First, when choosing a courier service, be guided by your activity. Delivery of pizza, food, clothing, furniture, and equipment is very different, and the requirements for delivery services will be additional. You must bring pizza quickly while it is hot, for clothes, fitting rooms are needed at points of issue. With oversized cargo, there is even more trouble:
movers, trucks, and other services are required, for which you will have to pay extra.
Secondly, the online store must have business processes built, mainly logistics. The speed and price of a goods delivery to the buyer depend on how storage, packaging, shipment, and interaction with couriers are arranged. So, if your business processes are poorly established, pay attention to order fulfillment.
Thirdly, the delivery service must be technically integrated with your online store or able to customize this integration. It will indicate the cheapest delivery in the online store, tell you under what conditions you can get an order for free, and tell you what additional services to count on.
Delivery Types for an Online Store
Often, the seller connects several types of delivery to his site. When placing an order, the buyer compares prices, terms, and conditions and chooses.
Express delivery
It is the most popular type of delivery, especially during a pandemic. The main plus is that the goods are transferred to an address convenient for the buyer, and the percentage of failures decreases.
The disadvantage is that it is noticeably more expensive than delivery to the point of issue of the order (PVZ) or parcel terminal and more costly than sending it by Russian Post. The price of express courier delivery is even higher, which helps the buyer to receive the goods as quickly as possible for an additional fee. Its disadvantages are the high cost and the risk of refusing the goods if the courier is late.
Pickup from the point of issue of the order
Customers are used to this economical way of getting goods, so online stores use it. Here, the client is not tied to time and chooses the point of issue of the order. Additionally, there are fitting services at the pickup point and the possibility of returning goods. Disadvantages of this method: the percentage of goods produced is higher than with courier delivery, and there are pickup points only in relatively large cities. You must send a courier or a parcel by mail in small towns and villages.
Postamates
This method has all the advantages of delivery to the pickup point, but there are restrictions on the size of parcels and the shelf life of the order, and there is also no possibility of fitting. The cost of sending goods to a pickup point and a parcel terminal is approximately the same.
Post office
Cons – lack of express delivery, poor quality of service for both online stores and their customers, the inability to try on goods, it is an opportunity to send an order to all country points. The cost of the service is often lower than that of commercial services.
Transport companies – long-haul transportation
A particular method of delivery is transport companies. The goods are transported to the transport company’s terminal in the buyer’s city. This method is suitable for bulky goods; the cost here is often lower than in courier services. Minus – the goods are sent according to the schedule once a week or more often, depending on the region.
Courier delivery services
When choosing a delivery service for an online store, study its working conditions, ensure that the service will be convenient for customers, and consider your interests.
Delivery Service Aggregators for an Online Store
There are courier service aggregators on the market. The seller works with an aggregator that analyzes the prices and terms of different delivery services with which he has an agreement and offers options for sending an order to buyers on the site.
Advantages of working with an aggregator:
Parcel management from a single administration menu.
Integration with popular website CMS systems.
Savings on logistics.
A single courier will pick up all the parcels from you,
Payment of one invoice and reconciliation with one counterparty
A single tariff for receiving cash on delivery payments.
Fulfillment
Fulfillment of an online store is an exciting way to develop a company with minimal investment. It is a complex operation from when the buyer places an order until the purchase is handed over to him.
Pros and Cons of Working with Fulfillment Operators
Benefits of working according to the fulfillment scheme:
The seller ultimately gets rid of the worries of organizing logistics.
No need to rent your warehouse.
No need to conclude contracts with courier services – the operator is responsible for the delivery.
You cannot use online cash desks – the operator will accept customer payments.
But you will have to prepare for some difficulties:
Fulfillment services may cost more than their delivery organization.
You must establish a document flow and solve problems with labeled goods.
If the operator did not deliver the goods, you would accept claims from the buyer. If the operator accepts payments, then the seller can receive this money only on the dates specified in the contract:
Fulfillment companies can differ widely in terms of the quantity and quality of services. Pay attention to operator prices, work with product categories, coverage geography, and a set of services.
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.
If you’re looking to start a new salon, you may wonder what it takes to get there. That’s where this blog comes in! I’ve had a great time with stylists to learn many helpful tips for entrepreneurs looking to open their businesses. In this blog, I’ll cover everything from choosing the right location and equipment needed for your salon and why they matter so much to ensuring that all your employees are adequately trained before opening day.
Know What You Sell and How to Promote it Effectively to Consumers
Understand your product offerings and logistics to make informed decisions about advertising, marketing strategies, and distribution channels for each product line in your store or salon.
Learn about suppliers: Their quality standards should be high. They’re responsible for ensuring a consistent supply of good-quality products every day. These suppliers can also help promote new developments within their industries.
Write a Business Plan
Writing a business plan is an essential part of starting a new salon. A business plan will help you set goals and develop strategies for achieving them so that you can focus on the things that are most important to your company’s success.
Choose a Location
You should choose a location based on the type of business you will be operating. Your clients are more likely to support an independent company like yours if they know that their service provider is not part of a large chain or franchise operation. If you’re starting, it’s best to avoid busy areas with many other salons and hair stylists.
Obtain Licenses and Permits
Obtain a business license and a health department license. Get a tax identification number and register with the fire department, zoning board, building inspector, etc. Furthermore, obtain trademark protection and copyright registration in your state if you want to use any of these things as part of your salon’s name or logo.
