Latest News from Jordan, MENA

Coinbase users say crypto startup ignored their pleas for help

Read More

Cointelegraph

Coinbase creates support phone line for account takeovers

Coinbase intends for this implementation to help reduce their support team’s response time.

Read More



Source: TG Daily – Coinbase users angry with the lack of customer support after funds disappear from accounts

How to Best Manage Remote Workers

Zoom call with coffee

One of the few silver linings of the pandemic is that it led to businesses big and small finally recognizing all the advantages associated with remote work. Thanks to that, even as lockdown restrictions are lifted around the world, many companies have decided to stick with remote work, or adopt a hybrid approach.

That said, while remote work is better in many ways, it also creates some unique challenges for managers. If your company is adopting this system in the long term, here’s how you can go about managing your remote team in a way that will help your business succeed.

1 – Clear expectations

One of the challenges of remote work is giving employees the tools they need to make decisions on how to organize their time and focus on their work. They won’t have the clear structure that comes with spending 8 hours in the office, which will improve their flexibility but can harm their capacity for consistent output.

The solution is to make your expectations clear for your team, figure out how to measure their performance, and give them key goals to achieve. A good workforce management platform can facilitate and automate many of these processes, and having one is nearly mandatory for any team composed of more than three or four people.

2 – Training resources

Remote workers can’t just tap a co-worker on the shoulder to ask questions and get demonstrations on how to perform different tasks. Make sure you make all the information your workers will need available for them, be it through an employee guide, an online learning platform, or even a simple series of onboarding emails with links to relevant online guides.

It can also be useful to assign a veteran employee to mentor and guide a newcomer through email and video calls.

3 – Two-channel communication

Being unable to reach an employee or confirm that they have gotten your message can cause serious issues, especially when dealing with time-sensitive problems. So make sure that on top of communicating through email, your team also has a second communication channel they can use for emergencies — preferably an instant messaging service. The second channel can also be used whenever there is an issue with the primary channel.

Having two channels also helps to signal to employees which messages they should answer right away and which can wait until their next work session. Working from home can lead to employees feeling like they’re never off the clock, and separating priority and non-priority messages can help with that issue.

4 – Look for signs of distress

It is much harder to tell when an employee is distressed or overworked when your primary form of contact with them happens via text, so make sure you’re keeping an eye out for potential signs of distress. Changes in online behavior, total output, or work quality can all be the results of an employee who’s close to burning out or who is struggling with some personal problem.

5 – Clear communication

Take the time to make sure any requests and assignments you give out to workers are as clear as possible and encourage them to ask questions if they have any. Written communication isn’t the most effective at conveying tone and intent, and any time your employee spends trying to puzzle out what you want is time they could have spent being productive.



Source: TG Daily – How to Best Manage Remote Workers

Footage showing harsh conditions of Iran’s Evin prison allegedly leaked by hackers

hacker hacking cybersecurity hack cyberspace

A guard assigned in Evin prison’s control room was immediately alerted as monitors suddenly blinked off then flashed “cyberattack”.

Another screen showed “general protest until the freedom of political prisoners”.

The alleged hackers, who call themselves “The Justice of Ali” shared some footage of the incident, as well as other clips showing the harsh conditions faced by Evin’s prisoners.

One of the footage shows a man smashing a bathroom mirror and tries to cut his arm open while another scene captured prisoners and guards beating each other.

An Iranian human activist and four former prisoners at Evin have confirmed that some of the scenes resembled areas of the facility.

The hackers claim that the hack was conducted several months ago but did not disclose who was behind the leak.

The timing of the leak coincided with the recent election of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi.

Iran confirms leaked footage of harsh conditions in Evin Prison

Videos show beatings, neglect, and an unbearably small solitary cell in Tehran’s notorious Evin Prison.

Read More

Infosecurity Magazine

Hackers Leak Footage of Iranian Prison

Bleak lives of Evin’s prisoners shown to press by hacking group

Read More

AP NEWS

Hackers disrupt Iran’s rail service with fake delay messages

TEHRAN, Iran (AP) — Iran’s railroad system came under cyberattack on Friday, a semi-official news agency reported, with hackers posting fake messages about train delays or cancellations on display boards at stations across the country.

