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<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><rss version="2.0" xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/" xmlns:wfw="http://wellformedweb.org/CommentAPI/" xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/" xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom" xmlns:sy="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/syndication/" xmlns:slash="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/slash/" > <channel> <title>isdiems.info</title> <atom:link href="http://isdiems.info/feed" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml" /> <link>https://isdiems.info</link> <description></description> <lastBuildDate>Sun, 24 Dec 2023 00:35:51 +0000</lastBuildDate> <language>en</language> <sy:updatePeriod>hourly</sy:updatePeriod> <sy:updateFrequency>1</sy:updateFrequency> <generator>http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1.3</generator> <item> <title>Domestic Players and the Sustainable Development of the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry</title> <link>https://isdiems.info/domestic-players-and-the-sustainable-development-of-the-nigerian-oil-and-gas-industry,html</link> <comments>https://isdiems.info/domestic-players-and-the-sustainable-development-of-the-nigerian-oil-and-gas-industry,html#comments</comments> <pubDate>Sun, 09 Apr 2023 15:43:42 +0000</pubDate> <dc:creator>admin</dc:creator> <category><![CDATA[Domestic Services]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">http://isdiems.info/?p=69</guid> <description><![CDATA[INTRODUCTIONThe Nigerian oil and gas industry is the primary source of revenue for the government and has an industry value of about $20 billion. It is Nigeria’s main source of export and foreign exchange earnings and as well a major employer of labour. A combination of the crash in crude oil price to below $50 [...]]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p> INTRODUCTIONThe Nigerian oil and gas industry is the primary source of revenue for the government and has an industry value of about $20 billion. It is Nigeria’s main source of export and foreign exchange earnings and as well a major employer of labour. A combination of the crash in crude oil price to below $50 per barrel and post-election restiveness in Nigeria’s Niger-Delta region resulted in the declaration of force majeure by many international oil companies (IOC) operating in Nigeria. The declaration of force majeure resulted in shutdown of operations, abandonment or selling of interests in oil fields and laying off of staff by foreign and indigenous oil companies. Although the above occurrences contributed to the drag in the Industry, perhaps, the major cause is the unfruitful presence of the Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) as the dominant player in the Industry (owning about 55 to 60 percent interest in the OMLs).While, it is unfortunate that many IOC’s playing in the Industry divested their interests in oil mining leases (OMLs) and oil prospecting leases (OPLs) granted to them by the FGN; on the flip side, it is a positive development that indigenous companies acquired the divested interests in the affected OMLs and OPLs. Hence, domestic investors and companies (Nigerians) now have the opportunity and significant role to play in the sustainable growth and development of Nigerian oil and gas industry.This paper x-rays the roles expected of Nigerians and the extent that they have successfully discharged same. It also looks at the challenges that are inhibiting the sustainable development of the industry. This paper finds that the chief factor limiting domestic investors from efficiently playing their role in the sustainable development of the industry is the overbearing presence of the FGN in the Industry and its inability to fulfil its obligations as a dominant player in the Industry.In the first part, this paper discusses the roles of domestic investors, and in the second part, this paper reviews the challenges and factors that inhibit domestic investors in sustainably performing the identified roles.THE ROLE OF DOMESTIC INVESTORS/COMPANIESThe roles domestic investors play in promoting sustainable development in the oil and gas industry include:</p><p>Providing Capital</p><p>Enhancing Personnel and Technical Capacity Development</p><p>Promoting Technological Capacity and Transfer</p><p>Supporting Research and Development</p><p>Providing Risk Insurance</p><p>Capital Injection/ProvisionOil and gas projects and services are capital intensive. Hence, financial capacity is essential to drive growth in the industry. Given the increased participation of domestic investors in Nigeria’s oil and gas industry, naturally, they have been saddled with the responsibility to provide the capital required to drive industry growth.As at 2012, Nigerians had acquired from IOC’s about 80 of the OMLs/OPLs (30 percent of the licences) and about 30 of the oil marginal fields awarded in the Industry. Dangote Group is currently undertaking a $14 billion refinery project, partly sponsored by a consortium of Nigerian banks. Another Nigeria company, Eko Petrochem & Refining Company Limited, is also undertaking a $250 million modular refinery project. In the midstream sector of the industry, there are many indegenous owned transport vessels and storage facilities; and in the downstream sector, domestic investors are actively involved in the marketing and sale of refined crude oil and its by-products through the filling stations located across Nigeria, which filling stations are mostly owned and funded by Nigerians.Capital is also required to fund education and training of Nigerians in the various sectors of the Industry. Education and training are vital in filling the gaps in the country’s domestic technological and technical know-how. Thankfully, Nigeria now has institutions solely for oil and gas industry related studies. Furthermore, indigenous oil and gas companies, in partnership with IOC’s, now undertake pieces of training for Nigerians in different areas of the industry.However, funding from the domestic investors is not adequate when compared to the financial needs of the Industry. This inadequacy is not a function of financial incapacity of domestic investors, but due to the overbearing presence of the FGN through the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) as a player in the industry; in addition to regulatory bottlenecks such as pump price regulations that inhibit the injection of capital in the downstream sector.Personnel and Technical Capacity ImprovementOil and gas projects are often highly technical and complex. As a result, there is a high demand for technically skilled professionals. To sustain the growth of the industry, domestic investors have to fill the capacity gap through training, hands-on experience in the execution of industry projects, management or operation of already existing facilities and obtaining the necessary international certifications such as ISO certification 2015 and American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) certification. There are currently domestic companies that undertake projects such as exploration and production of crude oil, engineering procurement construction, drilling, fabrication, installations, oil by-products shipping and logistics, offshore fabrication-vessel building and repair, welding and craft sales and marketing. Recently, Nigerians participated in the in-country fabrication of six modules of the Total Egina Floating Production Storage Offloading (PSO) vessel and integration of the modules on the FPSO at the SHI-MCI yard.Technological Capacity and TransferTechnological capacity in the oil and gas industry is primarily related to managerial competence in project management and compliance, the assurance of international quality standards in project execution and operational maintenance. Hence to build technological competency starts with in-country development of management capacities to grow the pool of skilled personnel. A particular research found that there is a vast knowledge gap between domestic companies and IOC’s. And ‘that indigenous oil companies suffered from fundamental lack of quality management, limited compliance with international quality standards, and poor preventive and operational maintenance attitudes, which lead to poor maintenance of oil facilities.’To effectively play their role in enhancing the technological capacity in the Industry, domestic companies started partnering with IOC’s in project construction and execution and operational maintenance. For instance, as mentioned earlier, domestic companies partnered with an IOC in the successful completion of in-country fabrication of six modules of the Total Egina Floating Production Storage Offloading (FPSO) vessel and integration of the modules on the FPSO at the SHI-MCI yard. Other instances include: the first assembled-in-Nigeria Subsea Horizontal Xmas Tree and the fabrication; installation of subsea equipment like flexible flowlines, umbilicals and jumpers on Agbami Phase 3 project; Installation of 32km 24″ Sonam to Okan NWP pipeline; the fabrication and load-out of the Okan PRP Topsides; Bridge Fabrication of Okan PRP jacket, amongst others.It is common knowledge that since the enactment of the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development (NOGICD) Act in 2010, all projects executed across the sectors of the Industry have had the active involvement of Nigerians. The Act ensured an increase in technological and technical capacities, but also a gradual process of technology transfer from the IOC’s to Nigerians. The Act in its Schedule reserved specific Industry services to domestic