Buy the Necessary Equipment
Once you have decided on a location for your salon, the next step is to make sure that you purchase the necessary equipment. It will include everything from razors and scissors to hair dryers, curling irons, and manicure tables. It would help if you also bought wands for conditioning hair or faces.
If possible, it helps to buy items in bulk so that you can use them over time without replacing them regularly, which saves money.
Decide on Your Salon Concept
Your salon’s core values will be reflected in every aspect of its operation, from how you greet clients to what you sell and how much time you spend on each service. Your brand should reflect this vision and speak directly to customers’ needs, with clear messaging that connects them with what they want from their experience at your business. A tagline or slogan can help solidify all these points into a single message that resonates with potential clients: “Let us make you look great!” or “A fresh approach to beauty.”
Train Your Staff
It’s essential to train your staff on the job. You can teach your team how to do the job and interact with customers kindly. It will help them feel more confident when they begin working at a new salon and provide valuable experience for new employees you might hire.
If you have time before your opening date, consider training your staff in advance so they are prepared when it comes time for them to start working at their new location. In addition, make sure that everyone knows what is expected from customers and employees when it comes time for business hours!
Starting a successful salon takes proper planning. Here are some of the steps you should take.
Secure Financing for Your Salon
Getting your business off the ground is hard enough, but securing financing for your salon can make or break the success of your new venture.
Fortunately, there are plenty of options out there for those looking for financing for their business.
Some of these options include:
SBA loans
Commercial bank loans from banks that specialize in small businesses
Small business loans from large financial institutions. The interest rates on these loans can be higher than SBA and commercial bank loans, but they’re also less expensive than alternative funding sources such as equity funding or pure debt.
Equity funding is another option. It’s money raised by selling off a portion of the assets and using it to fund the rest of their business plan. You’ll need to find investors willing to buy into your dream and be ready to invest some money upfront before they see any return on their investment in your company’s success.
Conclusion
Hopefully, this article has given you some ideas for starting a successful salon. If you follow our tips and take the necessary steps, you’ll soon be on your way to making your dreams of owning a business come true.
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 business plan is a written document that outlines your business idea. It’s a road map for your company and can be used to manage it, get funding, and communicate with others.
For example, if you have an idea for a new restaurant but don’t know where to begin or how much money it will cost, creating a plan will help you see where you’re at in the process and what needs to happen next.
Business Plan Format
To write a business plan, you’ll need to consider the following:
The business plan should be easy to read and understand. It would be best if you were clear and concise. If your writing is unclear or too long, people will lose interest in reading it before they even begin.
It must be easy for you and others working on this project with you (your colleagues). It means that you shouldn’t use any jargon or complex words in your writing so everyone can follow along easily without having trouble understanding what’s being said at any given moment while creating this document itself!
Executive Summary
The executive summary is a concise and compelling summary of your business idea. It should be no more than one page or as short as possible (one to two pages). This document aims to engage and excite your audience about what they will learn from reading it.
This section should be easy for anyone who reads it, including non-specialists who may not have all the knowledge required to appreciate its contents thoroughly. In addition, you should ensure that the language used throughout this document is simple enough for someone unfamiliar with finance jargon or accounting practices but detailed enough so there isn’t confusion about how essential parts work together or why certain decisions were made by someone else before yours arrived on the scene.
Market Analysis
A market analysis is a process used to determine your business’s potential size and growth potential. It involves analyzing the current state of the market, as well as predicting how it will grow over time. It can help you determine whether your product or service will be successful in this industry or niche market.
For example, suppose you’re looking at selling cosmetics online but don’t have any data on what kinds of people are already buying makeup online (or even if they are). In that case, it might be difficult for you to decide whether that’s something worth pursuing further down the road.
Key Staff Members
Knowing your key partners and suppliers is important for entrepreneurs. Consider using another company as part of your supply chain rather than handling all purchases through one entity. This will help you establish credibility with potential investors and show that other options are available for purchasing goods or services from someone else.
Service or Product Line
What is the benefit of the service or product?
How does it differentiate from your competitors? If there are any apparent similarities, how will you overcome that disadvantage?
How will it be delivered and marketed (e.g., through distributors)? Will it be sold in stores or online only, or can customers order directly from your website if they wish to do so? Will you provide delivery services for customers who live outside your area but want access to your goods anyway (e.g., if they live close by but don’t have easy access)?
Marketing and Sales
Marketing and sales are the lifeblood of a business, but many entrepreneurs get them wrong. Marketing is about creating awareness of your business and products, while sales are about converting that awareness into customers. You need to have both—a marketing strategy and a sales strategy—to make sure you build a successful company!
Financial Projections
Financial projections are a part of your business plan. They are a prediction of the future, a forecast for what you expect to happen in the next year or two, and sometimes even longer. The numbers used in financial projections can be quite complex and are not always easy to understand, so you must have someone who understands them as well as you do if they’re going to help write your business plan!
Conclusion
Many resources are available to help you create a business plan, but it should be your effort. The payoff can be tremendous if you’re willing to spend the time on research and development.
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.
In the bustling world of business, where every decision can lead to either triumph or a learning curve, maintaining a meticulous record of your financial transactions is akin to having a compass in the vast ocean. Proper bookkeeping isn’t just about staying compliant with the tax laws; it’s the backbone of strategic decision-making and ensuring your business’s health and longevity. With the ever-evolving landscape of business operations, bookkeeping, too, has leaped into the future, embracing new trends that redefine efficiency and accuracy. Today, we dive into the essence of proper bookkeeping and explore the latest trends that are shaping its future.