Read More



Source: TG Daily – Footage showing harsh conditions of Iran’s Evin prison allegedly leaked by hackers

5 Important Factors to Consider When Hiring a Personal Injury Lawyer

gavel legal lawyer judge law auction attorney.

Hiring the right personal injury attorney for your case is a critical process if you want to maximize your possible settlement or trial compensation. Your lawyer will provide you with critical details of your case and gather all the evidence needed to improve your chances of winning.

A good attorney will also strive to protect you from bad faith insurance schemes, ensuring you receive fair compensation for your injuries. The stresses of dealing with injury claims can be daunting and strain you further. And that is why you need someone who can provide you with the support and guidance to get through this challenging period.

In this post, we will discuss the top five considerations when searching for the right personal injury lawyer for your case:

1.     Experience

Having a law degree in personal injury is one thing. But having actually used that degree to win a case is something different entirely. You want an attorney who has had experience handling personal injury cases and has a track record of winning most, if not all, of his or her cases.

Fortunately, you can find many law firms with highly experienced personal injury attorneys to handle your case. Luchadores Legales ranks as one of the best law firms whose attorneys have a proven history of exercising their Juris Doctorate in actual trial scenarios.

Therefore, ensure you look for a lawyer with a high level of experience that will prove invaluable in procuring your desired outcome.

2.     Referrals

Does your personal injury lawyer come recommended, or you happened to bump into him or her while browsing through your Google browser? All professional and experienced attorneys always have multiple positive reviews in their portfolios for a job well done. These are the personal injury attorneys you want to back up your case.

You can always ask your potential attorneys to provide you with their previous clients’ lists to use as your reference.

Often, past clients are the best people to provide honest testimonials about the attorneys they’ve worked with. Therefore, ensure you pay special attention to everything they say about your potential attorneys.

It is also always more convincing when you get referrals from people you know and trust, like friends and family members who’ve used personal injury attorneys before. These people will have a vested interest in ensuring you succeed.

3.     Reputation

Another critical factor to consider is the personal injury lawyer’s reputation and that of his or her law firm. Naturally, you will want to work with someone who is well respected in the community and trusted to give everything he or she has to win every case, including yours.

You will also be more confident knowing you have the right person for your case. However, finding the perfect attorney for your case will require some digging and patience. But it will be worth the time, patience, and resources in the long run.

You will also want to check the attorney’s and firm’s reviews from previous clients. Were they satisfied/dissatisfied with how the attorney or client handled their cases? These factors play a critical role in helping you find the right attorney for your case.

4.     Comfort with the Lawyer

Most people don’t realize that when handling personal injury cases, you will likely be required to disclose sensitive information about yourself. Therefore, it is even more important that you hire someone with whom you feel comfortable sharing sensitive and personal information.

Look for someone you feel comfortable talking to and who you can trust to keep your personal information confidential. This will allow for better communication and openness, which is very important between yourself and your attorney.

5.     Fees

Being involved in a personal injury lawsuit can be quite costly and lengthy. You will want to know the exact fees you will have to pay throughout the time your attorney will be handling your case.

Most lawyers charge their clients on a percentage basis based on their settlement package. However, there are also instances where your lawyer might not receive compensation when you don’t win your personal injury case.

Still, it is always important to understand your lawyer’s fee structure, so you can hire the best attorney that makes the most financial sense for your situation.

Speak with a Personal Injury Lawyer Today

Finding the right personal injury lawyer is always the main determinant for whether you win or lose your case. Therefore, ensure you get the right person for the job to increase your chances of receiving a fair settlement for your injuries. Schedule a free consultation with a personal injury lawyer today.

Written by Spencer Calvert



Source: TG Daily – 5 Important Factors to Consider When Hiring a Personal Injury Lawyer

How accessiBe’s Layered Solution Can Keep Your Online Store Safe from Accessibility Lawsuits

gavel law lawsuit

For most, shopping is now easier than ever. In a world where purchases can be made entirely online, you can go from wanting something to having it delivered to your home after completing just a few, simple online steps. Unfortunately, those with certain disabilities are unable to take advantage of this convenient new way of shopping if the website isn’t accessible.

