Author: Complete Controller

Understanding Sustainability: A Pledge for the Future

Sustainability is a holistic concept encompassing our commitment to preserving the planet for generations. Climate change is at the forefront of today’s challenges, driven by escalating CO2 emissions. To curb this trend, substantial reductions in CO2 emissions are imperative in the upcoming decades, as outlined in the Climate Agreement. The onus of responsibility extends to both individuals and companies.

Fundamental tenets of sustainability include:

1. Recycling
2. Thoughtful consumption of food and electricity
3. Water conservation
4. Adoption of green energy generation and utilization.

Embracing sustainability entails collectively safeguarding our environment and fostering a sustainable legacy.

Sustainability in Business: A Corporate Commitment

In the Netherlands, the top companies contribute 71% of CO2 emissions, emphasizing their significant role in fostering sustainability. This commitment to sustainability is often called sustainable business or Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).

Key avenues for sustainability in companies encompass:

1. Generating and utilizing green energy
2. Minimizing CO2 emissions
3. Compensating for CO2 emissions
4. Reusing residual products
5. Developing sustainable products or services
6. Fostering awareness among customers and stakeholders.

Embracing sustainability in business is a multifaceted approach, acknowledging companies’ responsibility in minimizing environmental impact and contributing to a more sustainable future.

The Imperative of Sustainable Business

The U.S. government has committed to reducing CO2 emissions by 49% by 2030 (compared to 1990) and 95% by 2050. To encourage corporate cooperation, incentives, sustainability subsidies, and carbon emission trading play pivotal roles.

Moreover, the media and the public now demand Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) policies from businesses, particularly larger ones. Organizations aiming for carbon neutrality enjoy a positive public image, outpacing competitors, and consumers are increasingly willing to pay a premium for their products or services. These factors, among others, underscore why sustainable business practices are not just a choice but a strategic imperative for companies aspiring to be future-proof.

Sustainability Tips for Companies of All Sizes

Implementing sustainability practices may seem daunting, but there are many achievable steps for companies, whether large or small, to enhance their eco-friendliness. Here are some practical tips:

Embrace the basics

• Replace incandescent bulbs with LED or energy-saving alternatives.
• Turn off power strips at the end of the day to minimize energy consumption.
• Opt for sustainable appliances when replacements are due.

Promote sustainable commuting

• Encourage the use of public transport, bicycles, and flexible working arrangements.
• Support remote work options to reduce commuting and its environmental impact.

By starting with these fundamental steps, companies can make significant strides toward a more sustainable and environmentally responsible business model.

CO2-Neutral Entrepreneurship Demystified

To minimize CO2 emissions, companies adopt strategies to reduce, generate, and compensate for their carbon footprint. CO2-neutral entrepreneurship signifies that a company, by the end of its operations, has effectively eliminated its CO2 emissions.

For those committed to 100% CO2-neutral entrepreneurship, a comprehensive examination of the entire business chain is imperative. It encompasses product or service offerings and aspects such as procurement, facilities, business travel, distribution, and communication.

The CO2 Performance Ladder is an effective tool for companies to gain insights into their carbon emissions, establish ambitious reduction targets, and implement measures to achieve sustainability goals. Embracing CO2-neutral entrepreneurship is a proactive step towards environmental responsibility and a low-carbon future.

Becoming CO2 Neutral in Four Steps

For companies aspiring to be climate-neutral, achieving CO2 neutrality can be straightforward with these four steps:

Step 1: Map the CO2 footprint

• Understand energy consumption and CO2 emissions, including gas, fuel, electricity, business kilometers, and air travel.

Step 2: Reduce CO2 emissions

• Targeted reduction efforts based on your mapped emissions. Explore sustainable business tips for immediate applications.

Step 3: Generate sustainable energy

• Produce your green energy through sources like solar and wind energy. Government subsidies are available to encourage sustainable energy generation.

Step 4: Compensate for CO2 emissions

• If residual emissions persist after reduction and self-generation, offset them to achieve 100% CO2 neutrality. Various options exist for compensating the remaining emissions in the chain.

This straightforward approach empowers companies to embark toward CO2 neutrality and environmental responsibility.

About Complete Controller® – America’s Bookkeeping Experts Complete Controller is the Nation’s Leader in virtual bookkeeping, providing service to businesses and households alike. Utilizing Complete Controller’s technology, clients gain access to a cloud platform where their QuickBooks™️ file, critical financial documents, and back-office tools are hosted in an efficient SSO environment. Complete Controller’s team of certified US-based accounting professionals provide bookkeeping, record storage, performance reporting, and controller services including training, cash-flow management, budgeting and forecasting, process and controls advisement, and bill-pay. With flat-rate service plans, Complete Controller is the most cost-effective expert accounting solution for business, family-office, trusts, and households of any size or complexity.

Revitalize Your Marketing Strategy with Innovation

Transform your restaurant’s sales dynamics by implementing innovative marketing planning. Capitalize on weekdays’ potential by introducing enticing offers like discounted starters or special combination menus. Consider establishing a unique branding approach for specific days of the week, like “Ladies’ Night” on Thursdays, featuring exclusive wines and items catering to this target group. Leveraging creative promotions on traditionally slower business days can significantly enhance your restaurant’s success, attracting new customers and fostering a dynamic and thriving dining experience.

