Author: Complete Controller

When it comes to money, most need help managing it. To have an adequate budget, a debt-free life, and financial freedom, you must understand expenses and where your money is going. Understanding your costs, non-essential spending, and where you can reduce expenses can lead to the financial freedom every financially responsible person hopes to achieve. 

To get a complete picture of where your money is going each month and an understanding of the expenses, you must create a budget. Generally, a budget is monthly. However, it is suggested that you also have a yearly budget with financial goals in addition to your monthly budget. Here is everything you need to know about creating a realistic budget.

Spending Categories

First, you need to establish spending categories according to the expenses and payments you know you will have. These categories include your mortgage or rent, insurance, gas, electricity, water, phones, Internet, gasoline, maintenance of the car, credits and miscellaneous payments, food, clothing, school supplies, leisure, health, personal care, and everything you know that you must pay, as well as a section that you will add and that you will call unexpected expenses.

Unexpected Expenses

To this section, you will assign a small amount (for example, $50 per month) that you will leave behind for any expenses not included in your spending plan.

Some of these expenses are known in advance, and others are not. During the seconds, you will try to make a forecast as tight as possible, always trying not to be optimistic (do not expect excessive payments to the downside). You will be prudent, and it will be better to calculate higher costs that later turn out to be lower than expected rather than to fall short in your spending forecasts.

Minimum Expenses

You can also establish for other expenses, such as food or clothing, a minimum that does not mean losing your quality of life; that is enough to live well, but you will try not to exceed (for example, you can put a limit on food that does not involve buying little food but avoid unnecessary whims or expensive brand products).

Expenses Vs. Income

Once established, the forecast of expenses increases by 10%, and you will confront it with your income. As often happens, there will be no significant problem if they are known beforehand.

If your income is variable, you will also make a forecast here. But to be prudent, if you do not know your income with the security, you will sin of pessimism and put a restrained amount. One method could be to use the average of the last twelve months unless you have more data that allows us in advance to know the amount that you will charge approximately (for example, someone who charges by commissions will understand if that month is selling much or minor). With experience, it will be easier to make the spending plan and adjust the forecasts more.

More Income Thank Expenses

If the income is higher than the expected expenses, you will have a surplus of money, which, if the forecast is well made and covers all costs, you can allocate to reduce your debts and credits. If you did not take control of payments, it is money that you would certainly spend on other unnecessary things.

More Expenses Than Income

If, on the contrary, the income is less than the expenses, you will have to reduce some expendable costs, such as the telephone, Internet, clothes, etc. You will have to spend less to balance the spending plan. 

If this situation were repeated several months in a row, it would be a good time to rethink your position and move to take deeper measures, such as rent instead of paying a mortgage, changing jobs to get a better income, trying to reduce consumption, etc.

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.

It is a constant; uncertainties will always lie ahead. With COVID, the year was full of sadness, financial troubles, and a lack of medical resources; we do not know what the future will hold. But it does tell us one thing: opportunities await us.

Let us look at it this way. We did not know that remote working would be this successful. Furthermore, we did not realize the true extent of eCommerce in business. But we pulled off both those endeavors with excellence. The statistics show the same. Similar is the case for joint ventures. Of course, concerned parties must take innovative and strategic steps to maintain a steady relationship with all of them. But before we finalize joint venture partnerships, let us look at probable unknowns.

What is a Joint Venture?

JV is a strategic partnership with two or more parties who provide capital goods and services through a mutually controlled commercial project. However, there will always be uncertainties, like COVID-19, that can cause JVs to have severe issues. A JV can be a single recipe for disaster, from concurring losses to decision-making deadlocks.

Joint Ventures vs. Partnerships

At a glance, a joint venture seems like a partnership. But, legally, both those entities are quite different. Using the strategic alliance concept, there is no ownership exchange between the involved parties. The ideal difference between a partnership and a joint venture is that the parties involved in a JV have joined hands for a particular project. On the other hand, the partnership members work together to achieve business success. Furthermore, each joint venture member retains ownership of their part of the property. Moreover, each member shares the expenses of a particular project or venture.

New Market Penetration

Want to know the best part of Joint Ventures? A joint venture enables companies to access a new market almost immediately. A joint venture can be quite fruitful even with the relevant regulations and organization. Companies present at one location with those present at the other. Since they want to gain access to the marketplace currently in their counterpart’s place by fostering a joint venture to expand their product portfolio and market size, they will perform exceptionally well in the grandest stage.

