By AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION NEWS People who bike regularly for pleasure or to commute have a lower risk of cardiovascular disease, according to two studies. In a study of 45,000 Danish adults published in the American Heart Association journal Circulation: Those who regularly biked for recreation or to commute had […]
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Today, we give you a first look (thanks to JDSclubs) at the 2017 Taylormade M1 Driver.
Take a minute. Collect your thoughts and questions.
Alright, so why the same name you are asking? A few reasons from what we have heard:
So, what are the differences?
Golf equipment companies pay professional golfers to play their equipment.
You already know this.
But what if there were no equipment contracts? What if money were off the table and professional golfers considered performance only?
What would the equipment landscape look like?
Would Titleist still be the #1 ball in golf? TaylorMade the #1 Driver?
You're probably also aware that The Tour makes for a pretty hefty number on the balance sheet. Big companies have big tour staffs, smaller companies…um, not so much.
If the goal is to make an impact on tour, it sucks to be the little guy on a budget.
Performance or not, you think these guys are going to play your shit for free?
Those who can afford to invest heavily in The Tour do it because there’s no more powerful statement than being #1 at something…anything at the professional level. Few things make for better marketing than to claim a portion of the credit for a tour player’s success.
Pay to play is why my inbox is bombarded every week by a multitude of companies taking an ownership share of a winner’s success. Club, shaft, and ball, footwear and spike manufactures too…they all want you to know that the most recent winner, used or wore its product while besting the field.
The implication is their gear is ALWAYS a contributing factor to success.
From one week to the next, would the winner still be the winner with somebody else’s gear in the bag?
Would Dustin Johnson and Jason Day win without TaylorMade? Jordan Spieth without Titleist? Rory McIlroy without Nike? Stenson, Reed, and Mickelson without Callaway?
Absolutely not.
It definitely has to be the clubs, right? What other possible explanation could there be?
Let’s table that discussion for another day.
Whether it’s through club counts or actual victories, manufacturers know that the consumer will overlook the fact that between the hot melt, the grinding belts, and the drawers full of exotic shafts fit to the nth degree, the product in the tour player’s bag is comparable in name only to what’s on your local store shelves.
But if it works for a pro, it will absolutely work for the average guy. That’s the subtext. That’s what we’re supposed to believe…and the majority of consumers do.
You buy what you buy because the pros are paid to play what they play. Not all of you, of course, but the pyramid of influence is what it is because it works.
What would happen if professional golfers weren’t paid to play nearly every piece of gear in their bags?
What if, freed from the shackles of their multi-million-dollar equipment deals, instead of seeking out what pays the best, the best players in the world actively seek out gear that performs the best?
Crazy talk, I know, but let me finish the thought.
To some small degree, that might be what's happening now with Rory McIlroy, Brooks Koepka, Tiger Woods, and others formerly bound by their Nike bag requirements. This is basically uncharted territory. One of the biggest names in golf equipment, one with a sizable Professional Tour Staff effectively disappeared from the equipment landscape overnight. Its players are free to play literally anything, and Nike still pays them as long as the swoosh stays on the hat (and the shirt, and the shoes). For this brief moment in the history of golf equipment sponsorships, money should be no factor, at least not for the next little while.
For Nike guys, the next round of club choices might actually be 100% performance-driven. Wouldn’t that be something?
Koepka has already put a TaylorMade M2 driver in play. McIlroy did the same (along with a fairway wood) this past weekend in China. Even if TaylorMade can't use it in its next commercial, unpaid validation is unquestionably the best validation.
Tony Finau is back to playing mostly Callaway. Michelle Wie is reportedly playing a mix of PING and Callaway gear. And Tiger…there have been rumors of Miura, some wishful thinking around Mizuno, and even some chatter about Mr. Woods being part of a group seeking to buy TaylorMade.
Somebody find me an emoji to cover that situation.
Tiger’s new bag is among the greatest curiosities in the sport. He’s still the guy that moves the needle more than any other.
With Koepka, McIlroy, and Wie already moving on and others certain to follow, it’s got us thinking about what would happen if this free agent thing caught on.
If equipment companies stopped paying for play tomorrow, which brands would fall?
Which would rise?
