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How to Create a Diversity and Inclusion Council

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Creating an inclusive workplace is one of the best ways to recruit, engage and retain your employees. Yet, while most organizations are getting on (if not already on) the diversity and inclusion bandwagon, many do not have the proper tools to sustain their progress.


Enter the diversity and inclusion council. This group of employees — which includes senior leadership and executives — acts on behalf of the company to jumpstart and manage the diversity and inclusion process. Creating a council allows your organization to communicate a bigger picture and assists company leadership by acting as a resource focused on diversity and inclusion efforts.

Here’s how you can start your own diversity and inclusion council.

Step 1: Learn how your organization can benefit from a diversity and inclusion council

Most companies think they’re doing all they can on the diversity and inclusion front. Yet, this simply isn’t true. For example, until review, most workplaces continue to hire in the same way they always have…through referrals! It’s common for established employees to give the names of their friends or family members who are looking for jobs. Unfortunately, they’re referring to candidates that are exactly like them. They’re from the same companies and school. They look alike and have similar interests. This results in a homogenous workforce and undermines true diversity and inclusion efforts. Understanding your starting point is crucial to recognizing how a diversity and inclusion council can get you to where you need to go.

Step 2: Establish a framework for your diversity and inclusion program

To create your council, you must have a set of best practices that you’re basing its foundation upon. Here are some that can help you get started:

  • Define the roles and responsibilities of the council
  • Identify your partners for key initiatives
  • Establish accurate representation
  • Determine membership expectations
  • Substantiate meeting cadence
  • Track and communicate progress
  • Determine how to recruit new members to the council


Step 3: Get executive support and establish a budget

Once you have your framework in place, it’s time to get buy-in from the top level. From the C-suite to human resources, legal, and the financial team, you need to make sure everyone is on board. This will provide legitimacy to your team and give you a budget to work with.

Keep in mind that receiving executive support also ensures that the rest of the company is represented. Not only do you want people of color and women involved but your diversity council should also be employee-led and come from the top-down. Ultimately, whoever is involved should reflect the greater population.

Step 4: Identify your mission as a council

What does your diversity and inclusion council stand for? As a group, identify what you want to do in your workplace? Each organization’s council will have a different spin on how to promote respect, inclusion, opportunity, and community in the workplace. That said, this mission should be at the forefront of all of you, so spend some time on it!

Step 5: Set goals and go after them

Your diversity and inclusion council has now been established. What’s next? Make some goals and go after them! You know you need to lay the groundwork for years to come. Consider the following as some of the goals you can set to work on in both the short-term and long-term. And keep in mind, this isn’t an exhaustive list by any means!

  • Launch a diversity and inclusion survey
  • Analyze and present data to your company
  • Create a monthly newsletter
  • Publish goals and data
  • Create recruiting goals for underrepresented minorities
  • Eliminate the hiring bias
  • Run recruiting events
  • Host employee resource groups, workshops, and speaker series
  • Have a diversity awareness month
  • Celebrate PRIDE

Final thoughts

As you start to create your diversity and inclusion program, keep in mind that it’ll be a work in progress. Remember, online diversity training is important! Be open to feedback from your executive leadership and the rest of your company. Continue to learn from your peers and draw insights from your data. And of course, never lose your passion or desire to want to make things better!

How to Launch a Diversity and Inclusion Program

Launching a diversity and inclusion program is a secret hundreds, if not thousands, of organizations are still waiting to find. As companies are fretting about headcounts, budgeting, and bandwidth, diversity and inclusion help to recruit, engage, and retain employees every single day.

If you’re interested in starting a diversity and inclusion program, read our guide below. It’s something you can get started on today, and with just a little bit of work, you can get your company on the right track.

  1. Use gender-neutral language in job descriptions

Job descriptions often use he/his/him pronouns as a default. Take time to convert all of your job descriptions to gender-neutral pronouns using Text.io. This is a fantastic platform that can help get you off on the right foot with all potential candidates.

  1. Create a diversity and inclusion council

A diversity and inclusion council is a group that provides representation from different backgrounds within an organization. They meet on a specific cadence to discuss goals and how to move the company forward. A council makes collaborating on diversity and inclusion more intentional and likely. That said, if there are differing and conflicting views, then the success of the goals and effective use of time can differ widely.

  1. Diversify your pipeline

Organizations often have “obvious” sources of candidates. This can stunt diversity and inclusion efforts because most of the individuals who apply or interview come from the same schools, companies, or backgrounds. Instead, try to send one email or set up one coffee per week with a different type of candidate. This can help you begin to branch out and uncover candidates who would be a great fit for your company.

