Enterprise Podcast Network

Enterprise Podcast Network

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Enterprise Podcast Network episodes

  • How to Organize a Small Business - Entrepreneur Podcast Network – EPN
    Business ventures whether big or small, flourish only when you lay out plans and execute them accordingly. Strategic planning and organizing efficiently brings the best out of your business. You need a lot of experience to figure out how to chart out plans to succeed but today we are going to discuss some important aspects of the business which will help you in keeping things in order.
    Keep your Documents well-organized
    First and foremost disorganized item in your office is paperwork and files, which pile up along the time. Documents like receipts, invoices etc. are necessary for future reference as well. But there is a fair share of documents which hold o purpose being there in your office. These extra files not only eat up your work-space but also create a lethargic environment which affects your mindset as well.
    Your first step is to distinguish between the documents you need to keep and the ones you need to get rid of. Another approach can be digitizing your office and making it paper-free. This will save a lot of money and different document managing softwares will make the task easier for you.
    Switch to Cloud computing
    If you are running a small business, you will most probably have a petite work-place. To function better and efficiently, ditch the receipts and Records and switch to Cloud computing for storage and sharing.
    Tools like EMERGE app let you manage your documents and allows access to your colleagues as well. Using cloud for your data clears extra space in your office and ensures that no records  are being misplaced or altered.
    EMERGE App has following benefits:
    Real-time data at finger-tips, therefore any misunderstanding is avoided and customers are always satisfied.
    Optimize your inventory levels and never have shortage or overproduction situations.
    Better purchasing options with detailed information about each supplier.
    Take baby-steps
    Planning for short-term and reviving your short-term goals with the progression of time helps you achieve your long-term goals.
    Start from the scratch, plan for your next-day or week in advance.
    Prioritize your to-do tasks and execute them accordingly.
    This does not only avoids the confusion and provides goal-clarity but also develops a   positive mindset to complete your tasks. Priority should be based on a combined system of time-sensitivity, productivity, and correspondence. Prefer quality over quantity when jotting down the sequence of assignments.
    First things first
    E-mails consist a large part of your errands on a work-day. Customers, fellow businessmen, dealers etc., bombard you with their e-mails and if you do not take care of them straight away, they are going to be a headache later on.
    Do not keep checking e-mails and pushing responses aside for a later time. Instead, assign a time-period where your main focus is on the reverting back to the e-mails and messages. This will let you handle all pressing concerns in time and also, incoming mails do not interrupt your Modus operandi.
    Virtualize your services
    Feedbacks from the customer and responding to them are a vital part of your business. You wish you could dodge these petty issues and focus on more important aspects. That is possible, by installing a virtual chatbot for Customer Service. Many tools like Botsify etc. let you make your own chatbot with help of the Facebook messenger.
    Once deployed these virtual helpers can get a load off your shoulders by answering FAQ, accepting customer reviews and so on. This way you can shift your attention to the matters which are more important.
    Manage your time well
    Many retailers face problems when things get hectic, they start to crumble under pressure. Proper time-management is the key to remain unaffected by the busy-routine and hustling up to your fullest p…
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  • ATHLETIC CEOs: Leadership in Turbulent Times - Entrepreneur Podcast Network – EPN

    Stanislav Shekshnia, the co-author of the new book ATHLETIC CEOs: Leadership in Turbulent Times joins Enterprise Radio. Stanislav is a professor at INSEAD and senior partner at Ward Howell International. His research concentrates on leadership and governance in emerging markets and organizations.
    This episode of Enterprise Radio is working in association with the Author Channel.
    Listen to host Eric Dye & guest Stanislav Shekshnia discuss the following:

    * What are the similarities between athletes and CEOs?
    * How are athletic leaders more flexible in terms of how they lead?
    * You write that athletic ceos don’t lead “by the book” and often do things that seem against conventional wisdom.  Can you give some examples?
    * What are some Athletic CEO practices that small and medium sized businesses can adopt?
    * How does an athletic mindset help you lead others and build better teams?