Accessibility is an important thing to keep in mind for businesses. Creating an accessible online store means you’re being inclusive, you can cater to more consumers, and remember: It’s the law. Without an accessible website, you open yourself up to some potentially damaging lawsuits.

A Quick Overview: What You Need to Know about ADA Lawsuits

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was implemented to ensure that persons with disabilities would be given the same rights and opportunities as every other community member. The law prohibited discrimination against persons with disabilities when it came to transportation, education, and employment.

The ADA became a law way back in 1990, and while many companies have improved their services with accessibility in mind, others haven’t. According to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), charges filed under the ADA and those filed concurrently under Title VII, EPA, ADEA, and GINA reached 24,324 for the fiscal year 2020. That was slightly up from 2019, when the number of charges filed reached 24,238 (it was 2018 when the most charges were filed under the ADA – the total number of charges hit 28,073 during that year).

In short, businesses need to understand that the lack of accessibility is an issue for a lot of consumers, which you can learn more about here, but it can also be a real problem for them because they’re opening themselves up to litigation. In 2021, you need to make your online store ADA-compliant, which is where accessiBe’s s automated solution can help.

How accessiBe’s Layered Solution Helps

If you’re worried about your website being ADA-compliant and adhering to Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG), you can use accessiBe’s layered solution to address those concerns.

1. The accessiBe Interface

When a user reaches your website, they can select a disability profile from within the accessiBe interface. Once selected, the mentioned adjustments will be applied. Note that users can also pick and choose the adjustments such as the font, orientation, and colors.

For instance, website icons can be changed in different ways. You’re given over 20 different icons to choose from, and you can decide where they will be positioned. For those with motor impairments, color-blind users, and other sensory or cognitive disabilities, this customization is crucial. Even the shapes and sizes of different website elements can be tweaked if necessary, and animations will also be stopped if a user wants that.

There are also quick navigation and reading modes baked into accessiBe. These will allow users to make their way through your online store easily. They won’t miss anything as they parse through the content of the webpage.

The key here is that you as the business owner don’t need to alter your website for the different impairments that your audience may have – accessiBe can take care of that for you so that all of your bases are covered (and again, there are a lot of bases to cover), which brings us to our next point.

2. The AI-Powered Processes

In addition to its adaptable interface, accessiBe also presents website owners with AI-powered features, including screen-reader and keyboard navigation adjustments. The screen reader technology can do more than just process text. It automatically provides accurate alternative text to images so shoppers who are visually impaired can browse all your store’s offerings.

When it comes to keyboard navigation, your visitors won’t have to worry about getting stuck on a listing or page with accessiBe’s AI running in the background. In addition, its AI technology scans a website every 24 hours, looking for newly uploaded content that needs adjustments to be made accessible. You can entrust your site with accessiBe, knowing that you won’t have to worry about long gaps in which your website elements aren’t accessible.

3. User-Friendly Nature

You’re installing accessiBe on your website because you want to make your offerings accessible to as many people as possible. It’s all about making the process of buying or selling as easy as possible for your retail partners and customers. But users are not the only ones who will have a stress-free experience while using accessiBe…installing the software on your website will also be very easy.

In fact, accessiBe seamlessly integrates with popular eCommerce tools including Shopify, SquareSpace and others. Don’t fret if you aren’t using a large name brand to host your ecommerce store, though; as accessiBe is platform-agnostic and can operate on any website and any platform, even custom ones.

Summary

Accessibility matters, and it should be a primary consideration when designing any website or online store. Take full advantage of accessiBe’s layered platform to transform your online store and open it up to everyone, and stay far away from any potential ADA lawsuit.

Written by Spencer Calvert



Source: TG Daily – How accessiBe’s Layered Solution Can Keep Your Online Store Safe from Accessibility Lawsuits

Taliban websites go offline for unknown reasons

offline disconnected wifi network disconnect icon

Sites in Pashto, Urdu, Arabic, English and Dari languages went offline on Friday.