  1. Ban “culture fit” as a reason for rejecting a candidate

Interviewers often reject candidates due to a “gut feeling” or because of a “culture fit.” When this language pops up, challenge your interviewers to articulate a more specific reason why they don’t feel that the candidate will work well in that position. This is often a great way to uncover hidden biases and have open conversations about them. Just be sure to avoid punishing or shaming people in these contexts. At the end of the day, we all have inherent biases, and we all need to work on confront them!

  1. Create a diversity calendar

Chances are that your office already celebrates “mainstream” holidays like Christmas or Valentine’s Day. Yet, why not create a diversity calendar that includes everyone in the workplace? Holidays and events for underrepresented minorities like Black History Month and Pride Month are great ways to expand the love to everyone present.

Final thoughts

These five ways are only the start of expanding your diversity and inclusion efforts! If you’re feeling a bit stuck in how to advance your D&I work at your company, start that diversity and inclusion council as soon as possible. They’re a designated body that’ll help make sure you stay on top of your goals and nothing falls to the wayside.

Your Guide to Starting a Diversity and Inclusion Council

A diversity and inclusion council is a group that provides representation from different backgrounds within the organization. Monthly or quarterly, they’ll meet to discuss goals, provide advice on diversity, equity, and inclusion, and ensure that the organization continues to make progress in this realm.

In this blog, we’ll talk you through the process of creating a diversity and inclusion council. Here’s how to get started.

What’s your purpose in creating a diversity and inclusion council?

Creating a diversity and inclusion council helps to create strategic accountability for results and provides governance and oversight on diversity efforts. When there is progress to share, your D&I council can exercise their voice and communicate the larger picture to all employees.

To get a clearer picture of how a D&I council will operate and what purpose it will serve for your organization, ask yourself the following questions:

  • How large is your organization? What is your projected growth for the next year?
    • Your council size, potential members, and meeting cadence will depend on this
  • What are the criteria for your ideal chair and council members?
    • Ask yourself who you want to be involved and why
  • What are your current D&I issues?
    • Until you know what your current issues are, you can’t create a council that actively addresses them
  • Do you have employees and leadership engaged in D&I issues?
    • If yes, how so? If not, how can you begin to engage them?
  • Do you have expertise on D&I internally, or are you conflating passion for skillset?
    • Being passionate about diversity and inclusion is not the same as having expertise and experience in D&I strategy. This is an important distinction to make!

What type of council do you need?

There are two main types of diversity and inclusion councils. The first is a council consisting of members who sit in senior-leadership who have decision-making ability in the business. The second is a council that consists of junior to mid-tier employees from different backgrounds that provides insights from different lenses. You’ll need to decide which is the right type of council based on your goals.

What cadence of meetings should you set?

Setting regular meetings is necessary, but often meetings are need somewhere between a monthly and quarterly basis. This will likely depend on your individual circumstances as a company. This timeframe gives council members time to digest the previous meeting and see any positive or negative impacts of new initiatives that have been rolled out since. 

What commitment is realistic?

Being a member of the diversity and inclusion council is a time commitment of members. For junior and mid-tier members, a conversation should be had with managers ahead of the kickoff to ensure they have adequate time to attend. Furthermore, if someone is frequently not in attendance, then they may need to be replaced with someone else.

For C-suite members of the council (namely the CEO), it must be made clear that attending the council is part of their job and they must prioritize their attendance when at all possible. Being upfront about commitment is crucial to getting the program up and running.

What will success look like?

Once in motion, how will you know that the council is serving its purpose? Broadly defining success and how you will measure it will allow you to measure goals and address issues.

Final thoughts

Are you considering starting a diversity and inclusion council? Following this guide can help you bring together employees with experience in diversity, equity, and inclusion and use their expertise to improve your company. You’ve got this!

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All You Need to Know About the Crypto Tax Calculator

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Crypto Tax Calculator

Introduction

Cryptocurrency taxes can confuse many people, especially those new to crypto. With so many cryptocurrencies available and the value constantly fluctuating, it can take time to calculate the exact amount of taxes owed. This is where the crypto tax calculator comes into play. In this blog post, we will explore what a crypto tax calculator is, how it works, and why it is essential for cryptocurrency investors.

 

What is a Crypto Tax Calculator?

A crypto tax calculator is designed to help cryptocurrency investors accurately calculate their tax liabilities. It analyzes the transactions on various cryptocurrency exchanges and summarizes the taxes owed. These calculators typically utilize an Application Programming Interface (API) to retrieve transaction data from cryptocurrency exchanges, including the date of purchase, the amount spent, the price of the cryptocurrency at the time of purchase, and the date of sale. Once this data is collected, the calculator calculates the tax liability.