Intellectual Property Gains

With technology at the pinnacle of its power, it is difficult for businesses to create operations in-house. To counteract such concerns, companies often join hands with technology-driven organizations, which can provide them with innovation, which is expensive to acquire for themselves. A large-scale organization with suitable financing and working capital can strengthen a joint venture with an organization with promise but lacking the required funding.

What to Consider Before Finalizing a Joint Venture?

• Due diligence: First and foremost, you need due diligence with a potential partner to ensure the business performs well. Before you enter into an agreement with another company for a JV, you must investigate your potential member(s) credentials, such as resource availability, property, and human capital.
• Financials: Let us be honest; what is more critical than financials? If your potential members do not have the financials to perform business-level operations, they are just a liability. Of course, in an ideal scenario, everything would be 50/50. However, that is not always true. Sometimes, joint ventures can become one-sided, and everything could end up in a rut.
• Cultural considerations: Businesses operate differently in different conditions. If any business is entering into a JV with a partner in any other region, they must understand how they work. From cultural differences to each party’s satisfaction within a JV, there are elements to ponder.

To Sum It Up

Nobody can be sure if we look at the uncertainties that lie in each new year. But one thing is certain. Joint ventures can still work. You must be strategically and operationally sound to excel within a JV. Also, do not forget to consider the abovementioned considerations before joining other businesses.

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.

Banks are crucial intermediaries in what is known as a payment system, which leads an economy to exchange products and services for money or other financial assets. Additionally, those with excessive money want to store it in a bank rather than lend it to an individual and expect a valuable return and an interest rate. However, where does a bank secure its excess funds to avoid lending and hide it from government officials? 

Reserving cash piles in high-security vaults might sound like an old movie plot. Still, banks and insurers recently started considering this idea when the interest rate was minimized across Europe. Regardless of the economic charges, banks rarely deal with deficiency. Despite the lending of millions of dollars, banks are always flourishing. Banks are doing well because they have grasped the games of currency and finances. They were accumulating cash, which used to be an old trick. Banks alternatively store money when the interest rate lowers to prevent a massive blow. 

A fleeting time ago, European countries introduced the concept of a pessimistic interest rate. Interest occurs when banks resist lending money to the government while trying to defeat the credit crunch. They will end up costing more than the actual lending amount. The government gets compelled to push the lending agenda despite the credit crunch.

Why do Banks Store Cash Piles? 

 To avoid a negative interest rate, banks prioritize storing cash. When there is a risk of interest rates falling to the minimum, financial institutions fail to generate any profit on lending. Not making a profit is the point where these institutes stop lending because it can further damage the comprehensive economy. Years ago, the U.K. government tried to resolve this issue by making lending even more expensive. Later, banks determined that it would be feasible to store money, which meant hiding piles of cash. 

How European Banks Stored Cash Piles?

During the middle of 2016, European banks concealed millions of dollars to avoid lending due to the lowered interest rate. However, it might take you back to old action movies with villains securing their vast fortunes in secret caves. It might be daunting, but storing cash piles in the era of lower interest rates makes sense. Examine the facts of the European situation where private sector banks paid around 0.4% annual charges on the funds they owned. This policy costs them three billion euros within two years. On the contrary, the government introduced provocations to encourage lending for SMCs. The guidelines were nowhere in favor of the private sector. 

At that time, European highways did not have heavily guarded vehicles transporting cash piles to secret locations. So, banks found it easier to hide their funds in cash piles and later got them somewhere safe and away from government officials. 

Did the Lending Bank’s Strategies Work Out? 

At the time of occurrence, it was the most thoughtful way out. However, there was a lack of anticipation on the bank’s part. The administration of securing cash in copious amounts, escorted with labor costs, was not primarily considered, including transportation and storage. Even when businesses convinced banks to pay these costs, there was another obstacle to waiting. The insurers disapproved of preceding a more significant amount in complicated cash form. 

According to finance experts, the insurance cost used to be around 2% of the total amount of cash. It means that the total amount of cash piles was much higher than the interest rate the European Central Bank charged. This strategy did not work out as expected, proving that storing cash was not a safe gateway to success. 

 

Banks’ methods of assigning their cash piles chiefly depend on the central bank’s power. The central bank dedicates itself to ensuring a healthy economy for a nation. One of the ways the banks accomplish this goal is by controlling the total cash circulating in the economy. Their primary tools involve impacting interest rates, setting retain requirements, and appointing open market operation strategies, among other approaches. Having an accurate quantity of cash in circulation is pivotal to ensuring a sustainable and stable economy. 