    Stanislav Shekshnia is Senior Affiliate Professor of Entrepreneurship and Family Enterprise at INSEAD. Stanislav Shekshnia directs the Leading from the Chair Programme.
    His research concentrates on leadership, leadership development and effective governance at emerging markets and organizations.
    Stanislav Shekshnia is a senior partner at Ward Howell talent equity advisory, which has offices in Moscow, Paris, St. Petersburg, Kiev, and Alma-Aty. Stanislav provides advice and personal coaching to business owners, senior executives and executive teams.
    Dr. Shekshnia is a Chair of board of directors of Russian Fishery and a board member at NLMK and NIS. He has served as a Chair of SUEK, Vimpelcom-R and a board member of a number of Russian and international companies.
    In 1991-2002 Stanislav Shekshnia held positions of CEO, Alfa-Telecom, President and CEO, Millicom International Cellular, Russia and CIS, Chief Operating Officer of VimpelCom, Director of Human Resources, Central and Eastern Europe of Otis Elevator.
    Dr. Shekshnia is the author, co-author, or editor of 7 books, including Coaching: How to Manage Free People (2010, 2013, 2015), The New Russian Business Leaders (2004 with M.Kets deVries, K. Korotov, E. Florent-Treacy), Corporate Governance in Russia (2004, edit. with S. Puffer and D. McCarthy).
    His articles appeared in such journals as The Academy of Management Executive, the European Management Journal, Harvard Business Review Russia, Harvard Business Review Germany, Journal of West-East Business, Case Research Journal, California Management Review, Compensation and Benefits Review, Journal of Management Inquiry, The International Executive, L’Expansion Management Review, Russian business daily Vedomosty, Expert, Management, Personnel Management, Personnel Mix, Kariera and Kompania magazines.

    Website: https://www.insead.edu/faculty-research/faculty/stanislav-shekshnia
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    13 min
  • How a Mortgage Broker Helps You Find a Home Loan - Entrepreneur Podcast Network – EPN

    You’re looking for a home loan and have begun your research process online. After looking through comparison sites, lender websites, and reviews you’re more overwhelmed than when you started. You have so many questions about terms like ‘loan to value ratio’, fees with long sounding names, and you want to know the difference between a comparison rate and effective rate.

    If you’re finding the process of looking for a home loan daunting, then a mortgage broker can help. Here are 4 ways they can help you:

    Whole of the Market Comparison

    Although online research has made it easier to compare rates yourself, it can still be a time-consuming process. Visiting each individual lender websites, enquiring about rates, and comparing the terms they offer might be too much of a hassle for you, especially if you’re time poor.

    Being able to compare the entire mortgage market is an excellent advantage of using a UK mortgage broker. Brokers who are “Whole of the market” have access to the greatest number of loans and will be able to find the best rate for you. This is in contrast to some brokers who only have access to a select panel of lenders.

    Exclusive Deals

    In addition to whole of the market comparisons, mortgage brokers have access to “broker exclusive deals”. These might offer rates and terms that are better than going direct to a lender. By using a mortgage broker, you can gain access to these deals and take advantage of the rates that only brokers can provide you with.

    Convenience

    Making a loan application involves a lot of paperwork and administration. From providing financial statements, personal documents, and proof of income, the tasks are plentiful and time-consuming. You probably don’t have the time or inclination to do all this yourself.

    A mortgage broker can help you with all of this. They will gather your financial information, provide the necessary documents to the lenders, and complete the loan application for you. It’s much more convenient than attempting to do it yourself.

    Advice

    The entire process of applying for and getting approved for a loan can be daunting, whether you’re a first home buyer or a repeat buyer. The number of loan options available, issues during the underwriting process, and obstacles to getting approved make applying for a loan overwhelming for most people.

    Mortgage brokers can provide you with advice for finding the right home loan for you. They’ll take into account your needs, financial situation, and loan facilities you require and guide you through the entire loan approval process.

    Mortgage Brokers Can Help Find The Right Home Loan For You

    Mortgage brokers help you to find the right home loan by providing the whole of market comparisons, access to broker exclusive deals, making the loan application process convenient, and providing advice where you need it.

