Protect your business: how to avoid scams in messages and emails

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In the competitive business world, maintaining the security of your personal and banking information is essential. The self-employed and small businesses are often the target of scams and cyber attacks, and that is why today we bring you some effective tricks to avoid falling into the trap of fraudulent messages and emails.

At Espai 114, we care about the security of your company, so we want to share with you these key tips to keep cyber scammers at bay.

  1. Keep your systems updated: One of the most common mistakes is not keeping your operating systems and software up to date. Updates often include security enhancements that protect your information from known vulnerabilities.

  1. Always check senders: Don’t open emails or text messages from senders you don’t recognize. Scammers often pose as banks, service providers, or even colleagues, so always check the sender’s authenticity before clicking on links or downloading attachments.

  1. Do not disclose confidential information: Your bank or service provider will never ask you to share personal or financial information via email. If someone does, be suspicious and communicate directly by phone with the entity in question.

  1. Use two-factor authentication (2FA): Enabling two-factor authentication for online accounts adds an extra layer of security. This means that even if a scammer gets the password, they won’t be able to access your account without a second verification method.

Stay safe

 

  1. Learn to identify phishing signs: Fraudulent messages often contain spelling or grammatical errors, urgent action requests and suspicious links. If something seems strange, feel free to verify its authenticity before moving on.

  1. Use a reliable security solution: Updated antivirus and antimalware software can help you detect and prevent threats before they reach your inbox.

Stay safe

  1. Educate your team: If you have employees, make sure they are informed and trained to identify potential cyber scams. Safety should be a team priority.

In Espai 114, we are committed to protecting your business and your data. Keep cyber scammers at bay by following these tips and ensuring the integrity of your personal and financial information. Your business and your peace of mind are our priorities.

We are the Business Center of Badalona, to give visibility and possibilities to your business. At Espai 114 together we form a team; we want to inspire you and accompany you.

Do you want to set up a coworking?

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According to our experience in Espai114, we want to offer you several tips in the situation that you want to create your own coworking.

First, you must perform a thorough market research according to your area. Studying the current demand for coworking spaces, the competition and the specific needs of those professionals or companies you are going to address.

With this research you will find the existing demand in the chosen location, the competition already implemented or that intends to be created soon, the profile of your target audience, which will vary depending on the location, the pricing Implemented in competitors and their different business models, as well as ideal locations to build your business.

It is important to keep in mind that the location of your coworking It is a fundamental variable to guarantee its success. Look for a central and easily accessible location, preferably close to areas with businesses, universities or centers of business activity with a good public transport connection and sufficient parking.

Design a space useful and attractive that conveys a desire to collaborate and be productive. Consider different types of areas, such as open spaces, meeting rooms, rest areas and private areas with a stable high-speed Internet connection and adequate office supplies. Unless you are an architect, designer or have extensive experience in this field, you should choose the right professional who captures and develops your idea correctly.

You must offer services and amenities to your customers to add value to the development of their activity. These services include: 24-hour assistance, reception service, fully equipped meeting rooms, rest areas with coffee and refreshments, printers and scanners, and housekeeping.

Normally, the coworker wants to have freedom of decision and flexibility. To do this, it provides different membership options and Flexible rental plans to be able to adapt to all the needs of your customers. You can offer monthly, daily, or even hourly memberships, depending on what your target market demands. This will help you adapt to their different situations, obtaining greater opportunities for your business.

If being a facilitator and manager of coworking you do not have more activities and you can focus all your attention on the management of the area with full dedication, encourage interaction and networking among your team members, organizing events, workshops and activities that promote collaboration and knowledge sharing. This will help create a more community and attractive environment for other professionals.

Design a marketing strategy Effective and safe to promote your coworking. With the use of channels such as social networks, online ads, collaborations with other local companies and commercial events to be able to show your space to other people. To do this, you have at your disposal payment tools, such as Adwords or specific campaigns on social networks and multiple free channels. Whenever you have the opportunity to promote yourself, do it.

Make sure you have solid financial planning. To get it, calculate all your initial costs, such as the rent of the premises, furniture, utilities and marketing. Also remember to consider expected revenue based on memberships and other additional services. If you offer flexible hiring plans, you will cause your income to be not stable. It is important to take this into account, as it is fundamental for the sector. Finishing with the planning, look for additional services that you will discover during your market research, which provide economic stability.