Who would be the #1 golf equipment brand on the planet?
Then again, what if every golfer stopped caring what the professionals play and instead took the time to get properly fitted for everything in the bag?
Now that would really be something.
When you think about filing tax returns with the IRS, there are a lot of similarities between business and personal taxes that come to mind. However, weighing personal and business taxes on the same scale will demonstrate how different the two concepts actually are.
At 1800Accountant, we’re experts at making sure your personal and business taxes comply with the necessary tax requirements. Let’s explore what separates the two unique processes of filing personal income taxes and handling the long list of duties involved in filing business income taxes.
While Form 1040 is the standard tax return for most filers for personal income tax purposes, being a business owner opens the door to a host of new and unique business income tax returns. You must choose the appropriate returns to file in order to accurately report your business income to Uncle Sam.
Sole proprietors report their self-employment income directly on Form 1040, as do those with pass-through business structures. C corporation owners file Form 1120, while S corporation owners must submit Form 1120S. Partnerships file an information return known as Form 1065, and nonprofits must do the same using Form 990. Plus, don’t forget about estimated tax payments made on Form 1040-ES.
This list also may include tax forms to file payroll taxes, sales and use taxes, and a variety of other state and local tax filings depending on where you do business.
In addition to more tax forms to select from, the responsibility of handling business taxes also comes with additional filing deadlines. Individuals are used to the longstanding tradition of Tax Day, which falls on April 15. When operating a business, there are due dates on the calendar throughout the year.
For example, business owners must make estimated tax payments every quarter on January 15, April 15, June 15, and September 15. Some businesses are on the hook for monthly payroll tax filings. In addition, some business tax return filing deadlines fall in March, April, and May.
Of course, these can vary based on tax extensions. So, it’s critical to maintain a comprehensive calendar and note each and every filing deadline throughout the year to avoid potential late-filing or late-payment penalties.
Tax deductions are a staple of being in business. Whether you run a hair salon out of a brick-and-mortar facility downtown or you operate a small fleet of taxis, you’re immediately eligible for far more tax write-offs as a business owner than those available to individuals.
With personal taxes, you may qualify to deduct unreimbursed employee expenses you incur in your W-2 job. Deducting mortgage interest and student loan interest could also be an option. But the list of personal deductions does not go much further than that.
As a business owner, you’re spending lots of money on ordinary and necessary expenses to keep your venture up and running. More expenditures means more to write off. If you conduct work out of a spare bedroom in your house, you may be able to claim the home office deduction. If you use your personal vehicle for business trips between worksites, the vehicle deduction may be calling your name.
Startup costs of up to $5,000 to get your enterprise rolling are also deductible, along with 50 percent of business-related meals and entertainment and most out-of-pocket medical expenses you incur. Of course, nearly any business expenses you incur within your specific field are generally deductible—everything from computers to paper clips to printer paper.
The key to claiming business deductions is to record each and every one of your expenses. Save receipts and organize them for easy access in the future. The IRS often requires business owners to provide supplemental documentation to prove that they do indeed qualify for the write-offs they are claiming on their income tax returns.
Never assume that all personal and business tax rates are the same. As a sole proprietor, you will likely face personal tax rates on your self-employment income, which range from 10 to 39.6 percent. Remember that this figure does not include the 15.3 percent self-employment tax amount.
But if you have formally established a corporate entity, you may incur special corporate income tax rates on the money you earn. Corporate tax rates vary just like personal tax rates. In general, the more money your business generates, the higher the tax bracket will be when paying Uncle Sam his fair share.
Current federal tax rates for corporations range from 15 to 39 percent. Don’t forget that many states and local municipalities impose a corporate income tax as well, so what you’re paying in corporate taxes to the federal government is not necessarily going to be your total corporate income tax liability.
Be sure you understand how your specific business entity type is taxed so that you know how much of the income you earn will remain in your business bank account, and how much you’ll owe.
If you work as a W-2 employee, there’s a good chance that you get a paper paycheck or a payment that is directly deposited into your personal bank account every other Friday.
If you were to examine your pay stub, you’d notice that several taxes are withheld from this payment. This is because your employer is required to withhold Social Security and Medicare tax, unemployment tax, and other relevant taxes. Basically, you don’t have to do anything other than file a personal income tax return on which you report your annual earnings.