Strategic Menu Analysis for Enhanced Profitability

Delve into a comprehensive evaluation of each menu item, examining its profitability and revenue records. Assess whether the pricing aligns with the value offered. If a menu item exhibits low revenue and profit margins, consider strategic adjustments such as increasing its value proposition or potentially removing it from the menu. This meticulous analysis ensures that every item contributes optimally to your restaurant’s overall financial success and customer satisfaction.

Introduce Fresh Offerings with Taste Tests

When contemplating the addition of new cocktails or dishes to your menu, leverage the power of free taste tests to gauge their popularity before committing to stock. This approach is particularly advantageous for unconventional items, as predicting customer compatibility can be challenging.

Additionally, consider introducing products seasonally and measuring their success in each weather to assess further and refine their popularity. By incorporating taste tests and seasonal rotations, you can make informed decisions that align with customer preferences and enhance the overall appeal of your menu offerings.

Upgrade Your Operations with a Mobile Point-of-Sale System

Enhance your restaurant’s efficiency by implementing a mobile Point-of-Sale (POS) system. This cutting-edge technology enables seamless communication between servers and the kitchen, ensuring customer orders are instantly transmitted upon placement. A mobile POS system accelerates beverage and meal preparation, improving accuracy and customer satisfaction. Elevate your restaurant’s service standards with this advanced solution for heightened operational efficiency.

Innovate with Technology Integration for Optimal Efficiency

Explore a spectrum of technological solutions beyond point-of-sale systems to elevate productivity and boost profitability in your restaurant. Consider implementing a comprehensive management system, enabling administrators to streamline operations and dedicate more time to customer interactions.

For staff members, explore tools like headsets for swift table clearing and setup, particularly in larger establishments. As for customers, explore apps like No Wait, which allows virtual queueing before arriving at the restaurant and enhances the overall dining experience with seamless technology integration.

Optimize Supplier Relationships for Cost Efficiency

Regularly reassess your current supplier agreements to ensure you are securing the most favorable deals. Create a concise list of essential menu items and materials, and leverage this list to compare prices from various vendors swiftly. If alternative suppliers present more competitive rates, consider negotiating new agreements with your current providers or exploring potential switches. This proactive approach ensures that your restaurant maintains cost-effectiveness by consistently securing the best possible deals from your suppliers.

Strategic Approach to Complimentary Appetizers

Minimize complimentary appetizers, like French fries or bread, by instructing wait staff to inquire about customer preferences before serving. This simple yet effective method reduces food waste and contributes to cost savings, ensuring a more efficient and economically sustainable approach to hospitality service.

Optimize Temperature Settings for Energy Efficiency

Strategically adjust your restaurant’s thermostat settings to achieve significant energy savings. Consider raising the standard thermostat by 12 degrees during the summer, conserving power without compromising customer comfort. Similarly, a 12-degree reduction in the average temperature in winter can result in cost savings while maintaining a comfortable dining environment. This thoughtful approach to temperature management ensures energy efficiency and a pleasant experience for patrons.

Enhance Refrigerator Efficiency for Optimal Performance

Regularly check your restaurant’s refrigerators for proper refrigerant levels, as improper filling can decrease efficiency by up to 20% and raise the risk of equipment failure. Implement a daily routine for staff to verify the fridge temperature, ensuring it consistently stays below the required level. This simple yet crucial task can be incorporated into employees’ start or end processes. Additionally, conduct an annual inspection of the refrigerant charge to maintain peak performance and prevent unnecessary energy consumption.

Boost Engagement with an Online Media Strategy

Elevate your restaurant’s online presence with engaging challenges, encouraging sharing, incentivizing visitors to share their experiences, and cultivating Facebook advertising strategies. For example, introduce a theme like ‘Selfie Sunday,’ prompting individuals to post selfies, tag the restaurant, and participate to win a complimentary workday meal.

Recognize the significance of treating social media as a modern marketing platform. Leverage platforms like Instagram for visually appealing posts that capture attention and foster an active online community.

In parallel, prioritize email marketing as a powerful tool for communication and customer retention. Maintain a consistent email marketing strategy by combining updates and promotional offers, ensuring that recipients can easily click through to visit your restaurant. This dual approach to online media and email marketing maximizes engagement and strengthens your restaurant’s digital presence.

v. About Complete Controller® – America’s Bookkeeping Experts Complete Controller is the Nation’s Leader in virtual bookkeeping, providing service to businesses and households alike. Utilizing Complete Controller’s technology, clients gain access to a cloud platform where their QuickBooks™️ file, critical financial documents, and back-office tools are hosted in an efficient SSO environment. Complete Controller’s team of certified US-based accounting professionals provide bookkeeping, record storage, performance reporting, and controller services including training, cash-flow management, budgeting and forecasting, process and controls advisement, and bill-pay. With flat-rate service plans, Complete Controller is the most cost-effective expert accounting solution for business, family-office, trusts, and households of any size or complexity.

Improve Your Google Ranking

A verse in digital marketing goes like this: the best place to hide a body is the 2nd page of Google. You may or may not like this game, but 95% of users do not make it to the second page of the search engine. So, if you want your business to be prominent on the internet, you must be on the front page. That’s where content marketing comes in.

Two trillion Google searches take place every year to give you an idea of ​​the size of this opportunity. The Google algorithm considers specialized and relevant content production an essential criterion for ranking among the top results. This improvement in ranking increases the chances that the right audience will find your business, that is, those who might be interested in what you sell.

