Set up ICE in case of emergency settings on Android phones

If you are in an emergency situation and unable to make important calls on your own, having your 'in case of emergency / ICE' tool set up on your phone can help first responders to get medical details about you (like health conditions, current medication, allergies and so on) and information about your emergency contact persons. The setup ensures that, even though you lock your phone, any first responder would not need your password to make calls to those emergency contact persons and access your medical details. Other than this type of access, your phone will be locked.


If you want to make emergency contact people and their details available and do not yet have them in your address book, enter their contact details in your address book as you would any other (non-ICE) contact. (This is a necessary preliminary step because the ICE facility adds only preexisting contacts).
Lock your phone
Awaken your phone the way that a stranger who does not know your password would, like swiping your finger over the screen. In addition to the usual keypad (like for entering a numeric password), an option should appear on your screen for 'emergency calls only'.
Click 'emergency'
Click 'emergency information'. This is what a first responder will see.
Tap 'emergency information' to be able to enter your password to enter or edit this information. 

CONTENT RELATED TO SETTING UP ICE EMERGENCY DETAILS ON ANDROID PHONES 

Eisenhower Matrix for time management through prioritizing tasks strategically

The Eisenhower matrix is used to strategically prioritize and organize your tasks into 4 quadrants according to their relative levels of urgency and importance. The first broad step to using this matrix is to establish your core values, goals and context. In other words, this involves customizing the tool. From that basis, the next step involves analyzing and then categorizing tasks based on 2 criteria; their 1 - importance and 2 - urgency, within the context of the earlier step. Ultimately, each task should end up in one of the 4 quadrants: #1 - Do (for tasks that are urgent and important), #2 - Schedule (for tasks that are not urgent but important), #3 - Delegate (for tasks that are urgent but NOT important), and #4 - Delete (for tasks that are not urgent and not important).

Concepts: Continua of urgency & importance

Before you begin, determine how you define the concepts of 'urgency' and 'importance' within a certain context and time. These concepts exist on continua: "urgent" on one extreme and "not urgent" on the other and; "very important" to "not important". 

The context may be 

• Jane's personal life (for which her focus is to prioritize silos for her 'daughter Joy's education', 'household tasks', and 'personal care'). 

The 'time' relates to context-specific periods because situations within a context may change and require you to re-do the prioritizing process. Example(s)

• Jane may change her list daily 
• A marketing team may change their list quarterly
• A business may change its list yearly 

The urgency continuum simply refers to time sensitivity. A key objective for anyone using this process is to avoid having things get or stay in the 'Do' quadrant.

• If Jane's daughter's school examination season is near, Joy is likely to consider the 'education' silo as urgent. Conversely, during her child's vacation period, if her child does not need to use the free time to catch up academically, the same 'education' silo becomes 'not urgent'. 

The 'importance' of a task within the context of this process relates somewhat directly and narrowly to the current, higher-level core values and goals. To clarify, assigning the 'importance' of tasks in the matrix should not be confused with how you would do so in a more general context. Example(s)

• While Jane will agree that paying the rent is important to her life within a general context, she will not classify it as 'very important' here because her goal in life is to have a well-balanced life and be a good mother. (She might shift it to the urgent hemisphere of the matrix but never to the 'very important' hemisphere). To be clear, she recognizes that if she does not pay the rent, she will not have a well-balanced life and fail her daughter. However, since 'importance' in the context of the matrix regards tasks in terms of how they directly and more immediately impact her goal of a well-balanced life and being a good mother, paying bills, fixing the car are not 'very important' (even though they contribute indirectly to the fulfillment of 'important' tasks.) 

Example(s) of important tasks.

• As long as Jane's goals are a well-balanced life and good motherhood; important tasks may include helping her daughter with homework each night, spending quality time with her daughter, and self-care in whatever form that takes for her (like her health and social well-being).  

Understanding quadrants and placing tasks into them

When organizing your tasks, remember that a key objective of this exercise is to keep the quadrant #1 empty as much as possible. Arranging this matrix is not rigid. For instance, look for tasks or creatively introduce new ones that can make other items less problematic and shift them around accordingly (even though such an arrangement would not have made sense otherwise). Additionally, do not expect the matrix to be straightforward. For instance, you may encounter difficult situations in which you do not have the wherewithal to complete tasks that are both important and urgent. In such cases, the previous point about creativity applies. When circumstances become desperate and cause overwhelm, the next best thing may be to tackle 'lower priority' tasks first as a psychological way of coping. Needless to say, do everything within your powers to avoid such a situation. 

Sometimes, you may not have enough information to know if tasks you think could apply will become urgent. This is where it is best to apply the saying 'prepare for the worst and hope for the best.'

