Whether you’re a recent college graduate just starting your career or an established professional looking for a fresh start, several factors can determine where in the U.S. you might decide to live. While culture and lifestyle certainly play a role in the decision, affordability is one of the biggest factors people should consider.  

Financial advisors recommend that everyone should strive to save at least 20% of their annual income. Despite this, one recent study found that nearly half (46%) of American households don’t have any retirement savings.  

While there are certainly a number of factors that can contribute to how much you are able to save, choosing to live in a state that offers a low cost of living can greatly impact how much you are able to stash away every year.  

With that in mind, we wanted to know which states offer Americans the most bang for their buck. As such, we’ve put together a ranking of all 50 states to determine which states are the best for saving money.  

To obtain our rankings, we looked at ten factors: average income, median rent, utility costs, median home price,  state and local sales taxes, tax burdens, cost of groceries, childcare costs, gas prices, and the average cost for a cup of coffee. For each category, states were able to earn up to 10 points for a maximum of 100.  

The complete findings are as follows: 

The Best States for Saving Money 

According to our findings, the best states for saving money include South Dakota, Missouri, and Kentucky. Although none of these states have particularly high average incomes (none of them rank in the top half of all states), they all makeup for it by providing a low cost of living.  

South Dakota 

South Dakota, for example, has one of the lowest median rent costs in the country, with a median monthly rent of $1,105. Compare this with Massachusetts, which has the highest median monthly rent at $2,714. South Dakota also scored well in the categories pertaining to state and local taxes, the cost of groceries, and the cost of childcare.  

Missouri 

Missouri also scored highly for median rent, with the average rental property costing $1,235 per month. Missouri home prices are also some of the lowest in the nation, with the median home price in the state being $267,000. Other categories where Missouri scored well include the cost of groceries, childcare costs, gas prices, and the cost of a cup of coffee. 

Kentucky 

Similarly to South Dakota and Missouri, Kentucky has low median rents ($1,218) and home prices ($257,000). Kentucky also has comparatively low state and local taxes, as well as affordable groceries, childcare, and gas.  

The Worst States for Saving Money 

Rounding out the bottom of the list, we found the states that are the worst for saving money to be Hawaii, New York, and California. It’s interesting to note that each of these states scored quite well for the average income of their residents. Despite this, cost of living factors in each of these states contributed to their lower overall scores.  

Hawaii 

Due to its remoteness, the cost of living in Hawaii is higher than most other states in the union. As such, Hawaii scored extremely low in categories pertaining to rent ($2,512), home prices ($713,000), utilities, groceries, childcare, and gas prices.  

New York 

New York City is one of the most expensive cities in the entire U.S., driving New York to the bottom of the list. In addition to high rent ($2,639) and home prices ($531,000), New York scored poorly in the following categories: state and local taxes, cost of groceries, and cost of childcare.  

California 

Like Hawaii and New York, California is another popular living destination with high taxes that drive the cost of living higher than other areas of the country. The median rent in California is $2,531, while the median home costs $799,000, good for third-highest and highest in the country, respectively. Other categories where California didn’t perform well include local tax rates, cost of childcare, and gas prices.  

Why are Some States More Expensive than Others? 

There are many factors that can contribute to a high or low cost of living in any given state. Some of the bigger factors include the supply and demand of homes and rentals. In more popular states, like those with year-long warm weather and beach access, the housing costs can skyrocket compared to less densely populated states.  

Another key factor is state and local taxes. According to Todd Stearn, founder and CEO of The Money Manual, rent, mortgages, and taxes are the three biggest expenses for most people. Todd said:  

“The best states to save money are going to typically be those with the lowest cost of owning or renting your home, as this is the biggest expense for most people. Another major expense is tax. States like New York, California, Hawaii, Vermont, and New Jersey have some of the highest taxes in the country, making it harder to save money.”  

How Businesses Can Avoid Higher Costs of Living 

For businesses looking to expand, it is important to know the cost of living in the states you are looking to enter. This can help indicate which places require more upfront capital to cover things like rent, employee salaries, utilities, and other fixed costs that come with entering a new market. 

Luckily, with a virtual phone number, you can gain all the benefits of entering a new market without the high price tag. Virtual numbers allow you to easily connect with your customers in a local market, even if your business is located across the country or on the other side of the globe. Explore our wide selection of virtual numbers to learn more.  