They had been shielded by Cloudflare, a San Francisco-based content delivery network and denial-of-service protection provider.

It was not immediately clear, however, why the sites went offline. The websites’ disappearance may merely be temporary as the Taliban secures new hosting arrangements.

But the reported removal of the WhatsApp groups followed the banning of Taliban accounts by Facebook, the service’s parent company, on Tuesday after the US-backed Afghan government fell to the Taliban.

The company indicated on Tuesday that as long as such accounts observed its rules — including not inciting or glorifying violence — they would remain active.

The Taliban is not on the US list of foreign terrorist organisations, but the US has imposed sanctions against it.

Twitter has not removed Taliban accounts and the group’s spokesman, Zabihullah Mujahid, has more than 300,000 followers there. 

NBC News

Some Taliban websites go offline amid broader tech crackdown

Five websites operated by the Taliban went offline Friday, as many tech companies move to limit the group’s digital reach following their takeover of Kabul.

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Deccan Herald

How Taliban turned social media into a tool for control

In one video, a Taliban official reassured female health workers that they could keep their jobs. In another, militants told Sikhs, a minority religious group, that they were free and protected. Still others suggested a new lawfulness in Kabul, Afghanistan, with Talib fighters holding looters and thieves at gunpoint.

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BBC News

Afghanistan: Facebook continues ban of Taliban-related content

Technology firms face challenges on how to handle content created by the group and its supporters.

Read More



Source: TG Daily – Taliban websites go offline for unknown reasons

FTC Refiles Antitrust Complaints against Facebook

facebook like social marketing

Federal Trade Commission refiled its antitrust claim in federal court alleging that Facebook is breaking antitrust laws.

FTC refiled the claim in June, saying that the agency didn’t properly identify how Facebook held an illegal monopoly over the personal social networking space.

The FTC was tasked with rewriting the complaint under the agency’s new chair, Lina Khan, a fierce critic of the tech industry.

In July, Facebook requested that Khan be blocked from handling the FTC’s antitrust investigations into the company based on her public criticism of its market power.

In a tandem case brought against Facebook in the same court by 48 attorneys general, the states said they were barred from bringing their lawsuit because they waited too long to file their claims.

In turn, the lawsuits said, the company should be required to divest either company, or both. The states filed a notice indicating their intent to appeal the appeal to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of D.C. Judge Boasberg also ruled in Facebook’s decision to dismiss the states’ s suit.

The two cases are among a handful of closely watched antitrust litigations that also include Google and Apple among other Big Tech firms that also have brought against Big Tech companies.

Gizmodo

FTC Refiles Historic Antitrust Lawsuit as Facebook Tries to Bury the News With Shiny Things

The FTC has refiled its antitrust lawsuit against Facebook, arguing that no other social media company “remotely approaches Facebook’s scale.”

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MacRumors

FTC Accuses Facebook of Using ‘Buy-or-Bury’ Techniques to Stifle Competition and ‘Hone a Surveillance-Based Advertising Model’

The United States Federal Trade Commission today reinforced its antitrust case against Facebook by providing more detail on how the company either…

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CNBC

Judge dismisses FTC and state antitrust complaints against Facebook

A federal court on Monday dismissed the Federal Trade Commission’s antitrust complaint against Facebook.

Read More



Source: TG Daily – FTC Refiles Antitrust Complaints against Facebook

Coca-Cola is changing its Coke Zero recipe; People are worried

coke coca-cola zero sugar soda coke zero

Coca-Cola is rolling out a new version of Coke Zero across the United States.

The company is trying to keep up with consumer trends and stay ahead of the competition.

But when they make changes, they run the risk of upsetting loyal customers and chasing them away from the brand.

PepsiCo learned that in 2015, when it removed aspartame from its Diet Pepsi formula in response to consumer complaints about the ingredient, it brought it back the following year.

The brand has to be careful not to stumble again today and remind the company of the 1985 New Coke debacle, when New Coke was introduced. 