companies. The rate of involvement and the quality of services of Nigerians has increased tremendously with the result that there are now many domestic oil servicing firms.Research and DevelopmentThe building of technological capacity and the ability to generate innovations that will drive an industry forward are hinged on research and development (R&D).Domestic investors are yet to pay attention to R&D. Nonetheless, the Nigerian Content Monitoring Board (NCDMB) has indicated its intentions to set up R&D for the oil and gas industry covering engineering studies, geological and physical studies, domestic material substitution and technology adaptation. It is hoped that domestic investors will pick up the slack in their support for R&D in the Industry.Risk InsuranceThe risks in the Industry are vast and substantial, especially in respect of capital assets. It is possible to reinsure pipelines and facilities against sabotage, depreciation, drying up of an oil well or such hazards that disrupt the operation of an offshore or onshore facility, including transportation.Initially, Nigerian insurance companies were not able to underwrite huge risks in the Industry. However, since the release of Insurance Guidelines for the oil and gas industry in 2010, Nigeria underwriters have been recapitalised. Each of the underwriters now has a minimum capital base of between N3 billion, N5billion and N10billion. The underwriters have taken steps to increase their technical capacity through training and retraining, to acquire the needed technical expertise to assess risks accurately and also to avoid the incidence of an underwriter exposing itself to risks that are beyond its capacity.Interlude: The drag in the oil and gas industry and the playersRegardless of the foregoing points that illustrate the efforts made by domestic investors in the Industry, there are still substantial limitations to the growth of the Industry, especially with reference to the upstream sector which is the soul of the Industry. The major reason is that domestic investors/companies are a fraction of the Industry players, particularly the upstream sector where they control about 30 percent of the OMLs/OPLs. Therefore, regardless of how well the domestic investors play their role in the sustainable development of the Industry, their efforts will still be undermined by the actions/inactions of the other players. The other players are the IOC’s and the NNPC/FGN, with the NNPC/FGN holding majority interests in upstream sector: noting that activities in the downstream sector are specifically reserved for Nigerians under the Schedule to the NOGICD Act, while the indigenous investors and companies have a fair share of participation in the midstream sector which is contractually regulated.The FGN operates in the Industry through the NNPC. The NNPC carries out its operations in the Industry through business relationships with its partners using any of the following three arrangements: participating joint venture (JV), production sharing contract (PSC) and service contract (SC). The most used of the three is the JV, whereby the NNPC/FGN holds majority interests, and to an extent dependent on which company is the JV partner (NNPC/FGN owns 55 percent of JVs with Shell, and 60 percent of all others).What is clear from the above is that the complementary roles of the dominant player, the NNPC/FGN, is very significant to the sustainable development of the industry, the efforts of domestic investors/companies notwithstanding. The NNPC/FGN has two main obligations of funding and policy direction for the Industry but has consistently fallen short of these roles. Therefore, the failure of the NNPC/FGN to play its role, diminishes the efforts of domestic investors.Factors inhibiting the role of domestic investors/companies in the sustainable development of the IndustryFirst, exploration activities in the Nigerian oil and gas industry are mostly operated through JV agreements between the NNPC (owning 55 or 60 percent interest as the case may be) and private companies. The JV arrangement is such that the NNPC/FGN has only funding responsibilities while the other partners have the responsibility of exploration and production of oil. Hence, the JV partners provide the technical and technological capabilities in construction, operation and maintenance of the facilities. Historically, the JV partners have kept good faith with their obligations, but the NNPC/FGN have consistently breached its obligation when called upon to remit its contribution.The NNPC/FGN have a chronic habit of either failing to pay or underpaying its JV funding obligations. It allegedly owes the JV partners about 6 years cash call arrears of $6.8 billion (negotiated to $5.1 billion in 2016) and $1.2 billion cash call debt for 2016 alone. This has resulted in waning JV oil production for some years. There are two sides to the issue of the FGN’s debt obligation to the JV partners. First is that the FGN, most of the time, does not have the financial capacity to meet its JV cash call obligations. Secondly, the bureaucratic bottlenecks involved in the approval of the FGN portion of the cash call which is funded through budgetary allocations and therefore exposed to the whims and caprices of politics and inordinate delays.Second, the JV partners usually wait for unduly long periods to obtain the consent of the FGN to execute projects from as low as $10 million, notwithstanding the urgency of project and which project may be incidental to ongoing JV operations.Third, the lack of clarity about the policy direction of the FGN is even more worrisome. The Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) has been stalled in the National Assembly since 2008 and there does not seem to be any commitment to expedite the legislative process on the key areas of the PIB. Noting the vital nature of the industry to the health of the Nigerian economy, it is surprising that the current government is yet to indicate its policy direction in respect of the PIB and other issues bugging the Industry.RecommendationsEither of the two recommendations made below can position the Industry for sustainable development and profitability for the long-term:</p><p>FGN should transfer its interest to domestic investors/companies; or</p><p>Convert the JVs to PSCs.</p><p>Indigenous companies and investors have shown capacity and potential to shoulder the responsibilities of the Industry; it will be a good business decision for the FGN to deregulate the Industry and transfer its interest to domestic investors. This would promote corporate ethical standards and attract more investments to the Industry. More so, it would grow domestic capacity and the profitability of the Industry. With this arrangement, FGN/NNPC will focus attention on sound and timely policies for the Industry.In the alternative, the FGN/NNPC may decide to convert the JV arrangement to PSCs. Unlike the JV’s where the FGN has a funding obligation, and JV partners are required to wait for the long process of JV receipts to recover its operational cost; under the PSC, the FGN would be the sole holder of the OML while the JV partners would be converted to contractors. Hence, the contractor will obtain the necessary funding, execute the project and the cost will be recovered from oil production. The challenge with this recommendation seems to be that the contractor may not be entitled to the profit made from the sale of the crude oil.The domestic investors can only drive sustainable growth and development if they operate in a business environment bereft of the difficulties and poor business habits of the NNPC/FGN as a business player. </p><div class="mads-block"></div>]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss>https://isdiems.info/domestic-players-and-the-sustainable-development-of-the-nigerian-oil-and-gas-industry,html/feed</wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>0</slash:comments> </item> <item> <title>Home Improvement Project – Choose the One That Adds Value to Your Home</title> <link>https://isdiems.info/home-improvement-project-choose-the-one-that-adds-value-to-your-home,html</link> <comments>https://isdiems.info/home-improvement-project-choose-the-one-that-adds-value-to-your-home,html#comments</comments> <pubDate>Fri, 07 Apr 2023 19:56:59 +0000</pubDate> <dc:creator>admin</dc:creator> <category><![CDATA[Home Improvement]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">http://isdiems.info/?p=67</guid> <description><![CDATA[Never neglect an opportunity for improvement.The words of Sir William Jones are not only apt for your personal well-being but also for the well-being of your home. If you think that there is a room for improvement in your home, consider your savings and make a decision.Home Improvement is more common than you think Today, [...]]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p> Never neglect an opportunity for improvement.The words of Sir William Jones are not only apt for your personal well-being but also for the well-being of your home. If you think that there is a room for improvement in your home, consider your savings and make a decision.Home Improvement is more common than you think Today, homeowners are deciding against selling their current homes. The reason is easy availability of experienced home renovation contractors who ensure successful home improvement projects.But before you start looking for a contractor, consider the following factors:</p><p>The Purpose<br />Think about the reason behind the home improvement project. If you do not want to sell your home, you can consult the contractor for customizing your home to suit the growing needs of your family.Once your purpose is clear, you will be able to decide whether a specific home improvement project is worth your time and money.