Author: Complete Controller

Spread the money out into three envelopes if you’re learning about money. Conversely, you can utilize smartphone apps to help you keep track of your expenditures; this is fascinating! In 2018, each individual “invested” roughly $14,000 in the New Year holidays in America. Approximately 6,000 people were allocated to gifts, while another 5,000 were assigned to the New Year’s table.

Holiday spending is always significant, no matter how you count it. There will be no spur-of-the-moment purchases. However, this is not a reason to condemn yourself for poor financial management.

Write down your spending and income if you want to achieve budget literacy and be in the “plus.”. “Remember the limit amount and don’t go over it.” Remember that the New Year is a time to embrace life, so do so uniquely. New Year’s discounts beckon, but hold on!

The “Up to 90% discount” ad is quite tempting. They’d be ready for anything if you just went to the store and left more money there. However, you are not a follower of such marketing ploys. The price tags are purposefully altered: first, they overstate the cost of things and then put “sale.” There appears to be no deception, but it is devious.

Try to leave the house with a shopping list on New Year’s Eve. Avoid shopping on the spur of the moment. If you want to make a large purchase, consider it for at least a couple of days before deciding. This analysis will protect you from the New Year’s craziness and unnecessary spending.

Take a look at the products if you require them. Take some pictures and make a note of the costs. Check if this is a genuine discount or just another marketing trick.

Compare Prices

The same product may look different in various stores. You can sometimes find a similar item at a lower price online. It’s also three times more expensive offline. Do not make impulse purchases; compare and critically assess each purchase. Don’t make a hasty decision. Analyze.

Signs Come Up with Marketers

Marketers design signs like the Yellow Boar, Purple Horse, Turquoise Rat, and Coral Camel so that you can buy a sweater and clothing that is ten times more expensive than usual. Do not put your faith in New Year’s sellers. It is their job to sell. Have faith in yourself, make fun of the exorbitant prices for everyday items, and avoid self-deception and the imaginary luxury marketers give. It is up to us to be ourselves while looking after our pocketbook.

Do not believe the traditions that state, “You must celebrate the New Year in this hue” or “You will be lucky if…” Such ruses are devised to offload many pricey New Year’s products. Avoid stereotypes and clichés at all costs. Before you go shopping, smile at yourself. Give those you care about hugs. Then, the holiday commotion will only put you in a good mood.

No Need to Give Empty Little Things

The days of jewelry have passed us. Today, no one requires piglets to wear festive hats. So please don’t go out and buy them right away. Consider finding something beneficial to offer to your loved ones that will be useful long after the New Year has passed. As a result, the garbage in your brain and home will be significantly reduced.

The piggy bank is an exception to the norm; she desperately needs everyone.

Celebrate the New Year in a Big Company

Your family, friends, and acquaintances can visit you at your home. Organize a large, enjoyable celebration. It was both intriguing and less expensive. Bring a treat for each of your guests. You can also split the cost of drinks among all attendees.

You can also reduce the number of presents you provide. It would be best if you avoid giving souvenirs as gifts. Allow each person to bring one deserving gift. And the lottery will select who gets what. Consider video games. Come up with one game for each participant. As a result, you’ll make your free time even more intriguing.

Make a budget plan ahead of time. Then you’ll be sure of financial success in this and the coming years!

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.

Taking control of your financial destiny begins with the fundamental practice of budgeting. This guide delves into six invaluable tips for adequate income and expense management. Understanding the ins and outs of your financial flow is the first step toward economic empowerment. Beyond that, we explore the wisdom of avoiding unnecessary loans, championing consistent savings, adopting strategic shopping practices, leveraging discounts, and seeking cost-effective alternatives. Each tip contributes to a holistic approach to financial well-being, offering practical insights to reshape your financial habits and secure a resilient economic future. Join us on this journey as we navigate the realm of responsible financial planning and decision-making.

Income and Expense Accounting

Income and expense accounting is where you should begin. You need to know exactly how much you’re making and spending each month and what items you’re spending money on. Most people have no idea where their money goes; they know they have nothing left towards the end of the month.