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 financially responsible adults will experience some debt in their lifetime. Many purchases or pursuits require a large sum of money most do not have in cash or savings.

While it is ideal that you stay away from debt altogether, for the average person, this is not possible. Therefore, everyone should know how to deal with debt and get rid of it as quickly as possible. Here are some ways to get out of debt faster and enjoy financial freedom.

The Method of “Debt Snowball”

One of the fundamental aspects of controlling your money and personal finances is having no debts. And, if this is not possible, you must begin to them as soon as possible.

It is not a miraculous method. It is simply about organizing finances and creating and executing a plan. With dedication, you will be getting financial lung and reducing your loans.

Dave Ramsey, the author of “The Total Money Makeover” and other financial self-help books, speaks a lot about debt. He is an expert on debt relief because he experienced going from a billionaire to bankruptcy.

Here are seven steps Dave Ramsey recommends to help get you to financial freedom as quickly as possible:

• Save $1,000 fast to start your emergency “mattress.”
• Remove your debts with the “Snowball” Method, excluding the mortgage.
• Increase your emergency “mattress” to between 3 and 6 months of your expenses.
• Invest 15% of your income.
• Save for your children’s education.
• Pay off your home mortgage quickly.
• Build your wealth and give generously.

It’s important to remember that these methods are effective. However, it’s crucial to stop digging yourself into a financial hole before you can get rid of your debt. If you keep creating or expanding your debt, no amount of financial preparation will lead to a debt-free life.

You should also work at paying off debts well before they are due. While making on-time payments is commendable, taking the maximum time allotted to pay the debt back will be far more costly and prolong your time in debt.

Here are seven steps you can take to get on track and out of debt quickly:

• Commit yourself to pursuing a debt-free lifestyle and do whatever it takes, no matter how difficult.
• Work to increase your minimum payments by at least 5 to 10%, if not more, to pay off debts sooner.
• Collect information on all your loans and list ordering them from lowest to highest maturity.
• Allocate the extra or accelerator payment to swiftly eliminate the debt, month by month, until it is completely settled.
• When you finish paying off the first debt on your list, add your payments, including the accelerator amount, to your next debt.
• Repeat the process until you get rid of your debts completely
• Once you have paid off all your debt using this method, continue to pay the amount to a savings account since you will be accustomed to paying the amount towards your debt.

Conclusion

It is a common experience for many individuals to effectively manage their debts, but for some, it can be a challenge to control their debt and as a result, they end up increasing their debt burden while attempting to rectify the situation. It is vital to prioritize avoiding debt whenever feasible; however, if taking on debt becomes necessary, it is crucial to establish a plan to promptly repay it.

Generally, debt will be a part of most people’s financial life. Therefore, everyone with debt should understand how to handle it so as not to let it overtake their life. Once debt gets out of hand, it can cause stress and financial strain for 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.

The global pandemic has forced us to relinquish control of our lives. Not necessarily in a negative, though, because now you can pave the way for your business talent. Fresh graduates and most people otherwise have had to adapt to changing technology much quicker than any of us would have thought. Conference rooms have become Zoom meetings, while homes have become the new workspaces.

The New Normal and Your Business Talent

The funny thing about people who have the vision to keep moving is that they will creep through the cracks of tough breaks to get through. And they have shown the world their ability to get through rugged, high walls like COVID-19. Behind screens and forced to take the mic, you must let your talent flow through speakerphones with the same charisma, or even more, to get your most prominent talent flowing. 

Leaders everywhere have the task of scraping through display monitors and pulling out their best-performing employees to go the extra mile to keep up in a world that has practically shut off. Once again, managers and top management can create mobile teams to achieve strategies for 2021 after experimenting in a turbulent 2020. But again, none of this will be possible if the employees’ talent cannot be seen across a computer screen. 

Your business talent is the aspect of you that gives you an edge over your other peers. Mastering the technique of honing your talent can put you ahead of everyone, giving you a leadership position, or you can choose to follow and contribute. And given the spectrum of everyone’s abilities, it is entirely normal. 

The role of the leader comes with many responsibilities. You must be a good listener, make tough decisions, envision long-term business goals, and be authentic with all your choices, allowing others to come forward with their ideas. It is an exciting challenge.

Leadership in Today’s World

Consider the job of a leader as the one who dives headfirst into unchartered territory. You will not only be taking risks – calculated – but also making decisions that not all members of your team are in favor of. And that is okay. Being a leader means inspiring, aspiring, influencing, and dealing with the consequences of your actions and those of your team. 