Quadrant #1 labeled 'DO' refers to the list of tasks that are both urgent and important. Consequently, you need to give them top priority. If I handwrite a list of tasks as they occur to me during the day, I subsequently assign a number (1, 2, 3, or 4) that corresponds with the appropriate quadrant.

Quadrant #2 labeled 'SCHEDULE' refers to the list of tasks that are important, but not urgent (at least, not yet). Ideally, you should spend most of your time in the 'schedule' quadrant because it is where you set a firm foundation for long-term opportunities that will give you the greatest satisfaction with your goals. Needless to say, by tackling this quadrant, you also prevent its tasks from getting into Quadrant #1. Because these tasks are not yet urgent, you can plan, research and do decision-making at a leisurely pace. 

Example(s)

• Jane plans a family vacation. This requires considerable planning, research and other preparatory steps (like organizing travel documents).
• In business; writing a well-thought out 
• business plan
• marketing strategy

Quadrant #3 labeled 'DELEGATE' refers to the list of tasks that are urgent but unimportant. I mentioned above those tasks that are unimportant within the context of the matrix but are important otherwise, like Jane's car maintenance (that indirectly helps her to achieve her bigger goals) or paying rent. When these 'unimportant' tasks become urgent, it is best to delegate them to others so that you can dedicate your unique skills and resources to personally tackle 'important' tasks. Jane is more likely to achieve her goals by choosing to spend time with her daughter than joining a line to pay utilities or learning to manage her own car mechanics.

Quadrant #4 labeled 'DISCARD' refers to the list of tasks that are both unimportant and not urgent. Consequently, you can discard them, at least for the current period. 

Example(s):

• Jane has to water her plants. Within her time context of 1 day, she discards this task today, especially if it is also the rainy season.  

CONTENT RELATED TO THE EISENHOWER MATRIX FOR TIME MANAGEMENT BY PRIORITIZING TASKS STRATEGICALLY

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DocuSign

DocuSign is a digital transaction management platform that allows users to sign, send, and manage documents electronically. It simplifies the process of obtaining signatures on documents, making it faster and more efficient than traditional paper-based methods.

To illustrate how this works, let us use a scenario in which you need to update your details with your bank.

Scenario: Updating your KYC details with a bank

1. Upload the document

• Log into your DocuSign account (using the associated email address).
• Upload a document that needs to be signed, preferably in PDF (even though other formats like MS Word can work). Of course, the document should contain the personal details that you are updating. BTW, if the bank has a DocuSign document, it will have fields for the details you need to update.

2. Place the Signature

You have options for how your signature appears: you can draw it using a mouse or touchscreen; type it out in various fonts; or upload an image of your handwritten signature. Ask about requirements that counterparties may have. Example(s): Banks may request an image that matches the signature they have on file.

• (Once the document is uploaded), use DocuSign’s interface to place your signature. To do this, navigate to the specific spot in the document where you want to sign and click on an option (usually labeled “Sign” or “Add Signature”).

3. Send the Document to the counterparty (whether they have a DocuSign account or not)

• Entering the email address of the recipient (the bank’s representative) within DocuSign. This generates a hyperlink or sends an email notification directly to them.

4. The counterparty sees your signed document

The bank will receive a notification that there is a document awaiting review and (if required,) their signature. They will see the specific spot where you signed on the document (because DocuSign highlights signatures and any other fields filled out during this process).

5. Counterparty accepts your electronic file

(Once the bank receives and reviews the signed document), they accept the document electronically through DocuSign. FYI, the platform provides an audit trail that confirms receipt and acceptance of the signed document, ensuring both parties have a record of this transaction.

6. Save and use signed documents offline

• Optional. From the DocuSign platform, you and the bank download the documents in PDF format. The documents now have all signatures and timestamps indicating when each action occurred. The printable document will have your electronic signature that visually resembles the signing option you chose for the appearance of your signature, whether handwritten or otherwise. (See note above about options).
• Optional. print out the signed document. The printed version will show all signatures and any other annotations made during signing, making it suitable for sharing with others as proof of signing.

Functionalities that relate to offline use depend on subscription levels, whether free trial, individual subscription or paid subscription.

CONTENT RELATED TO DOCUSIGN

• How to create a DocuSign account (third party YouTube video)

File transfer between your 1 android and 2 PC or USB drive using USB cable or USB OTG

Being on-the-go often means that access to files on a desktop or even your laptop may not be immediate, continuous or last for extended periods. However, android phones are a modern-day 'solution', especially if you use these tips. If you plan on traveling, this post will guide you through our options; the first is for moving files between your PC and android or the second is for having a USB thumb drive (aka flash drive) with the full library of files from which you can import to your android. Needless to say, this second option also gives you external storage space for files you might receive on your phone while traveling. This might be necessary for freeing space on your android. However, there are many other benefits. Just imagine, you can even create basic text files on your phone, to then digitally print, physically print and share them during your travels. 