 

How Does a Crypto Tax Calculator Work?

Crypto tax calculators work by taking all of the data collected from the API and processing it through a complex algorithm. The algorithm considers various factors, such as each cryptocurrency’s purchase price, sale price, and holding period. The tax calculator then uses this data to calculate each transaction’s capital gains or losses.

Capital gains are the profit made when selling a cryptocurrency for more than it was purchased for, while capital losses occur when selling a cryptocurrency for less than it was purchased for. Once the calculator has calculated the capital gains or losses for each transaction, it then calculates the total tax liability for the investor based on their tax bracket and the tax laws in their country.

 

Why is a Crypto Tax Calculator Essential?

Crypto tax calculators are essential for several reasons:

  • Accuracy

Calculating cryptocurrency taxes can be highly complicated, especially for those who have made numerous trades. A crypto tax calculator eliminates the possibility of human error, ensuring that the tax liability is calculated accurately.

  • Time-Saving

Calculating taxes manually can be a time-consuming process. A crypto tax calculator simplifies the process and saves investors time by automatically generating a tax report.

  • Cost-Effective

Hiring a tax professional to calculate your crypto taxes can be costly. A crypto tax calculator eliminates the need for a tax professional, saving investors money.

  • Compliance

Using a crypto tax calculator, investors can ensure that they comply with tax laws in their country. Failure to comply with tax laws can result in penalties and fines.

How to Choose the Right Crypto Tax Calculator

 

Choosing the right crypto tax calculator can be overwhelming, given the many options available. Here are some factors to consider when selecting a crypto tax calculator:

  • Accuracy

Accuracy is the most crucial factor when choosing a crypto tax calculator. Ensure that your calculator is accurate and current with the latest tax laws.

  • User-Friendly

A user-friendly interface is essential when choosing a crypto tax calculator. The software should be easy to navigate, and the instructions should be clear and concise.

  • Integration

Ensure that the crypto tax calculator you choose can integrate with the cryptocurrency exchanges you use. The more exchanges the calculator supports, the better.

  • Customer Support

Choose a crypto tax calculator that offers excellent customer support. The support team should be easily accessible and able to answer any questions you have.

Conclusion

A crypto tax calculator is an essential tool for cryptocurrency investors. It simplifies calculating taxes and helps investors comply with tax laws. Using a crypto tax calculator, investors can take control of their tax liabilities and make informed decisions about their cryptocurrency investments.

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A Guide to Spring Cleaning Your Financial Paperwork

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financial paperwork

If the spring-cleaning bug has bit you, you won’t stop at just washing your windows and cleaning under the fridge. Your job isn’t done until you can bring order to all areas of your life, including your financial house.

Even though online banking makes it possible to manage money virtually, the average person still collects a lot of snail mail over the year.

While throwing all that paperwork out may be tempting, this idea could cause problems in the future. You’re meant to keep certain financial documents — look below to see how long.

Personal Loan Contracts

Any time you borrow a personal loan or line of credit, you have to sign a loan agreement. This contract contains all the black-and-white details of your account, so you know what to expect when borrowing a line of credit or personal loan. Most importantly, it outlines your terms, payment schedule, and cost of borrowing.

While some traditional loans may mail you a paper contract, online lenders might send you an e-document. You should keep it in a safe place — whether it’s paper or digital. It should join any supporting documents or proof of payments for at least the lifetime of the loan.

Bills

You can safely get rid of phone and utility bills after one month. After all, most utility providers set you up with an online account where you can review digital copies of these bills.

The only exception is if you plan on using any of these bills for tax-related purposes. In that case, refer to the section on taxes for how long you should keep them.

Financial Statements

If our bank, credit card company, or lender still mails your monthly statements, financial advisors recommend you keep them for 12 months. Once again, you might have to keep them longer if you plan on using them as supporting tax documents.

Receipts

Do you always say “yes” when the cashier asks if you want your receipt? Your wallet is probably bursting with receipts collected over the year.

The good news is that you can safely clear out most of them. There are only three times you should file away your receipts for safekeeping.

  1. It’s for a major purchase, like a new appliance, vehicle, or device. You may need to show this in case you need to return it or activate its warranty.
  2. It’s for household services or work done to your house, including renovations and repairs.
  3. You made a purchase you plan on writing off.

Insurance Documents

You should keep your auto, health, and life insurance documents until your policy expires, or you purchase a new package.