Methodology 

We looked at the following ten criteria for each state:  

• Average Income  
• Median Rent  
• Utility Costs  
• Median Home Price  
• State + Local Sales Taxes  
• Tax Burdens  
• Cost of Groceries  
• Childcare Costs 
• Gas Prices  
• Average Cost for a Cup of Coffee 

Using these criteria, each state was given a score between 1 and 10 for each based on where it ranked among every state. The scores were added together to obtain the total score (out of 100) for each state.   

Sources 

https://www.justice.gov/ust/eo/bapcpa/20220401/bci_data/median_income_table.htm 

https://data.census.gov/map?q=Renter%20Costs&tid=ACSDT1Y2022.B25031&cid=B25031_001E&layer=VT_2022_040_00_PP_D1&mode=thematic&loc=34.7443,-93.6136,z2.7784 

https://www.rentcafe.com/average-rent-market-trends/us/ 

https://www.forbes.com/home-improvement/living/monthly-utility-costs-by-state/ 

https://www.bankrate.com/real-estate/median-home-price/#median-price-by-state 

https://taxfoundation.org/data/all/state/2023-sales-tax-rates-midyear/ 

https://taxfoundation.org/data/all/state/tax-burden-by-state-2022/#burdens 

https://www.zippia.com/advice/average-cost-of-groceries-by-state/ 

https://worldpopulationreview.com/state-rankings/child-care-costs-by-state 

https://gasprices.aaa.com/state-gas-price-averages/ 

https://matadornetwork.com/read/coffee-cost-state/ 

https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/finance/average-annual-healthcare-cost-in-all-50-states.html 

The post Want to Save More and Spend Less? The 10 Best States for Saving Your Hard-Earned Money appeared first on TollFreeForwarding.com.

Music is a powerful tool. It conjures emotion, helps relieve stress, and improves our concentration. In fact, according to a recent study in the Harvard Business Review, music can be used to boost our productivity while we work.

As such, it’s not surprising to learn that upwards of 94% of employed people prefer to listen to music while they work, whether that’s music played in their workplace or on their own personal devices.

To get a better understanding of the songs and artists people just can’t get enough of while they work, we’ve analyzed nearly 4,000 work-related Spotify playlists and over a million songs to find the tracks that appear most frequently.

Using these findings, we found that Train’s “Drops of Jupiter” is the most popular song to listen to at work. Eminem has the most songs included on work playlists, with five of his tracks being heavily featured, and Harry Styles had the most songs in the top ten, with two.

The Top Ten Songs to Listen to for Workplace Productivity :

1. Drops of Jupiter (Tell Me) – Train
2. Dreams – Fleetwood Mac
3. Don’t Stop Believin’ – Journey
4. Blinding Lights – The Weeknd
5. Watermelon Sugar – Harry Styles
6. As It Was – Harry Styles
7. I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Me) – Whitney Houston
8. Closer – The Chainsmokers
9. Circles – Post Malone
10. Flowers – Miley Cyrus
11. Sunflower – Post Malone
12. No Scrubs – TLC
13. Adore You – Harry Styles
14. Hey, Soul Sister – Train
15. Take On Me – a-ha!
16. Shut Up and Dance – WALK THE MOON
17. Yellow – Coldplay
18. Till I Collapse – Eminem
19. Work From Home – Fifth Harmony
20. Africa – TOTO

The top songs people like to listen to while they work include a mix of both classic and more recent tracks, and while most of the songs are upbeat and fun, they also span several genres, from classic rock to hip-hop.

In addition to the top songs for productivity, we also wanted to know who the most popular artists to listen to in the workplace are. Using our combined list of 150 songs that appear most frequently across work playlists, we found the following artists to be the most popular.

The Most Popular Artists to Listen to at Work Include:

1. Eminem – 5 songs
2. Ed Sheeran – 4 songs
3. Hans Zimmer – 4 songs
4. Harry Styles – 4 songs
5. Coldplay – 3 songs
6. Post Malone – 3 songs
7. Red Hot Chili Peppers – 3 songs
8. AC/DC – 2 songs
9. Billie Eilish – 2 songs
10. Bruno Mars – 2 songs

Similarly to the top ten tracks, the top artists include both older and newer musicians who span various genres. Perhaps the most unique person on the list is film score composer Hans Zimmer, whose music appeared frequently on work playlists with an emphasis on focusing.