No Loans

If you still can’t save up for something you want, what’s the sense of taking out a loan to pay back the same amount plus massive interest overpayments later? Loans that assist you in boosting your earnings (for a startup, a car for working) or costly loans, such as mortgages, are the exceptions.

Always Set Aside a Portion of Your Earnings

Although the sum appears minor, it can quickly add up over a year. I also recommend setting aside all your unexpected incomes: you paid a debt you had forgotten about for a long time, your employer offered you a bonus, and so on. You didn’t expect them, and you’ll agree that letting everything go to waste would be silly. Keeping a separate envelope to store money for unforeseen needs is good. Such costs can be disastrous to your budget, but you’ll be prepared for your situation.

Shopping Only with a List

Reflect on your recent shopping excursions. While initially aiming for essentials like bread, milk, and fresh produce, did you add cookies, chips, and assorted sweets to your cart? It’s a familiar scenario—a diversion from your original purpose. This impulse buying dilutes your focus and inflates your overall expenditure. Consider employing shopping lists to stay on track and avoid unnecessary expenses. Your wallet will thank you for the intentional approach to purchases.

Adopting mindful spending habits can yield substantial savings, averaging between 5 to 20%. Over a year, these cumulative savings could make a notable difference. Consider this: investing in a new phone might be more cost-effective than the daily accumulation of seemingly minor expenses like cafe snacks, chocolates, roadside novelties, and vending machine coffee. While individually, they may seem inconsequential, their daily occurrence subtly erodes your family’s financial resources.

Buy Goods at a Discount and On Promotions

There are specific categories of items (for example, if you buy four, the fifth is free) and permanent discounts on particular products in each store. Why not purchase them in bulk for a lower price, as you frequently use them? When making a large purchase, plan. Throughout that time, you can decide ahead of time on the attributes of the acquired object and look for a cheaper alternative. As a result, you can get anything 5% to 15% less than you would in a local shop.

Looking for Cheaper Alternatives

The essential term here is comparable, not inexpensive. You can always locate a similar product of equal quality for a lower price. You may drop all of this, though not all, then at least a portion of it in most cases. There’s nothing complicated about it; go for a stroll, bring a bottle of water, and eat something before leaving the house. If you’re always buying coffee from the vending machine at work, invest in a container of caffeine, honey, and milk. If you enjoy reading, invest in an e-book.

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, the most significant regulator, sets the country’s minimum rate. 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, 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.

Big data, data science, machine learning, and deep learning are all technical terms regularly mentioned together. The same goes for data analytics and machine learning. However, confusion quickly arises by lumping all these concepts together without indicating the differences and similarities between AI, data science, machine learning, and BI. Machine learning was defined initially in the 1950s as “a field that allows computer algorithms to learn without having to program them” (Samuel, 1959) explicitly. Another standard definition is this: “Machine Learning is the study of computer algorithms that allow computer programs to improve automatically through experience.” (Mitchell, 1997).

Both machine learning definitions may sound a bit dated and static. Still, they do justice to the self–learning nature that is so characteristic of the older and modern advanced algorithms. Algorithms change and are capable of developing themselves continuously. Machine learning is a dynamic learning process: the algorithms recognize patterns in the data.

According to one of the largest software companies in the world, machine learning (ML) is a form of artificial intelligence (AI) aimed at building systems that can learn from processed data or use data to perform better. This definition is practical, dynamic, and performance-oriented and emphasizes the learning nature but only lacks the predictive capabilities of algorithms.

Here is a list of ten popular machine-learning applications.

Recommendations

Algorithm-driven movie recommendations on Netflix, personalized purchase suggestions on Amazon, friend connections on Facebook, and professional network recommendations on LinkedIn are just a few examples of well-known applications of machine learning. Beyond entertainment and social platforms, machine learning plays a crucial role in enhancing online shopping experiences. It powers product personalization, refines contextual search results, facilitates interactions through chatbots, assists users with virtual assistants, and even contributes to creating artificially generated photo models. The widespread integration of machine learning across various digital domains underscores its versatility and impact on user engagement.