</p><p>The Budget Factor<br />When a contractor pitches you the idea of building your dream home, you may get emotional and say yes to his every suggestion. But, consider your financial situation before making any commitments to the contractor. Spend your money wisely and choose the project that guarantees maximum returns.</p><p>The Market Value of your Home<br />Even if you are not planning to sell your property in the near future, the market value of your home should be considered before spending money. It is important to understand that the increase in the market value will not be the same as the cost of the home improvement project. Remember that any construction work that corrects a major structural defect will be more advantageous than any renovation work done to suit your needs.</p><p>Government Grants<br />A home improvement project can be an expensive affair. But, you can reduce your expenditure with the help of the local government. The local government provides grants and rebates for the purpose of upgrading your home. For example, if you replace an inefficient toilet with a water-saving one in the City of Toronto, the government will provide you with a $75 rebate for each toilet.</p><p>Geographical Location of your Home<br />Certain home improvement projects are better suited to a specific geographical location. If you are contemplating about building a swimming pool in your yard, you must consider your geographical location. If you live in a colder region of the country, it will not add any value to your home.What are the Common Home Improvement Projects that add Value to your Home?· Plumbing – It will save you from costly repairs in the future and maintain the health of your family members.· Maintenance – Taking care of mold, mildew, water leakage, etc. is a crucial task for every homeowner.· Remodeling a kitchen – Upgrading a kitchen has it benefits. But, make sure that the upgraded kitchen matches the rest of your home.· Bathroom additions – If there is empty space in your home, adding a bathroom can be beneficial.· Painting your home – Paints provide a fresh look to your home at a very nominal cost.· Upgrading the electrical systems – It is mandatory for old homes as upgrading the electrical system will make it safe for habitation.· Insulation – It can reduce your electricity bills.· Adding a deck or a patio – It will increase the curb appeal of your home.Your home is your paradise. And, when it comes to your paradise, never make an emotional decision. You may be attracted to the idea of upgrading your home and making it luxurious. But, remember that not every home improvement project is beneficial in the long run. Adopt a cautious approach so that you spend your money on home improvement projects that add value to your home. </p>]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss>https://isdiems.info/home-improvement-project-choose-the-one-that-adds-value-to-your-home,html/feed</wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>0</slash:comments> </item> <item> <title>Use Wool Area Rugs to Enhance Your Home Interior Decor</title> <link>https://isdiems.info/use-wool-area-rugs-to-enhance-your-home-interior-decor,html</link> <comments>https://isdiems.info/use-wool-area-rugs-to-enhance-your-home-interior-decor,html#comments</comments> <pubDate>Thu, 06 Apr 2023 16:01:52 +0000</pubDate> <dc:creator>admin</dc:creator> <category><![CDATA[home]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Building]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Buying]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Commercial]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Commercial Property]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Construction]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Home]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Home Staging]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Homes]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Investing]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Marketing]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Property Management]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Real Estate]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">http://isdiems.info/?p=65</guid> <description><![CDATA[After a few years every home becomes dull and boring to the home owners and they try to change the appearance of their room decor in different ways. Of course can use several ways to change the interior decoration of your home without having to spend a small fortune in the process. One of them [...]]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p> After a few years every home becomes dull and boring to the home owners and they try to change the appearance of their room decor in different ways. Of course can use several ways to change the interior decoration of your home without having to spend a small fortune in the process. One of them is using wool area rugs in places that you had no carpeting in order to enhance your home interior decor.Adding new wool area rugs is quite an inexpensive way to add that extra pfiff to your room without having to do lots more in the process. Of course it is important to carefully select the spot where the rug will be placed. For example there are some rugs that can be easily discolored by the continuous sunlight, so if the spot in the room is in direct sunlight, you need to choose carefully the rug you will buy.There are many types of wood rugs in several different price ranges and sadly not everything is 100% wool, even though some sellers (or manufacturers) claim so. You will know if you have the real deal if the piece you are holding in your hands feels rich in its texture and quite strong to the touch. For example rugs made in the Middle East are well known for their superior quality overall. They are usually imported in countries all over the world, including the US.Also if your room is very small, you might be better off going with some other rug pieces as you need to show some area of the wooden flooring for best results. Don’t use a rug that simply covers the entire floor.When it comes to quality and durability, most wool area rugs are fire and stain resistant, so you won’t have troubles placing your run in areas of your home that have high traffic such as the kitchen or your living room. </p>]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss>https://isdiems.info/use-wool-area-rugs-to-enhance-your-home-interior-decor,html/feed</wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>0</slash:comments> </item> <item> <title>Health and Fitness Goal Setting</title> <link>https://isdiems.info/health-and-fitness-goal-setting,html</link> <comments>https://isdiems.info/health-and-fitness-goal-setting,html#comments</comments> <pubDate>Thu, 06 Apr 2023 14:47:16 +0000</pubDate> <dc:creator>admin</dc:creator> <category><![CDATA[Health]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Acne]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Anti Aging]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Beauty]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Cosmetic Surgery]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Diabetes]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Drug Abuse]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Health and Fitness]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Massage]]></category> <category><![CDATA[meditation]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Nutrition]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Personal Training]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Popular Diets]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Skin Care]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Spa and Wellness]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Speech Pathology]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Weight Loss]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Yoga]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">http://isdiems.info/?p=63</guid> <description><![CDATA[Why do so many people set goals but never achieve them? The reason is because they never have a strategy to follow.Use the S.M.A.R.T Way to achieve your Health and Fitness Goal.S.M.A.R.T.SpecificYour goal needs to be stated in great detail and very specific, for example, instead of saying “I want to lose weight in the [...]]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p> Why do so many people set goals but never achieve them? The reason is because they never have a strategy to follow.Use the S.M.A.R.T Way to achieve your Health and Fitness Goal.S.M.A.R.T.SpecificYour goal needs to be stated in great detail and very specific, for example, instead of saying “I want to lose weight in the next four months”, you should be very specific with a realistic weight loss number, such as “I want to lose 12 pounds in 12 weeks”Next stepAction plan, what are you going to do on a weekly and daily basis to achieve this goal.For e.g. I will exercise in the morning at the gym with my personal trainer in st johns wood before work at 7.30 am.”Keep it simple but consistent”MeasurableFor e.g. – heightened awareness of how certain clothes fit.AttainableEstablish goals which are important to you and can be achieved in small attainable steps. For e.g.Set aside gym time during the weekMake nutritional changes.