Taxes

Tax time is stressful enough without having to fight against disorganized and missing paperwork, so pay particular attention to your returns this spring.

According to the Canadian Revenue Agency (CRA), you should keep your supporting documents for six years. However, some advisors recommend you keep all your tax documents indefinitely in case of errors. You should also retain copies of your returns, notices of assessment, and notices of reassessment.

Handle Your Finances with Care

Once you go through all your paperwork, you’ll be left with two piles: the paperwork to keep and discard. When it comes to the stuff you want to toss, make sure you shred it first so that no personal information may be exposed. As for the stuff you want to keep, look for a filing system that works for you. Choose a safe, dry place where you won’t lose things.

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ANWORK: Fully Encrypted And Ephemeral Communications

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ANWORK

ANWORK is a secure and private messaging app that offers end-to-end encryption for all communications. Keep reading our post if you do important business meetings and want no one to access your data. Here we will tell you the secured communication solution.

How does ANWORK work?

ANWORK is a secure messaging app that offers fully encrypted and ephemeral communications. All data is stored locally on your device and not shared with third-party servers. ANWORK uses an advanced end-to-end encryption protocol that ensures your messages are secure from start to finish.

If you choose to, you can also set messages to expire after a certain amount of time, ensuring that your conversations are truly ephemeral. With its end-to-end encryption and ephemeral messaging, you can be sure that your conversations are safe from prying eyes.

What are the benefits of using ANWORK?

ANWORK is different from traditional communication platforms because it offers a number of unique benefits that make it ideal for certain types of communication. Some of the benefits of using ANWORK include the following:

Fully Encrypted Communications

ANWORK offers fully encrypted communications, meaning that all messages exchanged on the platform are automatically encrypted end-to-end. This makes it impossible for anyone to eavesdrop on your conversations or access your messages without your permission.

Ephemeral Communications

It means that all messages exchanged on the platform are automatically deleted after a certain period of time. This ensures that your conversations are private and cannot be accessed or shared without your permission.

No need for a phone number

ANWORK does not require a phone number for you to sign up or use the platform. This makes it ideal for people who want to keep their phone numbers private or for those who do not have a phone number.

 No need for a username 

ANWORK also does not require a username or password for you to sign up or use the platform. This makes it even easier to use and helps to keep your conversations even more private.

Works on any device

ANWORK works on any device that has an internet connection. This includes smartphones, laptops, and desktop computers.

Open source

ANWORK is an open source platform. This means that anyone can access and audit the code to make sure that it is secure.

Built by a team of security experts

ANWORK was built by a team of security experts with years of experience in the industry. This means you can ensure your conversations are safe and secure.

User-friendly

ANWORK is designed to be user-friendly and easy to use. The platform is simple and straightforward

How can I get started with ANWORK?

ANWORK is a secure communications platform that can provide you with extra security. It is available for free on the App Store and Google Play. ANWORK is also available as a desktop application for Mac and Windows.

Final Words 

We have guided you well on how ANWORK can secure your chats and provide a secure communication procedure. When you use a platform like ANWORK for communications, there will be no risk of information leakage. This is because the information is stored on reliable algorithms using signal protocols. The protocols included Curve25519, AES-256, HMAC-SHA256, and many more. For more information about this secure chat communication, read the above mentioned carefully. 

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Benefits of Onboarding Military Veterans: Qualities That Make Them Excellent Employees

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Onboarding Military

Hiring military veterans boosts your company’s recruitment and retention programs. Many people enlist in the military right out of high school or college. After years of military service, their civilian employment experiences may not correlate to your current job requirements. Don’t overlook the numerous benefits that hiring a veteran can bring to your organization. Here are some qualities you will likely hire when you onboard a military veteran.

Motivation

Most military veterans want to work when they return to civilian life. They have dedicated their lives to service and are motivated to improve the world after they retire. An applicant may provide you with their military experience and free employment verification for Uber drivers report. This shows employers that the candidates have been actively working.

Discipline

Veterans learn a significant amount of discipline in the military. They learn early on to listen to their leaders and follow directions when given. In addition, veterans are masters of self-discipline. They understand that meeting regulations gives them growth opportunities. You can trust that veterans are efficient and have the discipline to complete tasks as assigned. When those skills are observed by their peers, your entire staff often learns that self-discipline.

Integrity

Honesty and integrity are instilled into a servicemember. They learn early on that their word is valuable. In addition, veterans will report perceived infractions of their colleagues through proper management channels. This integrity protects your company’s confidential business information. Peers learn to recognize that their co-worker is trustworthy and sincere.