Provide excellent customer service. Listen to your customers’ needs and try to find ways to satisfy them. It responds quickly to queries and offers solutions that work to problems that may arise. Although, to give this good service, you have to have specific training and experience, total availability and customer orientation can be of great help.

Once the business is up and running, keep abreast of market developments and professional demands. Make adjustments and improvements to your space and company services as needed to remain competitive and be able to please your customers with the changes made.

We are the Business Center of Badalona, to give visibility and possibilities to your business. In Espai 114 together we are a team; we want to inspire you and accompany you.

 

I’m going to register as a freelancer!

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The registration of self-employed, also known as the process of registering as an independent worker, freelancer, is the necessary procedure to start an economic activity independently. Here you have relevant information about this process:

First, we must explain that the digital signature is not necessary to register as a freelancer in most cases. The registration process can be done in person or online, and a digital signature is not specifically required to complete it.

However, it is important to mention that the digital signature can be used in other procedures and procedures related to your activity as a freelancer, such as filing tax returns or carrying out online procedures. The digital signature provides legal validity and security to electronic transactions, and can facilitate agility and comfort in these processes. Generally, it will be necessary if this high ends up being done by your trusted advisory.

Tax Agency: You must register with the Tax Agency to obtain a tax identification number (NIF) as a self-employed person. This involves registering in the census of entrepreneurs, professionals and retainers and presenting form 036 or 037, where you will provide information about your activity, tax regime and tax obligations.

Model 036 is a document of great importance for the self-employed and companies in Spain. For example, through form 036, the self-employed and companies can select the VAT regime they wish to apply, either the general regime or one of the special regimes available. This choice has implications for VAT settlement procedures and the tax obligations to be met.

Social Security: As a self-employed person, you must register in the special regime for self-employed workers of the Social Security. You must select the contribution base that best suits your income and needs. The contribution base will determine the amount of social contributions that you must pay monthly and will also influence the benefits for illness, maternity, retirement, among others. With the entry into force on January 1, 2023 of Royal Decree-Law 13/2022 of July 26, 2022, a new contribution system is established for self-employed or self-employed workers and protection for cessation of activity is improved.

Professional activity: Depending on your professional activity, you may need to obtain specific licenses, permits or authorizations before starting your business. These requirements vary according to the activity and regulations of each municipality or autonomous community.

Grants and bonuses: There are some aids and bonuses for new freelancers, such as the flat rate for self-employed, which involves paying a reduced fee during the first months of activity. It is advisable to inform yourself about these measures to take advantage of the available benefits.

For example, during the period 2023-2025, people who cause initial registration in the Self-Employed Regime may request the application of a reduced fee (flat rate) of 80 euros per month during the first 12 months of activity. The request will be made at the time of processing the registration.

Self-employed persons who have not been registered in the two years immediately prior to the effective date of the new registration, or three years, if they have previously enjoyed this deduction, may benefit from these conditions.

Tax obligations: As a freelancer, you must comply with your tax obligations, such as filing periodic tax returns (such as model 303 of VAT or model 130 of IRPF if you are simplified direct estimation) and keep an adequate accounting of your income and expenses. Books. Registration of invoices. Control of income and expenses. Regular updating.

If you are going to manage your registration in the self-employed regime, get advice at
Espai 114
 and
Lladó Grup Consultor
. It is important to gather information about the experience and reputation of the consultancy, as well as their areas of expertise and the services they offer. In addition, it is advisable to consult references and opinions of other freelancers or companies that have used their services. In this way, the freelancer will be able to make an informed decision and have the appropriate advice for their specific situation.

We are the Business Center of Badalona, to give visibility and possibilities to your business. In Espacio 114 together we form a team; We want to inspire you and accompany you

Do I become self-employed or form a company?

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The choice between becoming self-employed or incorporating a company depends on several factors.

Here I will provide you with an overview of both options so you can make an informed decision.

Being self-employed means working independently and being solely responsible for your business. Some advantages of being self-employed include:

Ease of establishment: Registering as a self-employed is a relatively simple and fast process. In a few days it can be processed correctly, although we advise you to do it with the help of a qualified advisor, such as Lladó Consulting Group.