The Heartbeat of Business Success: Proper Bookkeeping
Bookkeeping involves recording and tracking all financial transactions, including sales, purchases, payments, and receipts. It’s the process that tells you where your business stands financially, highlighting your cash flow’s ebb and flow. This data is crucial, serving as the foundation for informed decision-making. Without it, navigating the complexities of the business world becomes a game of guesswork.
Proper bookkeeping ensures that:
Financial management is streamlined
It allows for efficient budgeting while managing payables and receivables, which becomes a breeze and ensures your business can maintain a healthy cash flow.
Tax preparation is simplified
Come tax season, having your financial transactions neatly recorded saves you from the frantic scramble to compile your financial records.
Regulatory compliance is ensured
It helps you adhere to financial regulations and reporting requirements, safeguarding your business from potential legal complications.
Business growth is supported
With accurate financial data at your fingertips, identifying trends, opportunities for cost savings, and areas for growth becomes straightforward, enabling strategic planning and execution.
Navigating the Future: Trends in Bookkeeping
As the business environment becomes increasingly dynamic, bookkeeping has not been left behind. The latest trends in bookkeeping are geared towards leveraging technology to enhance efficiency, accuracy, and accessibility. Here’s a look at some of these game-changing trends:
Cloud-based bookkeeping
The move to the cloud has been revolutionary, offering real-time access to financial data from anywhere, at any time. This improves team members’ collaboration and ensures that your data is securely backed up.
Automated processes
Automation is taking over tedious and time-consuming bookkeeping tasks from data entry to reconciliation. This shift reduces the risk of human error and frees up valuable time that can be invested in more strategic activities.
Integration with business applications
Today’s bookkeeping software seamlessly integrates with other business applications, such as CRM systems, e-commerce platforms, and payroll services. This ensures a holistic view of your business operations and financial health.
Outsourcing to virtual bookkeepers
The rise of virtual bookkeeping services offers businesses flexibility and access to expert bookkeepers without needing a full-time hire. This is particularly beneficial for small businesses and startups looking to manage costs while ensuring their books are in order.
Data analytics and reporting
Modern bookkeeping solutions have data analytics and reporting capabilities, offering deep insights into financial trends and performance metrics. This empowers businesses to make data-driven decisions.
Leveraging Trends for Your Business’s Advantage
Embracing these trends can significantly impact your business’s operational efficiency and strategic direction. Here’s how you can utilize them:
Adopt cloud-based solutions
If you haven’t already, moving your bookkeeping operations to the cloud is a game-changer. It enhances accessibility and security and ensures you’re always working with the most up-to-date information.
Automate where possible
Identify repetitive tasks within your bookkeeping process and leverage automation tools to handle them. This will improve accuracy and free up time for focusing on more critical aspects of your business.
Integrate your systems
Ensure your bookkeeping software integrates with other tools and platforms you use. This holistic approach reduces data silos, offering a unified view of your business’s financial health.
Consider outsourcing
If managing bookkeeping in-house is overwhelming, consider outsourcing to virtual bookkeepers. This can provide you access to expertise and flexibility, allowing you to focus on growing your business.
Leverage analytics for strategic planning
Utilize your bookkeeping software’s reporting and analytics features to gain insights into your financial data. This can guide your strategic planning, helping you identify opportunities and mitigate risks.
In conclusion, proper bookkeeping is not just a regulatory requirement; it’s a strategic asset that can significantly influence your business’s success. By understanding and leveraging the latest trends in bookkeeping, you can streamline operations, make informed decisions, and position your business for growth and resilience in the ever-evolving market landscape. Remember, in the vast ocean of business, your financial records are your compass, guiding you toward 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.
The increased use of AI has decreased humans’ workload and resulted in quick and more efficient work at a lower cost. Like its applications in our daily lives, AI has a wide range of benefits in healthcare. However, the process of healthcare transformation through AI is still in progress. There are eight ways in which AI is used in healthcare and how it is transforming the healthcare industry.
Help People Stay Healthy
The potential benefit of artificial intelligence is that it keeps people healthy without them having to go to a doctor. Due to advancements in artificial intelligence, several applications are helping to maintain people’s health. These applications promote healthy behavior by guiding people to manage a healthy lifestyle.
The most common use of AI in healthcare is helping medical professionals understand people’s everyday health needs. People can provide valuable feedback using artificial intelligence, so people don’t need to visit the doctor daily.
Early Detection of Diseases
AI in the healthcare industry helps detect diseases at their early stages, such as cancer and hepatitis. The extensive use of mammograms in healthcare helps accurately track multiple conditions. Moreover, it reduces the need for biopsies.
You can use consumer wearable things in combination with medical devices to detect heart diseases at their early stages. It enables medical professionals to detect and monitor life-threatening diseases at earlier stages and provide the patient accordingly.
Disease Diagnosis
In the healthcare sector, AI gives healthcare data, medical journals, case studies, and medical information to diagnose a disease. It helps healthcare organizations to introduce treatments for different infections as per the available data.
Researchers use artificial intelligence to identify and analyze healthcare problems. Combining machine learning systems with neuroscience has resulted in the development of neural networks that can mimic the human brain.
