With the advancement in technology, you can now do things that seemed impossible even a decade ago. One of those break-through inventions is an application for booking cabs from the comfort of your home. Moreover, among these applications, Uber is considered as one of the best. With a skyrocketing growth spurt since its inception in 2009, Uber has been a leading cab-hailing service. No matter the nature of setbacks with partners–drivers and self-driven cars, it clearly seems that none of this has affected Uber’s loyal application users. The investors have also not seemed to be averse towards it—as funding has been steady and growing all along. The Uber application is an efficient medium to assist more users worldwide. Today, Uber has almost 75 million users globally, who with a touch of a button, hail a cab and all of this without much waiting time or repeated reminders and more importantly without the hassle of looking for cash or change with the efficient online payment option.

Some interesting statistics related to Uber and Uber Eats are as follows:

• Uber has reportedly around 75 million users and 7 million drivers
• Uber has completed about 5 billion rides worldwide
• Uber is now available in 600 cities across 78 countries
• The average number of trips daily is around 10 million

As Uber has decided to go public in 2019, its efforts will now go into cutting costs and losses. By the third quarter of last year, the losses stood at around $1.46 billion. New cost-cutting strategies are being chalked out as well as aggressive marketing strategies and new initiatives for customer support and satisfaction.

While Uber is facing losses, controversies, and upheavals, its food delivery application, Uber Eats has grown to be the fastest growing service in almost 15 of the country’s major cities. Uber Eats has scored well in retaining customers. On an average, around 41 percent of its customers used the app within 6 months. Uber Eats is currently in the second position in food delivery space.

According to Uber Eats application, following are the interesting snippets from their data:

• Most driver compliments came from Los Angeles
• Most Uber Eats orders came from Tampa Bay
• Most nighttime and weekend rides came from New York City
• Top 3 tourist destinations have been Eifel tower, Golden Gate Bridge, and Chapultepec Park
• Uber Eats has delivered 40 cuisines across 200 cities globally
• Burritos are most popular in Europe and Asia
• Tacos are the most popular in Latin America
• Chinese food is among the most popular foods in the country

The first thought that comes to mind when one thinks of securing their dream job is acing the interview. While a good resume and great interview process are considered by companies when hiring a candidate, it is not limited to the same. Getting placed in a dream job extends well beyond just making a good impression through the selection process and is only complete after passing the several screen checks. A background check is one of the most important elements part of the employee hiring process. Employing a new candidate involves letting them have access to several types of organizational property. No company would want to have an unverified stranger taking control over the same and thus, most companies today give immense importance to background checks.

While the process of a background check can be lengthy, it is also extremely necessary. Considering the different walks of life various candidates come from, their diverse experiences and mindsets; a company needs to be sure about a person before hiring them. Here are some points that will aid one in drawing a better understanding of the factors that are part of background checks:

Important inclusions in a background check
There are certain essential criteria every background check must fulfill, without which they are incomplete. Not covering the same can hinder the process of effective hiring. These are:

• Following the legal process: Every region or state has laws that dictate the kind of information that can be sourced as part of running a background check. Sourcing extremely sensitive information that is not permitted can lead to several kinds of issues with legality. This makes it extremely important to abide by the laws or rules that are put down and seek advice from a legal professional who specializes in the same.
• Consistent steps in the check: It is important for consistency to be followed when conducting a background check as following specific steps throughout will reduce the chances of unclear data collection. It can also go on to cause more issues with the information. Eliminating or adding certain types of checks for just some candidates can trigger legal issues.
• Possibility of error: Background checks do not always bring up the most accurate information. As with any process, it can be flawed or even incorrect. Data collection or process of information can include certain errors that may occur. Thus, there must be space for error rectification or clarification on the part of the employee.
• Candidate must be notified: The candidate has the right to know of any reason why the background check was not cleared. The company should be able to validate why there have been certain glitches in the check and the basis of the same.

Aside from the points given above, there are some other aspects of background checks that one should know about.

Varied background checks for every industry
Different industries may have varied requirements from a background check. Not every background check company is equipped to serve the needs of every type of industry. While some may specialize in certain industries only, others can serve a larger block of industries. It is best to understand the requirements and evaluate the needs before selecting a background check company.

