When Carlton Leach speaks, people really listen. And when Carlton Leach publishes a book, it needs to be read. CARLTON – The Final Say came out recently and became an Amazon bestseller overnight. It’s a book of unique depth that takes readers on a journey through Carlton’s story – from getting a 1960s and 70s…
Every business owner knows the importance of their customers. Customers help put a child through school, pay for ballet lessons, put food on the table, pay the bills and so much more. So, knowing this, why do so many business owners often fail to get to know their customers. The third Thursday of every quarter…
If numbers are not your strong point, don’t worry you are not alone! Nevertheless, numbers (and statistics, in particular) play a very important part of our lives. We can’t escape them no matter what sphere of life we’re in. Whether to make payments, to keep track of cash flow, analysing developments, profits and loss, income…
Photos have the incredible ability to convey emotions, take us to far-away places and introduce us to generations long gone. They tell stories and preserve moments in a magical way. In Vienna this magic is often made possible by Smiletronic, a family business that, for more than 15 years, has been creating and renting photo…
This Sunday, the 10th of October is the internationally recognised World Mental Health Day as endorsed by the World Health Organisation. As a small business owner, it’s natural to feel stress, anxiety, fear, an inability to focus etc., especially as a result of the Covid-19 lockdowns. However, experiencing such feelings and emotions over a prolonged…
Did you know that one of the very first references to credit cards came from the 1887 novel “Looking Backward” by Edward Bellamy? He mentions the phrase 11 times and although he doesn’t refer to the cards we have today, but something more similar to debit cards. Today, there are billions of credit cards used…
If you’re a small business owner and numbers are not your strong point, we’ve got good news. You can stay in control of your business finances and achieve business success with a small business budget. Although its numbers might seem overwhelming, a budget is essential to running a business as it has a direct impact…
The Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS), launched by the likes of Visa, Mastercard and other payment brands and acquirers in 2006, is a set of industry standards, rules and regulations for acquirers who process payments for merchants and subsequently their customers. With PCI DSS compliance, although not entirely fool-proof, merchants and their…
In the world of online business, as a merchant, you need to be prepared for all the payments terminology that’s out there so that you can keep abreast of recent developments and have a finer understanding of your enterprise and how it accepts payments. One term you might have heard being thrown around is a…
As a merchant who accepts card payments through your card payment device, it would be wise to become acquainted with the term “card scheme”. Undoubtedly, this is an important part of your payments acceptance journey, and knowing all the right players in the industry and their roles and functions can help you navigate the seas…
The term fintech, or financial technology, refers to innovations and technologies used in the financial services sector. Although it seems simple, it is a collective term covering a huge number of services that continue to change in the new digital era. This article will introduce you to what is fintech and how it is used…
As a small business owner who’s just starting out or a freelancer who is about to spread their wings and fly, it’s important to have a firm grasp on all aspects of your business. Payments included. This is due to the fact they are going to be the fuel that keeps your business going. One…
You already know by now that the online marketplace is booming. From Amazon to Alibaba and eBay, there are a plethora of huge online markets catering to almost every wish and whim a customer might have. If you’re about to embark on your journey to selling products online, you might have wondered what the best…
Whether you sell to an international clientele online or in a touristy area to which many tourists flock, as a merchant, it’s important to be aware of some fees that will (and we emphasise will and not may) arise because of transactions accepted with foreign cards. In particular, we’re referring to cross-border fees. But what…
Keeping track of all the terminology out there related to payments acceptance can be quite hard – especially with all the new concepts coming out. One such term is the payment gateway. But what is a payment gateway, and do you need one for your business? Let’s find out! Table of Contents What is a…