Your success in the workplace lies in knowing the talent experience of your business, its core competency, skill level from the top tier to the bottom, and the work environment.

• Change the way you operate

Considering the pandemic, things have changed from how we live to how we work. This is not surprising, though. Similarly, leaders must ensure that the organizational structure and culture are according to the needs of the hour. Workplaces have become versatile, and so should your strategy. New flexible plans, adaptable plans, and agile people will help you transform your business talent into the new normal healthily. 

• Renew teams and their talent

There will always be individuals in your team who will find it challenging to adapt and keep up with changing technology. Everyone in your group has diverse skills, which come with shortcomings and strengths. Your role as a leader is to keep everyone motivated enough to learn and adapt to the company’s changes. 

Imagine losing your top content person because they have difficulty with a new management system to check daily. Would you rather spend extra hours training that person or invest additional time hiring a replacement? It makes no sense. You are as strong as your weakest teammate. If everyone is trying, there is always room for adaptability and cultivating your organizational goals successfully.

• Invest in improving team engagement

Higher team engagement will help bring out common problems, mutual agreements, and better brainstorming ideas. Collaboration and teamwork have been known to bring about better results for businesses, allowing team members to work and compensate in areas the other person lacks. 

Engagement also helps members volunteer to take on roles they are naturally good at, so leaders do not always have to worry about inter-team task delegation. Frequent communication improves performance by incessantly getting things out in the open. Knowing the strengths and weaknesses of team members can also help leaders decide who to delegate to as projects arise in the future. 

Your Business Talent and The Future

When things get overwhelming as a leader, it is best to take a step back, breathe, and trust the process. Your business talent will manifest naturally, given teams inspired and ready to transform external factors affecting the business. 

As a leader, you should create teams that will flow, challenge, and face contingencies head-on. Give your team and its members time to grow, adapt, and learn through new structures, cultures, and strategies. Use the changing business environment to build an organization that will not falter inside out. 

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.

Does one plan to be successful? What if you had the perfect plan or a book with all the necessary guidelines? Well, we can only wish that were possible. If you study those who have genuinely achieved different success levels, you will know that they did something more than planning to succeed.

Due to COVID-19, sales took a significant hit last year. The pandemic created financial instability for businesses. According to a survey, more than 25% of small companies went out of business because of the novel coronavirus. The travel and food industries are still suffering the most.

How we conducted business before the COVID outbreak does not work anymore. New strategies and innovative ideas are being developed to make customers feel welcome after so long.

Here are ways to improve your sales once you join work after the pandemic.

Improve Your Customer Relationship

Here are tips you can use to improve customer relationships:

• Use social media platforms and toll-free numbers so that customers can reach out to you when they want to.
• Offer more services and products and make delivery accessible or at least affordable.
• Keep the customers happy by hearing them out.
• Keep updating your website to improve relationships with existing and new customers.

Improve Your Social Media Strategies

Social media is a salvation for so many people these days. You do not have to run advertisements on them if you only post meaningful content, which is also appealing. Here are tips you can follow:

• Make sure the captions are engaging and well-thought
• Post-quality content. Do not over-promote anything; keep your posts relevant.
• Ensure your customers know what measures you are taking so that all the products are safe.

Improve Your Emails

People ignore this, but email marketing is one of the most effective sales methods. However, that does not mean you should expect sales to come in through emails. It is just another way to improve your relationship with your clients.

Just be kind to your employees, other businesses, and, of course, your clients. Since innovation is the key, remember you improve your sales only by enhancing your clients’ relationships.

Here are tips and solid ideas that you can adopt to become a successful salesperson

• Prepare ahead of time and identify and stick to your buyer personas.
• Know your product, understand it, and study it before pitching it to the customers.
• Find shortcuts and hacks. Work smart, not hard.
• Practice active listening. You must be a good listener to understand the person you seek and help accordingly.
• Use a measurable, repeatable sales process.
• Personalize your message. Add points and your own experiences so that your customer relates.
• Shadow your peers. Always learn from their achievements and mistakes.
• Be a collaborator.
• Be honest and know when you walk away.
• Be there to help resolve the customer’s issue rather than forcing them into things they do not need. That would lead to an unsatisfied customer. Create the need.
• Also, focus on basic things that will give you peace of mind. Get eight or more hours of sleep and believe in what you are selling. This way, you will be more confident with your words and appreciate your job.