    0 min
  • Eliminating Traditional Applications with Artificial Intelligence and Data that Thinks - Entrepreneur Podcast Network – EPN

    Andrew J. Hacker, Founder and CEO of Thought, an artificial intelligence blockchain that fundamentally changes traditional applications by embedding artificial intelligence into every bit of data making it agile, actionable and inherently secure joins Enterprise Radio.
    Listen to host Eric Dye & guest Andrew J. Hacker discuss the following:

    * What are the challenges with the massive amounts of data that are produced today and where is this data coming from?
    * What is blockchain and why is it a significant technology?
    * How can data that is smart and artificial intelligence help solve data management problems?
    * What are today’s challenges with Artificial intelligence?
    * What are hybrid data-algorithms and how can they help solve some of todays AI problems?

    Professor Andrew J. Hacker is Founder and CEO of Thought and Cybersecurity Expert in Residence at Harrisburg University. Mr. Hacker been developing the concept of hybrid data and algorithms for the past six years, has extensive Cybersecurity experience and is a CISSP. Mr. Hacker has a BS in Electrical Engineering Rutgers College of Engineering.

    Website: https://thought.live
    Social Media Links:

    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ThoughtTHT

    Twitter: https://twitter.com/thought_THT
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    15 min
  • Senior Year Made Easy - Entrepreneur Podcast Network – EPN
    Reaching senior year feels like you have completed a race and you are now about to get the freedom to do all things you like in life. But in most cases the opposite is true and this is one of the most challenging stages in every student’s life. This stage comes with a lot of excitement and is also sometimes engulfed in worries, which could be damaging. Many students have even found themselves depressed because of the intense pressure that comes with senior year, and that’s why you should not allow yourself to get to such levels.
    Here are some tips that will help you avoid reaching a situation where you will get overwhelmed by situations.
    Organize your time
    One of the challenges of senior year is managing time because it reaches a point when you are expected to complete classes and many assignments. With many assignments to complete, life may feel challenging, and that’s why it makes sense to hire someone to help with dissertation writing. Delegating tasks like writing your assignments will afford you more time that can then be used to complete other things. Just master organization and you will always clear all burdens to keep your mind focused.
    Get motivated
    To keep your grades up and to get the energy to face all your challenges, you should stay motivated. You don’t want to ruin the progress you have made for years during the last phase. There are several ways you can get the motivation you need to keep moving. Set goals and work towards achieving them. It does not matter whether you have decided that you will increase your class rank by 5 or something. Just set goals and always read positive things. You also need to watch the company you keep in this phase of your learning as some people could drag you down with their lack of optimism.
    Set priorities and pursue them
    Your senior year should not be ruined by the lack of a clear pathway. It’s advisable to set priorities and adhere to them as required. Many students get sidetracked because they start doing a lot of things at the same time. This can only make you forget some important tasks that count in your education, so be sure to define your priorities and follow them.
    Have fun
    Although senior year is an important part of your education, you should not make this the most miserable stage in school. Have fun and balance between hanging out with friends and academics. Focusing on academics alone might end up ruining your experience in school and it could end up affecting your grades, so free up and have fun while also watching your academics.
    Completing one stage and transitioning to another comes with a lot of excitement. This is something you will see when you get to your senior year. It is an interesting stage in every student’s life, and it also comes with a lot of responsibilities. Don’t let senior year make your life miserable. Have fun and make sure to balance between academics and friends. Get help where necessary to reduce the burdens.
    0 min
  • Starting an online T-Shirt Business: What you need to know! - Entrepreneur Podcast Network – EPN
    With the introduction of online shopping and reliable eCommerce, it’s easy to see why online stores are becoming the main focus of leading brands around the globe. Allowing a much larger target audience to be reached in comparison to a store, shopping online is quickly becoming the main source of our beloved brands. But advancements in services available also makes it easy for smaller brands to quickly gain traction – setting up a global distribution service has never been easier, meaning starting your online business has never been more simple. In this article I hope to cover the cornerstones of your start up, and what you should consider when establishing your online store.
    Create and design a mockup
    Before you move into choosing eCommerce platforms or make a marketing plan, it’s always vital to have an initial idea of the product you’re going to sell, so that the rest of your actions can be tailored to it.