Clinical Decision Making
Healthcare data and records available through artificial intelligence help medical professionals make timely decisions.
In healthcare, AI is also used as a pattern recognition system to identify patients’ risk of developing a particular disease. Another application of AI is recognizing the potential threats to a healthy lifestyle due to environmental and other factors.
Artificial intelligence has altered healthcare providers’ decision-making. It gives access to the relevant data required to diagnose and treat diseases and manage people’s overall healthcare.
Treatment of Patients
The role of AI in the healthcare sector is more than healthcare records scanning, as it tracks chronically ill patients at greater risk of exposure to a specific condition. It helps medical professionals to use a more comprehensive and strategic approach to managing the disease. Patients can also control their healthy lifestyles through efficiently designed healthcare plans and long-term treatments.
Lifecare Support
Certain conditions like heart failure, dementia, etc., cause slower death of patients. Loneliness often characterizes this phase of life, but artificial intelligence has devised a solution. Robots have brought a revolutionary change in our lives, making people independent, decreasing the need for hospitalization, and providing home care.
Technological advancements are still modifying the functions of Robots, from just conversation to using other ways of social interaction. Technological advances will also keep the minds of aged people sharp and fresh. This intervention of AI in the healthcare industry won’t let people die without proper care.
Research
The path of drug introduction in the healthcare industry, from research laboratory testing to a patient’s treatment, is quite long. It takes several years for a drug to be approved by medical professionals. Even after several years, only a few drugs are approved for human testing and usage. Moreover, a company spends millions to develop a drug and get approval for it.
This drug research concept uses AI interventions in the healthcare industry. By using artificial intelligence techniques in the overall research process, you can reduce the cost of developing a drug.
Training Programs
AI has eased the training program for medical professionals and people. With technological advancement, we can get more comprehensive responses to several questions from people that help evaluate the effectiveness of training sessions.
This way, future training programs can be designed based on the previous responses to better meet the audience’s needs. Moreover, you can conduct the training programs regardless of location and medium.
In a nutshell, AI is revolutionizing the healthcare industry. Whether it is treatment, diagnosis, or research, the uses of AI in healthcare are innumerable. I hope you have gained important insights into AI in healthcare.
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.
Personal debt is a consumer’s debt that sometimes small business owners use to fund their businesses. Personal debt is not an investment to the company but is used to gather loans for the business or use personal credit card debts to stabilize your business. There are many ways to secure capital to start a new business, for example, business loans or investments by partners or shareholders. Still, it will require the company to pay them a certain amount as interest and profits in return. Personal debt is not called an investment because no repayments are required.
Personal debt is manageable and feasible for the start-up business when consumed practically. Personal obligations can include maxing out your credit cards and using your loans. However, an entrepreneur should always consider and follow some rules before deciding to use private debt to finance the business. Those rules are:
● Research what other options you have. Do not make personal debt your priority when financing your business. The main reason behind this is that you might end up with no private funds to make confidential transactions and expenditures if you give it all to start a business. Starting a business is a considerable risk and does not mean that the entrepreneur will have a successful running business. If your business fails, you will be left with no money and go bankrupt. Many other sources of finances are safe and reliable and will not ask a lot from the business in return. You can consume debts like lines of credit or business credit cards without any or minimal interest amount, so your business will not face losses. It is essential to consider every option and conduct detailed and profound research on each option.
● Cut down on your expenses and other debts. Businesses with many different obligations over their heads end up struggling more than those with only one or two big loans. Calculating the total amount of interest payable on the other debts is comparatively very high compared to individual loan interests. A high debt ratio will also decrease your credit score and harm cash flow. Before you decide to use personal debt to finance your business, you should pay off or eliminate other debts.
● Find debtors who ask for lower interest rates to make it less complicated. Many types of debt do not require high-interest payments and are easily accessible. You can obtain debts like secured debts by offering collateral to the debtor in exchange for the amount. The interest rates are also low compared to unsecured debts. Make sure you will pay it back to save your asset offered as collateral.
● Consider crowdfunding to finance your business. Crowdfunding is an excellent source of finance for start-up businesses as there is no repayment for this finance. Crowdfunding comes from several different individuals. Crowdfunding can be done through social media, where you can reach several people and get their help. This is the easy way out, as no costs will be put up, or you will face no losses in crowdfunding.
● Always create a Plan B. You should always have backup plans to save yourself from personal bankruptcy in case of failures or instability. Be prepared for all obstacles and know what you are doing and what decisions you are making. Create an emergency savings account only in unfortunate situations and try getting help from professionals while making big decisions.
A few significant characteristics of an entrepreneur are being practical and making accurate decisions. These two are applied when entrepreneurs decide to use personal debt to finance their businesses. You should always follow the rules to prevent future regrets and complications. Start-up business owners must know about running and managing debts and other finances. If the entrepreneur is attentive to the activities in the industry, they can run a successful business and grow it in the future.
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.
Small and large businesses have struggled to survive the brunt of the COVID-19 pandemic, whether in North America, Europe, or the Far East. The pandemic has hit businesses globally at a massive scale, particularly impacting SMEs significantly. The global pandemic has led many companies into serious debt.
With the business pace and revenue slowing down, hundreds of thousands of businesses have filed for bankruptcy or closure in the last 15 months.