Overall

The key to success is to pay attention to goals, not the obstacles – No one in this world has experienced success without barriers. Einstein was thought to be autistic and unable to learn. Roger Bannister broke records by running a 4-minute mile while no one had done that before.

Believe in yourself and work hard to earn success – You must believe you are great and destined for greatness. So, if you work hard, success will come your way. Nothing can be permitted to stand in your way as you pursue success.

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.

Candidate experience endorses the recruitment process of any company. Potential employees judge a company based on the hiring process and the professionalism that adds to the procedure.

 

A positive candidate experience will validate your company’s culture. Similarly, a negative experience will go against your company’s image and demotivate potential candidates to apply to your company. We have listed the top five tips in this blog to help you improve the candidate experience at online hiring events.

 

Assess Your Existing Candidate Experience

 

Analyze your current candidate experience before jumping on to the remote hiring process. Ensure to closely assess every interaction you have with your candidates in your onsite hiring process and decide whether it would be beneficial if replicated in the remote process or not.

 

Update your job offerings in a timely; remove any outdated job offerings. Anyone seeking a position already filled but listed vacant on your careers page may disappoint a job seeker who puts his time and energy into searching and applying for the job only to discover that the position is wrongly listed there.

 

Connect with the Candidate

 

Always remember that the online hiring event depends on how you host it. The amount of input that goes into betterment by you and your company decides your interest in hosting the candidate.

 

You can give real-world experience to your remote candidates by connecting them to the office environment so that they get comfortable and have an excellent interview experience. 

 

You may inspire job seekers by telling them more about your company and its employees via illustrations, graphs, and videos to let them connect and learn more about the company.

 

Engaging Online Interviews

 

The art of engaging the candidate in an intriguing interview offers a beneficial edge to the company. Conduct an ice-breaking session before you start asking questions of the candidate. 

 

In the case of a recorded interview, record yourself asking personalized questions rather than offering the candidate a written set of questions. Not only will it be more engaging, but it also gives clients a more customized experience.

 

Follow-up Communication

 

The worst thing that goes wrong with most recruiters is the ghosting after a candidate finishes his interviews. HR contacts the selected candidates to tell them about their selection and guide them through further procedures. However, they do not get the ones who do not pass the interview phase. 

 

Even sometimes, when the candidates approach HR for their results, they do not communicate with them. This habit damages the company’s reputation irreparably, so HR must avoid following this practice. 

 

Regardless of the result, HR should always follow up with the candidate. Tell him about the reasons behind their selection or rejection.

 

Remote Employee Onboarding

 

Onboarding is one of the essential parts of the hiring process that goes into a new hire’s excitement and content. This part is especially crucial for remote candidates, as onboarding lets them understand the company’s culture and devise a strategy to blend in.

 

Remote onboarding is more challenging than onsite onboarding, as it requires more documentation and has more stages and complications than the traditional onboarding experience. Ensure to introduce the new hires to their manager, team members, and relevant staff.

 

Onboarding does not end in a day; it may last from weeks to a month or two, depending on the candidate’s roles and other elements. Proper communication is necessary to eliminate roadblocks during onboarding if the candidate requires a training session. 

 

Conclusion

 

Online hiring events can be messy if not appropriately overseen and may lead to a company’s bad image. You may improve a candidate’s experience at an online hiring event by following the tips we shared in the blog and ensuring the candidates get a good impression of the company through its hiring process. A good hiring event leads to positive word of mouth, placing a company in the community’s good books.

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.

Do you want to start an online business but don’t know the right e-commerce platform? A successful business needs a suitable medium to build its brand image and recognition among the online audience. There is a wide range of platforms that You can use for an online business launch. However, you must still choose a relevant platform to build your online reputation. We have compiled some of the best e-commerce platforms to help you choose the best one for your business.

Shopify

Shopify is one of the popular e-commerce platforms for varying business sizes. If you have a small business or are about to start from scratch, use this e-commerce platform. This platform contains a straightforward user interface that doesn’t require coding or IT skills to create an online store. Most businesses make online stores on Shopify because of its customizable features and easy interface.

Shopify deals with small and large businesses; therefore, you don’t need to switch to another platform for your business growth and expansion. You can upgrade your plans using the customize feature to meet your business needs. This e-commerce platform also gives you a wide range of website themes to make your website look appealing.

Shopify’s responsive design feature won’t disappoint your mobile audience and can adapt to any user device. So, whatever design you implement, you don’t need to adjust it for mobile users. Moreover, Shopify’s customer support team ensures a 24/7 service and resolves their customers’ problems in website creation.