Expanding Business Influence

In addition to attracting more people interested in your content, you can also spontaneously increase the reach of your business; this means that you increase the chances that your posts will appear to more and more people.

Most people are on the internet for connection, fun, and information. Unless your business is entertainment, providing information is the best chance for people to find your business. But not just any data. You need to know your audience very well to fit your language and give them exactly what they want and need. People tend to share information they find valuable and exciting on social media and with friends and family; this creates an entire network that allows your publications to reach more and more people.

Another fact that helps to increase its reach is that people are naturally curious. So, it is likely that many of them will want to visit your business page or profile to find out more if you are the face of your business, meaning more traffic to your sales site and more chances to make new customers.

Driving Cost-Efficiency

One of the main reasons you invest in content marketing is that it costs 62% less than traditional marketing (based on selling products or services only through ads). This conventional process tends to be less well-received by consumers and consequently becomes less efficient.

To better understand this data, 78% of companies are not as satisfied with the conversion rates generated by ads alone, making it necessary to spend more money to attract customers and close sales. If you only focus on ads, you can get good results, but chances are, it will cost you more than it could.

Think with me; if you use content marketing in your strategy, you will more easily attract people with an affinity with your business. These people start to get used to and build rapport with you and your business. Hence, when you display an ad to sell, chances are it will happen more naturally, and you will get a better result. And this combination makes your costs cheaper.

Maximizing Marketing Efficiency

One of the great benefits of content marketing (and one of the reasons it generates savings for your company) is that you can reuse your productions. If your company publishes a blog article per week, you can extract excerpts from it to post on your social networks during those seven days, for example. You can also apply the same principle to your videos. You can adapt a single recording for YouTube, Facebook, and IGTV.

Another idea is to send a weekly newsletter about the content your company has produced during the week or month to your email list. It means you can increase the chances of your messages getting into users’ inboxes. A weekly newsletter helps you keep in closer contact with your audience and decreases the chances of your sales emails being seen as unwanted by providers such as Gmail.

Maintaining an adequate frequency of valuable messages for your list will likely go where you want it: your inbox when you send a sales email.

Unlocking Sales Potential

If you still need clarification about why investing in content marketing is vital to your business, look at this data. More than 50% of consumers say that reading a blog influences their decision to buy a product.

In other words, if your company still doesn’t invest in content marketing, you may fail to close up to half the sales you could. That’s because you control everything published on your communication channels, whether a blog or a YouTube channel. This autonomy allows you to teach people about the advantages of your product, clarify doubts, and awaken interest in what you sell.

About Complete Controller® – America’s Bookkeeping Experts Complete Controller is the Nation’s Leader in virtual bookkeeping, providing service to businesses and households alike. Utilizing Complete Controller’s technology, clients gain access to a cloud platform where their QuickBooks™️ file, critical financial documents, and back-office tools are hosted in an efficient SSO environment. Complete Controller’s team of certified US-based accounting professionals provide bookkeeping, record storage, performance reporting, and controller services including training, cash-flow management, budgeting and forecasting, process and controls advisement, and bill-pay. With flat-rate service plans, Complete Controller is the most cost-effective expert accounting solution for business, family-office, trusts, and households of any size or complexity.

Change is never easy, but in the business world, it is necessary, and companies have to work hard to prepare for what the future holds.

Invest in the Employee Experience

One of the best techniques to prepare your company for the future of work is to put employees first. LinkedIn’s Global Talent Trends 2020 report shows that the employee experience is an increasingly important part of the organization for 96% of talent professionals. Moreover, 50% of respondents in the HR Sentiment Survey 2020 the employee experience as one of the most important initiatives for 2020. By prioritizing the employee experience, leaders can create a more meaningful connection. Using surveys and tools, leaders can monitor the well-being of their employees, identify their needs, and adjust work policies accordingly.

L’Oréal is one of those companies focused on creating a more positive employee experience. This brand has 88,000 employees, 55,000 of whom have worked remotely during the pandemic. To help employees with the challenges of telecommuting, the company has implemented several initiatives, such as ‘Learning Never Stops,’ a project that provides employees with training in stress management and well-being.

Diversify the Workplace

Diversity reports published in 2014 by several major tech companies found that most of the tech workforce consists of white men; this is not surprising, given that in almost every sector, stereotyping, unfairness, and underrepresented minorities have fewer opportunities to grow and advance professionally.

However, there are no such problems with the e-commerce company Shopify. With each vacancy, the company encourages all potential candidates to apply for the position — even if they don’t comply with all the requirements “because skills and competencies come out in many different ways and can develop through life experience — not just education.

Communicate the Company’s Purpose, Mission, and Values

In times of crisis, some companies find refocusing their brand or switching target markets helpful. Brands that want to impress their audience must first develop a solid understanding of their customers’ needs. L’Oréal also shows how best to do this as a company in this area. For example, the pandemic has created an unprecedented demand for disinfectant products, prompting the brand to use its manufacturing facilities to manufacture hand sanitizers for hospitals, pharmacies, food stores, and care homes. L’Oréal has also decided not to profit from this initiative and has announced that it will provide these products free of charge.

Recognize the Importance of Agility

As the business world starts to change rapidly and consumer demands intensify, leaders must find a way to make their organizations more agile. Research by McKinsey & Company showed that organizations where they more deeply embedded “agility or agility in business models” outperformed their competitors during the COVID-19 crisis. In addition, these organizations had more engaged employees, improved operational performance, and increased customer satisfaction. Many less or non-agile companies struggled to re-prioritize their work and switch to telecommuting during the lockdowns. Thanks to their agility, several European and Asian telecommunications companies have provided better service during the pandemic.