Total control: You will have full control over your business and decision-making.

Fewer legal requirements: Self-employed have fewer legal obligations and requirements than companies. They depend on several factors, and not all self-employed workers have the same obligations to public institutions. You must be well informed before registering.

Tax benefits: some expenses related to their professional activity can be deducted from the tax return.

However, there are also some disadvantages:

Unlimited liability: As a self-employed worker, you are personally responsible for all debts and obligations incurred by your business. Unlimited liability can be an important factor to consider when deciding whether to become self-employed or incorporate a company. If you value protecting your personal assets and separating your personal finances from your company, it may be preferable to form a partnership.

Growth limitations: Being self-employed can make it difficult to get financing to expand your business. Limited economic resources. Limited investment capacity. Time and capacity limitations. Market and competition limitations.

On the other hand, incorporating a company implies creating a legal entity separate from the partners. Some of the advantages of setting up a company are:

Limited liability: In a company it implies that the partners or shareholders are not personally responsible for the debts and obligations of the company, limiting their liability to the capital or shares that have been invested in it. This protects your personal assets in case of financial difficulties of the company.

Greater financing capacity: It is easier to get financing for a company through loans or sale of shares. There are financial institutions that have specific financing products for incipient projects, which meet some requirements.

Growth and expansion: A company offers more opportunities for growth and expansion compared to a self-employed professional. The image of a company is characterised by a more formal and complex organisational structure, with the participation of multiple partners or shareholders, a clear division of responsibilities and a greater capacity for financing and business growth. On the other hand, the image of a self-employed person shows a person working autonomously, assuming all the responsibility for their business and with a simpler structure, but with less capacity for growth and less protection of their personal assets.

However, there are also some disadvantages:

Greater administrative complexity: Companies have more legal and accounting requirements, which implies more paperwork and associated costs. Constitutional procedures. Accounting and tax obligations. Government bodies. Modifications and changes in society.

Increased supervision and regulation: Companies are subject to stricter regulations and audits.

It is important to assess your specific needs, goals, and circumstances before making a decision. In addition, it is advisable to seek the advice of a professional, such as a lawyer or a tax advisor, to obtain a more precise and personalized guide depending on your situation.

From Espai 114 we support you when starting your company by offering you entrepreneurial tools, business domicile and professional activities, financial solutions, consultancy, coworking space…

We are the Badalona’s Business Center, to give visibility and possibilities to your business. At Espai 114 together we form a team; we want to inspire you and accompany you.

Opening your company: 5 tips before doing it

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Currently, opening your own company can seem easy if you have enough money, have a well-structured idea of what you want to do and are willing to be your own boss, being able to control most of your working life.

Even counting on the above, it is likely that, being a first-time entrepreneur, you will fall into some mistakes when wanting to create your company. Get advice from competent professionals, and share your initiative with them. They will enrich your point of view and help you make key decisions at an early stage.

We offer you 5 useful tips to consider before opening your own company.

  1. Develop your business idea. It is important, before opening a business, to have a clear idea of what you want your company to be about. If you already have it, it is the perfect opportunity to develop the products or services that you as a company want to sell or offer, defining its purpose, the customers you want to capture and the benefits you expect to obtain a Business Plan.
  2. Structure your time. Once you have a clear idea of ​​your business, make a calendar. Set a timeline. It will help you organize the time you will devote to achieving the different milestones you set as your goal. Use the tools we offer in our Entrepreneurship Tools section.
  3. Financial strategy and operations plan. Have a financial forecast that includes income, costs, expenses, cash flow and income statement. In addition, establish your funding sources and any additional capital requirements. It is also necessary, if your business meets certain requirements, that you describe the operational processes of your company, from the acquisition of raw materials to the delivery of the final product. If you have specific location, logistics or infrastructure needs, think about it and keep it in mind.
  4. Do you need human resources? One of the advantages of being your own manager is being able to choose the right people to work with you during this process. They can be occasional collaborations or salaried persons. The cost differs between the two options, but also their time availability. If you need to hire your own staff, you will need the services of a consulting firm such as Lladó Grup Consultor.
  5. Start your business safely. Identify potential risks that could affect your business and develop strategies to mitigate them. This may include financial, legal, operational or market-related risks.