Why Do Certain Songs Boost Productivity?

While we were keen to figure out what songs and artists people like to listen to while they work, we also wanted to learn more about what makes these songs so great for productivity in the workplace.

We spoke with music theorist and founder of the music hub AllAxess, Joel Smith, to find out what makes these songs so good for productivity. According to Smith, there are five components of these songs that make them ideal for the workplace:

1. Tempo

According to Smith, the tempo of music can affect the mood of the listener. While downbeat and slow songs tend to make a person relax, upbeat tempos can be energy boosts. He says, “Moderate to upbeat tempos can increase energy and alertness. ‘Blinding Lights’ by The Weeknd and ‘Watermelon Sugar’ by Harry Styles provide rhythmic patterns that can boost the listener’s mood and, in turn, their efficiency.”

2. Lyric Content

In addition to tempo, Smith says the lyrical content of a song can help to improve listeners’ moods and create a comforting ambiance in the workplace. He says, “Songs with positive, uplifting, or nostalgic lyrics can improve mood and motivation. ‘Drops of Jupiter’ by Train or ‘Dreams’ by Fleetwood Mac tap into emotions and memories that might provide a comforting backdrop on a workday.”

3. Steady Rhythm

Smith says that rhythm, like tempo, can greatly boost moods and increase productivity. He says, “A consistent rhythm, like in ‘Closer’ by The Chainsmokers or ‘Circles’ by Post Malone, can help individuals go into a ‘flow’ state, a mental state of immersion in an activity.”

4. Repetitive Structures

There’s comfort in repetition, especially in music, says Smith. This can aid concentration as the listeners’ mind doesn’t need to predict what comes next. He says, “Repetition can be soothing. A song with a repetitive chorus or melody, like ‘Flowers’ by Miley Cyrus, can provide a predictable and consistent auditory environment, aiding concentration.”

5. Recognizability

Lastly, Smith says the familiarity in song, like a repetitive structure, helps to create a sense of comfort for the listener, enabling them to focus on the task at hand. Smith says, “Songs that are widely known and have memorable melodies can create a sense of familiarity. This helps reduce feelings of stress or isolation in a work setting. ‘Don’t Stop Believin’’ by Journey and ‘I Wanna Dance with Somebody’ by Whitney Houston are great examples.”

Other Ways to Boost Workplace Productivity

While music is a great way to increase workplace productivity, there are other steps you can take to ensure your employees have the tools to be as effective as possible. With a virtual number, you can easily connect with your global customers from anywhere in the world. And with our range of advanced features, like the Auto Attendant, your customer support staff can dedicate more time to serving customers and less trying to connect them with the right person. Explore our collection of virtual numbers and get connected with your global customer base.

Methodology

We used the digital tool The Playlist Miner to analyze 3,960 public Spotify playlists that include the terms “work playlist,” “office,” “office playlist,” “work from home,” and “work focus.” This analyzed 1,057,908 songs to find the ones that appeared most frequently within these playlists. We combined the songs that appeared most across our search criteria to find the top 150 songs.

The post The Top Songs for Workplace Productivity appeared first on TollFreeForwarding.com.

Whether you’re in college, entering the job market, or considering a career change, knowing which professions’ salaries are projected to grow over the next decade can help you make an informed decision about your future. And while salary shouldn’t be the only criterion considered when selecting a career, it certainly plays a role in the determination process.  

To get a better understanding of which careers are expected to see the most earnings growth over the next ten years, we looked at the historical earnings of 16 of the most popular jobs in the U.S. to forecast what they will be making in a decade. To our surprise, some of the most prestigious careers were at the bottom of the list.  

Before we get into our findings, it’s worth mentioning that every job we looked at is expected to make more money in 2033 than it does today. However, when the projections are adjusted by an expected inflation rate of 2.13% (estimated by the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland), not every job is expected to see an increase in earnings in ten years when compared to today.  

With that in mind, let’s take a look at some of the jobs with the biggest increases and decreases in hourly earnings over the next decade. 

Occupations Projected to Earn More in 2033 

Of the 16 professions that we looked at, nine are expected to see increased hourly earnings in 2033. Out of these nine, there is a mix of jobs that do and don’t require a college degree and ones that require additional education or training. Here are some of the jobs expected to see the highest increases in earnings over the next ten years. 