Harness the Power of Technology

Companies also need to invest more quickly in critical technologies to remain agile. In China, where many companies have moved to more flexible workplace models due to the pandemic, telecommuting solutions – such as WeChat and DingTalk – have become increasingly popular. Due to the large-scale transition to teleworking, the number of active users of DingTalk is no less than 125 million. Some companies even went further and developed unique applications for their frontline teams. For example, a bank set up a mini-program that allowed their relationship managers to continue communicating with customers and generating leads.

Make Cyber Security a Priority

Although automation helps companies improve workflow and efficiency, they must carefully handle technology. As more companies adopt digital and cloud solutions, they can face various security issues simultaneously. Employees are often unaware of these risks, so it’s important to implement training programs to ensure that employees know how to secure their systems and data.

Focus on New Skills

As we live in the age of digital disruption, digital skills have become essential. A recent survey by Dell Technologies shows that more than half of respondents believe that digital skills will lead to a massive change in the workplace. Artificial intelligence helps employees complete more tasks, better manage workflows, and better understand the data their company collects. Dell predicts that by 2030, an understanding of AI will “unlock human potential and enable workers to differentiate themselves from others.” In addition to digital skills, new employees must have sufficient soft skills, such as creative thinking, communication skills, and objective judgment. People with emotional intelligence will build better relationships with their colleagues, creating a more respectful environment where everyone’s input is valued and encouraged.

About Complete Controller® – America’s Bookkeeping Experts Complete Controller is the Nation’s Leader in virtual bookkeeping, providing service to businesses and households alike. Utilizing Complete Controller’s technology, clients gain access to a cloud platform where their QuickBooks™️ file, critical financial documents, and back-office tools are hosted in an efficient SSO environment. Complete Controller’s team of certified US-based accounting professionals provide bookkeeping, record storage, performance reporting, and controller services including training, cash-flow management, budgeting and forecasting, process and controls advisement, and bill-pay. With flat-rate service plans, Complete Controller is the most cost-effective expert accounting solution for business, family-office, trusts, and households of any size or complexity.

We are thrilled to share that social media marketing can play a vital role in building connections and engaging with like-minded individuals on Twitter, LinkedIn, and Facebook. With its unparalleled ability to amplify your message, we believe that incorporating social media marketing into your business strategy will yield significant results in the upcoming year. To help you take full advantage of this opportunity, we’ve compiled six tips that will enhance your social media marketing efforts. Let’s get started on this exciting journey together! And you can also always learn even more with other similar articles on our Complete Controller blog. 

1. Make information and entertainment a priority (stop talking about sales)

Nobody likes to see social media updates that sound like product advertisements. No matter, select whether your platform is Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Instagram, Pinterest, Snapchat, TikTok, or any other channel. Focus on getting your updates on social networks was on the brand and the story, not sales.

You can link to current news related to your industry, share trivia and tips, create entertaining videos that open your brand values, and regularly develop interactive contests for people to participate. Informative, helpful, and entertaining content builds customer loyalty further than endless product mentions and sales offers. 

2. Use the latest social media trends

Your business must leverage the latest social media developments to stand out in customer feeds to build awareness and showcase your brand. Some of the crucial trends shaping the social media landscape are: 

• Augmented reality 

Social media technology continues to evolve, significantly augmented reality (AR). Brands are picking up this trend by creating AR filters to promote new products, launch creative campaigns, and increase user engagement. Consider incorporating augmented reality into your social content to interact with customers, entertain them, and attract new subscribers to your business. 

• Targeted social networks 

Not only are more and more people participating in significant social, cultural, and environmental movements on social media, but they also expect their favorite brands to join them. Your business should consider incorporating targeted initiatives into its social strategy to connect with today’s conscious customers/users and give them a reason to follow your business. Whether it’s sustainability and environmental awareness or distraction and inclusion, you’ll want to create social messages that match what’s most important to your audience. 

• Social commerce 

While customer engagement is critical, your social media should also deliver results. Social media platforms are constantly evolving to make them more user-friendly. The latest built-in commerce features on Facebook and Instagram make selling directly to social media easy. Consider using these social commerce features to attract new customers and drive them along the buyer’s journey.

3. Keep your followers closer and your competitors closer

What are your competitors doing on their social media? If you don’t know, now is the right time to find out. Identify your top 3 competitors and do your research to find out which social media platforms they are on, how many fans and followers they have, what hashtags they use to increase reach, and what types of content and advertising strategies they are pursuing.

4. Understanding, segmentation, and target customers

Do you know who your primary demographic is? Your strategy must be based on a deep understanding of your audience to be successful. Examine your sales data and web analytics to understand your target audience better and segment it based on their wants, needs, and preferences. 

5. Prioritize maintenance and communication daily

In addition to entertainment, social media has become a significant customer support channel for businesses. Consumers turn to social media to communicate and interact directly with their favorite brands and quickly resolve their questions and concerns. The comments and posts they leave on your social platforms are publicly available. 

6. Focus on social media metrics

If done correctly, social media marketing can deliver impressive results for your eCommerce business. You must closely monitor your social media metrics to determine if your strategy is hitting the mark. Your goals will help you choose the right metrics to track – for example, if your goal is to improve conversions on your site, you look at metrics like social traffic and conversion rate to determine if your posts, ads, or influencer content were successful.