(drink 8 glasses of water a day)RealisticRealistic goals that can be achieved in a certain time period ensure success For e.g. lose 1-2 pounds a week, not ½ stone.Time – orientedCommitting to a specific time frame increases successful goal achievement. Commit to achieve a specific goal by a certain time and do your best to achieve it in that time frame.If that time period ends without achieving that goal, don’t lose the passion. Step back and take an honest look at what happened, then set up another plan to achieve that goal in a safe and specific time frame </p>]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss>https://isdiems.info/health-and-fitness-goal-setting,html/feed</wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>0</slash:comments> </item> <item> <title>3 Advantages of Working With a Local Internet Marketing Agency</title> <link>https://isdiems.info/3-advantages-of-working-with-a-local-internet-marketing-agency,html</link> <comments>https://isdiems.info/3-advantages-of-working-with-a-local-internet-marketing-agency,html#comments</comments> <pubDate>Thu, 06 Apr 2023 13:50:59 +0000</pubDate> <dc:creator>admin</dc:creator> <category><![CDATA[internet marketing]]></category> <category><![CDATA[internet marketing agency]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">http://isdiems.info/?p=61</guid> <description><![CDATA[There are many challenges that face local businesses, from competing with other companies to dealing with fluctuations in the local economy. Successful local businesses are always looking forward and planning ahead so they can take on these challenges.Another challenge that faces business owners is selecting the company to invest their local Internet marketing dollars with. [...]]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p> There are many challenges that face local businesses, from competing with other companies to dealing with fluctuations in the local economy. Successful local businesses are always looking forward and planning ahead so they can take on these challenges.Another challenge that faces business owners is selecting the company to invest their local Internet marketing dollars with. With so many options out there from small, local boutique Internet marketing firms to mega marketing agencies, it can be difficult to narrow down which firm they should work with.To provide some perspective for these business owners, below are three solid reasons why they should hire a small local agency instead of one of the mega agencies that has a laundry list of giant companies and recognizable brands on its client list.Mega Internet Marketing Agencies are Expensive.Chances are if your company is a small business, your marketing investment faces certain budget constraints. One of the benefits of choosing a small local marketing firm over one of the mega agencies is that the local firms have far less overhead and staff and can offer more competitive pricing.Depending on the size and scope of your project, it’s not uncommon for mega Internet marketing agencies to command monthly retainer fees in the $5000 to $10,000 range. If your business needs a more budget friendly solution, a small, boutique Internet marketing firm is most likely the best choice.Local Agencies Understand Your Local Market.If your business is aiming its marketing efforts toward local consumers, having a firm in your area manage your online marketing program is a wise decision because they know the market. Firms in your area understand local consumers and what appeals to them because they themselves are local consumers in your market!Hiring Local Benefits Your Local Economy.Local businesses who invest in local service providers such as online marketing are positively impacting their local economy. Marketing firms in your area hire local employees who spend those dollars with other businesses in your area, and some of those dollars might make their way right back to you. So when you hire local, you’re re-investing in your local economy by keeping those marketing dollars right in your own back yard.There are a myriad of benefits when you choose to work with a local marketing agency. Small firms are more budget friendly, understand your target market, and provide a boost to your local economy. </p>]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss>https://isdiems.info/3-advantages-of-working-with-a-local-internet-marketing-agency,html/feed</wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>0</slash:comments> </item> <item> <title>The Relevance of Arts to Practical Living</title> <link>https://isdiems.info/the-relevance-of-arts-to-practical-living,html</link> <comments>https://isdiems.info/the-relevance-of-arts-to-practical-living,html#comments</comments> <pubDate>Wed, 05 Apr 2023 07:45:22 +0000</pubDate> <dc:creator>admin</dc:creator> <category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Animation]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Arts and Entertainment]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Body Piercings]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Casino Gambling]]></category> <category><![CDATA[FictionTattoos]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Film Editing]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Movies TV]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Music]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Music Industry]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Music Instruction]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Painting]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Performing Arts]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Photography]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Visual Graphic Arts]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">http://isdiems.info/?p=59</guid> <description><![CDATA[INTRODUCTION For the avoidance of doubt, the concept of the arts can be viewed from two perspectives. On the one hand, the arts could be understood to mean the subjects one can study at school or university which are not scientific, which do not employ scientific methods. Subjects such as history, languages, religion, literature, and [...]]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p> INTRODUCTION<br />For the avoidance of doubt, the concept of the arts can be viewed from two perspectives. On the one hand, the arts could be understood to mean the subjects one can study at school or university which are not scientific, which do not employ scientific methods. Subjects such as history, languages, religion, literature, and so on, would be appropriate examples. On the other hand, it could be interpreted to encompass a wide range of creative activities bordering on the skillful and imaginative expression of ideas, feelings, actions or events. Music, literature, theatre, and art (in the sense of painting, drawing, sculpture, etc) are what make up the arts in this sense. For the purpose of this discussion, however, our focus is on the second understanding of arts as proffered above.The arts can then be classified into literary arts (poetry, prose, and drama), performing arts (music, dance, theatre) and visual arts (encapsulating the entire creative activities covered in the field of fine and applied arts: drawing, painting, sculpture, graphics, textile, etc).WHY THE QUESTION OF RELEVANCE?<br />In developed economies of the world where the basic necessities of life seem to have been met, the question as to whether the arts are relevant or not to practical living is no longer an issue. Thousands of American citizens would troop down to the auditorium in Bard College to hear Chinua Achebe’s reading of his Things Fall Apart, not minding that they have heard the same reading over and over again, not minding that the book is over fifty years old; the same way the English audience would cluster at The Royal Theatre in London to watch the presentation of Wole Soyinka’s The Trials of Brother Jero or any of the plays of Shakespeare, not minding that Shakespeare wrote centuries ago. In the same vein, even though Leonardo Da Vinci and Michelangelo are long dead and gone, Italians would pay their very last lira to watch an exhibition of their paintings.In our own context, economic hardship and the search for basic necessities of life have meant that only a few have had the time to appreciate the arts for what they are worth. In other words, the problem is not whether the arts are relevant or not, for it is not in doubt that the arts are relevant to practical living as much as any profession, or even more so. The real problem lies in the fact that people are too hungry or too busy to see the real worth of the arts. A man who lives on a monthly salary of paltry ten thousand naira, with seven mouths to feed, and so many other family problems to solve may not easily pay five hundred naira just to watch a drama presentation; a Nigerian graduate who has walked the streets of Abuja, Lagos, or Port Harcourt in search of a job for three years without success would know what to do with money rather than spend it on a piece of landscape paintings; likewise, a young man who has had nothing to eat for days, and has no hope of where the next meal is coming from, would not possibly be coordinated enough to read, not to talk of appreciating, works of poetry. If arts cannot satisfy hunger or thirst, can they still be said to be relevant?THE RELEVANCE OF THE ARTS<br />The word ‘relevance’ presupposes usefulness and value. So the right questions should be: are the arts useful in any way? And our answer: yes, they are. Do they have value? Our answer again: yes, they do. If the arts have use and value, and those are the things that relevance implies, then we can say that the arts are relevant. That conclusion raises another vital question: in what ways are the arts relevant? The relevance of arts can be found in the following areas.Entertainment/Relaxation: The various forms of the arts mentioned above provide