CNN

Coke is changing the recipe of a popular drink. A lot could go wrong

If you’ve had a sip of Coke Zero Sugar recently and thought that it tastes a little different, you’re not crazy. The company is rolling out across the United States a new version of the beverage designed to taste more like regular Coke.

Read More

Coca-Cola is changing its recipe – soda fans are worried

Coke changed its recipe in 1985 much to the dismay of consumers, this week company has said it wants to ‘deliver an even more iconic Coke taste’

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CNN

Coke is giving one of its most popular drinks a makeover

If you’re a big fan of Coca-Cola Zero Sugar, you may want to brace yourself: The recipe for your beloved drink is changing.

Read More

Coca-Cola launches new no sugar variety — but is it any healthier?

Don’t be led into believing the new Coke is any better for you than its full-sugar cousin.

Read More



Source: TG Daily – Coca-Cola is changing its Coke Zero recipe; People are worried

LGBTQ Family Flees From Russia Due to Death Threats

LGBTQ gay pride parade pride

The LGBTQ family were targeted in a hate campaign after appearing in an ad for grocery chain VkusVill.

The firm later apologised and replaced the photo with one of a heterosexual family.

Yuma and her oldest daughter Alina are in same-sex relationships. The mother, Yuma, said on Instagram: “We hope we’ll be safe in Barcelona.” Yuma voiced her own pain at having been rejected by her parents because she’s a lesbian.

A 2013 law in Russia bans any promotion of gay values and lifestyles to minors in the country.

Many supporters of President Vladimir Putin and the Russian Orthodox Church identify LGBT+ activists with Western liberal values, seen as contrary to Russian tradition.

The family said they had experienced previous homophobic attacks, including ones targeting the LGBT international film festival in Moscow, which is widely condemned in the West.

In a YouTube interview, recorded just before their departure, they said: ‘In Moscow it was hell, there was an ambush, some chemicals were thrown at our volunteers’

Slate Magazine

LGBTQ Family Featured in Grocery Store Advertisement Forced to Leave Russia Due to Hate

A Russian retailer tried to be progressive and ran the first major ad to feature an LGBTQ family—but in the end, it hurt everyone.

Read More

U.S.

LGBT+ family demands right to normal life after fleeing Russia

A family that fled Russia after receiving homophobic rape and death threats for appearing in a supermarket advert has said the experience was “like a nightmare” and demanded the right to a normal life.

Read More

BBC News

Russian food firm VkusVill triggers row over lesbian family ad

There is fury after VkusVill posted an ad showing a lesbian family, then removed it.

Read More

the Guardian

Russia passes law banning gay ‘propaganda’

Law will make it illegal to equate straight and gay relationships and to distribute gay rights material

Read More



Source: TG Daily – LGBTQ Family Flees From Russia Due to Death Threats

Huawei’s Hidden Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Benefits

huawei phone purple

Huawei has an impressive list of accomplishments focused on making the world a better place.  I’m a big believer in the concept of doing well by doing good, and Huawei’s latest report on their related activities is impressive.  However, I’ve been doing a series of programs for the World Talent Economy Forum on Science and Engineering, and a common conclusion is that what we need is both a better balance between employees and management in terms of the application of automation but that one of the critical needs worldwide is Internet access.  Huawei’s existence addresses those two massive problems directly, but the positive impact of these elements isn’t as widely known.  

Let’s talk about Huawei and CSR this week.

The Changing Focus On CSR

When companies first started down the CSR path, there was a massive disparity between firms that walked the talk and those that just gave the talk.  Some companies were all in with education systems, efforts to find alternative energy sources, clean water, food, and medicine to those in the world that most needed it, and efforts to eliminate homelessness where their factory sites were located.  And then we had folks that just promised to plant a tree if you bought something.  

As time has gone on, the “plant a tree” thing has mostly died out, and for those firms still talking about CSR, they seem to have discovered that customers aren’t idiots and didn’t appreciate the tree planting efforts much; they wanted well-funded efforts that made real progress. 