 

What you need

You can easily transfer files to and from your android using USB technologies. The transfers can be done with your PC or even a thumb drive if you do not have a PC. In the latter case, your USB cable connection needs a female port called a USB on-the-go or OTG to house the thumb drive. The applicable OTG size is referred to as 'type C' for androids, version 6 onwards.

• android - thumb drive connection
• USB on-the-go or OTG, type C  (to connect the android to one thumb drive)    OR    
• Type C hub adapter that features female USB ports / sockets that therefore offer the OTG facility  (to connect the android to multiple thumb drives and other peripherals at once)
• android - PC connection
• A 'USB-C' cable, ie with one male USB end and a male type C phone end. Get this cable by unplugging it from your box charging device.

Steps to make the android - PC connection for USB file transfer

For android versions after version 10, using a USB connection alone will not work because, although File Explorer on your PC will recognize that the phone is plugged in by showing a folder for your phone (named something like moto e20 within the 'This PC' folder), you will see a note saying 'this folder is empty', when you go into your android's folder. Naturally, this is confusing because the folder is not truly empty. In order to access files on your phone from this folder on your PC, you must change the android's automatic settings. By default, it uses the USB port for charging only, even automatically switching to this default when you disconnect the cable after having used the file transfer setting. Consequently, you must always manually change this USB setting to allow the phone to do file transfers. However, once there is open access, you can easily transfer files either way, ie to and from either device. 

• Use the USB-C (mentioned above) to physically connect android PC.
• Your PC
• Ensure your PC is turned on and awake. 
• Your android
• Turn on and unlock your android phone. 
• Select as follows: 
• 'Android charging this device via USB' in the android's automatic notifications      -- OR --
• Settings > Connected devices > USB
• Select 'Media device (MTP) file transfer'
• Your PC
• Open File Explorer, search for and click on your phone's folder (usually inside the 'This PC' folder)
• Click through the various folders into which your files go by default. Example(s)
• 'Downloads' folder for emails you downloaded from email accounts as PDFs / 'printed files'; PDFs you downloaded from within emails, etc
• 'DCIM' for JPG images 
• 'DCIM' > 'Camera' for MP4 videos or JPG images you shot with your android's camera

Steps to make the android - USB thumb drive for USB file transfer

• Use the USB-OTG (mentioned above) to physically connect the android and thumb drive. 
• Your android
• Turn on and unlock your android phone. (Your android will automatically allow the 'media device (MTP) file transfer' protocol.)
• Select the following notification related to your USB thumb drive. 
• 'USB drive', 'Kingston USB drive', 'Mass storage' and so on. (The customized name you give individual drives like 'John', 'Office' or 'Home' will not appear.)
• Select how to view the files. Androids usually offer options like 'Files by Google' or 'Files'.

..............................................................

Your android's 'Download' folder

The following section explains how to access any type of externally-generated, non-android file (like Gmail emails, Excel file from your PC and so on) that are not immediately or easily available on your phone. These steps mainly involve sending non-android files to your android's 'downloads' folder. (BTW, other easily accessible folders include 'pictures', among others). 

NB. If you do not immediately see the file in the destination ('downloads') folder, disconnect the devices and reconnect. The files should then become visible.

To review the Android's 'download' from the android (ie without the PC connection);

• Option
• Click the 'File' app (by Google. This app is available as a default part of factory settings)
• (You should see folders like camera, screenshots, 'DCIM' for 'images', etc. Further down, you will also see downloads and so on)
• Option
• Click the 'Files' app by Google
• (You should see folders like downloads, images, audio and so on)

Preparing emails (for transfer as PDF)

You need to convert emails, whether sent, received or even draft from their original (Gmail) platform into PDFs on your android phone.

• Access an email from your Android phone
• Print (from the top right menu marked by 3 dots)
• Click the 'save' icon or 'save as' (on the dropdown menu or an on-screen button)
• (The new PDF form of the email should appear in your 'Download' folder.) 

Preparing text files (for transfer)

It is useful to make notes on the go. These can be random ideas you capture as basic text files (like 'ColorNote' files) on your android phone while on the road so you can develop them later. These files are stored in more complex and harder-to-find folders (like this 'com.socialmobile.dictapps,notepad.color.note') which may require you to download additional apps. If the format you use for transferring the data is unimportant, use the following workaround, otherwise, use other app-specific options (which can not be comprehensively covered here).

• Follow the steps (above) for making the PC - android connection
• Method 1: Work-around (that even works offline): 
• Copy (from the app) and paste into a draft email
• Save it as a PDF (using the method above), which automatically sends the file to your android's 'downloads' folder.
• Method 2: Conventional. 
• Once in 'File Explorer' and the folder for your phone, select as follows.
• Android > data
• Search for the folder that has integrated the name of the app (like 'ColorNote') you used (like this 'com.socialmobile.dictapps,notepad.color.note')
• (You may need to proceed in app-specific ways from this point. This might involve downloading additional apps.)