one form of entertainment, amusement and relaxation or the other. In Biblical times, when the spirit of God deserted King Saul and he was tormented by evil spirits, David was employed to play his harp. The sound of music produced by David’s harp kept Saul’s mind at peace, for whenever David was not around to play his harp, the evil spirits came back. In ancient Mali too, court poets/historians called Griots were known to entertain the audience during national festivals by reciting long narrative poems recounting the heroic achievements of their forebears. At a time in history, court jesters were employed to entertain the king or the queen and their visitors by telling funny stories and jokes (as can be seen in most of Shakespeare’s plays). In traditional African societies, moonlight tales were a veritable source of both entertainment and relaxation for both old and young. Praise singers and dance groups entertained the crowd during communal ceremonies.In modern times, in the not too distant past, the late Sani Abacha was alleged to have employed the famous comedian, Chief Zebrudaya, to provide entertainment for him and his cohorts through his funny jokes and stories. It was also reported that the former Head of State, Olusegun Obasanjo, is a great patron of stand-up comedy. Besides, at least one out of every three people in the world today find peace of mind in music; one out of every four Nigerians relax at home at the close of work to watch a home video; and one out of every five relax in bed with a literature book. Since the advent of stand-up comedy in Nigeria, even though hardship has continued unabated, a lot of Nigerians have begun to look at the lighter side of things. Mere listening to a single volume of ‘Nite of A Thousand Laughs’ would drive away sorrow in people’s hearts. Since these developments began, I bet that had the medical practitioners started taking stock, they would have discovered that high blood pressure and other stress-related conditions have reduced by more than half over the past decade.Financial Value: The arts are equally a very lucrative venture for serious-minded artists. All arts practitioners who are worth their salt make a living out of their practice. So many examples of such people could be found around us. The famous Osuofia (Nkem Owoh) is a living example. The majority of the practitioners in the movie industry today were not even originally artists. Their professions could not provide for them, and so they switched over to the arts. Besides, works of art, especially paintings, are considered very highly valuable intellectual property that can be accepted as collateral the same way that gold or diamond or buildings would be accepted.Didactic: The arts are known to teach practical moral lessons. The old folklores about the tortoise and his craftiness always ended with one moral lesson or the other. The story of the feast in the sky where the tortoise claimed that his name was Mr. All of You, for example, ended with the lesson that greed always landed one in disaster, just as the story of the beautiful girl who refused to marry all the young men approved by her parents only to finally fall into the hands of a ghost taught that it was not good to disobey one’s parents.Exposing and Correcting Societal Ills: All aspects of the arts are deeply involved in the crusade against societal ills like corruption and bribery, ritual killing, etc. They have all been involved, for instance, in ridiculing the excesses of political and religious leaders as well as the gullibility of the followers who fall victims to the whims and manipulations of the tricksters. This they achieve through satire. By so doing, offenders who had earlier thought that their activities were unknown would begin to retrace their steps when they discover that their so-called secrets have been exposed. Intending offenders would think twice, while would-be victims whose eyes will have been opened by such exposition would come to terms with reality and become wiser. Cultism on our university campuses has been fought to a reduced rate through the instrumentality of the arts: music, drama, novels, etc. All these have made society a better place to live in.Aesthetic Value: The arts have beauty and face value, in addition to their intrinsic qualities. We talk about the beauty of a poem, a play, a story, a piece of music, but this beauty applies more to the visual arts, the ones one can see and admire their physical outlook, like drawing, painting or sculpture. People go to art exhibitions to discover, behold and admire the beauty of art works. Those who can afford them buy them and use them for interior decoration. How wonderful it is to walk into a well furnished sitting room to behold art works exhibited on the walls! They equally serve as status symbol for those who can afford them.Preservation of Culture: The arts serve to preserve a people’s culture. Art itself is an integral part of culture, that is, culture in the sense of customs, beliefs, practices, art, way of life, and social organisation. So many aspects of Nigerian cultural practices, for instance, that would have been lost and forgotten are recaptured through the arts. Before the appearance of Things Fall Apart in the world literary scene, Western writers like Joseph Conrad and others had led the world into believing that the African continent was one long night of darkness and that Africans themselves were uncultured and barbaric monkeys who had tails and lived on tree tops, and who had no souls worthy of salvation. But Things Fall Apart and other works after it joined in the crusade and changed the world’s perception of Africa by presenting the true picture from the inside. Africans, the world came to see, were after all a reasonable people with heart, body and soul, created by one and the same God. They had culture and a mode of worship guided by norms and regulated by the principles of human relations even before the advent of the Europeans. Continuously, African poems, novels, plays, music, paintings, and so on, as much as possible portray life in both traditional and modern African societies. The rest of the world has continually shown increasing interest in African arts and culture. Some of us with a sense of history would remember that during the early colonial period, some of Nigerian artifacts were stolen by the colonial masters and taken to the British National Museum. An example of such is the Benin bronze mask.Fame: It is incontestable that the works of Chinua Achebe and the Nobel Laureate, Wole Soyinka, have brought more fame to Africa than the achievements of all the African political leaders put together. It could be argued that before the emergence of these men, the continent was only a dot on the map of the world. But their works and the works of others after them proved to the world that something good could after all come out of Nazareth.THE CHALLENGES<br />The challenges facing Nigerian artists are multifaceted: lack of encouragement and patronage at both the home front and outside, disparaging comments about artists, the neglect of the arts by the government, among others. Many homes today discourage their children from going into the practical arts simply because they do not believe that a man can feed his family just writing literary works or just drawing and painting. Until recently musicians were seen as wayward people and children who opted to sing were disowned by their parents. People still see actors and actresses in the light of the roles they play in movies or stage plays. One particular actor was nearly mobbed at Aba in Abia State of Nigeria for his role in a movie: a wicked man who killed his brother.For the literary artist, it is really a trying time. Reading culture is at its lowest ebb. Students of literature would rather watch a half-cooked film version of Shakespeare’s Macbeth than read it in print. Many of them do not even know the recommended texts. So, for those who write, they face the lowest patronage. The books never get bought. Even when the books eventually find their way into the syllabus, pirates quickly swing into action. The same predicament faces movie makers and musicians. The government on its part does not help matters. The dilapidated state of the National Arts Theatre, Iganmu, is a pointer to this fact. Since FESTAC ’77, no concerted effort has been made towards the promotion of the arts or the encouragement of artists. Concerned citizens and corporate bodies have been crying out, but the government has turned deaf ears to all the yells.In the face of all this, I still believe that arts practitioners in Nigeria could make a head way the moment we begin to look inwards. The sooner we begin to see the arts as a serious business, the better for us. Names like Chinua Achebe, Wole Soyinka, Ben Enweonwu, John Munonye, J. P. Clark, Niyi Osundare, Odia Ofeimun, Chimalum Nwankwo, Chimamanda Adichie, and so on became household names because they believed in the arts and in themselves and took the arts seriously. No one can save us but ourselves. At a time when Communist Russia faced one of its greatest trials, when the nation was far behind the West in technological advancement, Stalin rose to the challenge. ‘We are more than fifty years behind the rest of the world’, he told Russians. ‘We have only ten years to catch up with them. We either do this or they will exterminate us’. Pious pronouncements were backed up with positive actions, and within the next ten years Russia was on the verge of being pronounced a world power.In the same spirit, arts practitioners, both established and intending, should stand up to the challenge and not be discouraged because those who question the relevance of the arts are themselves among the greatest patrons of the arts, one way or another. They must hold their heads high, and hold their own against other professions. They must begin to think of who to replace the Achebes, the Soyinkas, and so on. They must always remember how esteemed above other professions they are because they are co-creators with God, who himself is the foremost artist. Until this is done, people will continue to question the relevance of arts to practical living. </p>]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss>https://isdiems.info/the-relevance-of-arts-to-practical-living,html/feed</wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>0</slash:comments> </item> <item> <title>Workplace Mental Health – A Series – Program Integration (Start Today!)