Social media metrics help you get an idea of ​​the state of your online presence and its impact on your business. While the metrics you select will depend on the specific goals and needs of your business, here are some essential metrics that can help you determine the success of your social media strategy.

About Complete Controller® – America’s Bookkeeping Experts Complete Controller is the Nation’s Leader in virtual bookkeeping, providing service to businesses and households alike. Utilizing Complete Controller’s technology, clients gain access to a cloud platform where their QuickBooks™️ file, critical financial documents, and back-office tools are hosted in an efficient SSO environment. Complete Controller’s team of certified US-based accounting professionals provide bookkeeping, record storage, performance reporting, and controller services including training, cash-flow management, budgeting and forecasting, process and controls advisement, and bill-pay. With flat-rate service plans, Complete Controller is the most cost-effective expert accounting solution for business, family-office, trusts, and households of any size or complexity.

The Current State of 5G Globally

The average download speed on 5G networks is about ten times faster in the consumer segment than in previous generations; this has fueled the widespread adoption of virtual reality (VR) applications and live streaming services with 360-degree camera angles. 5G applications have already passed the testing phase and are gradually becoming more widely available. In the corporate segment, 10,000 projects are currently in development, within which the possibilities of 5G industry applications in the B2B segment (5GtoB) are also under investigation.

Mr. Hu noted “the existence of specific areas, which require improvement despite the stable development of 5G. We already have extensive application implementation practice but need more long-term business cases”.

He talked about the massive organizations’ impact on the atmosphere and how people globally are becoming more serious about climate change. “These trends open up many chances for our manufacturing,” he said. “But they also create particular challenges. There are a few things we can attempt to anticipate and prepare for them. “

In the expedient consumer market, dropping the fences to headset usage will mark a turning point for virtual reality, one virtual reality key technology, including augmented (AR) and mixed reality (MR). “To do this, we must improve both the headsets and the content. Users want less intrusive, lighter, and more reasonably priced headsets. “To support the development of the gratified ecosystem, Mr. Hu encouraged the manufacturing company to create cloud-based stages and apparatuses to efficiently and quickly develop content that is now too complex and expensive to develop.

Second, carriers must modernize their networks and develop new competencies to prepare for 5GtoB solutions. A modern network is crucial for implementing 5G applications in industry scenarios, so operators must continually improve network performance, such as uplink speed, positioning accuracy, and recognition quality. Because industry scenarios are much more complex than consumer scenarios, O&M will face significant challenges. To solve these upcoming issues, Huawei is developing autonomous networks that support intelligent functions.

Digital alteration also demands new approaches. Operators can provide communication services and act as cloud providers and system integrators, developing the necessary competencies. Industry telecommunications standards are also essential for the widespread industrial adoption of 5G networks. In China, carriers have begun working with industry partners to develop standards for 5G in the coal, steel, and power industries, which has fueled the broader adoption of new network solutions in these sectors of the economy.

“Beyond technology,” Mr. Hu concluded, “several intangible benefits will not be immediately apparent.”

Third, the industry must prepare for the transition to green technologies. According to the World Economic Forum, digital machinery can help reduce global carbon dioxide emissions by at least 17% by 2030. “On the one pointer,” said Hu, “we have a great chance to assist all businesses to reduce releases of Co2 and improve energy competence through cardinal technology. On the other hand, we must find out the carbon footprint of our company’s industry is also growing, so we need to take steps to remedy the situation. Huawei is already using new materials and algorithms to reduce the energy consumption of its products. We are modernizing sites and optimizing energy consumption in our data centers to improve operational efficiency. “

“Over the past two years, we have witnessed tremendous change related to the pandemic, technology, business, and the economy,” concluded Mr. Hu. “In the future, when the world begins to recover, we must realize what opportunities are opening up before us and meet them in full readiness. We must prepare technologies, enterprises, and competencies. ” About Complete Controller® – America’s Bookkeeping Experts Complete Controller is the Nation’s Leader in virtual bookkeeping, providing service to businesses and households alike. Utilizing Complete Controller’s technology, clients gain access to a cloud platform where their QuickBooks™️ file, critical financial documents, and back-office tools are hosted in an efficient SSO environment. Complete Controller’s team of certified US-based accounting professionals provide bookkeeping, record storage, performance reporting, and controller services including training, cash-flow management, budgeting and forecasting, process and controls advisement, and bill-pay. With flat-rate service plans, Complete Controller is the most cost-effective expert accounting solution for business, family-office, trusts, and households of any size or complexity.

The challenge for marketers will be to translate the lessons of 2020 into growth for 2021. Marketers reported a 17% loss in sales during the 2020 pandemic while expecting just 4% growth this year. New strategies are needed to achieve that 4% because 2021 also promises to be a year full of uncertainty and changes in behavior.

Despite the changing circumstances, we’ve outlined four ways for CMOs to drive digital marketing team growth in 2021.

1. Bet on flexibility and agility

Because we don’t know when the pandemic will be largely behind us, 2021 will not be a ‘normal’ year either. Knowing this, let’s stick to what Forrester writes:

“Resilience, when confronted with unprecedented and unpredictable change, requires a high degree of agility.”

For clarity, being flexible and agile doesn’t mean you don’t have a plan. Quite the opposite, as marketing leaders need to have a concrete plan. A program that aligns with business objectives and reflects a healthy mix of marketing channels and functions.