Any file (transfer ~ from PC to android)

• Connecting the PC and android's storage
• Establish the origin and destination locations
• Copy and paste accordingly between these locations

CONTENT RELATED TO FILE TRANSFERS BETWEEN A PC AND ANDROID USING A USB CABLE

• 
  

Internal links: 

• Connecting the PC and android's storage 
• Accessing the android's 'downloads' folder from the PC
• emails 
• OTG

Notes:

USB On-The-Go (OTG) functionality. allows you to connect an android to computer peripherals like a thumb drive, keyboard, mouse, or hub.

Passive Income: Vending machine business idea

The vending machine business can be either a side or main hustle. Here are some benefits of this business type.

• IF well set up, a small vending machine business can generate passive income or semi-absentee income. Notice that this is a big 'if' because a business with poorly functioning machines, inadequate locations and your inability to service the machines can translate into a more time consuming job than otherwise.
• It is recession proof. 
• It is ideal for involving children and young people as their first exposure to business.
• It offers various options on which to focus in the vending business; selling products, selling services finding locations for others, basic or advanced machine repairs, selling parts.

The main purpose of this entry is to give steps to profitably start or run a vending business. However, before starting those steps, I will quickly touch on a noteworthy observation that has been echoed by many others in the industry in some way or other. According to Hill Vending, there are 4 predictors of success in the vending machine business, ie: location, machines, service and pricing. However, most have also specifically cited efficiency. On that basis, I will pay special attention to these variables throughout this post.

Vending Location

Many business owners suggest that location is the single most important variable. This is because locations with high foot traffic usually generate more revenue. However, the concept of a vending location is multifaceted. Specifically, as with anything else in marketing, After you consider the demographics and psychographics of this foot traffic, figure out appropriate solutions and all other marketing mix elements required to properly serve the location. In addition to the marketing mix, have a risk management plan for risks inherent in some locations. See a list of location ideas and location-specific risk management considerations (below).

Machines

Machines with the latest payment technology are usually better purchases for several reasons. For instance, credit card payment options have been shown to drastically increase sales overall and also allow you to do inventory management on your phone. More reliable and durable machines can improve your service quality. Additionally, replacing parts on modern machines is often very easy and does not even require technical know-how because of a plug-in design that allows entire components to be pulled out of slots and replaced with new ones within seconds, ie without the need for technical skill. Besides, old machines are difficult to deal with because getting new parts can be difficult or impossible and upgrading can be as costly as buying a better model from the start. 

Services

Services are cited as a leading reason why location managers call on new vending machine businesses. It is therefore necessary to ensure that you can offer good service, like ensuring that your machines are always adequately stocked, working, clean and so on. Fully exploiting the fact that, as a small vender, you can be more readily available than huge vendors and even personally. 

Pricing 

The rule of thumb is that vending companies aim to make at least 100% of their price. In other words, if you bought drinks with a unit price of $0.50, your ideal selling price should be $1.00.

However, pricing can vary considerably according to location. For instance, luxury resort locations can usually fetch higher prices than a workplace, say in a factory or blue collar environment.

Options for entering into the business

The options are similar for any type of machine business (including ice making or ATM businesses).

1. Buy existing routes (ie buy machines and the rights to locations where they are operating)
2. Start an ATM business from scratch
3. Buy ATM franchises

The easiest option is buying existing routes if the contracts have a lot of remaining time. The market usually involves a wide range of circumstances; from hundreds of machines to just one.