However, working for yourself is a whole new ballgame. You are the one required to make all tax payments that an employer normally makes to various tax authorities throughout the year. For instance, you must cover the Social Security and Medicare tax payments yourself that an employer would normally withhold from your paycheck as an employee.
This is why it’s critical to always be on top of every single tax you must pay to a local, state, or federal tax agency. It’s incredibly easy to miss a tax filing or payment due to the significant number of unique tax obligations for business owners.
No matter if you’re simply an individual filer with a basic return or you own multiple business entities that require numerous filings, it’s a good idea to work with an accounting professional to ensure you’re staying compliant—and to help you save more of your hard-earned money.
The last thing you want is to receive IRS penalty notices when you open your mailbox, simply because you didn’t understand your filing requirements as a taxpayer.
I found this quote particularly telling. Notice the term “postfactual society.” I hadn’t heard it before, but it fits quite well:
It’s been suggested that we’ve moved to a postfactual society, where evidence and truth no longer matter, and lies have equal status to the clarity of evidence. So how can we rebuild respect for truth and evidence into our liberal democracies? It has to begin with education, but it has to start with the recognition that there are huge gaps.
This comes at about 10:50 into this TED talk by Alexander Betts, on Brexit. I recommend this one for anybody reading this, especially Americans. What he says about realities of class division and globalization applies equally to this country. He offers fascinating data from the U.K. Applying it here, in the U.S. as well, is obvious.
He also offers a set of recommendations on what we do about it. A difficult path to follow, but a whole lot better than just cursing what is.
The post Video: Are We Living in a Postfactual Society? appeared first on Planning, Startups, Stories.
By AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION NEWS There’s nothing funny about stroke, but on World Stroke Day, “Nancy” cartoonist Guy Gilchrist is bringing awareness to the disease that changed the course of his life and career. Saturday’s daily strip featuring the timeless 8-year-old is a nod to his personal connection with stroke. […]
The post ‘Nancy’ cartoonist uses personal story to highlight stroke awareness appeared first on News on Heart.org.
By AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION NEWS Lea en español The details of what happened to her the day she had a stroke are still fuzzy for Lindaly Hernandez. But 4-year-old Jayden Garcia remembers exactly where he was the day his mother collapsed in her bathroom. Jayden, who was 3 at the […]
The post Pregnant mom saved by quick action of toddler son appeared first on News on Heart.org.
Por AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION NEWS Read in English Para Lindaly Hernandez, los detalles de lo que le pasó el día que le dio un ataque cerebral todavía son confusos. Pero su pequeño hijo, Jayden Garcia, recuerda exactamente donde estaba el día que su mamá se cayó en su baño. Jayden, […]
The post La reacción rápida de su pequeño hijo salvó a mamá embarazada appeared first on News on Heart.org.
By AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION NEWS U.S. hospitals and other institutions will have access to comprehensive cardiovascular accreditation services in 2017 through a new collaboration between the American College of Cardiology and American Heart Association. The services focus on cardiac care — including chest pain, cardiac catheterization, atrial fibrillation and heart failure […]
The post AHA, ACC to offer hospital cardiovascular accreditation services appeared first on News on Heart.org.
By AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION NEWS Tim Leary often finds himself face-down in mud below wires with electrical currents, pulling himself up a wall or jumping off platforms. But even when the athlete competes in obstacle course races like the Spartan, Warrior Dash and Tough Mudder, he can’t hear the competition, […]
The post Deaf stroke survivor races to health appeared first on News on Heart.org.
By AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION NEWS With TV ratings for the World Series soaring, another huge audience is expected to tune in Friday night as the setting shifts to Wrigley Field in Chicago for the first time in 71 years – and the American Heart Association will be a part of […]
The post Baseball Hall of Famer Rod Carew’s Heart of 29 campaign part of World Series Game 3 broadcast appeared first on News on Heart.org.
There are some wildly talented people in this world.
Just spend 5 minutes on the search feature in Instagram and you will no doubt have to agree (Since it's the internet I also know you will try and disagree).