When marketing strategies fail or business goals shift, marketing leaders must help the team respond. A key point for growth in 2021 is quickly stopping systems that seem to be forgetting and focusing on investments that show growth and promise.

2. Cherish and nurture your existing foundation

According to a Garner survey, 45% of CMOs surveyed say their #1 strategy for growth is introducing new products into an existing market. While 34% say they plan to sell more existing products in a current need. The overarching theme? Focus on the existing markets.

For many companies, 2020 was about stabilizing profits and reducing churn. 32% of marketers focused mainly on retaining current customers during the pandemic. Only 14% have started focusing on attracting new customers, according to the 2020 CMO survey.

Maintain focus and spend around your organization’s critical competencies. Your customers feel well taken care of, so they remain loyal to your offer. You can then look further and invest in areas within your existing market with growth opportunities. You can then offer your existing customer base new products and services.

3. Fill your marketing communications with trust and empathy

The past year has been an amalgamation of personal and professional. We see each other’s houses, dogs, and children during calls. We deliver webinars from our living rooms and hear how our colleagues and customers’ families cope with the pandemic.

At the same time, we share feelings of fear, loss of control, insecurity, and overwhelmingness. We want to take care of each other more and contact each other.

These emotions and shared experiences have a lot of impact on decision-making. 40% of respondents to an Edelman survey said, “I have convinced others to stop using a brand that I felt was not coping well with the pandemic.” And 36% said it is more important than ever for a brand to make them feel safe during the pandemic.

Marketing leaders needed to take such emotions into account in 2021. Otherwise, they will seem out of touch with the zeitgeist. Marketers must fill their content and messages with trust and empathy to display these emotions effectively.

CMOS works closely with other members of management to ensure coverage aligns with customer experience. Marketing teams can draft messages to promise something to deliver to (future) customers; this closes the ‘experience loop’ and ensures that intention and reporting match what you provide.

• Show empathy

Instilling confidence in your message is not enough to meet the challenges you will face on your way to growth in 2021. Showing empathy and recognizing the human needs of (future) customers is essential to ensure that your marketing efforts are successful with your supporters. Deloitte writes in their Global Marketing Trends for 2021 report:

“When a brand connects in a human, empathetic way, people become more open to its intentions; they believe that their needs are indeed seen. ”

4. Hold on to your brand values

An important driver for growth in 2021 is your brand values ​​firmly in place. More than ever, customers want to know which brands reflect their values ​​and beliefs, and they are expressing this through their wallets. In a 2019 survey by Edelman, 64% of respondents said they choose, switch, avoid, and even boycott brands based on their views on social issues. 81% said they must ensure a brand is doing the right thing.

In short, customers notice when companies have a clear purpose and strong values and reward this with brand loyalty. One in five consumers admits that they have switched to brands with a vital sense during corona. Marketers can use this by reinforcing their brand values ​​and goals and communicating them.

About Complete Controller® – America’s Bookkeeping Experts Complete Controller is the Nation’s Leader in virtual bookkeeping, providing service to businesses and households alike. Utilizing Complete Controller’s technology, clients gain access to a cloud platform where their QuickBooks™️ file, critical financial documents, and back-office tools are hosted in an efficient SSO environment. Complete Controller’s team of certified US-based accounting professionals provide bookkeeping, record storage, performance reporting, and controller services including training, cash-flow management, budgeting and forecasting, process and controls advisement, and bill-pay. With flat-rate service plans, Complete Controller is the most cost-effective expert accounting solution for business, family-office, trusts, and households of any size or complexity.

Embracing and driving change with development is seemingly the critical answer for the most quickly increasing food Business and refreshment problems. At the same time, slender net revenues and contests are significant developing issues. Change is about a settlement with development; it is vital to coordinate current innovation and developing market needs with advancement. Driving growth in the food and drink industry is significant for making worth and item separation.

In the space of Research and Development in the food business, advancement, food quality, security, and administrative consistency are essential variables to consider when fostering an item. Dealing with the information from the store network and creation angle is fundamental in marking. Also, food guidelines are changing quicker and becoming harder constantly. Two instances are the public authority charge on sugar and the new EU food guidelines, alongside the developing shopper interest in clean marks, adding more provokes and unique intricacies to food naming.

Customers are moving towards careful eating by picking spotless and supportable food varieties. However, they are not surrendering their inclinations for organoleptic properties. Besides, changing medical problems and dynamic ways of life encourage a more prominent interest in inventive and altered food varieties as purchasers’ interest in sound, new, and nutritious food increments. So, too, is an expanded inclination for natural, practical, plant-based food varieties arising. Innovation is filling the change of purchaser necessities achieved by evolving patterns. Rivalry is getting fiercer for F&B as retailers have their brands.

Furthermore, observing the rack space in the FMCG business is overwhelming, as retailers progressively require food items in the pattern. Food Startups are developing quicker than at any time in recent memory. In the meantime, the most beneficial food companies are making another market through their items and enhancing things to satisfy present buyer needs. Then again, Big Food has its arrangement of objects and brands. This significant industry needs to continue improving or reformulating new things, a cycle that requires more assets like expense, time, executives, and workers; this introduces some significant food producers’ difficulties in getting productivity. Consolidation and acquisitions have been an essential impetus after reshaping the food and drink industry to satisfy developing business sector needs. Different changes incorporate beginning hatcheries, cost-cutting – rebuilding projects, and lay-offs notwithstanding, the simple formula to progress lies in innovative work, advancement, new item improvement, and re-formulation with the assistance of an item life cycle on the board.