From Espai 114 we support you when starting your company by offering you entrepreneurial tools, business domicile and professional activities, financial solutions, consultancy, coworking space…

We are the Business Center of Badalona, to give visibility and possibilities to your business. At Espai 114 together we form a team; we want to inspire you and accompany you.

STORYTELLING FOR ENTREPRENEURS

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Storytelling is used in entrepreneurship as a tool that will help you capture the attention of your clients, communicate with them and make your projects successful.

Capturing the attention of your current and potential customers is important to generate income and give a good brand image. For this reason, storytelling will be the perfect tool to achieve all these objectives.

Storytelling is the art of narrating a story with the ability to transmit certain feelings to the user of that narrative.

Regardless, from the messages transmitted, users should feel identified or attracted by these feelings. It must have a positive impact and ensure that the message last in the minds of consumers in a memorable way.

This concept can be applied both to tell the story of your company and those of your products or services.

Storytelling

To carry out a storytelling correctly, we must take into account a series of foundations to build a well-told story.

First, we must establish the topic or message you want to transmit and decide through which emotions we want to do it. It is these emotions that will connect with the receivers of the story. Next, this story that you want to narrate must be structured according to the message. What is the objective, the theme, how it will start, how it will end, etc. Finally, the main characters or elements that will give life to the story or that will be in charge of its narration must be defined. (Here you will find an example of Storytelling).

Storytelling

Once these foundations are established, it’s time to start scripting the story and doing a market study. In this way we will be aware of our current situation, what our competition is like, if you have ever used storytelling in your company, what things we can improve, which ones we cannot, etc.

If you don’t know how to connect with your audience or how to explain who you are, your company, products or services, using storytelling is a great solution.

We are Badalona’s Business Center, to give visibility and possibilities to your business. In Espai 114 together we form a team; we want to inspire you and accompany you.

 

Tell your story!

 

The festivities of Badalona: The “Cremada del Dimoni” (The Devil’s Burn)

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During the month of May, the festivities of Badalona give light to the city with the “Cremada del Dimoni” (The Devil’s Burn) and Different activities to awaken the feeling of belonging of all Badaloneses and fill the city with joy. This is the most symbolic and representative act of these festivities and takes place on May 10 on the night of San Anastasio.

This tradition began in 1940 when Badalona invented a new festival to eradicate the social depression caused by the war. Within this period, the origin of the devil arises from the burn of a figure by fishermen on the beach of Badalona. It is at this time, where on May 11 of that same year, the figure of a demon is burned in honor of the city, giving meaning to this day during the following years.

The tradition makes that every year a different design of the devil is made, chosen through a popular contest called “CREMA’L TU” (Burn It Yourself), where all inhabitants over 16 years old can present themselves with their designs, and from which the winner will be chosen.

All this is possible since for Badalona the participation of its inhabitants in the May festivities is indispensable. People give life to the parties and this feeling is revived with the sale of all their products and the different shows for the inhabitants of the city.

These shows range from the most important, which would be the Devil’s Burn, accompanied by fireworks and music, to activities such as concerts by well-known artists, correfocs, stops with figures, dance and poetry shows, performances for children, etc.

As every year, the devil represents a specific social issue. For this 2023, the theme of the devil’s design has been low emission zones. Where the figure of the devil has different burned cars around it, representing those who do not comply with the rules of the ZBE (Low Emission Zone).

We are the Business Center of Badalona, to give visibility and possibilities to your business. In Espai 114 together we are a team; we want to inspire you and accompany you.

 

Let’s burn it!

How to take advantage of technology for remote work

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In recent years we have all taken a step towards remote work. For this reason we must make sure that this type of work gives us the same or better results than working in the office.

To do this, we need to create a distraction-free environment and choose the best remote work tools. Wherever you are, these tools will help you increase your potential and work performance.

Zoom

One of the most popular video conferencing platforms. With Zoom we can communicate with audio, HD quality video and share our screen with other people.

 

 

 

Teamviewer

This tool is a connectivity platform, to access, control, manage, monitor and repair devices remotely, from computers or mobile phones to industrial machines and robots.

 

 

Canva

With this tool, you can build your brand from scratch or improve it without investing resources in graphic services. In a matter of minutes you can create logos, brochures, presentations, advertisements or banners. It is very easy to use and has many plugins, templates and a large library of royalty free images that you can use in your designs.