Seeking employee permission
Background checks for criminal records and other essentials are important and employees understand this requirement when applying for a new job. However, when a background check is conducted by third-party checking companies, it is essential to have written permission granted by the candidate. Sensitive checks such as military reports and credit reports can be only made post getting permission. A candidate or employee can make a reasonable denial for the same and this must be factored into their background check.

Background check costs
The cost of background checks is essentially driven by several aspects. It will vary based on the kind of background check that is sought, the extent of information, and duration that is permitted to complete the check. Background check companies will typically charge an average cost that ranges anywhere from $30 to $100. It is essential to note that additional information or checks will lead to an increase in the total cost.

Free online background checks
Due to the digitalization of information, it is convenient to generate free background checks. The web space is inundated with information and data that can be achieved to complete a successful background check. There are tools specially designed to enable free access to data but these can take up a lot of time and energy. Government archives and academic records are some of the first sources to look through. Search engines can be used to view phone number; however, phone directories serve better. Public records too can bring access to an immense amount of information. It carries unique data and this is one reason why it is widely used by private investigators. While online background checks can be availed for free, its output may not match the efficacy of professional background check agencies.

Every company aims to achieve their goals and objectives with the help of the employees they hire. Moreover, it is important to supervise and assess employee performance to ensure desired results. This is where performance management tools come into the picture. Performance management tools are essential for a business to monitor, supervise, and quantify its employees’ performance. Most performance management tools are available to businesses in the form of software such as Trackstar and Performance Pro.

By using the right performance management tools, companies are able to document salary actions, provide constructive feedback to the employees on their performance, and identify good and bad performers. The tools also help companies take decisions related to promotions, appraisals, and rewards. Additionally, companies are also able to get constructive feedback from their employees and revise the protocol if needed.

Companies can boost their productivity and outperform their competition by incorporating effective performance management software. Performance management software offer tools that help a company in many ways, some of which are discussed below.

Consistency
Consistency is required in promotions, transfers, appraisals and other essential actions. When a proper performance management system is in place, companies can able to better manage these actions along with consistency.

Motivation
Highly motivated employees are more loyal to a company, which in turn helps the company to retain the high performing employees and reach toward the common goals.

Boosting morale
Using performance management tools effectively help a company recognize top performers and reward them. The recognition and appreciation motivate the employees to work more efficiently.

Understanding training needs
One of the most important roles of an organization is to improve employee performance by providing the required training. Right performance management tools help an organization to understand those needs and take necessary measures to provide them to the employees.

Self-assessment
Self-assessment is useful as it helps people identify their strengths and areas of improvement. Certain tools of performance management systems allow employees to get 360-degree feedback, helping assessment of employee performance and behavior at the workplace.

Spotting underperformers
Most organizations face obstructions due to employees when it comes to achieving short- and long-term goals. It can be challenging to identify employees whose performance has been sub-par. Performance management systems can be, therefore, used to spot them and take effective actions.

Email marketing has become one of the most effective ways of reaching out to the right audience and saving expenses on marketing initiatives. It has been proven that an email marketing if done in a right manner can save initial investment and can effectively contribute towards the ROI. If you are planning to use automated email and best software for automated marketing, following is a list for you.

Campaign Monitor
Campaign Monitor is an easy email marketing software that lets you send relevant and beautifully designed emails to your prospects and existing clients. This tool helps you create a reliable channel to improve customer relations through engagement efforts and timely updates. It can tremendously help in increasing the customer base and improve loyalty. Campaign Monitor offers engaging templates that can be easily modified and sent to a huge number of subscribers without any hitch.

Zoho Campaigns
Zoho Campaigns is a popular email marketing software that is ideal if you own a small to medium-sized businesses. This software is capable of automating the entire marketing process and can take care of all the nuances like mailing lists and email campaigns. This software easily integrates with Zoho CRM to provide you with the information you need accurately and instantly. Using Zoho Campaigns, you may not only get in touch with your customers on email but they can also interact with them using social campaigns on platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter.

WebEngage
WebEngage provides you with a smart email marketing and automation tool that helps by adding to the revenue from online customers. This software lets you create personalized automated emails that help in creating loyalty and in retaining the customers. It has multiple options like win back emails, personalized offer emails, and abandonment emails, which can help you quickly reach out to your customers and win them back with a personal mail.