    Having the option to see your design on different styles of t-shirt can be incredibly helpful for both you and a customer, as they can see the product they would receive, and view the product on an actual person. Oberlo’s t-shirt templates is a great place to look for templates – in their article they are offering a variety of different tools which allow you to work with your graphic and display it on your site in a way that suits your needs. For instance on a model or displaying your design on different styles of t-shirts, to give the customer a better idea of how the design will look in person.
    Choose the right eCommerce platform for you
    When distributing a product online it’s very easy to get bogged down in technicalities without using a third party platform. For online shopping, a key third party element is an eCommerce platform. Choosing the right one for your product is an important step in making your business as successful as it can be.
    Although price might be one of the most important factors, choosing an eCommerce platform that suits your long term needs is also vital, as this is the foundation on which your store will be built on. DisruptiveAdvertising has an in-depth article covering some of the leading platforms and their respective merits, explaining factors you’ll need to consider such as ease of use, store templates available, and customer support.
    Distribution
    While online stores can be a reliable way to establish a brand quickly, any online distribution needs to be backed by a reliable shipping system. It’s generally straightforward to manually ship out products when a business is small, but thinking long term it’s important to put a system in place which can be automated.
    Shopify, and some other eCommerce platforms, provide systems which use a third party supplier that manufacture the t-shirts, and then ship them by request of the seller – Shopify’s ‘Understanding Dropshipping’ goes into this in more depth. This is usually the method used by most distributors, as it provides a simple way to ship products and is integrated with a service they’re already familiar with. An alternative to this would be contacting your own supplier, who manages distribution for you upon request.
    Making a marketing plan
    Once a foundation for your business is in place, establishing a marketing plan can give a big edge over rivaling competitors, and help sustain your brand by aiding growth in the future. Understanding the audience you’re selling to is an important first step when devising a plan, which in this context could be done by understanding who might wear your t-shirt design, and tailoring your store design to that style or genre. Ben Fewtrell’s discussion on‘Why 8 out of 10 businesses fail’ provides some more general insight into what a successful business needs.
    Competitors are an important aspect of a business to keep…
    0 min
  • 5 Signs You May Need To Hire An IT Consultant - Entrepreneur Podcast Network – EPN
    Hiring an IT consultant, or a team of consultants, can be quite expensive. While IT consulting is well-worth the investment, you’ll want to make sure that you actually need consulting – before you pull the trigger.
    In this article, we’ll take a look at the top 5 signs that you might need to hire an IT consultant. Take a look, and see if IT consulting is right for you!
    1. You Lack An In-House IT Expert Or CIO
    This is especially common in smaller businesses. Maybe you have a few reliable IT staff members, but none of them are real IT experts – just day-to-day administrators with a more limited skillset.
    Hiring a CIO or another IT administrator can be very expensive – so you may not want to invest in a full-time employee.
    However, you need a forward-thinking executive who can truly direct your IT programs – so hiring an IT consultant is a great investment. An IT consultant can help fill in the gaps of your existing IT team, and provide you with valuable input and insights.
    2. You Need An Outside Perspective
    Whether you’re the owner of a small business voip, or an IT administrator, it can be easy to “miss the forest for the trees.” When you’re working on the same project for an extended period of time, you can lose your perspective – and your work will suffer for it.
    IT consultants offer you an outsider’s perspective, and may be able to come up with novel solutions to problems that you didn’t even know you had! 
    3. You Need A Specialized Skill Set
    Consultants are great for temporary projects where you need a specialized skill-set. For example, if you’re launching a new Microsoft SharePoint-based intranet, you can hire a consultant or two to help you set it up, and transfer administration duties to your IT staff.
    This allows you to avoid hiring a full-time employee, but lets you still benefit from a deep, specialized skill set.
    4.You’re On A Tight Budget
    Consultants can help you stretch a tight IT budget. Because you can hire a consultant based on hourly or daily rates, you can choose how much money you want to invest in IT consulting.
    Not only that, a great consultant can help you cut costs – and extend your budget. For example, you may be running redundant servers or pieces of software, or have outdated IT infrastructure that you can mothball to save money.
    This makes an IT consultant a great investment, even if you are running on a small budget. You can get all the help you need – without it costing an arm and a leg!
    5. You’re Thinking About Outsourcing Your IT Needs 