Companies also seem to be coming around to the idea that the most impact on the world is when they can use their talents and resources to help make a difference, not just their money.  This comment on financial investment in programs isn’t to say that money is no longer donated. Providing funding, advice, and technology can make any monetary investment go far farther to create real progress with related CSR efforts.  

The focus now for companies wanting to make a real difference is a blend of funding and corporate resources that provide a force multiplier and significantly increase the world impact.  

Huawei’s Programs

Huawei is one of the more aggressive companies in the world, prioritizing CSR.   They have launched over 14K free educational courses to help emerging economies produce workers with the critical skills to work on technology projects.  Their monitory investments include a $1B fund called the Shining Star Program focused on rewarding and making visible critical, innovative applications dealing with world problems.  They have engaged 1.8M people on their Heart Health Research Applications, which could have a material impact on improving world heart health.  

Environmentally they have reduced the use of plastics by 17% and substantially reduced the amount of packaging it takes to ship some products reducing the amount of waste produced by the company substantially.  Their programs to rehome smartphones have kept 500K phones from prematurely going into landfills, and an extensive recycling advocate they have recycled 5K tons of through their recycling systems.  

Huawei’s Hidden CSR Effort

Huawei is primarily owned by its employees, which creates a unique balance between executive management, which runs the company, and the firm’s employees who own it.  Given the adverse impact Hedge Fund managers are having on US companies, this employee ownership model may be a bigger way to build and run a company because it better assures the economic value created by the firm doesn’t just flow to the C Suite flows to all of the employees.  

Huawei also provides the lowest cost highest performance cell tower solution in the market primarily because these high-speed solutions will need equally high-speed backhaul so that the solutions don’t bottleneck.  Their aggressive pricing has favored their solutions in emerging markets and better enabling efforts to connect the currently unconnected.  

These two natural elements of Huawei may have more impact on making the world a better place than their focused aspects.  

Wrapping Up:

Corporate Social Responsibility, for most companies, is now a severe endeavor, and much of the focus is on education, retraining, and assuring the world’s critical resources.  For instance, one of the Huawei efforts I didn’t mention was a massive partnership to protect the Rain Forest from being destroyed and the planet’s degrading ecological balance destroyed with it.  But the real power with Huawei, I think, is their employee ownership structure and their cell tower technology which is instrumental in connecting those currently disenfranchised from the Internet.  

In combination, all of these efforts showcase Huawei as a force for good.  We need more companies that are forces for good to protect the planet from an otherwise dire future.



Source: TG Daily – Huawei’s Hidden Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Benefits

U.S. will offer Hong Kong residents “safe haven” for 18 months amid China Crackdown

protest support demonstration uprising

Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced Thursday that the U.S. will offer Hong Kongers “safe haven” for 18 months from forced departure from the United States if they fear returning to the city.

He says the step is a response to China’s “sweeping National Security Law” which has “fundamentally altered the bedrock of Hong Kong’s institutions”.

Police in Hong Kong are now arresting people for booing the Chinese national anthem.

In January the British gave holders of British National (Overseas) passports the option to resettle in the UK and apply for citizenship. A Home Office fact sheet reckons that there are 2.9 million BN(O) holders in the Hong Kong, with a further 2.3 million eligible dependents. 

Biden shields Hong Kong immigrants from removal, citing China’s ‘significant erosion’ of rights

President Biden on Thursday signed a memo shielding residents of Hong Kong living in the U.S. from deportation for at least 18 months, citing the “significant erosion” of freedoms in the territory by the Chinese communist regime.

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BBC News

US to allow visitors from Hong Kong to stay for 18 months

China reacts angrily to the announcement, which allows thousands to stay in the US for 18 months.

Read More

The Eastern Herald

US action on Hong Kong angers China | The Eastern Herald

US President Joe Biden issued his decision Thursday to provide temporary asylum to Hong Kong citizens who face the “erosion of their rights and freedoms” | Report on The Eastern Herald

Read More



Source: TG Daily – U.S. will offer Hong Kong residents “safe haven” for 18 months amid China Crackdown

Iranian Hardliner Linked to Mass Executions, Sworn as the Country’s New President

iran flag middle east national flag

Ebrahim Raisi has been tied to mass executions and crackdowns of political opponents. He played a key role in a death commission that ordered the executions of thousands of political prisoners in 1988.