The internet has given a voice and a canvas to all those that were given a talent. Their gift of genius no matter how big or small can lead you down a many of rabbit hole. One of those rabbit holes is what brings us to our article today.
I went down a rabbit hole, and this is what I found.
I have seen just about everything in golf. That was until I ran in to a post by a guy that ran something called BloodSweatAndThread. For all the other cut and paste designs and people in and around golf, I quickly realized this guy, well he was different. In a good way.
If you have followed MyGolfSpy for sometime you have no doubt seen some of his designs. We loved them so much we had him design our staff bag tags here at MGS. One of which we will be giving away to you today.
You might see this as just another bag tag made just another guy. We see it as something much different. This is a representation of everything we are about.
The truth is black and white, so are our tags. MyGolfSpy is different, so are our tags. The team that makes up MyGolfSpy is small but intensely passionate, so was the man behind the design. We give a damn about giving a damn, so does BloodSweatAndThread.
By AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION NEWS Healthcare providers should consider personal, ethnic and cultural preferences and use easy-to-understand language and food examples when counseling people about eating healthy, a new American Heart Association statement recommends. “It’s one thing for professionals to summarize the data and develop guidelines, but an entirely different […]
The post AHA statement: Preferences should be ingredient in healthy eating appeared first on News on Heart.org.
By AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION NEWS After Ellis Williamson of Galveston, Texas, had a stroke in 1964, he helped break new ground in patient advocacy, empowering stroke survivors in a time when stroke carried stigma. He was in his mid-30s when a stroke left him unable to speak or walk. After […]
The post Ellis Williamson forged new ground as a patient advocate by starting the Stroke Club appeared first on News on Heart.org.
Model: Air Foil Black Fairway
Lofts: 3 wood (15*) & 5 wood (19*)
Adjustability: None
Left-handed Availability: None
Stock Shaft: Fujikura
Price: $149
Availability: Immediate
Defining Technology: Dual-slot technology with Nitrogen reinforced 17-4 Stainless Steel Face
Slot technology is ubiquitous. But dual-slot technology? That's a bit less common. Air Force One's latest fairway model – the Air Foil Black – is engineered with two slots, which combine to produce an accordion effect, the result of which, according to Air Force One, is higher MOI, faster ball speeds and optimal launch/spin conditions.
Specifically, at impact, the thin face flexes, which initiates the build-up of compressed nitrogen. As the face rebounds, the trampoline effect (often referred to COR or CT) is maximized, resulting in top end ball speeds across a greater percentage of the club-face. While this sweet spot is expanded, let's be realistic about expectations. Shots hit more than a few centimeters off center will still show a significant loss in ball speed and directional accuracy. That's just how it is...with everything.
Thin faces are fantastic for producing fast ball speeds, but they're neither durable nor do they feel particularly solid at impact. This is where Air Force One's technology shines. The company uses strategically placed compressed Nitrogen to reinforce the club face, which gives the thin face the structural integrity it needs and a quality feel at impact . The largest upside to nitrogen is that it's weightless and weight is a precious commodity when it comes to club design. If this technology had a theme song it would be "Money for Nothing" by Dire Straits.
To some, a Nitrogen infused clubhead sounds more like science fiction or an idea cast off to the parking lot during an R&D brainstorming session. But the reality is, the technology works and AFO drivers, which also leverage Nitrogen technology, have routinely out-performed higher priced competitors in MGS testing.
It's only reasonable to expect comparable performance from a fairway wood with similar technology. We're not talking 10-15 yard guarantees over competitors, but for the player who could benefit a shallower-faced, easy to elevate fairway, I wouldn't be at all surprised to see appreciable gains.
Left-handed players are once again left out and with only five shaft options (two of which are women's specific) we can't guarantee there's a shaft for everyone. That said, the target population for this club is the player who fits into a 60-70 gm shaft with medium to soft tip section. If so, either the Fujikura or Graphite Design G series should work well.
I hesitate to describe the aesthetics of the Air Foil as non-traditional, however, with two deep slots and a triangular look at address, it certainly stands out a bit, but not in an "OMG I couldn't ever bag that club" way.
