Buying a Franchise Business? Look Before You Leap

Today, there are immense opportunities when it comes to buying a franchise business. Becoming a franchisee of any business entails a lot of homework and background checks that must be done. Every franchisor would paint a rosy picture of the potential and business opportunities he provides but it is the sole responsibility of the franchisee to undertake his own research and market checks, to satisfy himself.

As a franchisee, what are the precautions you can take when buying a franchise?

There’s always risk associated with every business. However, one needs to evaluate the risks and weigh the rewards and arrive at an informed decision.

Cash cards can be used anywhere. But where is anywhere?

Cash cards have risen from being mere alternatives for ATM cards to a special money transfer technique that users love and appreciate. Unlike other payment techniques, cash cards handle money with higher security standards and allow users to take advantage of the many rewards that come bundled with the service.

However, users still have many questions regarding the cash card payment method and the usage criteria. It is found that many users who are prying over to shift to prepaid cash cards are not entirely aware about the usage.

So tell me, “Do you know where you can use your cash cards?” 

Most of the many who are puzzled by this question don’t have even the slightest clue of ‘how’ and ‘where’ they can start to enjoy the benefits of cash cards. But the same issue raises a concern when we are talking about people who are seriously considering to try out the service. So, here is a simple list of ‘HOW’ and ‘WHERE’ you can use your prepaid cash cards.

We will start with the most basic of questions and then get into the nitty-gritty’s of the subject to understand the usage criteria in a better light. 

Where can I use a cash card?
You can start using your cash card immediately for essential services payments like Rail E-Ticketing, Air E-Tickets booking, Utility Bill Payments, and for payments to service providers that have tied up with your designated cash card provider. If you have a prepaid cash card in your possession, you can enjoy the additional benefits of Mobile Recharge, Mobile Post-Paid Bill Payments, DTH Subscription Renewals, and Government Services like Property Tax, Water Bill Payments etc. 

How do you use it? 

There are different ways and protocols to follow when you have to initiate a transaction. But most cash card providers in India provide a secured mobile service via a downloadable app or extend their services through a dedicated outdoor outlet that are spread across the country.

You will be given a unique PIN number that serves as your authentication code at cash card provider outlets and ATM PIN at supported bank ATM machines. After specifying the withdrawal amount, the transaction will go through preset security checks to authenticate the transaction process and then the withdrawal will be completed.

When operating online, the same pin can be used as the ATM pin when filling the payment details on the application form. However, when you are accessing your funds via the provider’s downloadable app, you will have to follow the given instructions to comply with the security checks. 

For any website that does not have your cash card provider in the listed payment option:

• Select the payment option
• Provide card details like:
• Cardholder Name
• Card Number
• Expiry Date
• CVV number
• Verified by MasterCard/VISA IPIN
• Click OK
 

And then ,the transaction will be processed.

Can I transfer money with my cash card?

You can use most of the cash cards that are currently in the market to send money to a third party. For instance, if you want to send money to someone in another city, you can do so by following a few simple steps of notification that can provide enough proof to authenticate the transaction from both ends. All the necessary information will be requested to you at the provider’s outdoor outlets. While only the big providers function via outlets, you can take advantage of cashless money transfer by mobile app and authentication on most cash cards.

With mobile technology, you will need to feed in your friend’s mobile number and the amount (you permit him to withdraw) on the mobile app. The bank involved in the transaction will send him a temporary password to him and a different set of password to you with short time validity. He can then go to the bank’s ATM and withdraw money. Your friend does not need to have a banking account at all. 

What is the maximum without amount for my prepaid cash card?

Just like ATM cards, the maximum amount for cash cards is set by the service providers and usually doesn’t exceed Rs. 10,000 at any given point of time. You can enquire about the specifics at the time of application. 

Where can I reload my prepaid cash card?
You can reload the card at your nearest service provider outlet or visit the web portal and to do the same through net-banking. 

Can I use my cash card outside of India?
No. Mostly, prepaid cash card providers restrict international use and limit it to be used within India only.

Earn better with your own franchise

So you are looking to start a business of your own but don’t know where to put your efforts?