    Many small-to-medium-size businesses (SMBs) choose to outsource their IT services to another company. This is a great way to save money on hiring IT personnel, and become a more agile, flexible business.
    However, you may not be sure if outsourcing your IT services is a good idea. A consultant can help you understand what to expect when you outsource IT services. Together, you can create an outline of a transition plan, and discuss what kind of infrastructure, services, and personnel you’ll be outsourcing.
    And if you hire a consultant from a company that also offers outsource IT, you’ll get a good idea of the quality of services you can expect – so you can be sure that you’ll choose the right Managed Service Provider (MSP) for all of your IT needs.
    Use This List – And Find The Right IT Consultant! 
    IT consulting is not a “magic bullet” that can fix all of your organizational problems. But experienced, knowledgeable consultants can change your company for the better – so they’re well worth the consulting fees.
    So take another look at this list now, and think about how you can benefit from finding the right IT consultant!
    0 min
  • 10 best free antivirus software to protect your PC - Entrepreneur Podcast Network – EPN
    One dangerous virus can cripple your computer systems and even cripple your business. To avoid risking your business from crashing, you need to install the best antivirus possible. Luckily, some of the best antivirus software are completely free.
    Most of the antivirus companies offer free antivirus programs for home use. We are going to look at some of the best antivirus programs that you can download for free. Some of these software programs work even better than other paid versions.
    Avast Antivirus
    The avast free antivirus deserves to be on the list because it is a fully packed system that has anti-spyware and antivirus engines to protect your computers from cyber threats. One major reason why Avast is one of the best antivirus programs is its heuristics engine that protects you from previously identified malware and viruses. AVAST company has been in the business of developing antivirus programs since 1988, and it is often viewed as the most used antivirus product. The free antivirus product supports all versions of Windows, from Windows XP to Windows 10.
    Amiti antivirus
    This free antivirus program allows heuristic scanning, and it supports four different types of scans, one of which can check for viruses that are in memory. The antivirus has an easy to use interface which includes a tool that cleans the Internet Explorer files and temporary system files to ensure that free disk space is available. It is compatible with all versions of the Windows OS.
    AVG antivirus
    AVG antivirus is one of the best antivirus programs available. The AVG program is fully equipped with both anti-spyware and antivirus tools that include a link scanner, email scanner scheduled scanning option and so much more. There is no need to purchase an antivirus program when you have a fully equipped program like the AVG. It is also compatible with all Windows OS versions.
    Avira Antivirus
    Another antivirus that has made a mark is the Avira antivirus program. It can protect you from trojans, viruses, adware, spyware, worms and other kinds of malware. This makes it one of the best antivirus and anti-malware tools int he market. Avira works on all Windows OS version, and also for Linux and Mac users.
    Bit Defender
    The Bitdefender antivirus is also among the to most antivirus programs because of its easy to install and configure processes. The program uses very little resources, and it does not bother you to get to the premium version.
    Baidu Antivirus
    Baidu Antivirus is a lightweight program that is cloud-based. It fought malware and stored its virus database in the cloud. The antivirus program has anti-phishing protection, anti-hacker firewall, anti-keylogger; it offers webcam protection, a quarantine sandbox, automatic download protection and other useful features. The antivirus also scans the windows registry where is also provides the capability of password protecting it. Additionally, it can scan the USB devices and it can upload suspicious files onto Baidu’s cloud file scanner for scanning. It is compatible with all versions of the Windows OS.
    Forticlient
    This Fortieclient antivirus provides firewall capabilities alongside web filtering, optimization, and parental control, making it fit to use in a business setup. This threat management tool program is easy to setup, it updates its files automatically, and it performs a weekly scan without you worrying about anything. It is compatible with Windows OS versions, and it can run on Chromebook, Mac OS, and even on mobile devices.
    Immunet
    This program is an antivirus program that resides on the cloud, offering protection to your computer by resolving attacks from Trojans, keyloggers, viruses, worms, spyware,and bots. Once you install this software product, you don’t have to update it, and it can run alongside any …
    0 min
  • Diamonds to Cryptocurrency: 5 Ways to Grow Your Income - Entrepreneur Podcast Network – EPN
    Just about everyone could benefit from a little extra cash. Between utility bills, college educations (our own or our kids), medical bills, and vacations we wish we could take, we all hope for a little extra money now and then. If your current job isn’t bringing in the cash you need, you can consider a few side options for growing your wealth at home. Most are easy, and a few require next-to-no effort. If you want to see which method is right for you, check out the following list.