Registered Nurses 

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), registered nursing is one of the fastest-growing occupational fields in the country. Moreover, the U.S. is expected to need an additional 193,100 nurses per year over the next ten years. This increasing demand contributes to a projected increase in hourly earnings of $12.82 in 2033 over today.  

Artists, Writers, and Performers 

Although careers in the arts are sometimes thought of as riskier than more traditional career paths, our research indicates that artists, writers, and performers are projected to make an adjusted $59.13 per hour in 2033, an $8 increase over what they make today. According to the BLS, an increasing public interest in live music and diversified online media opportunities will contribute to growth in the arts over the next decade.  

Wage Workers 

As states continue to increase minimum wage and organizations struggle to fill hourly-pay positions, hourly earnings for several positions are expected to increase over the next ten years. Cashiers, janitors, and bartenders are all expected to see increased hourly earnings in 2033 as compared to today. Cashiers project to see the highest increase at an additional $3.38 per hour. Janitors expect to see an additional $1.81 per hour, and bartenders project to make $1.11 more per hour in 2033.  

Trade Jobs 

Several trade jobs are also expected to see a rise in hourly earnings over the next decade. Both construction workers and electricians project to earn more in 2033, with construction seeing a $4.63 bump and electricians expecting a $0.49 hourly increase. Demand for these jobs is expected to increase as they require specialized skill sets to perform.  

Occupations Projected to Earn Less in 2033 

Not every profession is expected to make more in ten years than they do today. Despite seeing an overall increase in earnings, these jobs project to make less per hour than they currently make when adjusted for the expected inflation rate.  

Doctors, Dentists, and Lawyers 

Surprisingly, these three professions, known for their extensive education requirements and high salaries, are expected to make less per hour in 2033 than they make today. It’s worth noting that the three occupations are projected to have the three highest salaries of all the occupations we researched, with doctors expected to have the highest mean hourly income of $118.62 (adjusted for inflation). Despite the large hourly incomes, doctors project to make $2.89 less per hour in ten years, while lawyers can expect to make $5.00 less and dentists a whopping $13.72 less per hour.  

Teachers 

The salaries of teachers versus the hours they put in has been a hot topic of debate for the last several years. Our research has found that not only do teachers make less today than they did ten years ago, but they also project to make less in 2033. When adjusted for inflation, teachers make $3.14 less per hour than they did in 2013. Furthermore, they project to make $2.72 less per hour in another ten years.  

Graphic Designers 

While artists as a whole can expect to see an increase in hourly pay, graphic designers are projected to earn slightly less per hour in ten years. They can expect to make an adjusted $0.26 less per hour in 2033. BLS explains that the reduction in print media could have a bearing on future job opportunities, although this should be offset by digital media.  

Contributing Factors 

While there is no single factor that determines whether a salary will increase or decrease, the primary driver is the demand for the job and the number of qualified workers available to fill openings.  

One factor that can affect the future salaries of jobs is the number of college-educated candidates in the job market. Overall, college enrollment is declining, with the U.S. seeing roughly a 10% decrease over the last decade. As such, there are fewer college-educated candidates to fill vacant jobs in industries that require a degree.  

Comparatively, trade school enrollment is up year on year across a number of programs, including mechanic and repair (up 11.5%) and construction (19.3%). 

Enrollment in medical school is up 17.8% in the last decade, although there were 11.6 fewer applicants in 2022-2023 than the previous year. Nearly 29,000 students graduated from med school in 2022, but the BLS predicts they only expect 24,000 openings for physicians and surgeons each year until 2032. With the supply outpacing the demand, salaries can be expected to become stagnant.  

Similarly, there were nearly 7,000 dental school graduates last year, an increase from the previous year. However, BLS projects there to be roughly 5,100 new openings for dentists each year for the next decade.  

2022 saw a decline in nursing school programs for the first time in 20 years, which could drive nurses’ salaries higher as more positions open with less qualified candidates to fill them.  

Another large contributing factor to jobs includes advancing technology, which enables workers to connect with new businesses and clients all over the world. Being able to remain connected with global connections is important, and we offer virtual numbers that allow you to easily connect with your clients or customer base, no matter where you are located. Explore our virtual numbers page to learn more about the benefits they can offer your business.  