The U.S. government has noted Raisi’s involvement in what it described as a crackdown on protesters following the 2009 election.

Raisi signaled that Iran seeks to expand its power as a counterbalance to foes across the region.

The regime is in a weakened position due to its poor economic state and its disastrous handling of the COVID-19 pandemic pandemic, which has also been dogged by protests, including recent demonstrations over water shortages.

State Department spokesman Ned Price told reporters that the new regime would wait to see what approach Raisi would take to the U.N. 

BBC News

US urges Iran’s new President Ebrahim Raisi to resume nuclear talks

The state department says Ebrahim Raisi should seize the opportunity to revive a landmark 2015 deal.

Read More

The Jerusalem Post | JPost.com

Raisi’s week, Israel’s counter strike against Iran – analysis

Did Israel or Iran win this week? There are three interwoven games going on at once: the nuclear, terrorist and regional games.

Read More

‘The wrong direction’: Why Iran’s new leader could spell trouble for Biden

Analysis: Iran is gambling that hardball tactics will force concessions from the U.S., but the regime risks overplaying its hand, experts say.

Read More



Source: TG Daily – Iranian Hardliner Linked to Mass Executions, Sworn as the Country’s New President

How To Buy Sunglasses Without Trying Them On First

fashion accessory accessories sunglasses

The global health pandemic has shifted shopping online. Even at a time when the vaccine rollout is proving successful, the Delta variant and general cautiousness have kept many people online. For shoppers, this presents something of a problem. Buying items like sunglasses without trying them on first can be fraught with difficulty. The more you’re spending, the more painful the error. How do you know the sunglasses will suit you? In this article, we will discuss how you can buy sunglasses without trying them on first. 

Face Shape

When you are choosing sunglasses, your face shape is the most important feature you need to consider. Your face size and shape will determine what types of sunglasses will fit your face best. The right fit of sunglasses can give you your own distinctive look, like Elton John or Geordi Laforge. To figure out what sunglasses suit your face best, you have to determine your face shape, measure your face, and match your face shape to the style of sunglasses. 

As a rule of thumb, you should pick sunglasses whose frame is in contrast to your face’s shape. So for example, angular sunglasses belong on oval or round faces. Rounder sunglasses, on the other hand, fit people with triangular or square-shaped faces. Here’s an example of how our rule works. Oval faces are the most versatile face shapes. If you have an oval face, generally you want to get wide frames as broad as the broadest section of your face. This will make your appearance more angular, balancing out the ovalness of your face. 

Some stores even have filter options based on face shape. For instance, Karün Eyewear allows you to zero down on the right sunglasses for you based on your face shape and size. You filter sunglasses by frame, use, and face type. With many stores, you will have some kind of return policy in case you still don’t like your sunglasses. 

Whether you’re looking for glasses for small faces, glasses for oval faces, or some other kind of sunglasses, you should use your face shape as a guide. 

Augmented Reality

Augmented reality refers to an interactive experience in which the real world is overlaid with digital information, such as images, sounds, and smells. With the shift to online shopping, many stores have embraced augmented reality, enabling their customers to virtually try on their products. So when you’re shopping for sunglasses, look out for stores that offer virtual try-ons. With augmented reality, you don’t need to take a picture, you just need to give the website access to your camera, and the sunglasses are imposed on your face. 

Some people are skeptical of augmented reality but the results are often striking. Augmented reality does a great job of replicating the effects of physically trying out a product. So you can be confident that you will get something that suits your face shape and size. Some stores allow you to simply upload a photo rather than use a camera, but either way, the effect is powerful. When you use your camera, you can try out the glasses and see what they look like from different angles. 