    Invest in Cryptocurrency
    Bitcoin. Blockchain. If you’re not up-to-date on the fast-emerging world of online currency, now might be the time to start researching. The principles are the same as ordinary stock investment, but the world of online currency is moving fast and in demand. Investing in cryptocurrency stocks, if you know how to play the market right, could be a great way to bring in income on the side.
    Sell Your Diamonds and Jewelry Online
    If you have high-end jewelry lying around the house, from brands like Harry Winston or Bulgari, you may be able to sell your diamonds and jewelry online for extra cash. If you’ve got your great-aunt’s engagement ring, and you know you don’t want to keep it, you could sell it online. The money you recieve could help take a dent out of your loans or give you the funds to take a bucket-list vacation.
    Open a Business on the Side
    You can keep your current job and your current salary, but you might want to consider opening a business on the side. A small online business, like an online store or an Etsy shop, can be run on fewer hours than a physical store, and the profit you make from your online sales could be just what you’re looking for. That extra pillow of cash could make setting up the side business completely worth it.
    Become a Freelancer
    Similar to opening a side-business, you can also bring in some extra cash working as a freelancer. If you’ve got a good set of skills in IT, writing, graphic design, or marketing, you could be a valuable asset to a company–one who’s willing to hire you remotely, for part-time work. That extra side-line of a job you probably already do could grow your income while keeping you flexible.
    Ask for a Raise
    If your current salary is pinching your pennies, it doesn’t hurt to ask for a raise. You might get it, and the extra income might soothe your financial worries. Then again, you might not get it, but asking for the promotion might spur you on to look for better jobs. If you could make more money at a different company, you can consider taking your talent elsewhere.
    Making more money can be a challenge. When it comes to growing your income, however, work smarter, not harder. Consider implementing one of these easy ways of increasing your monthly earnings.
    0 min
  • How Medicine is Made - Entrepreneur Podcast Network – EPN
    You may have wondered just how medicine gets created. We no longer drink a powder of herbs, ground for us by the local apothecary. We now take pills, use creams, or drink bubble-gum-pink liquids. We don’t know where the power in our medicine comes from, or where scientists discovered that power in the first place. The science of medicine is fascinating, so if you’ve ever wanted to know how medicine is made, keep reading!
    Where Does it All Begin?
    Say you’ve got a health issue you want to solve. Let’s look at essential tremors, a disorder that affects 2.2% of the US population, especially the elderly. You may have a passion for treating that particular disorder. You probably won’t start with the disease, however. You’ll start with the cure.
    Medicine usually begins with a plant or other material (such a fungus; the first antibiotics were discovered accidentally). If a scientist were to begin with a problem, they might spend their entire lives haphazardly guessing at solutions. Instead, a scientist begins with a plant that has promising properties. They may or may not know what the plant’s eventual power will be. From there, testing begins.
    In the Lab
    Medicines are developed in specialized labs. A group of scientists work with companies like Western Environmental in Franklin, OH and have a laboratory developed. There, the scientists work in safe conditions, isolating the the separate compounds of the plant. Once they’re able to isolate the compounds, they test them. They may put the compound in a petri dish to test its effect on bacteria; they may work with living organisms to test its effect on a body. Once they think they’ve hit on something, they work slowly to test the compound in various trials until they’re ready to begin testing their new drug with us–human beings.
    Clinical Trials
    Before moving onto clinical trials, scientists have to be sure the drug is relatively safe. Participating in a clinical trial, however, does come with some risk. At this stage, scientists don’t know what a drug’s side effects may be, so they carefully monitor symptoms and risks in patients. From smaller groups, they move onto larger groups, watching for any negative side effects and making sure the drug is actually effective. If all goes well, through each stage of the trials, then the drug is ready for production.
    Quite a bit of time and care go into the drugs we use every day. Consider natural remedies for essential tremors like Tremor Miracle. At the beginning of this article, we wondered how a scientist would find a solution for that disorder. They may have worked with existing discoveries on what compound does what, or they may have started with a compound only–with no specific disorder in mind. Through care, research, and testing, they developed a remedy that can be used for a specific health issue. Not every drug has a problem in mind, but every research project is performed with the same goal: finding new ways to heal.
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