The Air Foil Black is a budget-friendly fairway wood which has a penchant for behaving more like a hybrid in that it is engineered to launch easier and fly higher than a traditional fairway wood. The added forgiveness is a nice bonus and this club certainly provides further validation that Nitrogen-infused technology is entirely legit.
For more information on the Air Foil Black Fairway, visit the Air Force One Golf website.
We love SaaS (or “software as a service”) here at Bplans—after all, we make LivePlan, which just so happens to be a SaaS product!
We also love SaaS businesses, subscription businesses, and the subscription business model in general. So, we’ve made an effort to create resources to help you learn more about what running a SaaS or subscription business actually entails, and give you the tools to start and run one successfully.
Here, you’ll find all of our best SaaS and subscription business resources, starting with a detailed definition of a SaaS business (so if you’re still unsure what it actually means, don’t worry—we’ve got you covered), all the way through how to grow your SaaS or subscription business, and inspiration from some truly bizarre subscription products out there.
1. Software as a Service (or SaaS) 101
Let’s start at the beginning: If you’re unsure of what running a SaaS business entails, this is the article for you. You’ll learn what a SaaS business is, and the inherent benefits and risks involved in running one.
2. The Pros and Cons of Running a Subscription Service
A subscription service can be a fantastic way to bring in recurring revenue, but it doesn’t come without downsides. If you’re considering starting a SaaS or subscription service, make sure you consider both the pros and cons of this business model.
3. How to Plan, Start, and Grow a Successful SaaS Company
If you’re interested in learning more about what it takes to start your own SaaS business, this in-depth guide is for you.
Here, we illustrate the steps you need to take to actually launch your new software, from ideation and development all the way through tracking key metrics once you’ve started up successfully.
4. The 5 Metrics You Need to Track for Your Subscription (SaaS) Business to Succeed
Speaking of metrics, here are the essential metrics that you’ll need to track, if you decide a SaaS or subscription business is right for you. This article walks you through what these metrics mean, and how to track them.
5. A Complete Guide to Forecasting Sales for Your Monthly Subscription (SaaS) Business
Diving even deeper into tracking within your SaaS business, this article offers a detailed look at forecasting sales for both SaaS and subscription businesses. You’ll also get examples with actual numbers, to help make the potentially intimidating task of forecasting easier to understand.
If you’re interested in learning more, be sure to also download our free Subscription Sales Forecast Template.
6. Boost Your SaaS Business Revenue With These 12 Strategies
We’ve evaluated all the best methods SaaS businesses can use to grow, and picked the most effective. These strategies are time-tested and proven to be successful, and—if implemented properly—are sure to help your business continue to grow.
7. 16 Resources to Help Grow Your SaaS Startup
It’s important to look to the experts and keep up on your industry, no matter what field you find yourself in. Luckily, the SaaS industry is bursting with thought leaders who love sharing their advice. This list of excellent blogs, podcasts, and networks will help you learn and continue to grow your business.
8. Money-Making Subscription Services (That You Can Start Too!)
If you’re interested in starting a SaaS or subscription business but aren’t sure what kind you’d like to start, this list is for you. We’ve broken it down into categories and highlighted some successful and innovative subscription services in each.
9. Profoundly Strange Subscription Businesses
Subscription businesses come in all shapes and sizes, from software and beauty boxes to subscription dog washing. These creative subscription services are sure to inspire you!
10. 7 Strange Yet Innovative Online Subscription Services
Monthly bacon delivery? Yes, it exists as a subscription service—proving that the only limit to subscription services is your imagination (and, of course, a viable market share).
Do you enjoy reading success stories from those who’ve gone before you? Check out our interview with the founders of Picky Bars, a unique energy bar created as a response to a specific need.
Is there an aspect of SaaS and subscription businesses you’d like us to cover in more detail? Share this article on Facebook or Twitter and tell us, or reach out directly to us @Bplans on Twitter!
I haven’t posted here yet this week in part because I’ve been distracted with posts elsewhere. One of them is about the value of saying no in sales, one is a refresher on fundamentals of lean planning, one is looking at the future of brand marketing and content, and the fourth is a pure fiction riff on current events.
The post On Saying No, Lean Planning, Brands, and What Could Happen appeared first on Planning, Startups, Stories.