 

 

Asana

This platform allows you to create and organize your projects and commercial jobs. Each project has a leader who can delegate individual jobs to team members. In addition, the whole team can add notes, comments and documents directly to the project.

 

Signaturit

This app offers a unique digital signature and certification service. It makes it much easier to track what team leaders sign. With this tool you can sign contracts, process new members, make payments, etc.

 

Google G-Suite

It is a set of applications provided by Google to help better organize your business. Includes email, Hangouts, calendar, documents, and a drive.

We hope that all these tools will help you in your day-to-day life, and that in this way you will develop remote work in an easier and faster way.

We are Badalona’s Business Center, to give visibility and possibilities to your business. In Espai 114 together we are a team; we want to inspire and accompany you.

 

Collaborative business: the keys to the collaborative economy

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Building an innovative, sustainable and lucrative company is not an easy job. But if we partner with other professionals, this can change! This is how the collaborative business model emerges, giving rise to organizations with divergent and convergent synergies that change the rules of the game.

 

But what is a collaborative business? It is one that offers services through collaborative platforms, creating an open market for the purchase of products or services normally offered by individuals. This method involves three agents: service providers, users and intermediaries. These participants connect through the platform and facilitate transactions between them.

From this idea we can extract the main characteristics of a collaborative business:

  • Exchanges of products or services.
  • Use of individuals’ resources.
  • Possession or temporary access of products or services, usually for a fee.
  • Better use and exploitation of little-used goods.
  • A digital platform that puts different parties in contact to link supply and demand.
  • The goods borrowed can be products, services, resources, knowledge, experience or time.
  • Distrust of traditional institutions or certain market sectors.
  • Environmental concern focused on the use of resources and the reduction of production.
  • Displacement of the company as a central figure to put people in their place.
  • Renewal of traditional offerings by providing new or complementary services.

What are the benefits of setting up a collaborative business?

 

The first of all is that the company profits from the creation of a platform that largely supports the labor of third parties, this business model encourages the possibilities of entrepreneurship.

 

The second benefit is that the person who practices as a service provider benefits from the emergence of new business models. You can also manage your workload and work schedule and even take a second job to complement the first.

 

The third benefit is that the consumer has direct communication with the service provider and access to a greater supply of goods at a more attractive price, as well as the option of using a good without owning it.

And finally, another benefit is the business ideas that have emerged based on this idea favor sustainability, the use of resources and the amortization of products by extending their useful life, so the collaborative economy is also based on the conservation of the environment.

 

Did you know that two great examples of collaborative business are Aribnb and BlaBlaCar?

 

We are the Business Center of Badalona, to give visibility and possibilities to your business. In Espai 114 together we are a team; we want to inspire you and accompany you.

What is democratic leadership?

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Would you like to work in a team where everyone is heard and valued? This is what democratic leadership is all about, which we will explain below.

It is a modern and effective management style, in which leaders work in collaboration with their team to reach common goals.

It is a working method where the management style actively involves all team members, either to make a decision or to reach common goals. This method of working is ideal because it ensures that all opinions are considered and that all team members feel heard. This causes an increase in involvement with the company and also very high levels of proactivity.

 

 

Below we explain what their characteristics are.

  • Maintain healthy communication with all group members.
  • Great adaptation to changes. This flexibility allows them to respond more positively to both changes and challenges.
  • Promotion of a good working environment and good collaboration between the team.
  • Delegation of responsibilities. This is one of the most important, since by doing this the chances of the entire workload falling on a single person is minimal.

 

 

Finally, we explain some of the advantages of applying this leadership method:

  • We work to create a safe environment so that everyone can give their ideas.
  • All members of the group play an active role in decision-making and the achievement of goals.
  • Everyone will experience a greater sense of permanence.
  • An efficient team with a better ability to take advantage of opportunities is achieved.
  • Long-term workers show higher job satisfaction.
  • The team gains autonomy and they feel confident in their actions and decisions.

Now that you know democratic leadership and all its characteristics and advantages, are you encouraged to apply it?

We are Badalona’s Business Center, to give visibility and possibilities to your business. In Espai 114 together we are a team; we want to inspire and accompany you.