Regarding the food business, “get it going rapidly” ought to be the witticism. In any case, advancement, from item improvement to evidence of an idea, is tedious. It makes a market pipeline excessively long, even with quickly changing food patterns; this implies a slower reaction to customer needs. This perspective is fundamental to fostering a more customized association with clients through their items.

Because of intense rivalry and advancing the purchaser’s food inclinations, the food business ideates and reformulates new items; this is a continuous cycle, which speeds up the presentation of fresh food and drinks items to showcase consistently, thus making a mystery decision. Moreover, the low retail food expansion is another element that has come to fruition as one more aftereffect of extreme rivalry in the food business.

In rundown, having a business that will be creative and unique concerning what any remaining organizations are offering is crucial for making your spot in the food and refreshment industry.

Whether you utilize the patterns we referenced above or take motivation from the organizations we featured, we trust this blog assisted with conjuring up an imaginative food business thought that you can chip away at slowly.

Anyway, the proper promotion and effort of the business are fundamental for gaining clients and creating a dedicated client base.

Squint can assist you with doing this. Squint provides a Software-as-a-Service and provides internet with requesting an answer for both web connection points and portable applications.

With the Blink stage, you approach a protected, versatile, associated with a pre-planned yet marked portable application and site layout. These go about as your online retail facades and proposition your clients simply the web-based requesting without you going through the issue of making these stages.

About Complete Controller® – America’s Bookkeeping Experts Complete Controller is the Nation’s Leader in virtual bookkeeping, providing service to businesses and households alike. Utilizing Complete Controller’s technology, clients gain access to a cloud platform where their QuickBooks™️ file, critical financial documents, and back-office tools are hosted in an efficient SSO environment. Complete Controller’s team of certified US-based accounting professionals provide bookkeeping, record storage, performance reporting, and controller services including training, cash-flow management, budgeting and forecasting, process and controls advisement, and bill-pay. With flat-rate service plans, Complete Controller is the most cost-effective expert accounting solution for business, family-office, trusts, and households of any size or complexity.

A bank is a business that treats money as a commodity, lends it to borrowers for a limited time, and then charges them for it. Regarding a consumer loan or mortgage, the annual interest rate is set rather than the monthly, daily, or minute rate because it is easier for the client and the bank to calculate.

If the phrase “annually” does not appear in the loan agreement at a surprisingly low-interest rate, it could signify quarterly or monthly charges. Central banks will not engage in such shady practices; this isn’t the price rise we observed during the outset of the pandemic when scared people rushed out to buy toilet paper and hand sanitizer. Instead, a rise could indicate that we are entering an inflationary period, with continuous increases in the cost of living spurred by a gradual reopening of the economy following the pandemic’s abrupt halt.

What Determines the Interest Rate?

The central bank sets the country’s minimum rate, the most significant regulator. No one will make a loan if it is less than this amount. As this minimum rate is known, the refinancing rate is linked to the critical rate, a financial phrase that is meaningless to ordinary people.

Inflation is the second most crucial factor. Inflation is closely related to emissions and the government’s issue of banknotes into circulation, but we won’t get into that here. When a bank issues a loan, it is interested in generating a profit on the amount it expects to receive. However, because money will be worth a little less in a year and we would be able to purchase minimum items for the same amount, the initial interest rate will need to be increased by the real interest rate.

Finally, there’s the premium or extra payments. There seems to be one drawback: if the price of ordinary loans consists simply of the refinancing rate plus inflation, it will be difficult for banks, tiny ones, to make money. Banks are at risk of nonpayment; they’re aggressively borrowing cash from one other, and the central bank needs to pay for offices and staff. As a result, they employ several strategies to raise the ultimate cost, ranging from a simple surcharge to an increase in the rate for specific consumer groups.

By the way, the lower the price, the larger the financial institution.

What Does the Interest Rate Depend On?

Interest rates and payment types are two factors to consider. Everything is evident in interest; however, think about the additional payments. There are two types of them:

• Annuity: Your loan is accepted, interest is computed in advance, and a payment schedule is set so that you pay a regular amount every month, but the early months primarily pay off interest, and the last months predominantly pay off the principal debt.
• Differentiated: In this situation, they take your principal debt, divide it evenly over the entire period, and charge interest on the outstanding amount.

Different Types of Interest Rates

There are a lot of them, but they aren’t as significant for lending to individuals. Let us give you a quick explanation:

• Fixed versus flexible exchange rates: In one, the rate remains constant throughout the term, while in the second, it fluctuates.
• Recursive and anticipative: In one case, the borrower must pay everything after the period; in the second, the borrower must pay everything in advance or through the banking procedure.
• Inflation-adjusted nominal: Excluding inflation or adjusted for inflation.

What Is the Effective Rate of Interest?

What is a common interest per annum on a consumer or other loan? The fact that the percentage given in the offer does not align with the overpayment leads to people misunderstanding their loan terms. The effective interest rate enters the picture at this point. The EIR includes the loan’s interest and all additional payments and levies. The bank decides the initial price, and you have no control over it. The only choice is to keep this proportion unchanged. Pay on time, take advantage of special offers, hunt for benefits, and read and analyze documentation. A hike in price is neither a good nor a bad thing. The ability to keep things under control is a sign of a thriving economy. It encourages us to spend rather than hide money beneath the bed. However, while inflation has remained consistent in recent decades, some fear that current prices will continue to climb, putting consumers under strain and jeopardizing the recovery.