Steps for setting up a vending business

• Set up a business that can get respect from location managers. 
• Create a name with the word 'vending' like 'Buchannan Upstate Vending'. The name should cater to your customers, ie location managers and NOT final consumers.
• Limited liability businesses are worth considering because vending machines can fall onto and hurt people.
• Figure your niche, especially at first. A common mistake is trying to spread yourself too thin, like selling drinks, coffee machines, pizza making machines, etc. Master a niche before moving on. On that basis, start with one that is easiest to enter like drinks and snacks.
• Understand market trends. 
• Cold drinks are the #1 seller in the US. Not surprisingly, sales get sluggish during colder months.
• Canned drinks (ie versus bottled) generally have higher profit margins.
• Peanut M&Ms are among the best selling snacks.
• Pepsi often sells better than any other drink.
• Establish your cheapest supply options that can provide the best option for pricing and profit margins. Beware! Buying directly from manufacturers is not always the cheapest option. You should therefore explore as many options as possible.
• Example: Rayzo Vending suggests getting wholesale accounts at wholesale restaurant warehouse. They sell food and kitchen supplies to restaurant owners at competitive prices. These warehouses offer a wide range of snacks and drinks. She buys bottled water for as little as USD 0.07 but can sell much more, likely over USD 1.00. Her usual markup is +100%. 
• Example(s): Hill Vending buys most of their drinks from Sam's Club (a WalMart company) because each unit is cheaper than from manufacturers like Coca Cola. Drinks like Coca Cola can often offer a 100% markup if you buy cheaply enough. However, profit margins may vary by product. Ultimately, ensure that your products will provide sufficient profit to justify your overall business operation. As a benchmark, Hill Vending has established what he calls his 50-30-20 rule, ie that 50% of income gets re-invested in buying more products, 30% in salaries and the remainder in miscellaneous expenses.  
• Have at least some storage.
• Some people start in their living rooms, garages and so on. The key is to start storing the products you know are sure best sellers, like Coke for drinks. 
• Establish the best vending machine brand options. At this stage, you do NOT want to buy as yet. Rather, at this stage, you are ensuring the availability of machines when you propose the machine to locations. That way, if locations are disinterested in the machine type, you will not be stuck with machines.  Conversely, once the location approves your proposal based on a machine, you can then buy the machine. BTW, remember to check on dimensions (like width, height and so on) to ensure that your machine can fit into its destination location. The large size of machines has often created major problems in this regard. BTW, Refurbishing companies can often provide good information regarding people to manage repairs.
• Top brands
• Vendo for drinks. Example the Vendo 21 series is the best for 2023 for reliability, durability and slim design.
• AMS or USI for snacks
• AMS for cold food

• Avoid going into your first business with defective machines that stop working. They can give you a bad reputation of offering poor service and put at risk of losing good locations. New machines with the latest technology are usually best. However, a close second are refurbished machines. Refurbished machines are those that are used but some of whose older or faulty components have been removed. Some cases even offer all of the after sale warranties and services available for new machines. Be sure to check any type of second hand machine. See an illustration by Jaime Ibanez of how he checks old machines. (He checks on its ability to turn on correctly, payment mechanisms, gets cold if designed for cold drinks, dimensions to ensure that the machine can fit into its new location)

• Once financially possible, use machines that are dedicated to either drinks or snacks. This is useful to improve the efficiency of your business, ie to keep you from needing to return to replenish products too quickly. If you can afford only one type, consider cold drinks because they tend to perform better than snacks. Also consider the geography of your location because drinks tend to perform slower during colder months.

• Below, Hill Vending discusses the fact that credit card readers are not always essential. Readers are ideal for only those locations with high  levels of foot traffic that generate enough card sales to justify to the fixed monthly fees associated with running the readers. Readers alone can not increase sales with a very low traffic environment.

 

• Establish best brands for add-on components. For instance, card reading machines tend to require an internet modem that sits on top of the machine.
• Ensure that you have good options for repairs, maintenance and replacements for machines and components.
• Learn cheap and easy maintenance like buying the special strips online that are used for cleaning bill receptors. Keeping on top of cleaning away debris from bill receptors can extend your replacement cycle to several years, well beyond 2 years for instance.  
• Get insurance
• basic business insurance to cover machines and inventory from risks like theft, natural disaster or vandalism.
• commercial liability insurance. Many vending locations will require you to provide proof of coverage to a certain level. In the US, this level is usually USD 1 million. This is to protect against issues in which anyone (worker or consumer) gets hurt because of your machine.
• commercial auto insurance. 
• Establish criteria for selecting vending locations. As a rule of thumb, the same products can be sold at vastly different prices according to the location. The prices can rise by moving a single machine from barbershops to hotels to airports. Example(s)
• Hill Vending's
• '30-30 efficiency rule' is that locations qualify only if they can be reached by driving within 30 minutes or 30 miles from the warehouse. This rule helps to ensure good service that will prevent you needing to travel far and causing long delays just because a coin has jammed a machine.
• Hill's Vending 'prospect pyramid' is a guide based on industry standards. It helps businesses to know what to expect as a yardstick and how to invest regarding machines. 
• High zone (for more experienced vending business owners who will not run the risk of biting off more than they can chew): 
• foot traffic: 200+ daily
• monthly sales $2k+
• Your best fit machine condition: new / used /refurbished
• Medium zone
• foot traffic: 100 to 199 daily
• monthly sales $1,000 - $2,000
• Your best fit machine condition: new / refurbished
• Low zone (for first time vending business owners)
• foot traffic: 51 - 100 daily
• monthly sales $300 - $1,000
• Machine condition: used /medium grade
• Danger zone (absolute minimum viable location)
• foot traffic: 0 to 50 daily
• monthly sales 0 to $300
• Machine condition: Used /old / outdated
• Find suitable locations that meet your criteria. Beware, this step is cited as the most difficult and time consuming aspect of this business. For this reason, many people seek professional help in finding locations. However, notice the different options. 
• Create a website through which location managers can call upon you for your vending services. This website should focus on building trust. After all, these prospects are already sold on the need for vending services. Because these prospects call on you, they often do not ask for a commission (because of the value you add in resolving their problem).
• Contact vending machine owners with machines in good locations but whose machines suggest poor service. Tell tale signs of poor service include emptiness or dirty machines. Use contact details (on some part of the machines) to ask if you can buy out that location. These are good opportunities because you can likely improve on the performance of that vendor (perhaps the product assortment, price, services, etc)
• Outbound sales, ie actively approaching and selling your service to location managers. Do NOT waste time negotiating with gatekeeping receptionists that often try to limit access to management. However, ask to speak with management, on the basis of offering services and the way in which the services can benefit the business. If you can get employees excited beforehand, that could be a useful part of your pitch.  