As far as business success goes, I don’t think I will need to convince you much when I say that more than half of start-ups fail to make their mark on the business landscape. And this fact is not restricted to a certain state or country. This distasteful truth is observed in every corner of the world.

My advice? Why not build your success on someone else’s efforts?

What I mean to convey with the above statement is the power and benefits of undertaking a franchisee business that can grow into a healthy, successful business over time. Franchisee business is one of the most successful ways to set up a robust business model that promises growth. It is simple, economically non-hazardous and a completely legal way to buy your way in with an outsider’s ticket.

Sorry for the bad pun, but it kind of sums up what I am aiming for. Considering the competitive state of the business market and understanding the horde of difficulties commonly experienced when setting up a business, franchisee business seems a safe haven for entrepreneurs who are ready to look beyond the local market trends and play on a bigger and better playground.

I know saying that straight up without giving any facts doesn’t make much sense but I am ready to give you a list of benefits that will justify my point and give you a better idea about the entire concept of franchising. So, here it goes... 

ADVANTAGES 

• It’s a win-win situation: Franchise business profits both, the buyer and the seller; in this case, the franchisor and the franchisee. Associating with a well-established brand’s product or service brings esteem to the franchisee and in turn provides the franchisor an opportunity to grow business.
• Independence: Franchise business allows the franchisee to engage in a business that offers the independence of owning a small business that is supported and constantly benefited by the supporting bigger business network.
• Assistance and Training: Let’s face it. When setting up your own business, no one teaches you how it is done and where the cracks lie on the road. But the same cannot be said with franchise branching. Here, the bigger business helps the franchisee to learn the basics of business and also assists him to adapt to the business ethics with special training. Employee selection and initial management, site development, lease negotiation, builders and shop fitters are some other areas where you can expect help.
• Open access to growth and research data: Franchisee business model clearly states that the bigger business will allow open access to group/national market research, along with advertising and merchandising assistance to the new franchise owners to ensure growth and efficient use of business’ available resources. 

While no business model ensures guaranteed success, franchisee business follows an open code of conduct to grow business physically and economically with the collective effort of people with varying potentials.

So, tell me. Are you still looking for a place to start?

Source: http://itzcash-card.newsvine.com/_news/2014/06/06/24191623-earn-better-with-your-own-franchise

Few important reasons to shop online for gifts

You may like to think of the Smartphone that you had your eyes on for several weeks, in your hands. But when you queued up for almost an hour to buy the phone, the stocks get exhausted? How do you like that thought? Too painful, isn’t it?

This is just one of the many cases to consider when you go shopping in traditional stores around you; others being serpentine queues, the time wasted in hunting for the right shop, and sometimes over-priced items. But imagine the same when you are looking to find the perfect gift for someone. It can really drive you nuts.

On the other hand, shopping online can help you get rid of all these above problems, and more. Shopping online comes with own set of perks and provides you with limitless ideas and options to surprise the person with perfect online gifts.

A list of advantages that comes to my mind, are as follows:- 

1. Convenience: One of the best advantages of shopping online for gifts is that you can begin to do so, anytime of the day or night. Unlike traditional gift shops, online retailers accept orders 24x7. Without defined closing hours, shopping becomes an immersive experience and prevents you to make any decisions in haste. You can browse through the website anytime you want, according to your convenience. This helps, especially when you are searching for online gifts that might stretch into hours of digging. 
2. Discounts: Ordering online almost always comes with a discount or some kind of an offer. Where Internet banking facilitates many offers, online gift cards provide special gratification to shoppers. 
3.  Compare anything: Now, this is the most exciting one. When in a store, you sometimes don’t get a chance to compare products from different brands. Some feel too lazy to compare stuff and readily pay what it demands while some find it a tad odd to compare a product and take it to another aisle to compare the rates in public. But when shopping online, you have the liberty to compare things extensively yet in a discreet manner. This works best when you have a limited budget. 
4. Mobility: Shopping for online gifts is easy sure, but now with the smartphone boom, it is now easier than ever. Now you can select between a certain shade of greys for a dress or hunt for the cheapest socks on your Android smartphone and/or your iPad. 
5. Reach: Another great advantage of shopping for gifts online is that you have access to an endless range of products, stocked in stores all across the world. Whether it is a one of kind handmade jewellery from Brazil or a rare art piece from France, you can deliver it online as you sit in the comfort of your home in India.