According to the Wall Street Journal, over 200,000 small and medium-sized businesses were closed during the COVID-19 lockdown, a number which is suggested to be far better than what experts initially suspected.
The most complex businesses to take the hit include entertainment and service-driven companies such as restaurants, theatres, cinemas, and retail shopping. While online shopping platforms like Amazon, e-bay & Flipkart, etc., and online food ordering had already taken a massive toll on the retail and restaurant industry, the pandemic only led to a further falling consumer demand, reduced spending, and social distancing SOPs being mandated for businesses to hit the companies hard. From Deans and Deluca to Hertz Car Rentals and CMX Cinemas, many major companies have filed for bankruptcy recently due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
But those are all gigantic companies with enormous cash to settle unpaid debts and creditor loans. If you own a small business and your revenue generation has taken a plunge, here are your top business insolvency options to get you off the debt.
Settle out of the courts: If you have run out of business and can’t figure out how to pay off your creditors’ debts, it’s about time you reevaluate your decisions. Try working a solution out of the court. Liquefy any company assets like infrastructural components, brand name, & data, etc. Instead of filing for bankruptcy through court, discuss your situation with your creditors and give them at least half the minimum amount you owe them. Settling out of court can benefit both you and the creditor, as they can get some of the money owed to them. Otherwise, your creditors might not get a single penny. However, to settle out of court, you must have cash or assets that you can quickly liquefy.
File for bankruptcy: If your business accounts have completely drained, you can file for Chapter 7, Chapter 11, or Chapter 13 bankruptcy. With Chapter 7 bankruptcy, any assets not exempted by the state selling laws to pay off the creditors. Whatever debts remain at the end will be wiped out. In Chapter 13 bankruptcy, you can make repayments in a period of 3 to 5 years. This way, you don’t lose any property; your creditors also get their money back. Chapter 11 bankruptcy is more of an organizational restructuring where you don’t completely shut the business down. But instead, you can borrow new money from a different creditor.
Bankruptcy works only if your creditors vote in your favor.
The bankruptcy option usually works better for a Limited Liability Company (LLC) as the owner is not personally liable to make payments to creditors by selling off personal assets. However, if you have signed any personal guarantees to your creditors, even bankruptcy won’t help you keep your other properties or assets.
Another thing that can go down while filing for bankruptcy is that your creditor can go to court and sue you for being responsible for leading the business to losses. This way, you might also have to pay off the debts.
Negotiate deals on your business debts: if you can’t pay your creditors the total amount, you can negotiate deals with your creditors. Exchanges can be done out of court directly with your creditors. You can discuss paying partially or in long-term installments. While negotiating these deals, prioritize your debts first and settle the ones that can eventually make you personally liable if you can’t pay in time.
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.
With more people choosing to stay indoors to avoid contracting the coronavirus, access to healthcare has also somewhat become restricted. Although healthcare services providers are available around the clock, the facilities they work in are public places one must avoid as that is the need of the hour. Thanks to virtual reality, the pharmaceutical industry has now conveniently provided care and services to patients.
Many entrepreneurs and experts in both industries have collaborated to create convenient health services for practitioners and patients. Though virtual reality in this industry is relatively new, the future for such collaborations seems bright. When applied to medicine, the hands-on experience offered by VR has helped doctors overcome many barriers created by the social distance actor in the post-pandemic world.
Virtual reality comes with its own set of benefits that make it readily adaptable by industry experts everywhere. Some significant advantages include:
Experience the world without having to move an inch
Make-shift working environment with a real feel
Interact with people without having to meet them physically
Employers can train and educate their staff using VR classrooms and interactive programs, thanks to giants like Lenovo and Google.
Virtual Reality and the Pharmaceutical Industry
Doctors and other medical professionals actively use VR and its benefits in multiple ways. From exploring innovative treatment methods to working closely with their coworkers and staff, digital tools help practitioners operate smoothly from remote distances. For example, a doctor can use a VR headset to place himself in a hospital environment, although he might physically be in his study room.
VR technology is employed by industries globally. People are still curious about how it works and the experiences it can offer. This technological innovation is slowly but surely revolutionizing the pharmaceutical industry, a desperate need of the hour. Below are some areas within the medical arena that use VR.
Patient fitness
The healthcare and pharmaceutical industry uses many tailor-made VR applications to interact with patients who need physical treatment. Such programs should improve patients’ health, train them individually, and closely monitor their progress. Nutritionists and physiotherapists can use scenic backgrounds, virtual cyberspaces, and stimulated 3D environments to provide a real-time feel to their patients.
Non-invasive robotic surgery
Yes, that’s right! With the help of artificial intelligence and machine learning, robots are already performing surgeries. This progression is probably one of the reasons surgeons can take a step back while supervising non-invasive surgeries through VR technology in the presence of robots. These intelligent machines have been proven to reduce surgical complications, perform procedures much more quickly, and even reduce blood loss.
Medical training
Senior health professionals can train incoming, fresh doctors entering the pharmaceutical industry. VR technology allows practitioners to reenact real-life situations to help trainees practice under the supervision of certified surgeons. Virtual reality gives users more control over the problem of practitioners without wasting resources. While synthetic scenarios save time and other resources, trainees also get a chance to learn from hands-on experience from practicing.