Methodology 

Earning Forecasting 

We gathered the annual mean hourly earnings for each job from 2013 to 2022 from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Using this historical data, we forecasted what each job would make every year from 2023 until 2033 using the Excel function FORECAST.ETS(target_date, values, timeline). 

Adjusting for Inflation 

Historical earnings were then adjusted for inflation in 2023 using the U.S. inflation calculator. Future projections were also adjusted for an estimated ten-year inflation rate of 2.13% (21.3% cumulative) based on projections by the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland. Future earnings adjusted for projected inflation were calculated using the formula (X – (X*0.213)) and checked against the future inflation calculator. 

Earnings Differences (Actual Values) 

The actual difference in earnings from 2013 to 2023 and 2023 to 2033 were calculated using the unadjusted historical and projected earnings for each job.  

Earnings Differences (Adjusted Values) 

The adjusted difference in earnings from 2013 to 2023 and 2023 to 2033 were calculated using the adjusted-for-inflation historical and projected earnings for each job.  

Sources: 

https://www.bls.gov/news.release/archives/ocwage_04012014.pdf 

https://www.bls.gov/news.release/archives/ocwage_03252015.pdf 

https://www.bls.gov/news.release/archives/ocwage_03302016.pdf 

https://www.bls.gov/news.release/archives/ocwage_03312017.pdf 

https://www.bls.gov/news.release/archives/ocwage_03302018.pdf 

https://www.bls.gov/news.release/archives/ocwage_03292019.pdf 

https://www.bls.gov/oes/2019/may/oes_nat.htm 

https://www.bls.gov/oes/2020/may/oes_nat.htm 

https://www.bls.gov/oes/2021/may/oes_nat.htm 

https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_nat.htm#23-0000 

https://www.clevelandfed.org/en/indicators-and-data/inflation-expectations 

https://www.uschamber.com/workforce/understanding-americas-labor-shortage-the-most-impacted-industries 

https://hechingerreport.org/trade-programs-unlike-other-areas-of-higher-education-are-in-hot-demand/ 

https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/dentists.htm#tab-6 

https://www.bls.gov/ooh/legal/lawyers.htm#tab-6 

https://www.statista.com/statistics/428985/number-of-law-graduates-us/#:~:text=The%20number%20of%20law%20graduates,roughly%2035%2C000%20passing%20law%20school. 

https://www.aacnnursing.org/news-data/all-news/new-data-show-enrollment-declines-in-schools-of-nursing-raising-concerns-about-the-nations-nursing-workforce 

https://www.lawschooltransparency.com/trends/enrollment/all#:~:text=Today%2C%20overall%20JD%20enrollment%20has,the%20average%20price%20paid%20declines. 

https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/physicians-and-surgeons.htm#tab-6 

https://www.bestcolleges.com/research/college-enrollment-decline/ 

https://www.bls.gov/ooh/arts-and-design/graphic-designers.htm#tab-6 

The post Careers of the Future appeared first on TollFreeForwarding.com.

According to a survey from LinkedIn, 76% of employees and job seekers say diversity is important when considering job offers, and 80% say they want to work for a company that values DEI issues.  

While it’s clear that businesses should prioritize DEI initiatives, the states in which they are based don’t always align with that priority. With that in mind, we were curious to see which US states are the most inclusive for businesses and workers.  

Criteria For Rankings 

To work out which states are the most inclusive, we looked at ten different criteria for business inclusivity. These include: 

1. Unemployment rate by race 
2. Unemployment rate by sex 
3. Earning disparity by race 
4. Earning disparity by sex 
5. Percent of minority-owned businesses 
6. Percent of women-owned businesses 
7. Percent of minorities working in state government 
8. Does the state law explicitly prohibit employment discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity? 
9. Does the state public employment non-discrimination policy cover sexual orientation and gender identity? 
10. Does the state law explicitly prohibit discrimination in accessing credit based on sexual orientation and gender identity? 

States could earn up to ten points for each category for a total of 100 possible points.  

The Rankings 

New Mexico is the most inclusive state in the union for business and workers, earning 84.6 points out of a possible 100. The state ranks in the top ten for five of the seven statistical criteria, including the percentage of minorities in state government (65%), the percentage of businesses owned by women (20%) and minorities (23%), and the earning disparity for both women and minorities.   