Shopify also gives you relief in financial terms by not charging any transaction fees upon product sales from a website. Shopify also maximizes customer satisfaction through its fraud analysis feature that saves consumers and website owners from any fraud.  

To optimize your website, Shopify’s SEO experts always help you. Therefore, if you are looking for a user-friendly platform with a wide range of features, you must go for Shopify.

BigCommerce

BigCommerce also falls in the category of best e-commerce platforms for online business. Like Shopify, you can use it for small and large companies. This e-commerce platform contains a variety of tools that help in website building. You can also upsell your products by integrating social media into your website.

The BigCommerce platform makes it easier to sell products using other mediums and channels. BigCommerce platform allows you to build your storefronts on Amazon, eBay, and other sites. This platform will enable you to expand your online business by creating a brand image.

BigCommerce has a 24/7 customer support service to resolve clients’ issues quickly. You can also seek an expert’s advice in your website creation. Payment management and product shipping are relatively more straightforward through the BigCommerce platform. So, if you are looking for an e-commerce platform with greater flexibility, you must go for BigCommerce.

Selz

Selz falls under affordable platforms that efficiently drive results and contain pro and standard plans. The usual procedure is relatively straightforward and suitable for small or newly launched businesses. Like Shopify, Selz also includes a wide range of themes for website design. The theme feature lets you choose the best music to grab customers’ attention.

Its customer support team not only gives a 24/7 service but also conducts sessions to guide beginners. The platform has a user-friendly interface and doesn’t need any web designing and coding experience. The user-friendly options make the process of website creation relatively easier. Through customization features, you can make your website look appealing and eye-catching.

There is an additional drag-and-drop feature that helps in the creation of product pages. So, if you are searching for an affordable and user-friendly e-commerce platform, you must check out Selz.

Wix Commerce

Wix Commerce is a good platform if your online business has limited products. The platform allows website creation for small companies with around 50 different products. It’s much easier to use and helps beautify your website.

The drag-and-drop feature allows you to create product pages. You can add and remove the quality to include or exclude anything. Through this e-commerce platform, you can create customizable storefronts on other sites. Like the previously discussed websites, Wix Commerce also contains various themes that beautify your website.

You don’t need coding or web designing skills for your website created using this platform. Therefore, if your business is still in its infancy, you can use the Wix Commerce platform to make your website.  

In a nutshell, an appealing and eye-catching website helps scale up your online business. To make your website attractive, choose the right platform to increase traffic and lift your business. So, when you are going to choose an e-commerce platform for your business, choose wisely.

 

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.

Events take place in every corner of the world. People come and go to attend events all the time. Corporations arrange meetings and annual events to celebrate achievements. Social gatherings, where people meet and greet each other, have been a norm for many centuries. The ongoing Covid-19 pandemic has stopped people from arranging in-person meetings and events, paving the way for virtual events. In a way, one can call these events a digital adaptation of in-person meetups and conferences. Online events are becoming a norm as we go deeper into the pandemic. Even without a pandemic, virtual events were becoming increasingly common worldwide. The million-dollar question is, will these events improve your digital marketing campaigns? Let us find out: 

Why Arrange Events Online?

You should investigate arranging events and meetings online for a variety of reasons. Firstly, organizing these events online makes sense as you can manage them quickly. Saving time is, in many cases, as good as saving money. Ask any experienced entrepreneur about the Time value of money to know what every minute of a business is worth. Secondly, think about a means to instantly connect with your friends, boss, and colleagues without spending anything. Organizing a virtual event can be for any reason and not necessarily for fulfilling professional commitments. You can get in touch with your friends and family members if you live abroad. Sometimes, it becomes difficult to make way for accommodating a short holiday into your busy schedule.

Using Online Events for Digital Marketing

Digital marketing is increasingly common and helps businesses of all types with significant effects. Now, you can promote your business using social marketing without worrying about losing customers and market share. With everything going online, more companies are now looking into digital marketing to maximize awareness and promote business in various areas. Using online events to improve your digital marketing can expand your business. Using online connectivity is also a great way of staying in touch with people.

Businesses are now investing more time in arranging online meetings. Not only that, these methods are more innovative and less time-consuming. Seminars, conferences, and online workshops are just some ways of connecting attendees using a virtual event. Conferences and seminars tap users and ask them to attend as many sessions as possible. With several sessions a day, some clients attend one or two sessions, but not all. Still, they’ll learn a lot about the concepts and purpose of the event. Marketers can arrange sessions and discuss ways to make the most of online events for business.