Patient education
Surgeons can use VR 3D simulations to take patients through the surgery before it takes place to complete an understanding of the procedure. Patient knowledge and consent have been a growing concern in the healthcare and pharmaceutical industry; hence, You can use VR extensively to enhance patient knowledge and comprehension of the surgical process before it occurs.
Chronic condition therapy
Traveling to receive medical care can become complex in complicated cases involving people with disabilities and severe medical conditions. VR plays a huge part in mitigating physical limitations in such cases without compromising the quality of care provided by professionals. People with disabilities for whom commute serves to be a challenge may probably benefit from VR technology the most to get daily chores and treatments from the comfort of their homes.
Treating phobias
VR is probably the best way to help patients deal with an irrational fear of various things in their surroundings. Doctors and patients can utilize 3D-generated physical situations to overcome feelings of anxiety with careful guidance. When kids are involved, you can use VR to distract them from excessively panicking, making the treatment as smooth and painless as possible.
Prototype and design
Before testing machinery, medicines, or equipment directly on human flesh or organs, doctors and practitioners can test their effects to ensure they do not pose a risk to patients. This prior experience with equipment and other items will help doctors perfect their form and usage during necessary surgeries to smooth out processes.
Virtual Reality is the Future
You read that right! From saving millions of lives to offering real-time experiences from your very home, VR is changing the world one industry at a time. Medical practitioners and doctors excel daily in the healthcare and pharmaceutical industry and successfully provide quality care from miles away. In a rapidly changing world, such technological innovations help experts efficiently perform their duties, fighting all obstacles that stand in their way.
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.
Money can’t buy happiness; similarly, money can’t believe Google’s ranking. Although cash can help attain some rank, it doesn’t mean it’s the only thing you need to rank higher. Along with the investment, you need a proper strategy to improve Google’s ranking and appear at the top of search engine result pages (SERP).
Ways to Improve Google Ranking
Here are some steps to improve your Google Ranking to help you achieve long-term success.
Know Google ranking algorithm: Before proceeding with SEO strategies, you must know the algorithm and how it ranks websites. Google usually announces significant updates, but the algorithm’s functioning is still questionable and unknown to many. Industry professionals and experts speculate on the considerable information.
Life would be easy if everyone knew how to rank higher without shortcut penalties and blacklisted SEO strategies. Anyone could attain the top position without putting in much effort. You could make it difficult for hardworking and honest people to succeed and follow Google’s mission and values.
Some major Google algorithm updates that can give us insights are:
Mobile-first Update: Googlebot monitors websites as smartphones and prioritizes the well-navigated ones.
Mobile-friendly Websites: Google supports mobile-friendly websites and penalizes those not complying with this standard.
Pigeon: Leveraged local search results in Google, such as Google Maps.
Hummingbird: Understands and considers Google search context and intent instead of typed words.
Penguin: Identified spammers and websites that buy inorganic links to rank higher.
You might wonder how you will track Google’s algorithm updates. Among several available databases, Moz’s Google Algorithm Change History helps maintain updates in chronological order.
Assess your current position
To attain a higher Google ranking, you need to know where your website is standing now. Several tools can help you assess your site’s ranking.
Ubersuggest for keyword ranking: You can use Ubersuggest to track your keyword ranking if your content has specific keywords. After login, you need to go to “Competitor Report,” click on “Traffic Overview,” enter your domain, and a list of keywords will appear for which you are attaining a higher rank.
Keep track of your website’s speed: It is an essential element of Google ranking to keep updated with your website speed. If your site’s speed is lower, it will not attain a high search place, driving your customers away. Walmart’s conversion ratedeclined due to its site’s increased load time from one second to four seconds.
It doesn’t matter if your on-page SEO tactics are effective or not, but if your site takes time to load, the Google algorithm will not support it. Several tools can assess your page load speed, including Google PageSpeed Insights, Webpage Test, and YSlow browser extension, specifically for Yahoo and Pingdom Website Speed Test.
Go to the website, enter your URL, choose a location, and start testing to use Pingdom. If your site attains numbers above 50, its speed is good enough, but you need to improve it if it is below 50.
Keep updated with your website’s health: After keyword ranking and the site’s speed, the website’s overall health is worth considering for Google ranking. You can use multiple tools to resolve the issue if your area experiences a sudden decline in its natural traffic. MXToolBox Domain Health Report Tool identifies the significant issues in the mail server, web server, general site problems, DNS, and blacklist.
To check whether Google penalized your website or not, log in to Google Search Console and check out the “Security and Manual Actions Report.” If Google has taken any actions against your site, it will appear in a manual report.
Measure SEO metrics
SEO metrics are an essential factor to consider in improving Google’s ranking. Here are some critical metrics to which you must pay attention.
Organic traffic: This metric shows you the number of visitors to your website daily via Google. Paid ads, email, and social media generate organic traffic, but the number varies according to industry standards. To keep track of the number of viewers on your site, you need to check out the Google Analytics acquisition channels report.
Traffic conversions: To analyze organic traffic, you must focus on the keywords driving search traffic to your site. SERP Scan is a simple and valuable tool for identifying traffic-generating keywords. It will show you the results of the past 12 months with an on-page SEO keyword performance chart.
Understanding Google’s ranking is doubtlessly a difficult task but not an impossible one. Using the above-described keys of higher order can help you achieve your goal without getting penalized. By adequately implementing the steps, one can improve their website’s search ranking.
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.