About Complete Controller® – America’s Bookkeeping Experts Complete Controller is the Nation’s Leader in virtual bookkeeping, providing service to businesses and households alike. Utilizing Complete Controller’s technology, clients gain access to a cloud platform where their QuickBooks™️ file, critical financial documents, and back-office tools are hosted in an efficient SSO environment. Complete Controller’s team of certified US-based accounting professionals provide bookkeeping, record storage, performance reporting, and controller services including training, cash-flow management, budgeting and forecasting, process and controls advisement, and bill-pay. With flat-rate service plans, Complete Controller is the most cost-effective expert accounting solution for business, family-office, trusts, and households of any size or complexity.

Most lenders require a PMI (Private Mortgage Insurance) when a household makes a down payment of less than 20% of the home’s purchase price — or, for mortgages, a collateral-to-value ratio (LTV) of more than 80% (the higher the LTV ratio, the higher the risk level of the mortgage). PMI allows borrowers to receive financing if they can afford (or prefer) to file only 5% to 19.99% of the cost of living, but there is an additional monthly cost to pay. Borrowers pay their PMI monthly until they acquire enough equity in the home that the lender no longer considers high risk.

PMI costs can be limited from 0.25% to 2% (but typically work out to 0.5 to 1%) of your loan balance per year, depending on your down payment and mortgage, the length of the loan, and your credit score. The higher your risk factors, the higher the rate you pay. Also, since PMI is a percentage of the loan amount, the more you borrow, the more PMI you will pay.

How Long do You Tolerate PMI?

Once the LTV of the mortgage drops to 78%—that means your down payment, plus the loan amount you “paid,” equal to 22% of the home’s purchase price. The lender must automatically cancel the PMI, as required by federal homeowner protection law, even if the market value of your home has decreased (if you use your mortgage).

Otherwise, the time you must transfer PMI depends on your chosen PMI.

PMI Types

There are three different types of private mortgage insurance:

Paid PMI (BPMI): You pay a monthly premium until your PMI ends (when your LTV balance should reach 78% of your home’s original value) or when it is canceled at your request. When the borrower has reached 20% equity in the house, the borrower may notify the lender in writing that it is time to stop making PMI payments. Lenders must provide the buyer with a written statement at closing stating how many years and months it will take for the buyer to pay 20% of the mortgage principal. But this may be earlier due to rising home prices (validated by appraisal) or because you have made additional principal payments. The lender must comply if the value of your home has not fallen, you have a history of timely payments, and you verify that you do not have a second lien or a subordinate lien on the property. You can also request a cancellation when you reach the middle of the amortization period (for example, a 30-year loan will get the middle in 15 years).

Premium PMI: You pay mortgage insurance premiums upfront in a lump sum, eliminating the need for a monthly PMI payment. You may pay the single premium in full at the closing or financing of the collateral. While it requires more upfront costs, this option can save money for long-term homeowners.

Payable PMI (LPMI): The lender pays private mortgage insurance on behalf of the borrower. It can be the outcome of lower monthly mortgage payments. Unlike BPMI, you cannot cancel LPMI because it is a durable loan part. Still, you may end up paying more interest over the life of the loan, mainly since rates are usually higher for this kind of PMI (because its cost is included in the mortgage interest rate for credit life).

Cancel PMI

This 78% threshold for auto-completion is based on the date LTV is scheduled to reach 78%, not actual payments according to the depreciation schedule. If you made additional payments and hit the 78% threshold early, your lender does not have to terminate PMI before the initially scheduled date, which could leave you with months or even years of avoidable PMI payments. (By law, creditors must tell you about the general right to cancel PMI, but not when you precisely can.) With BPMI, tracking mortgage payments and building your wealth is essential.

Also, don’t expect the lender to know that your equity in the property has reached 20% of the original purchase price or current appraisal value. If so, then you will be required to cancel. To request a cancellation, you must be aware of your mortgage payments and have a good account; specifically, what you have:

• Price has not been made that has expired 60 days or more within the first 12 months of the last two years before the date of cancellation (or the date you are requesting cancellation, whichever is later) or
• Has not made a payment for 30 days or more in the 12 months before the cancellation date (or the date you request the cancellation, whichever is later).

Paying off your mortgage isn’t the only way to create equity that allows you to claim a cancellation. Making improvements that add enough value to your home can also go to the bare minimum. If you’re doing a major renovation – for example, it’s important to redo the kitchen – review the numbers to see if you can now get a written PMI cancellation request.

Once PMI has been canceled, the lender cannot claim further PMI payments more than 30 days after receiving your written request or when you satisfied the evidence and certification requirements, whichever is later.

About Complete Controller® – America’s Bookkeeping Experts Complete Controller is the Nation’s Leader in virtual bookkeeping, providing service to businesses and households alike. Utilizing Complete Controller’s technology, clients gain access to a cloud platform where their QuickBooks™️ file, critical financial documents, and back-office tools are hosted in an efficient SSO environment. Complete Controller’s team of certified US-based accounting professionals provide bookkeeping, record storage, performance reporting, and controller services including training, cash-flow management, budgeting and forecasting, process and controls advisement, and bill-pay. With flat-rate service plans, Complete Controller is the most cost-effective expert accounting solution for business, family-office, trusts, and households of any size or complexity.