Organizational Skills

While you may need to provide training on various job-related skills, your new hire will have excellent organizational skills. They are typically excellent project managers. They understand how to break a project down into individual processes and how to assign those tasks to appropriate team members. They are also familiar with the post-project analysis.

Inclusiveness

Due to the global nature of their military service, veterans work well with all individuals regardless of their ethnic background, religious preference, or gender. They encourage unity between colleagues of different physical or mental capabilities. Veterans serve as dynamic leaders, embracing diversification and inclusion in the workforce.

Financial Benefits

In addition to the soft skills that military veterans bring to your workforce, there are many financial advantages to recruiting these individuals. The Department of Labor has a comprehensive list of programs that help you offset the costs of onboarding a veteran. Your local Small Business Administration chapter can also help you find resources for your business. If you operate as a veteran-owned small business, SBA can help you obtain funding.

Other Considerations

The benefits of recruiting military veterans outweigh the few challenges you may experience. Some candidates may have difficulty transitioning into the civilian workforce. A mentoring program can give your employees a point of contact to answer questions or discuss their experiences. In addition, some applicants may have physical or mental disabilities that require accommodations. While you may not ask specifically about these injuries, you can inquire about accommodations. The Americans with Disabilities Act protects applicants and employees from discrimination.

Creating a sound veteran recruitment strategy is important for businesses of all sizes. By actively onboarding these individuals, you will experience significant growth opportunities for your business.

 

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5 Tips for Finding the Perfect Office Space for Your Business

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As a business owner, finding the perfect office space is a crucial step in creating a productive and efficient work environment. Your office space can affect the morale and productivity of your employees, as well as the image and reputation of your business. Here are five tips for finding the perfect office space in The Square for your business:

Determine Your Needs

Before starting your search for office space, you must determine your business’s specific needs. Consider the number of employees you have and the size of the office space needed to accommodate them comfortably. Also, think about your budgets and the amenities your business requires, such as a conference room, a break room, or a reception area.

Knowing your needs beforehand will help you narrow down your search and avoid wasting time and resources on office spaces that are not suitable for your business.

Location Matters

The location of your office space can significantly impact your business’s success. Choose a location that is easily accessible for both your employees and clients. Consider the proximity to public transportation, parking availability, and nearby amenities, such as restaurants and shops.

Additionally, think about the neighbourhood’s safety, reputation, and the image it portrays. A prestigious location can enhance your business’s reputation, but it may come with a higher price tag.

Consider Your Budget

Your budget is a crucial factor in finding the perfect office space. Determine how much you can afford to spend on rent and other expenses, such as utilities and maintenance. Remember to leave some wiggle room in your budget in case of unexpected expenses.

Consider the cost of leasing versus buying an office space. Leasing provides more flexibility, while buying gives you more control over the space and can be a good long-term investment. However, buying an office space requires a significant upfront investment and comes with additional responsibilities, such as property maintenance.

Think About Future Growth

When choosing an office space, think about your business’s future growth. Consider whether the office space can accommodate additional employees and equipment if needed. Look for a space that can be easily modified to suit your changing business needs.

Also, consider the length of the lease agreement. A short-term lease may be ideal if you anticipate growth or need the flexibility to move to a different location. A long-term lease may be better if you want to lock in a favourable rental rate or have a stable business model.

Get Expert Advice

Finding the perfect office space can be a daunting task, especially if you’re a first-time business owner. Consider getting expert advice from a real estate agent or a property management company. These professionals can help you navigate the rental market, negotiate lease terms, and find office spaces that meet your needs and budget.

Before hiring an expert, make sure to do your research and ask for references. Choose someone who has experience working with businesses similar to yours and who understands your specific needs and goals.

Visit the Space in Person

Once you’ve narrowed down your search, visit the office space in person. This will give you a better sense of the space’s size, layout, and condition. Check for any signs of damage or wear and tear that may need to be repaired before moving in.

Also, consider the office’s natural lighting, ventilation, and acoustics. These factors can affect your employees’ productivity and comfort level.

Conclusion:

Finding the perfect office space for your business can be a challenging and time-consuming task, but it’s worth the effort. By determining your needs, considering the location, budget, and future growth, and getting expert advice, you can find an office space that meets your business’s specific requirements.

Remember, your office space in The Square Texas Tower is more than just a place to work. It’s a reflection of your business’s culture, values, and professionalism.

So take the time to find the perfect office space that aligns with your vision and goals, and create a productive and efficient work environment for your employees.

 

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