</title> <link>https://isdiems.info/workplace-mental-health-a-series-program-integration-start-today,html</link> <comments>https://isdiems.info/workplace-mental-health-a-series-program-integration-start-today,html#comments</comments> <pubDate>Tue, 04 Apr 2023 21:29:11 +0000</pubDate> <dc:creator>admin</dc:creator> <category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Acne]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Anti Aging]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Beauty]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Cosmetic Surgery]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Diabetes]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Drug Abuse]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Health and Fitness]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Massage]]></category> <category><![CDATA[meditation]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Nutrition]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Personal Training]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Popular Diets]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Skin Care]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Spa and Wellness]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Speech Pathology]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Weight Loss]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Yoga]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">http://isdiems.info/?p=57</guid> <description><![CDATA[Good mental health is fundamental to maintaining good physical health. And you want your employees to experience total worker health, correct?The fact that the mind and the body cannot be separated results in an inseparable relationship between physical and mental health. Despite the fact that the connections are striking, integration of the two fields in [...]]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p> Good mental health is fundamental to maintaining good physical health. And you want your employees to experience total worker health, correct?The fact that the mind and the body cannot be separated results in an inseparable relationship between physical and mental health. Despite the fact that the connections are striking, integration of the two fields in worksite wellness programming still has not occurred in any meaningful way. Worksite wellness practitioners need to better understand the connections between physical and mental health so they can intervene more effectively with employees to improve the outcomes in both areas.It is important to address the integration of physical and mental health for the following reasons:• The individual employee’s mental health status or the presence of a mental illness such as depression or anxiety can affect an individual’s ability to undertake health promoting behaviors that address their physical health status. It is therefore critical that individuals have a better understanding of the integral link between all aspects of their health.• Chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, or cancer can have a profound impact on an individual’s mental health.• An individual’s mental health status affects an individual’s ability to participate in their treatment and recovery from a chronic disease.• Family members and caregivers of people with chronic diseases are also affected psychologically thereby potentially resulting in their neglecting their own health.Integrating all aspects of health within a worksite wellness program requires partnerships and integration at multiple levels. Integration and partnerships allow the partners to leverage their strengths and resources and to work on common goals. Integration needs to occur at the program level, the policy level, between vendors and potentially between the employer and community based resources.The elements necessary to support integration include:• Making the business case through the collection, analysis, and dissemination of data on the interrelationships between all aspects of employee health. The data should also show how integration and partnerships can better advance the employer’s core mission and objectives.• Developing a champion at every level within the organization. While integration requires leadership and motivation from the top, it is best to have a champion at each level to initiate, implement, and sustain the integration.• Forming an integration management working team to sustain the integration effort. The integration effort cannot be sustained if it is only the work of just a couple of people.• Developing integrated interventions that are based on identified needs or gaps where positive outcomes and early wins can be achieved. Early on, look for interventions that are simple, targeted, and within the scope of the missions, resources, infrastructures, processes of the partners’ existing program initiatives.• Monitor, measure and evaluate integrated initiatives by establishing goals, measures and collecting the appropriate data. Evaluation could include process, output and outcome types of evaluation strategies. They could include assessing improvements in access to and satisfaction with care, services, or programming, determining the effect of policy changes on outcomes or services, and making the case for cost-benefit and/or cost-effectiveness.Programming is one of the key areas where integration can and should be implemented. The four levels we see for physical health programming can also be applied to other health areas as well. These are: awareness, education, lifestyle change and policy/environmental change.The traditional core physical health programming topics have included physical activity, nutrition, sleep and stress management. These four core programming areas also have implications for mental health as well. This makes the leap to integrated programming real easy. Prevention and self-care activities are also areas where integration can be applied.Good mental health is fundamental to maintaining good physical health. Ultimately, there is no health without mental health. A worksite wellness program is a necessary and ideal venue to support program integration. </p>]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss>https://isdiems.info/workplace-mental-health-a-series-program-integration-start-today,html/feed</wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>0</slash:comments> </item> <item> <title>Jobs in Construction – 7 Steps to Finding Government Construction Job Opportunities</title> <link>https://isdiems.info/jobs-in-construction-7-steps-to-finding-government-construction-job-opportunities,html</link> <comments>https://isdiems.info/jobs-in-construction-7-steps-to-finding-government-construction-job-opportunities,html#comments</comments> <pubDate>Tue, 04 Apr 2023 18:10:21 +0000</pubDate> <dc:creator>admin</dc:creator> <category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category> <category><![CDATA[jobs in construction]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">http://isdiems.info/?p=54</guid> <description><![CDATA[It is quite a well known fact that the present day world is thriving and all the people are marching towards the attaining of a better world to live in. Better houses, facilities like that of the hospitals, educational institutions and roadways that connect even the tricky corners of the world are coming up at [...]]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p> It is quite a well known fact that the present day world is thriving and all the people are marching towards the attaining of a better world to live in. Better houses, facilities like that of the hospitals, educational institutions and roadways that connect even the tricky corners of the world are coming up at an alarming rate and thus the jobs in construction are being considered as the best bet if you are thinking of getting a job in order to sustain yourself.Careers in construction are breaking even with all the other high paying private company jobs and offering tremendous amount of remuneration. There are opportunities of even going for the overseas construction jobs provided the opportunity is indeed outweighing the ones you will be getting in your locality. You have the opportunity of going for the government jobs construction which offers far more stability and the man power and the machineries are also top of the order.All in all the jobs in construction management are the best option that you can hope for given the current economic condition where people are losing their jobs at a rate which is higher than getting into a job. Jobs in construction are easily available, stable and offer a high pay packet so you are a happy man at the end of the month. It is indeed a fact that you will be required to work very hard but the perks that you will be getting after the completion of the project will make up for all the lost sleep and the weekend work shifts and the regular night