LetsJazzItUp's YouTube video 'Finding vending machine locations: vending machine cold business calling techniques'

• Establish the size and occupancy of parking lots. Do this via word of mouth and even Google maps.
• Qualify vending locations. Do NOT jump on every possible location without qualifying them first. See why Hill Vending Services rejected a call.
• Preliminary customer - vendor qualification meeting. Your primary focus should be to establish solutions you can provide. Consider that vending machines often add value to the location. For instance, hotels and apartment buildings may benefit from being able to say that they offer amenities. Vending machines have been used to resolve complaints over not having snacks at these lodging locations. Employers that seek out vending business services that offer free mode machines can boast free beverages for staff that keeps the staff in the building versus going out to buy these supplies. Some locations want to deal with small vending businesses because they feel like they can reach customer services better than they can with large vendors (like Coca Cola, etc). If possible, save time by doing this over the phone as a preliminary step. Your introduction can sound something like this. "I am __, from a local vending company. I can install free drinks machine services in your lobby at __ for you and your clients. (There are no hidden costs or strings attached). You can select any type of drinks and snacks you prefer and multiple payment options that include card readers. ........ What do you propose for our next contact point?" Here are some important discussion points.
• Type of location (academic, corporate office, medical, manufacturing, event spaces, long waiting room spaces, casinos, etc)
• Foot traffic: How many people daily / weekly?
• Their opening hours. This helps to establish the foot traffic. Typically, places will longer hours, like hotels that never close, have better foot traffic. This also helps you to determine your service schedule.
• Buying stage of the location manager: Problem you can solve.
• Are pre-existing machines modern with card readers? 
• Do they use a standard contract or will use yours?
• Number of other machines (and their make) already in the location? Are they manufacturer owned?
• Prices of merchandise in the location?
• Can you send images of your machine?
• Why are they giving up the previous vendor?
• Will you warranty the machine for 30 days?????
• Product types (for which you have permits to sell)? Some products like alcohol and cigarettes usually require special permits. If location managers want to sell these items and already have the permits, you can lease the machine to him rather than servicing the machine yourself.
• Entrance dimensions to ensure that your machines can get inside of the location.
• Demographics of the consumers (that can influence product types)
• Why people in the location use vending machines?
• to avoid having to go outside of the building during the cold night, hot day, etc
• go into establishment, just to use machines and therefore a way of drawing people into a business
• (If your contact like a location manager says yes, are there other more influential people like a franchise owner, corporate head, etc that can say no)
• Prepare for the first meeting with location managers
• brochures or booklet with images and specifications of machines, list with images of products, survey for their selection of products, product order lists (with location details) 
• sample contracts (see a sample). Be prepared with different types that are based on your location. Regardless of your contract type, consider starting with a short period if you are unsure of whether a location will work. Show your portfolio which may include images at important statistics for your other current locations and machines. See a simple example of Rayzo Vending talking to location owners.
• Wealthy companies sometimes seek out contracts for free mode machines (like for coffee and snacks). These machines offer the products freely to employees. However, the vending business takes inventory at the end of each cycle and bills the account accordingly.
• Commissions in the US are usually 0% to 10% of gross or net profit. However, this varies widely based on circumstances. The lower rates occur when the location managers call vending businesses for help. Most office buildings do not charge commissions. However, larger accounts like major hospitals and airports generally expect to be paid a commission. Fixed amounts are also possible. Some vending businesses prefer to offer at least some small amount for the sake of motivating concern for the security of the machine. BTW, the cost of using the location's electricity has never come up as an issue, likely because it is negligible.
• To establish commissions that are based on a percentage of revenue, vending machine owners establish a system to allow location owners to know the revenues. For instance, you may agree to empty cash receptors only once monthly. This involves counting the funds at the location.
• Mystery selections. This involves having black, unlabeled packages with mystery contents like money, gift cards and so on. See example.
• list of types of vending machines and benefits. 
• handicap accessible