ZeroBounce
ZeroBounce is an excellent email-marketing tool that ensures that none of your marketing emails bounce by removing abuse and spam trap emails. It also checks and removes invalid email ids, temporary addresses, and catches all domains so that your marketing initiatives do not end up bouncing or in someone’s spam folder. ZeroBounce improves the deliverability of emails and provides data about subscribers that can be of much importance in marketing reports.

If you are planning to use automated emails, you should consider one of the above-mentioned software for automated marketing to get the best results.

Uber is a technological platform that connects a driver to a rider. Uber creates a partnership with drivers to enable them to access customers through the Uber application. The driver partner can use his or her own personal vehicle or a fleet partner vehicle to drive passengers to their preferred destinations. The driver is then paid the fare for every completed trip.

Locations
Uber currently operates in a number of cities in the country. This shows that an Uber driver partner has access to a wide customer base.

Security
The Uber application is a safe platform, guaranteeing the safety of both the driver and passenger. It is crucial for an Uber driver to get the Uber application installed on their phone to get access to a wider customer base of their choice. The vehicle is tracked by GPS when the driver is online, giving the vehicle’s route and location. When setting up their accounts on the app, drivers are required to provide and verify their personal information. This information is kept confidential and only used to confirm identity. The rider requests a ride through the app and the driver’s name, photo, vehicle model, and license plate number are displayed for them to make a choice. Similarly, the driver can accept or decline a trip. If the driver feels unsafe during the trip, he or she is at liberty to end the trip immediately. The driver’s vehicle should be safe and comfortable for all passengers. Driver partners and passengers rate each other to provide feedback at the end of the trip.

Driver partner signing-up process

• The driver partner downloads the Uber application. He or she then provides his or her personal information and the vehicle model that he or she will use to partner with on the Uber platform.
• Uber then reviews the information provided, such as the license plate number, vehicle registration details, driver screening documents from the city, and any other relevant information.
• Once Uber has reviewed and verified the documents, they will approve the driver and let him or her join their team of driver partners.
• Uber then authorizes the driver full access to the app and enables him or her to receive customer requests and begin earning.

Different cities require different documents. Therefore, it is crucial to get the specific detailed requirements from the website before submitting your application. Uber partners can use rental vehicles if they have approved partnership for drivers, authorizing their use on the Uber application.

Google has never seized to be on the top of its game. This time too it steals the show with the launch of its much-anticipated Pixel smartphones. Followed by several speculations and endless leaks, the Google Pixel 3 and Pixel 3XL are finally here! Flagship models from the brand, one can expect the best of Google packed with the Pixels. You enjoy the best of every world, as the Pixel 3 and the Pixel 3XL are powered by Al that makes for the most amazing experiences.

As apparent with the names, the Google Pixel 3 and the Google Pixel 3XL come with some differences. While the internal specs and the design are fairly similar, are there any noteworthy differences? If you wish to have a better understanding of what does and does not set the two models apart, here are some factors to closely consider:

Display and design
Google Pixel 3 and Google Pixel 3XL come with no variation in design, baring the size of the latter. Google 3XL, as the name suggests, is larger and thus weighs a little more. Both the models use an aluminum frame while being IPX8 water and dust resistant. The major point of difference lies in the display, with Google Pixel 3 featuring a 5.5 inches display and an 18:9 aspect ratio. Google Pixel 3XL, on the other hand, comes with a 6.3 inches display and has an 18.5:9 aspect ratio. Thus, there may be a noticeable difference in the content, apps, and videos.

Battery
A Little surprising, both Google Pixel 3 and Google Pixel 3XL come with the same battery! While one may think that two different-sized displays may call for different-sized batteries, Google thinks otherwise. Both the models encompass a 2915 battery and are touted to have the same battery life.

Camera
A bigger surprise? The two smartphones also feature the same cameras. The models come with an 8 MP with 1080p video front camera and a 12.2 MP rear camera. With optical and electronic image stabilization, the cameras can deliver some of the best phone images. However, it must be noted that both the cameras hit a miss on the dual lens rear camera that has been doing the rounds with flagships from most major smartphone brands.