shifts.The 7 steps that are absolutely essential to land up with a government construction are listed as follows:Research: you need to be sound about the knowledge and the government legislations of the local area without which you cannot start off with the project.Potential: you need to understand the real potential of the region. A multi million dollar project of a five star hotel in the middle of the desert will never prove to be profitable so you need to research about the potential of the region as well.Area: the management of the area you will be working in should be taken into consideration as well. A mismanaged area will lead to problems during the progress of the project. Cases were there in the past where the entire project had to be scrapped.Statistics: the population which makes areas easy to work in will also play a very important factor.Land Price and Saturation: this is something which is also very important as this makes the buying o the land in an area easy or impossible. A construction project of hotels will not thrive and reap benefits if there are a lot of hotels already in the area and if the land prices are really high.Brand worth: the brand worth of the organization also plays a very important role for the selection of the project.Sincerity and wisdom: you will need to be sincere while working in a project and work hard in order to attain success. </p>]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss>https://isdiems.info/jobs-in-construction-7-steps-to-finding-government-construction-job-opportunities,html/feed</wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>0</slash:comments> </item> <item> <title>Crypto Currency Vs Fiat Currency</title> <link>https://isdiems.info/crypto-currency-vs-fiat-currency,html</link> <comments>https://isdiems.info/crypto-currency-vs-fiat-currency,html#comments</comments> <pubDate>Mon, 12 Sep 2022 10:40:25 +0000</pubDate> <dc:creator>admin</dc:creator> <category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category> <category><![CDATA[cash]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Crypto currency]]></category> <category><![CDATA[currency]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">http://isdiems.info/?p=48</guid> <description><![CDATA[Crypto currency vs. Fiat currency Are you aware of the fiat currencies and the crypto currencies? They both are currencies in one form or the other and are open for public use across the world. But they are both different and distinct in their own ways. There is always one group that favors the use [...]]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Crypto currency vs. Fiat currency</p><p>Are you aware of the fiat currencies and the crypto currencies? They both are currencies in one form or the other and are open for public use across the world. But they are both different and distinct in their own ways. There is always one group that favors the use of cryptos, while the other has a soft corner for the fiat currencies.</p><p>In cashless society- crypto money play a huge role</p><p>If you have a look at the market of the 1970s and 1980s, you will find that the cash played the dominant role. But, with the change in the technology, electronic transactions have become the usual norm. Today, more and more people are influenced in becoming the cashless society. With the progress towards the cashless society, cryptocurrencies have a big role to play.</p><p>Crypto currency and fiat currency are always at loggerheads</p><p>Cryptocurrency and fiat currency are popular types of digital currency, especially when it is about an online transaction. They both are currencies currently in use in the market but have some differences in them. There is a hell lot of hypes that you will hear on a daily basis comparing the crypto money and the fiat money. This article will highlight the difference between the two in a more comprehensive and clear manner.</p><p>Differentiating in what the currencies stand for</p><p>Before going for the difference between the two, you must understand what do they stand for and how are they are defined.</p><p>The fiat currency is a legal tender that has the support of the central government, and it operates in the physical form. For instance, US dollars, British Pounds, Euro etc. On the other hand, the crypto currency is a non-legal tender, and doesn’t have any backup from the central government or bank.<br />Hence, the difference between crypto currency and fiat currency is noted as follows:</p><p>• Crypto-currencies are decentralized and global in nature. There are no one entity or government that controls the currency with their laws and regulations. The Fiat currency is centralized, under the control of the laws and regulations of the banks and government.</p><p>• Crypto-currencies have their existence only in the digital domain. On the other hand, you will find that the fiat currencies have a tangible and physical existence.</p><p>• There is a limited supply of crypto-currencies with a maximum set of them getting supplied in the market. Whereas, the fiat money has an unlimited supply as the government and bank are entitled to produce coins and paper money whenever the situation is required.</p><p>• The Bitcoin and other crypto type currencies are created by the computers, while the fiat currencies are issued by the local government and the banks.</p><p>• Cryptocurrencies are presented as the public and private code pieces. On the other hand, the fiat currencies are presented in the form of coins and paper money.</p><p>• The value of the crypto currencies is not recognized by the supply and demand of the market. Whereas, the fiat currency value is determined by the market regulations of supply and demand.</p><p>The different types of crypto and fiat currencies</p><p>In the last one decade, the popularity of crypto type currencies has emerged as a huge success. It was in 2009, when Bitcoin was first introduced, and years after several other types of crypto currencies have emerged. Starting from Litecoin. Dogecoin, Ripple to the Dcash and Zcash, there is a plethora of them. On the other hand, the fiat currency has a rich and ancient roots, with the Great British Pound, that dates back to 775 AD. It is considered as the oldest currency in the world that is still in use.</p><p>The differences in the anonymity between the two currencies</p><p>When you are using the fiat currencies, you need to undergo a user identification or verification process. You are asked to upload a recent picture of yourself and some of the required documents to be issued as per the public authorities. You don’t need to undergo any of the required processes with the crypto currencies. Though your personal information and confidential details don’t get public, but all your transactions are recorded and tracked in both the fiat and the crypto currencies.</p><p>Fiat currency vs crypto currency: transparency level</p><p>• The transparency level with the crypto type currencies are considered to be more. This is because the revenue streams are displayed in a public chain. Everyone can witness their own and others’ transactions.</p><p>• The fiat or govt. currencies are not transparent, as there are not public chains to see the revenue streams of the people.</p><p>A comparative historical roots</p><p>If you compare the crypto money with that of its counterpart, fiat or government currency, you will find that their existence and creation brings the difference. The Fiat or government currency, dates back its existence as early as 775 AD with the introduction of the Great British Pound. This is why fiat type currency is easily accepted by the people all over.</p><p>On the other hand, the crypto coin was perhaps first introduced only a decade ago, with the introduction of Bitcoin in 2009. The challenge that the Bitcoin and other crypto currencies face is catching up with the immense popularity and increasing fan base of the fiat currency. Crypto currency, is no doubt gaining importance and popularity in the economic market, but it has still not been accepted widely in the society as the fiat currency.</p><p>A comparative history of the two currencies:</p><p>• It was in the 11th century, when the Chinese Song dynasty was perhaps the first one to issue the paper money. It was not allowed to exchange with valuables like gold and silver or silk.</p><p>• There were Tally sticks that were introduced as a fiat or government currency. 1100 Tally sticks were introduced as a combat for the shortages in gold.</p><p>• 1971, was the year, when the fiat currency received a worldwide recognition. President Nixon introduced it in order to eliminate the dollar pegging system to gold.</p><p>• It was in 1998, when the idea of an anonymous electronic cash system emerged by Wei Dai. Bitgold-the very first crypto currency was created by Nick Szabo, but it didn’t receive as much attention as Bitcoin.</p><p>• In 2009, Bitcoin was introduced in the market, that became the first crypto currency that was accepted across the globe. In 2011 and after, a series of several other crypto currencies were introduced. Some of the popular ones include, Litecoin, Dogecoin, Ethereum, Ripple, Zcash, Dash and so on.</p><p>The traits of both the currencies</p><p>The potential of the crypto type currencies and fiat currencies, accessing their traits is important. You will find that in some of the criteria, Bitcoin and other crypto currency is superior than the fiat or government currency, and in some cases, the latter surpasses. It is absolutely your call to choose the type of currency (crypto type currency or fiat type currency) based on your personal needs and requirements.</p><p>Let us compare their traits with respect to certain factors.