Written by Lara Harper



Source: TG Daily – How To Buy Sunglasses Without Trying Them On First

3 Career Development Tips for Counselors and Therapists

counseling depression stress doctor therapist sad

As a new or aspiring counselor or therapist, it’s imperative that you never settle for the bare minimum. To be successful in this field, you have to invest in constant and never-ending improvement. 

However, with so many different skills involved in this profession, knowing where to dedicate your time and energy can prove to be a difficult feat. 

This article will give you some clarity on how to best utilize your resources in pursuit of growth and development.

3 Career Development Tips

Becoming a better therapist or counselor requires steady and consistent improvement. You don’t have to add new breakthrough skills to your resume every year, but you do need to show consistent growth. 

In fact, as James Clear points out in his book Atomic Habits, if you get just one percent better each day over the course of a year, you’ll end up 37-times better by the time you finish. In other words, the biggest gains are made from tiny improvements that are compounded over a long period of time.

The question is, which skills and traits do you focus on to become the best therapist possible? If you asked a dozen people in the industry to give you their suggestions, you might get a dozen different responses. 

Here’s a shortlist of what we consider some of the most important areas to focus on:

1. Practice Self-Care

You can’t care for anyone else if you aren’t first taking care of your own needs. Self-care is one of the most important investments you can make. This includes proper eating, sleeping, and fitness habits. But it goes a step further than this. You also have to attend to your emotional and spiritual needs.

Mindfulness is an extremely important component of being a self-aware therapist. It’s recommended that you begin each day by focusing on your own thoughts. Whether it’s through meditation or prayer, a morning that starts with self-reflection has the building blocks necessary for a healthy day.

2. Embrace Technology

You might be the kind of therapist who still prefers a legal pad and a No. 2 pencil, but there’s something to be said for embracing technology. There’s been significant innovation in the tech space over the past couple of years, and you could benefit from learning how to leverage different resources.

For example, if you’re pursuing additional training, or if you’re considering growing your practice by hiring new therapists to work for you, a video recording system for counseling training is worth exploring. 

The VALT software from Intelligent Video Solutions is one of the best. They have a simple system that allows you to observe and record counseling therapy sessions within one secure platform. It even has features like live talkback, video tagging capabilities, and searchable databases.

By embracing technology, you’re able to introduce new efficiencies into your practice. It essentially empowers you to multiply yourself and scale your business without having to work 70- or 80-hour weeks. 

Whether through video recording software, accounting solutions, or tools for automating the scheduling of client meetings, technology can help you reach new heights.

3. Hone Your Micro-skills

As a counselor, you should focus on constantly refining your micro-skills. And while you have your own innate strengths and weaknesses, here are a few that we recommend focusing on:

  • Responding. This is the skill of confirming with a client that they’re being heard correctly. It’s a vital skill to develop, as it helps you keep the client confident and verbal.
  • Noting and reflecting. Use this skill to bring out a client’s underlying feelings. This skill is especially helpful when used in the interview stages as a way to flesh out a story and gather more information.
  • Confrontation. This skill helps you increase the person’s self-awareness by highlighting inconsistencies and discrepancies in their story. By making them aware of blind spots, you encourage them to take action.

These are just a few micro-skills – the list could go on. Other skills include attending behavior, questioning, client observation, focusing, influencing, etc. Pick a few that you want to focus on over the next several months and pour your energy into them.

Never Stop Improving

At the end of World War II, Japan was in trouble. The economy was depleted and the nation found itself facing a challenging set of circumstances. And it was the principle of Kaizen that was instrumental in helping it recover (and eventually become one of the world’s most powerful nations).

Kaizen is the philosophy of constant and never-ending improvement (CANI). It’s the science of betterment and refinement. The idea is that nothing is ever finished. Rather, everything is still a work in progress. 

As a therapist, adopting the Kaizen philosophy or CANI mindset will help you continue to grow in your career. Rather than settling or resting on your laurels, you’ll begin to seek out areas where you can improve. 

And if you focus on the aspects like self-care, micro-skills, technology, and niching, your career trajectory will always point up.

Written by Jake Gibson



Source: TG Daily – 3 Career Development Tips for Counselors and Therapists