Ace Your Dream Job Interview With These Essential Tips
Dream job interview tips that actually work include researching the company thoroughly, tailoring your answers with personal stories, mastering the STAR method, and asking thoughtful questions that showcase your genuine interest and preparation. These proven strategies help you stand out from other candidates while demonstrating the confidence and expertise hiring managers seek.
After two decades as CEO of Complete Controller, I’ve conducted hundreds of interviews and discovered what truly separates exceptional candidates from the rest. The difference isn’t just qualifications—it’s how candidates prepare, present themselves, and follow through. This guide reveals the exact techniques that have helped countless professionals land their ideal roles, including concrete examples and insider insights that will give you the competitive edge you need to succeed.
What are the most effective dream job interview tips—and how do you implement them?
Research the company, tailor your stories, use the STAR method, demonstrate confidence, ask thoughtful questions, and follow up professionally.
Digging into a company’s culture, mission, and recent news helps you show authentic enthusiasm and prepare insightful, memorable questions.
Craft stories that demonstrate your skills and results; frameworks like STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) focus your answers for impact.
Authentic confidence, strong nonverbal cues, and follow-up with gratitude all help you leave a lasting, positive impression with interviewers.
Combining preparation with genuine self-presentation dramatically increases your odds of landing your dream job.
Essential Dream Job Interview Tips to Stand Out
Master company research for dream job interviews
A staggering 47% of candidates fail job interviews primarily due to insufficient knowledge about the company they’re interviewing with. This single statistic shows why company research forms the foundation of successful interview preparation. When you walk into that interview room armed with insights about the company’s mission, recent achievements, and industry challenges, you immediately signal that you’re serious about the opportunity.
Start your research by examining the company’s website, annual reports, and recent press releases. Pay special attention to their stated values and how they align with your own professional philosophy. Check their social media presence for company culture insights and recent accomplishments. LinkedIn provides valuable information about your interviewers’ backgrounds and the team structure you’d be joining.
How to research company mission, culture, and recent news
Go beyond surface-level information by analyzing the company’s financial performance, competitive landscape, and strategic initiatives. Industry publications often feature interviews with executives that reveal strategic priorities. Employee review sites like Glassdoor offer candid perspectives on company culture, though balance these views with other sources.
Preparing unique questions for your interviewers
Transform your research into thoughtful questions that demonstrate business acumen. Instead of generic queries, ask about specific challenges the company faces or opportunities you’ve identified. For example: “I noticed your recent expansion into the Southeast market. What operational challenges has that presented, and how might this role contribute to that growth?”
Finding your interviewers online to personalize your approach
LinkedIn profiles, professional articles, and conference presentations help you understand your interviewers’ priorities and communication styles. This knowledge allows you to tailor your responses and build rapport through shared professional interests or mutual connections.
Your personal story: Using the STAR method to shine
Your real achievements set you apart when you present them effectively. The STAR method—Situation, Task, Action, Result—transforms vague descriptions into compelling narratives that showcase your value. Studies show that candidates who use structured storytelling improve their interview performance by 55-60% and are twice as likely to receive job offers.
What is the STAR method? (Situation, Task, Action, Result)
The STAR method provides a clear framework for behavioral interview responses. Describe the Situation you faced, the Task you needed to accomplish, the specific Actions you took, and the measurable Results you achieved. This structure keeps your answers focused and impactful while highlighting your problem-solving abilities.
Crafting stories that showcase your fit and results
Select three to five stories that demonstrate different competencies relevant to your target role. Quantify results whenever possible—percentages, dollar amounts, or time saved make your contributions tangible. Practice delivering these stories until they flow naturally, adapting details to match specific job requirements.
Avoiding generic answers: tailoring experiences to match job requirements
Generic responses blend into the background. Instead, analyze the job description for key skills and responsibilities, then select stories that directly demonstrate those capabilities. If the role requires cross-functional collaboration, share a specific example where you united diverse teams to achieve a common goal.
Author tip: How I use the STAR approach to evaluate talent
When I interview candidates, STAR responses immediately reveal preparation level and communication skills. The best candidates don’t just recite accomplishments—they connect their experiences to our specific needs and demonstrate how they’ll add value from day one.
Dress the Part and Master First Impressions
Research reveals that 70% of hiring decisions occur after the first five minutes—not within them. This finding challenges the common belief that interviews are decided in seconds. While first impressions matter significantly, you have more time than you think to demonstrate your value throughout the entire conversation.
Professional attire should align with company culture while erring on the side of formality. Research the dress code through company photos, LinkedIn profiles, or by asking HR directly. When in doubt, business professional beats business casual for interviews.
Professional attire that fits the company culture
Tech startups might welcome smart casual attire, while financial institutions expect traditional business dress. Your clothing should feel comfortable and confident—avoid wearing something completely new that might distract you. Details matter: polished shoes, neat grooming, and minimal accessories show attention to detail.
Body language, eye contact, and a winning handshake
University of Iowa research found that a firm handshake matters more than dress or appearance in setting interview tone. Additionally, 65% of interviewers reject candidates who fail to maintain eye contact. Practice your handshake until it feels natural—firm but not crushing, with accompanying eye contact and a genuine smile.
Nonverbal cues: what hiring managers really notice
Posture communicates confidence before you speak. Sit up straight, lean slightly forward to show engagement, and use hand gestures naturally when speaking. Avoid fidgeting, checking your phone, or crossing your arms—these behaviors signal discomfort or disinterest.