Likewise, digital marketers can also use online events to create and distribute content. They can make the content go viral using this method. A piece of content prepared for a specific audience can prove fruitful by providing information and attracting their interest. Using different forms of content such as e-books, blogs, press releases, articles, and infographics can quickly convey the message to the desired audience.

Use a Landing Page

Spread the word by developing a creative, relevant, and attractive landing page for the event you plan to organize. Make the page as innovative and pertinent as possible to attract the desired audience. The page should contain unique information that is hard to find elsewhere for the audience. Would you mind paying attention to the content and making it interactive by adding videos and images to the page? Use colors to make it more attractive and exciting. In other words, use every means necessary to make it more intuitive and readable for the audience and keep it pertinent. Avoid including off-topic content irrelevant to the topic, as it will drive the audience away.

Also, mention the event’s date, time, and schedule to know what to expect. Announce the event a week or two before, as it will give attendees enough time to prepare questions to ask during the Q&A session. Always include a question-answer session before closing the event, making it more enjoyable for all viewers. Inform your audience when to expect the next event and what topic and information it will contain.

In addition to this, you can use online seminars to promote your business to the world. The online workshop is a proven method of attracting more people to become attendees, so use that method. All these online methods will possibly enhance your digital marketing and work best for your business. Continue arranging online events, and they’ll spread the word about your business to more people.

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.

By: Jennifer Brazer

Jennifer is the author of From Cubicle to Cloud and Founder/CEO of Complete Controller, a pioneering financial services firm that helps entrepreneurs break free of traditional constraints and scale their businesses to new heights.

Fact Checked By: Brittany McMillen

Be an Employee That Employers Love: A Step-by-Step Guide to Standing Out at Work

Did you know valued employees are 26% less likely to leave their company for a competitor? Many people think being a great employee begins and ends with clocking in on time and completing assignments, but it’s much more than that. Employers are not just looking for competence—they’re searching for consistency, adaptability, proactive problem-solving, and, perhaps most importantly, team players who seamlessly fit into the company culture.

Over the past 15 years as CEO of Complete Controller, I’ve witnessed firsthand the transformation that happens when employees prioritize excelling at work, not just by working harder but by working smarter and fostering stronger connections. Let’s break down the key ways you can not just survive but truly thrive in the modern workplace. Let’s begin.

Understanding Employer Expectations

What do employers really want?

Here’s a hard truth: employers hire character alongside skill. Yes, skills are critical to getting your foot in the door, but traits such as reliability, teamwork, adaptability, and problem-solving separate someone who just does the job from someone who thrives. Employers want individuals whose actions align with the company’s goals and values.

Take Mary, for instance, a software engineer at Google. Mary carved out her space not by simply checking boxes on a to-do list but by identifying problems and presenting innovative solutions. Her knack for partnering with her teammates and consistently executing challenging projects propelled her career to leader-level responsibilities at lightning speed. The key takeaway here? People who solve problems—rather than just completing tasks—are the ones who get noticed and rewarded.

For more insights into employer expectations, you can find practical resources on effective employee performance management.

Building Strong Workplace Relationships

Communication builds trust

I’ve found repeatedly that great communication is the bedrock of strong relationships in any workplace. Open, clear, and respectful communication doesn’t just foster trust; it also prevents misunderstandings that can snowball into larger issues.

Here’s a simple example from my own career. In the early days of Complete Controller, one of my team members was frustrated over delayed software updates that were impeding her workflow. Instead of brushing it off or avoiding conflict, I took the time to sit down with her to understand her concerns. What followed was a collaborative discussion that resulted in productivity gains for her and our entire team.

Every interaction—whether hallway small talk, emails, or team meetings—is an opportunity to build rapport. If you focus on listening as closely as you speak, you’ll see your relationships flourish.

Demonstrating High-Performing Employee Attributes

Be proactive, not passive

High-performing employees don’t simply execute tasks—they seek opportunities to improve processes and make a tangible impact. It’s not about being a perfectionist; it’s about taking ownership.

I’ll share what happened with an Amazon warehouse team member who noticed inefficiencies in the supply chain. They didn’t shrug their shoulders and carry on with their duties. Instead, they proposed a solution that ultimately reduced costs by millions. The result? A promotion, public recognition, and, most importantly, a significant improvement in the company’s profitability.