New Mexico also gained points for having state laws and public policies that explicitly prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity when it comes to employment, state employment, and access to credit.   

On the flip side, the least inclusive states for businesses and workers are Wyoming, which earned 24 points, and West Virginia, which earned just 23.8 points. While both states scored highly for having a low earning disparity for minorities, neither gained any points in the three categories pertaining to anti-discrimination laws based on sexual orientation and gender identity.  

The complete rankings are as follows: 

Why is Inclusivity Important for Business? 

To get a better understanding of why businesses should care about which states do the most to be inclusive for workers, we spoke with Certified Diversity Professional Janifer Wheeler, who had this to say about the study: 

“In addition to being good for people, DEIB initiatives are good for business. Companies that commit to DEIB strategies with fidelity often show increased profitability, innovation, and employee satisfaction. The same can be said for states who embrace inclusivity.”

“More states should pay attention to the success businesses find with DEIB as the Gen Z demographic demands more from employers and, subsequently, the states they live in. They are incredibly inclusive and open to all; therefore, laws against certain groups of people will backfire with this generation. I would anticipate that many Gen Z folks will move out of restrictive states to more inclusive ones.” 

How can Businesses Address DEI Issues? 

Just because a state ranks higher or lower than another, it doesn’t mean businesses within that state can expect DEI initiatives to be taken on their behalf. Companies can and should take steps to promote DEI in the workplace. 

Janifer Wheeler offers these tips to businesses: 

1. Focus on Implicit Bias Training 

This form of education helps employees recognize their unconscious biases and provides strategies to mitigate their impact. Even in states with restrictive DEI laws, companies can usually provide this type of training, focusing on promoting fairness and understanding rather than directly addressing specific diversity issues. 

2. Educate Employees on DEI Policies 

Clear communication about the company’s commitment to DEI is crucial. This can include sharing the organization’s DEI policies, goals, and the steps being taken to achieve them. Education should also extend to the legal landscape, ensuring employees understand the state and federal laws impacting DEI and how the company is responding. 

3. Collaborate with External Organizations 

Partnering with external organizations dedicated to promoting DEI can provide valuable resources and guidance. These organizations can help ensure companies’ policies align with DEI objectives, even in challenging political climates. 

4. Learn from Real-Life Examples 

Companies like Ben & Jerry’s and Patagonia have shown unwavering commitment to DEI despite facing politically unfavorable conditions. They’ve done this through a variety of means, including public statements of support, financial contributions to relevant causes, and internal policies promoting diversity and inclusion. 

5. Stay Compliant with Laws 

While pursuing DEI objectives, businesses need to remain compliant with all state and federal laws. Legal counsel should regularly review DEI policies and practices to ensure they align with current legislation. 

Better DEI Means Better Business 

In addition to adopting DEI initiatives and policies, there are other steps businesses can take to improve employee happiness and retention. Businesses should also look to adopt technologies that allow them to better serve their customers. We offer virtual numbers that allow you to easily connect with your customers all over the world. Explore our virtual numbers page to learn more.  

Methodology 

To create these rankings, we looked at the following criteria: 

Statistical Criteria 

• Unemployment rate by race 
• Unemployment rate by sex 
• Earning disparity by race 
• Earning disparity by sex 
• Percent of minority-owned businesses 
• Percent of women-owned businesses 
• Percent of minorities working in state government 

Legislative Criteria 

• Does the state law explicitly prohibit employment discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity? 
• Does the state public employment non-discrimination policy cover sexual orientation and gender identity? 
• Does the state law explicitly prohibit discrimination in accessing credit based on sexual orientation and gender identity? 

Scoring 

States could score up to ten points per criterion. For the statistical criteria, the top-ranking state earned 10 points, the next highest received 9.8, followed by 9.6 and then 9.4, decreasing by 0.2 points until the last-ranked state, which received 0.2 points for that category. 

For the legislative criteria, any state that had existing state laws or public policies explicitly prohibiting discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity as it pertains to employment, state employment, and access to credit received 10 ten points.  

States that have existing laws prohibiting discrimination in these areas, but that do not explicitly state sexual orientation or gender identity, received 5 points.  