</p><p>• Both the crypto coins and fiat type currencies are interchangeable in nature.</p><p>• As per the portability is concerned both the currencies secure more or less the same position.</p><p>• With respect to the non consumable criteria, crypto currency and fiat type currency have the equal status.</p><p>• Crypto type currencies have high durability as compared to the fiat-currencies that have moderate level of durability.</p><p>• Both the crypto or virtual currencies and the fiat or government currencies ensure secure and safeguarded transactions and exchange.</p><p>• Crypto or digital currencies are highly divisible in nature. On the other hand, the fiat type currencies are moderately divisible.</p><p>• In terms of the transaction process, the crypto currencies are easy and hassle free. Whereas, on the other hand, the traction process associated with the fiat currencies are easy, but not like the cryptos.</p><p>• The crypto based currencies are decentralized and global in nature, unlike the fiat currencies that are centralized and functions under the laws and regulations of the government.</p><p>• The crypto based currencies have high scarcity, where as, the fiat currencies are unlimited as the government can issue coins and paper money whenever there is a need.</p><p>• The crypto based currencies are based on mathematical algorithms, and are programmable. The fiat currencies are not at all programmable.</p><p>• The fiat currencies are sovereign in nature, while the crypto currencies are not.</p><p>The process of the functioning of the currencies</p><p>You can find the significant differences between the crypto or digital currencies and the fiat currencies with the way they both operate and the transaction process that take place. They are contrasting in nature. The transfer of money using the Bitcoin is very quick, and you absolutely don’t need any third party association.</p><p>On the other hand, if you are involved with the money exchange using Fiat type currency, a mobile wallet is in use. You can exchange an amount of e-money that gets transferred into the equal e-value amount. Both the fiat and the crypto currencies enable you to purchase everything that you desire. But the processes involved are absolutely distinct from each other.</p><p>Depending on the things you purchase, you will find that one currency form is better than the other. This is absolutely your choice.</p><p>Is Bitcoin, a crypto currency better than the fiat-currency?</p><p>The long term benefits and the capability of the Bitcoins is still not established. But it has been predicted by the crypto currency gurus and experts, that they will go a long way, especially revolutionizing the way the online transactions are done. In the current market, the Bitcoin is mainly included in the online casinos and the gambling, but it is not limited to it.</p><p>Furthermore, when you compare the fiat currencies, the Bitcoin allows you to seize the power and authority from the banks and the government since it is not controlled. The cryptography based currency has the capability to create or come up with the free market capitals. Fiat currencies are affected by the inflation and the changes in the market, unlike the crypto based currencies. Such aspects make individuals believe that cryptograph based currencies will soon take over the mainstream currencies and bring a transformation in the way the money is used.</p><p>Why is Bitcoins considered to be a better aspect than the fiat type currencies?</p><p>• Bitcoin gives you the opportunity to re-create a free market capitalism.</p><p>• The power of controlling the money is absolutely with the individuals, and not with the banks like the fiat type currencies.</p><p>• When there is an inflation, the Bitcoin is not affected. But the Fiat type currency will be easier to lose and get affected by it.</p><p>• The Bitcoin currency is easy easier to exchange and transfer as compared to the fiat or government currencies.</p><p>• The transaction fees involved with the Bitcoin are way cheaper and easily affordable.</p><p>Crypto currencies seem to be a favorable option among the people</p><p>The fiat type currencies are the centralized and legal way of exchanging money. But, the crypto currencies have acquired immense popularity in the past few years. There will never be anyone who would act as a middle man, like the case with the banks. Moreover, the cryptos are way cheaper and less expensive that the conventional fiat currencies.</p><p>Send money anywhere directly without waiting for the bank’s approval</p><p>You can send money to anyone in the world directly, and it is super fast. The money gets cleared within a few minutes time. You don’t have to wait for the traditional clearing and verification processes of the banking systems, which might take up to several days to get a clearance. Since it is decentralized and doesn’t come under the law and regulations of the government, nobody has any power to do anything with your account.</p><p>The blockchain technology has a very big role to play</p><p>Thanks to the crypto currencies, that gives us the power and the authority to become our very own bank, and take control over our finances. It is because of the blockchain technology that offers a higher level of sophistication while dealing with the finances. In fact, there are some mainstream financial industries that have started incorporating the idea of the technology.</p>]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss>https://isdiems.info/crypto-currency-vs-fiat-currency,html/feed</wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>0</slash:comments> </item> <item> <title>Are You Choosing the Right Stock Market Advisory Company</title> <link>https://isdiems.info/are-you-choosing-the-right-stock-market-advisory-company,html</link> <comments>https://isdiems.info/are-you-choosing-the-right-stock-market-advisory-company,html#comments</comments> <pubDate>Mon, 12 Sep 2022 10:35:11 +0000</pubDate> <dc:creator>admin</dc:creator> <category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category> <category><![CDATA[financial]]></category> <category><![CDATA[help you]]></category> <category><![CDATA[planners]]></category> <category><![CDATA[point]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">http://isdiems.info/?p=46</guid> <description><![CDATA[What do you do if you want to learn driving a car? You will try to find an expert teacher, isn’t it? You do not want to avail the services of a novice individual to help you out, but a professional person can provide you the vital tips and most importantly guide you efficiently. Similarly, [...]]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>What do you do if you want to learn driving a car? You will try to find an expert teacher, isn’t it? You do not want to avail the services of a novice individual to help you out, but a professional person can provide you the vital tips and most importantly guide you efficiently. Similarly, when it comes to investing in the stock market for the first time, you require a knowledgeable advice to attain your financial goals and get profitable returns.</p><p>If you are a beginner, then it is quite obvious that you may be having no information about the process of buying the right shares in the market. In such a situation, getting the right tips from an experienced financial advisor or a registered advisory company will truly prove to be a great blessing in disguise. However, there are some of the important things that have to be kept in mind while choosing the top stock market advisory company, which are as follows:</p><p>How much assistance do you actually require?</p><p>Before you make up your mind to hire an advisor, it is imperative that you must first decide about the kind of service you require from them. You may need their help at the beginning or during the time of any issues. This is because an advisor has to formulate a map according to your requirements. Hence, it is suggested to ascertain your needs first and then take further action.</p><p>Choose a top ranked advisory company</p><p>It is a very important point that has to be taken into the consideration. Availing services of the well known advisory company or a financial advisor is an absolute necessity. Make it a point to carry out a proper background or research work about the company. Check out their credentials, reputation, experience, etc before hiring them.</p><p>Asking for a sample financial plan initially makes sense</p><p>When hiring a financial advisor, then do not forget to ask for sample plan first. It is imperative to note that there is no such thing called the perfect plan. A sample plan will help you to determine whether an advisory company is actually making sense according your requirements or not.</p><p>Conclusion</p><p>The financial planners or advisory companies can really turn out to be the greatest asset for you if you choose the best one. They are just like the professional sailors who can help you out to sail through stock investment related problems quite efficiently.</p><p>Deepak is a financial advisor who likes to provide quality tips to the people facing any issues with regard to investing in the stock market. He likes to keep himself updated about the stock market by reading articles, news and blogs, etc.</p>]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss>https://isdiems.info/are-you-choosing-the-right-stock-market-advisory-company,html/feed</wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>0</slash:comments> </item> </channel></rss> If you would like to create a banner that links to this page (i.e. this validation result), do the following:
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