Proactivity isn’t a skill you’re born with—it’s a habit you build. Start by asking yourself, “How can this be done better?” or “What’s a small step I can take today to make a meaningful difference?”

Mastering Time Management and Productivity

Tame the clock

We all get the same 24 hours, which begs the question: How do some employees seem to get twice as much done in a day as others? It all boils down to time management strategies.

Here are three proven tactics:

1. Prioritize tasks based on urgency and importance. Tackle the high-priority items first before distractions creep in.
2. Try the Pomodoro Technique. Work for 25 minutes, focus entirely, and then reward yourself with a short break.
3. Reduce interruptions. Mute notifications and tackle one task at a time instead of juggling multiple incomplete projects.

Simple practices like implementing effective bookkeeping practices can also streamline your workflow significantly.

For additional time management tips, visit this comprehensive guide on time management techniques.

Embracing Continuous Learning and Development

Why learning never stops

The workplace moves at lightning speed, and standing still means falling behind. Employers notice team members who actively pursue growth—whether it’s mastering a new skill, attending industry seminars, or pursuing certifications.

When I worked with a particularly engaged team at Complete Controller, I encouraged them to enroll in workshops focused on advancing technological proficiency. These initiatives sharpened their skills and demonstrated their dedication to helping clients more effectively. It was a win-win-win for the employees, the company, and, most importantly, the clients.

Need help sharpening your leadership or financial expertise? Employers respect team members who are focused on efficient business finance management as part of their ongoing growth.

Creating a Culture of Appreciation in the Workplace

Recognizing and being recognized

One often overlooked aspect of thriving in the workplace is fostering a sense of appreciation. Employers notice employees who boost morale with words of encouragement and recognition, especially during high-pressure projects.

Salesforce thrives on a recognition platform that allows employees to send kudos—and guess what? They’ve measured significant boosts in morale and productivity as a result. No fancy software is necessary, though! Simply saying “thank you” or “great job” can create ripples of goodwill that extend across the entire team.

As someone who’s made financial literacy and teamwork my life’s work, I can tell you that responsible financial management starts with managing relationships and resources with care and appreciation.

Adapting to Change and Being Flexible

Why adaptability matters

Change is inevitable, whether it’s a global crisis or a new client management strategy. To succeed as a top-performing employee, adaptability isn’t optional—it’s vital.

Take the massive shift to remote work in 2020. Employees who not only embraced the change but took the initiative to master new tools like Zoom and Slack stood out. Employers will always lean toward employees who are solution-oriented in times of uncertainty.

Flexibility doesn’t just mean surviving change—it means embracing it as an opportunity to shine.

Maintaining a Positive Attitude and Work Ethic

Energy is contagious

It’s easy to spot someone with a positive attitude because they’re the ones rallying their teams when pressure is at its peak. Hard work combined with optimism is a hallmark of standout employees.

I recall a project deadline where my team was burning the candle at both ends. One individual, despite the stress, cracked jokes, offered motivation and inspired all of us to push through. We met the deadline, and no one doubted how integral that teammate’s positivity was to our success.

Attitude isn’t just a gift to your team—it’s an invaluable asset for yourself.

Conclusion

In today’s competitive landscape, becoming an employee that employers love takes intentionality. From proactive problem-solving and effective time management to adaptability, continuous learning, and appreciation, the skills you cultivate can accelerate your career and bring out the best in your relationships at work.

Success doesn’t happen by accident—it happens by design. Want to take things even further? Check out our team at Complete Controller for more expert advice to help you level up.

FAQ

What are the top qualities employers look for in employees?

Teamwork, reliability, adaptability, problem-solving, and continuous learning are key traits that stand out to employers.

How can I improve my time management skills at work?

Use prioritization methods, try tools like the Pomodoro Technique, and minimize distractions to stay focused.

Why is continuous learning important?

It allows employees to refine skills, stay competitive, and demonstrate commitment to growth.

How do I build strong workplace relationships?

Focus on clear, respectful communication and actively listen to understand your colleagues’ needs.

What’s the secret to being adaptable?

Stay solution-oriented, keep an open mind, and view challenges as growth opportunities.

Sources

1. Select Software Reviews. “Employee Retention Statistics: Why Companies Need to Pay Attention.“
2. My Perfect Resume. “How to Answer ‘What Can You Bring To the Team?'”
3. Merritt Recruitment. “Staff Retention in 2024: Global Stats and Trends.”
4. WorkRamp. “33 Examples of Employee Strengths.”

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.