Irregularity Detection

Irregularity detection is a variant of machine learning that zeroes in on anomalies in the broadest sense. For instance, it excels at uncovering fraud or sifting through spam messages in email inboxes using anomaly detection. The process involves identifying statistical irregularities within the dataset, often called outliers.

Dynamic Pricing

Dynamic pricing, propelled by machine learning algorithms, autonomously adjusts prices based on many factors. These factors include competitors’ pricing, time of day, week or month, demand fluctuations, and available supply. Widely adopted in industries such as airlines, hotel accommodations, and tourism, dynamic pricing ensures that the value proposition aligns seamlessly with real-time market dynamics.

Predictive Maintenance

Predictive maintenance, driven by machine learning, stands out as one of the most logical and compelling applications. It is a proactive measure, preventing unplanned downtime for valuable machinery and installations across various sectors, including industry, maritime, civil engineering, energy, and oil and gas. Predictive maintenance’s precision averts unexpected disruptions and leads to substantial cost savings by ensuring that maintenance activities are carried out precisely when needed, minimizing unnecessary expenditures.

Process Mining 

Process mining with machine learning involves deploying specialized algorithms on data extracted from event logs. These algorithms, including the intriguingly named alpha miner, fuzzy miner, heuristics, transition system miners, and genetic algorithms, delve into the intricacies of event data. The overarching objective is to unearth process deviations and enhance the prediction of future processes. Through simulations powered by machine learning software, process mining identifies anomalies and refines our understanding of operational workflows. 

Law and Order

Law enforcement seamlessly integrates CCTV and machine learning data in public safety, tapping into sources like intelligent cameras and microphones. This synergy enables real-time crime detection, mapping crime hotspots (commonly referred to as “hotspots”), and predicting future criminal activity through predictive policing. This technological advancement extends to the automatic recognition of drivers holding a phone using deep learning algorithms, showcasing the multifaceted role of machine learning in maintaining law and order.

Traffic Congestion

Adaptive signal control, a system adept at automatically adjusting traffic lights in response to varying traffic volumes, operates on the backbone of classic machine learning algorithms. Beyond this, several municipalities are delving into innovative city concepts, experimenting with intelligent lampposts and zebra crossings that illuminate dynamically. This visionary approach integrates 5G technology, sensors, charging stations, and customizable light scenarios, exemplifying a comprehensive solution to tackle traffic congestion and create more efficient urban landscapes.

Algorithmic Decisions

Across ministries, administrative bodies, and implementing organizations, algorithms and machine learning applications play an integral role in decision-making to varying degrees. Industries grapple with the complexity of implementing legal regulations, often relying on decision rules applied to data. It is particularly evident in implementing bodies that enforce financial laws, such as the tax authorities overseeing real estate tax, WOZ determination, and motor vehicle tax. Moreover, consider the automatic registration of traffic violations (e.g., mobile phone use in vehicles) and the streamlined processing of traffic fines by the Central Judicial Collection Agency, showcasing the pervasive influence of algorithmic decisions in diverse facets of governance.

Robot Justice

Machine learning empowers the exploration of online case law, unveiling intricate patterns that could pave the way for a future where robot judges deliver fully automated sentences. Despite being a prospect on the horizon, the opacity of algorithmic operations poses challenges for litigants seeking insights. Nevertheless, ongoing experiments in the United States involve machine learning software assessing the risk of recidivism for individuals on bail, offering a glimpse into the evolving landscape of legal decision-making through technology.

Robotized Services

Municipalities embrace a dual approach, employing physical robots and chatbots to enhance citizen services. Robotic Process Automation (RPA) serves as a vital tool, alleviating the administrative burden on municipal officials, while physical robots stationed in city halls guide and assist citizens. The synergy of RPA and machine learning is poised to usher in the next wave of technological innovation, promising to streamline further and optimize the delivery of essential services to the public.