• laser beam technology ensures that consumers receive their purchases)
• Mention the dimensions of your machines since machines do not easily fit into many locations and may require special provision to get inside of locations.
• types and samples of products you can carry. If you did marketing research that can demonstrate that you understand the location, show that off.
• Look for vending routes. A 'route' refers to the machine and location. Verify whether routes you are considering fall within your vending location criteria. Here are ideas for finding 'vending routes'. 
• Check advertisements on 
• Facebook, Craigslist, business listing websites (like BizBuySell.com and routesforsale.net)
• Subscribe to vending exchange alerts. Some cities offer subscriptions that send text messages to announce vending locations and their needs.
• US example: https://vendingexchange.com/ 
• Check groups. It is ideal to become part of vending groups.
• local product distributors. local vending groups.
• Ask people in your network at school, work, church and so on about the potential of places they frequent for work, to socialize and so on.   
• Get a machine AFTER you have found a location for first time vending businesses. 
• Your own funds. Buy a machine. See notes above about machines.
• Investor funds. Many people seek help from family and friends. 
• Manufacture financing. Get a free machine from product manufacturers. However, these arrangements usually carry higher product prices, minimum order values, restrictions to selling the manufacturer's products and substandard repair services. Not ideal if you want to run a vending business. This is a better fit for schools or organizations that happen to want vending machines but do not have a dedicated vending business to offer the service. 
• Be picky regarding which products you should stock pile, especially as a first time vending business. They should be those that are sure to get sold and items with a long shelf life. Consider the consumers and foot traffic levels. Consider asking the location manager what products may sell. Also consider suggestion boxes and other types of surveys. Pay special attention to expiration dates because spoilage is a common problem, especially among newbies. Have all of your products in categories in the catalog you carry to your meeting with prospects.
• Coca Cola and water are sure sellers. Especially at first, avoid stock piling products whose performance you can not predict. Water is particularly profitable with margins that can sometimes be several hundred percentages. Additionally cans (ie versus bottles) generally have higher profit margins.
• The issue of healthy food options comes up frequently. In reality, vendors who tried to switch to only healthy options got poor results. However, they did very well when they made healthy foods only one of several options within their machines. 
• Fresh foods like sandwiches are suitable only for very high traffic locations.
• Favorites for venders.
• crackers. They usually have long shelf lives and large margins.
• pastries. These sell well. Examples include honey buns because people often see these are generally healthy and useful as breakfast substitutes.
• snacks with heat.
• Raman noodles
• Electronics like phone chargers might be useful for travelers at airports
• Odd items that the demographic will appreciate: t-shirts or other souvenirs (tourists); socks (at airports); lip gloss
• Specialalty categories can be filled with surprising ease. For instance, many vegan options are already popular and well known.
• BelVita breakfast: blueberry
• Bomb pops
• Dorito's: spicy sweet chili
• Frito's: classic
• Great Value: chewy chippers
• Lay's chips: BBQ; original
• Mott's fruit snacks
• Oreo's cookies: classic
• Ritz: original
• Skinny pop popcorn: white cheddar
• Sour patch kids (gelatin free)
• Takis: fuego
• Shop for the lowest priced products. 
• Online purchases at wholesale clubs like Sam's Club offer good options that often rival prices of most distributors. In some cases, they will even offer free shipping if you have the right type of membership. Membership cards with some of these clubs can translate into hundreds of dollars in savings because of cash back plans they offer sometimes. Check to see what types of memberships upgrades can help you to earn better discounts.
• This even includes keeping your ears to the ground for dollar store special offers of your products.
• Have a means of transporting the merchandise. When starting, people use their trunk of their cars and jeeps. However, consider always carrying trollies, repair tools and cleaning supplies. 
• Establish a machine placement within your vending location. Here are a few tips.
• visible spaces, like lobbies. NOT hidden in the back and NOT somewhere that gives good view to competition like in the back with view of a gas station or supermarket.
• waiting rooms, reception areas, employee break rooms
• Have at least 3 feet of clearance in front of the machine.
• Ensure the machine does not encourage people to block the flow of foot traffic.
• For hotels, every floor next to ice machines.
• For gyms, locker rooms, lobbies

• For shopping malls and casinos, look at hallways outside of bathrooms. These machines regularly do well because people buy snacks or drinks while waiting for their friends.