Which money transfer method is a relatively simpler alternative?

In today’s world, everyone is responsible enough to carry cash on themselves. Millennials have grown to become a smart bunch of citizens that know to take the best advantage of the technology and the available supplies. But somehow, it is different when we talk about money that pertains to a different time zone or perhaps, a different country. 

People can have control only on a certain number of things and the fluctuating foreign currency rates that gets reflected on the money transfer rate and value, is certainly not one of them.

In such cases, online money transfer acts up to be the best available option if a person has to send money across a different country. Not only do traders, merchants, businessmen need money transfer service but also those who have a family living in foreign lands.

Everyone who have a relation tied up abroad can use or find the power of money transfer, potentially useful. But even money transfer has limitations that cannot be overlooked if we are to straw out the best alternative method.

If you talk to a service provider or your bank official that can readily provide you with money transfer services, but they come with suggested government limitations. They offer you decent services and aid but on a very high cost that often involve faulty foreign exchange rates. So, that is out. Another form of reliable money transfer technique is the online money transfer. Online method of transferring money is fast, effective and hit all the right spots when it comes to delivery.

However, there is a ‘but’ to it... Which is, online money transfers often requires you to add your confidential details in an online database where it lies susceptible to data theft and cyber crime attacks. Because no matter how rigid the protocols are and how secured the transaction process, once any kind of information is added to the virtual world, it stays there forever.

So, what is the best known money transfer method left to man that doesn’t compromise on the service requirement nor does pose any potential threat in the future? Well, there is another alternative that is often overlooked by many when considering to opt for a reliable money transfer method. And that is, cash cards!

Cash cards are a great example of secured money transaction that has been accepted and used by the entire world since they got introduced. Cash cards give the user the power of making cashless transactions that can be triggered from an electronic portal, either from an ATM machine or from a dedicated service provider’s transfer portal.

You don’t have to fear about any security threat nor have to worry about any inconvenience because of their mobility and wide acceptability. If I was to suggest a reliable, robust and safe money transfer method for the general public, I would recommend rechargeable cash cards.

How companies use corporate gift cards

It is always a twisted road to lead when you have to choose a gift for someone. You are in two minds whether to buy ‘this’ or instead opt for ‘that’. You cannot decide which one to go for. It always seems like an unending decision-making process; that too, after you have found something to pick from.

 

Finding something that fits your gifting style and requirement is a different story, altogether. On top of everything, I am considering this situation at times when you know WHOM to gift it personally. But what happens when you are expected to gift a less personal and more formal gift to someone... like a corporate gift?

Gifting and corporate are not exactly the most common two words that find a mention in a single sentence. But they surely make for a necessary etiquette to be followed in professionalism. And when we are taking the ball to the other side of the court, we need to revisit the rules chart and tick off a few important points, before dribbling the ball between the legs.

You cannot gift someone something personal or something too inappropriate, if you prefer to avoid awkward situations. You also don’t want your gift to be extensively common and obvious; it would often be ill-advised. But then what are your options? Well, let’s see...

You want your gift to be appropriately acceptable, relevant, novel and yet not too obvious. How about gifting a ‘choice’ with a prepaid gift card?

Prepaid gift cards make a viable choice for gifting employees, partners and business associates. Prepaid gift cards offer flexible availability of providing the money power for everything that the person desires. Also, many prepaid gift card providers in India give the customers a list of added benefits with special discounts and limited period offers on services. These just add up to the goody-list with a range of options to choose from.

To funnel down the idea of a prepaid gift card to suit the corporate environment, you can choose to opt for corporate gift cards that are specially designed to fulfill a specifically targeted requirement. Corporate gift cards act as a perfect alternative to incentives, rewards or commissions without a price-tag under it. Also, because corporate gift cards enable you with money power, you can rest assured about the satisfaction of the receiver of the gift. It is a win-win situation for both.