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 Fundamental Question: Is It Personal?

The fundamental question, “Is It Personal?” delves into the intricacies of user engagement in the digital space, acknowledging that every digital visitor, or ‘digital guest,’ brings unique intentions when interacting with a website. This recognition emphasizes the importance of moving beyond generic assumptions and understanding the diverse motivations that drive individuals to a site. The illustration of the retail sector during the festive season, marked by gift-giving, underscores the challenge businesses face in achieving personalization across varied buying journeys, spanning different channels, devices, and touch points.

In the contemporary landscape of omnichannel experiences, businesses grapple with the complexities of managing user data and optimizing resource allocation. A pivotal question arises: How often should users ‘introduce themselves‘ before receiving personalized attention? Here, artificial intelligence (AI) becomes crucial, surpassing the limitations of manual rules or generic user profiles. The focus shifts to evaluating the cognitive abilities of AI systems, presenting a vital consideration for marketers, e-commerce leaders, and content management system (CMS) developers. The question is: Can these AI systems dynamically adapt to evolving user contexts, providing tailored experiences that resonate with individual preferences and behaviors?

Examining a visitor’s behavior across digital channels presents challenges, especially when users do not consistently log in. The difficulty lies in correlating the actions of anonymous users with known behavior patterns, demanding substantial computing power and advanced AI capabilities. Notably, the passage points out solutions exist, citing Google’s use of similar systems to understand user expectations. It highlights the potential for advanced AI technologies to bridge the gap between anonymous user interactions and personalized insights, offering a glimpse into the future of user-centric digital experiences.

Artificial intelligence, continuously evaluating and processing evolving datasets, emerges as a critical enabler for a personalized approach to customer communication. However, the passage raises a crucial question: Can artificial intelligence truly meet the nuanced expectations of users? True personalization, as emphasized, involves responding to subtle cues and adapting to every hint received from users. It prompts reflection on AI’s current capabilities and future potential in achieving a level of personalization that goes beyond surface-level customization, addressing individual users’ nuanced preferences and behaviors in the dynamic digital landscape.

How Does It Respond?

Language, intricate and ever-evolving, poses a significant challenge for AI. Requesting ‘May tea’ from a seller doesn’t necessarily imply a preference for tea harvested in May. Will the AI system discern the need for a specific brand, like May Tea?

Before exploring the business benefits of AI, it’s imperative to recognize the potential pitfalls in language understanding. Words, tone, and context can convey varying meanings that may change over time. The reference to brands abandoning AI chatbots due to numerous bugs underscores the ongoing challenges in achieving accurate language interpretation within AI systems. These challenges necessitate continuous improvement and adaptation in AI language processing capabilities to enhance communication accuracy and effectiveness.

AI Can’t Operate in Isolation

The statement “AI can’t operate in isolation” underscores artificial intelligence’s challenges within a closed ecosystem. In such a confined setting, AI guides users toward their desired outcomes. However, practical guidance relies on intelligence, and this intelligence is derived from knowledge. Access to relevant information is necessary for the AI to provide accurate and helpful assistance.

AI must be responsive and adaptable to understand user behavior and context truly. The statement highlights the necessity for continuous learning and updates to keep the AI system relevant. Without this responsiveness, the AI risks becoming outdated and less effective in comprehending and responding to user inputs.

Access to external data is crucial for AI systems. They need to tap into external sources to stay informed about the latest developments, changes in language, and evolving user preferences. This external data is vital for keeping the AI system up-to-date and applicable in a dynamic environment.

Language, being dynamic, evolves. People use different words and phrases to describe products and services daily. AI systems must be capable of recognizing these linguistic shifts and incorporating them into their understanding. With this adaptability, the AI may be able to understand user inputs and grasp the nuances of evolving language.

Customer intent is influenced by various factors that are subject to change. Practical AI applications demand adaptability to keep up with the dynamic nature of customer intent. An open architecture is presented as a solution, allowing quick adjustments and updates to maintain the AI’s effectiveness.

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.

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.