States with no laws prohibiting discrimination in these areas received 0 points.  

Sources: 

https://www.dol.gov/agencies/ofccp/about/data/earnings/race-and-ethnicity 

https://www.dol.gov/agencies/ofccp/about/data/earnings/gender 

https://www.epi.org/indicators/state-unemployment-race-ethnicity/ 

https://www.bls.gov/lau/ptable14full2022.htm 

https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/map/US/SBO030217 

https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/map/US/SBO020217 

https://www.lgbtmap.org/equality-maps/non_discrimination_laws  

https://www.lgbtmap.org/equality-maps/employment_non_discrimination_laws/state 

https://www.lgbtmap.org/equality-maps/employment_non_discrimination_laws/state_employees  

https://www.eeoc.gov/data/job-patterns-minorities-and-women-state-and-local-government-eeo-4  

The post Ranking the Most Inclusive States for Business and Workers  appeared first on TollFreeForwarding.com.

Luckily, there is an easier way to enter new markets at a fraction of the price. With a Singapore virtual number, you can connect with your local customers without physically needing to be present in the country. In this guide, we’ll explore what Singapore virtual numbers are, their benefits, and how you can buy a Singapore virtual number online.

What is a Singapore Virtual Number?

A Singapore virtual number is a cloud-based phone number that is not directly tied to a physical phone line. As such, virtual Singapore numbers operate just like any other phone number, only the person or business connected to it does not need to be physically present in the location where the number is associated. This can be quite beneficial to businesses looking to enter a new market, like Singapore, or those who have a large number of customers in a certain location but don’t have a local presence themselves.

Benefits of a Singapore Virtual Number

Whether it’s connecting with your Singapore customers or cutting costs, there are plenty of benefits to employing a Singapore virtual number. These include:

Provide your Singaporean customers with local dialing solutions from abroad

When your Singaporean customers need to contact your business, they want to dial a local number format that is familiar to them. A Singapore virtual number makes contacting your business easy, improving your customer service experience. It also gives the impression that you’re based locally, even if you’re located halfway around the world.

Save money on international expansion

As mentioned, expanding a business internationally is an expensive undertaking. Not only do you need to pay for the physical location, including all the overhead that comes with it, but there are also many regulations and fees that can add to the cost. With a virtual Singapore phone number, you can expand digitally into Singapore without the high cost of physical expansion.

Cloud-based solutions without complex equipment

Since all of our Singapore virtual numbers are based in the cloud, you never need to worry about hosting or maintaining any complex or expensive equipment. Everything is handled on our end. Additionally, if you currently have a legacy PBX system, you can set it up to have calls to your virtual number forwarded to correct existing lines or lines right from the online dashboard.

Enhance your customer service offering

We offer a range of advanced features to help you enhance your customer service output. Features that come with our Singapore virtual numbers include call recording, scheduled forwarding, and auto attendant, which routes calls to the correct line. We also provide real-time data insights to help you adjust to meet your customer’s needs based on their calling habits.

How to Call Singapore

Singapore phone numbers consist of eight digits with no area codes. To call Singapore internationally, begin with the country dialing code +65, followed by the eight-digit number. Singapore phone numbers are expressed as +65 [XXXXXXXX].

Steps to Buy a Singapore Virtual Number Online

Singapore’s regulatory guidelines require businesses to provide additional information when purchasing a Singapore virtual number. At TollFreeForwarding.com, we’ll handle the submission of documents and registration for you. To get a Singapore virtual number, follow these steps:

Choose desired number type – Choose whether you want a national Singapore number or a toll free Singapore virtual phone number. At this point, you will also choose your desired number of minutes.

Provide additional documentation – Once you have selected your desired number type, you will receive an email prompting you to contact our support team to provide additional documents. To register for a Singapore virtual number, you need to provide your business registration to verify your business’s name and registration number.

Our support team takes care of registration for you – After you have provided the required documents, our support team will finish the registration on your behalf. All you need to do is wait for your new number to be approved.

Begin accepting calls – Once your number has gone live, you can begin receiving calls immediately. If you want to add, edit, or remove a line, you can do so directly from the online dashboard.

To learn more about which Singapore phone numbers we offer, check out our Singapore Virtual Number page.

The post How to Get a Number in Singapore appeared first on TollFreeForwarding.com.