• Get professional help to transport the vending machines. They should have experience with moving vending machines in particular. If you have trouble figuring this out, ask current vending businesses in your area about their movers. In some cases, machine manufacturers offer shipping services of your newly bought machine to vending locations. Moving machines is challenging because they are very heavy and tall. Furthermore, they should not be tipped because they can sustain considerable damage if they start leaking liquids into the electronics or if they fall. The average person does not know these facts.
• Servicing machines. 
• Consider how to stack your products effectively. For instance, specific niches like healthy snacks, gourmet or cheap snacks can be placed in specific locations that frequent consumers and your staff learn. That way, when a product is out of stock, you can place substitutes meeting the same criteria in the same place. This may require testing with the target market until your ideal methodology becomes clear.
• Teach your team tricks 
• ensure that snacks never get stuck
• ensure that drinks never get stuck
• pest control. Prevent the common problem of rat infestations from squeezing into machines. Stuff a steel wool around cords in the hole through which they run in and out of the machine. 
• Have inventory management systems.
• Restocking. Some vendors use software that could track real time the individual rows and products sold. However, others use methods like taking photos of the trays. One trick is to place a product at the back of each row where it can not advance forward as the product is being used. That way, the vendor can count the number of empty slots between that one package and the others that have moved forward. This might be useful for double checking that all figures balance when others are tasked with servicing your machines. See one YouTuber discuss this method.
• Consider vendor business consultants and other vending businesses. Some include 
• Facebook groups of vending businesses
• Hill Vending for a course with a very corporate strategic style approach
• YouTuber Jaime Ibanez
• Follow up with location managers to see if all is well, especially at first until it is no longer necessary to do so. 
• Ask for a location contact person at the location who can call if a problem occurs. 
• Establish a fixed service schedule. Alternatively, you use the credit card systems to remotely monitor stock levels to know what to carry to a location.
• Service schedules may be weekly or bi-weekly, especially at first. 
• Pay special attention to hectic environments like schools. People on the ground are often so busy with students that they are unlikely to call to tell you if students have shaken the machines and dislodged something as a consequence.
• Give back to location owners as a 'thank you' for allowing you to offer the service. From time to time, especially during festive seasons, consider leaving free snacks for the team of the location manager.
• Design your operation to be able to scale your business later.
• Design your operation with an exit plan in mind. Specifically, design a route that can be sold as a turn key business for someone else. That 'route' will include machines, contracts, inventory and everything else.
• Example(s). $120,000 was the total cost of a route. 50% was payable upfront while the remainder was payable in parts over a 3-year period.

UpFlip's YouTube video '2-Day Workweek Earns $700K - Vending Machine Business'

The Business Guy's YouTube video 'How to Start a Vending Machine Business, Cost, Tips, How Much You Make'

YouTuber Social Proof's video 'How much money can you make from a vending machine - episode #197 w Kashief Edwards'

Location, different facets of ~

To extend the earlier discussion on location, this section provides an alphabetized list of preferred locations and risks.

• Airports (to sell snacks, toiletries)
• Amusement parts. Near benches and washrooms.
• Apartment complexes, including luxury ones
• Banks.
• Barbershop (snacks)
• Beachfront locations
• Bus stations
• Car dealerships. 
• Casinos
• Church lobbies
• Conference centers
• Dormitories at university or other types of campuses.
• Fire stations. Keep in mind that they also have dormitories.
• Gas stations whose minimarts are closed at night.
• Golfing lounge
• Government offices
• Gyms 
• Hair salon (snacks)
• Hospitals. They never close. They cater to frequent, visitors and guests.
• Hotels and motels. Even hotels that have restaurants are good targets because not all guests are keen on paying for entire meals. Ideal spots are lobbies and near activity areas like pools.
• Laundromats, standalone or those inside of other businesses (detergent, snacks)
• Manufacturing or other industrial work places. These places usually hire many people who can not leave easily for break times. 
• Nursing homes. These are similar to hospitals.
• Office work spaces. This is usually a free option to vending businesses.
• Malls. Near the entrance of food courts.
• Museums
• Parks
• RV parks
• Pharmacies.
• Schools that are unlikely to have vandalizers (snacks)
• Sea ports
• Sports complexes / stadiums
• Train stations
• Universities (snacks)

Location-related Risks

• Vandalism
• Vandalism often happens when people get frustrated because the machine robbed them. Best responses are to
• provide QR codes with survey information re product that got stuck, etc so that you know which slots to fix and can arrange to reimburse customers. If possible, you can quickly send funds electronically using phone payment applications.
• provide toll free contact details that consumers can use to report incidents, install cameras, build a cage, place the machine in a high visibility area or strap the machine to the wall. 
• provide 'petty cash' to someone at the location who can return lost funds to customers. Tread lightly with this because, in some cases, this might be seen as a nuisance to the location managers. Additionally, this means that the location managers might become weary of your machines and perceive your service to be poor.

• Attacks. I have not yet heard of people being mugged when removing cash from machines. However, consider your security. Conceal the money as much as possible and select service schedules during the low foot traffic periods.
• Scalability problems
• Difficulty getting enough products 

CONTENT RELATED TO VENDING MACHINES AS A BUSINESS IDEA

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• Low content book publishing
• ATM
• ...