Prepare, practice, and own common interview questions
Preparation transforms interview anxiety into confident performance. Mock interviews improve success rates by 55-60% while reducing anxiety by 30%. This practice helps you internalize responses rather than memorize scripts, allowing authentic personality to shine through.
Key questions and how to approach them (with examples)
Standard questions like “Tell me about yourself” and “Why do you want this job?” require tailored responses. Structure your self-introduction as a brief professional journey highlighting relevant achievements. For motivation questions, connect personal values with company mission and specific role responsibilities.
Crafting a compelling elevator pitch: 30-second you
Your elevator pitch summarizes your professional identity in 30 seconds. Include your current role, key strengths, and career focus. For example: “I’m a financial analyst with seven years of experience helping mid-market companies optimize cash flow. I specialize in creating forecasting models that have improved working capital by an average of 22%.”
Handling tough or unexpected queries with poise
Unexpected questions test your thinking process, not just your answer. Take a breath, ask for clarification if needed, and think aloud through your response. Showing composure under pressure demonstrates how you’ll handle workplace challenges.
Practice strategies: mock interviews, feedback, and rehearsal routines
Schedule mock interviews with mentors, career counselors, or trusted colleagues. Record yourself to identify verbal fillers or nervous habits. Practice until responses feel conversational rather than rehearsed, maintaining flexibility to adapt based on interviewer cues.
Ask thoughtful questions to make the interview two-way
Smart questions transform interviews from interrogations into conversations. They demonstrate preparation, critical thinking, and genuine interest while helping you evaluate cultural fit. Prepare 8-10 questions, knowing you’ll likely ask 3-4 based on conversation flow.
Building rapport and signaling readiness with smart questions
Questions should build naturally from your research and the interview discussion. Reference something specific the interviewer mentioned, showing active listening. This approach creates dialogue rather than conducting your own mini-interview.
Examples of questions that impress hiring managers
“What does success look like in this role after six months?”
“What attracted you to the company, and what keeps you engaged?”
“How does this position contribute to the team’s broader objectives?”
“What skills distinguish top performers in this role from average ones?”
How to use questions to confirm company fit (and spot red flags)
Pay attention to how interviewers respond to your questions. Enthusiasm and specific examples suggest engaged leadership. Vague or defensive responses might indicate organizational challenges. Trust your instincts when something feels off.
Follow up and show appreciation—The overlooked step to landing offers
Despite 80% of hiring managers saying thank-you notes influence their decisions, 57% of candidates skip this crucial step. This simple action demonstrates professionalism and keeps you top-of-mind during decision-making.
Crafting thank-you notes that reinforce your fit and enthusiasm
Send personalized thank-you emails within 24 hours to each interviewer. Reference specific conversation points and reiterate your interest in the role. Keep messages concise—three paragraphs maximum—while adding value through relevant insights or resources.
What to include in your post-interview email (with template)
Open with genuine appreciation for the interviewer’s time. Reference a specific topic you discussed and add a relevant insight. Close by reiterating your enthusiasm and next steps. Avoid generic templates—personalization makes the difference.
Following up on next steps and handling offers or rejections graciously
Respect stated timelines while staying appropriately persistent. If you haven’t heard back within their timeframe, one polite follow-up shows continued interest without seeming desperate. Handle rejections professionally—today’s “no” might become tomorrow’s opportunity through a positive lasting impression.
Bringing It All Together: Real-World Stories and Results
Case study: From overlooked to offer—How preparation landed an applicant their dream job
When Sarah, a mid-level finance professional, targeted a dream role, she invested three hours researching the company, crafted five custom STAR stories, and practiced a tailored elevator pitch. During the interview, she asked questions about current company challenges—earning genuine engagement from the hiring panel. Her follow-up note referenced a business initiative discussed during the interview. Sarah got the offer—and was specifically told her “exceptional preparation and initiative” made the difference.
First-person insight: What I look for as a founder
In every interview at Complete Controller, I pay close attention not just to what candidates say, but to how they connect their stories to our needs, how they demonstrate resilience, and how they leave us with excitement about their potential contributions. Those who treat interviews as two-way conversations—and follow up thoughtfully—always rise to the top.
Turning nerves into confidence: Mindset matters
Managing interview anxiety with visualization and practice
Visualize successful outcomes while acknowledging that some nervousness is normal and even helpful. Channel that energy into enthusiasm rather than letting it paralyze you. Deep breathing exercises before the interview calm your nervous system.
Simple routines to cultivate calm, show confidence, and stay authentic
Arrive early to settle in. Review your notes one final time, then put them away. Focus on being present rather than perfect. Authenticity resonates more than polished but robotic responses.
Conclusion: Your Next Steps to Dream Job Interview Success
Preparation, authenticity, and follow-through transform interviews into job offers. From both sides of the hiring desk at Complete Controller, I’ve seen candidates win when they’re bold enough to be themselves—and thorough enough to show they’ve done the work. Start implementing these strategies today, and take control of your interview success. Ready to accelerate your career growth? Visit Complete Controllerfor more expert insights and resources to help you achieve your professional goals.
Frequently Asked Questions About Dream Job Interview Tips
What should I do right before the interview starts?
Review your notes, take deep breaths, and visualize a positive outcome to center yourself. Arrive 10-15 minutes early to account for unexpected delays and give yourself time to compose your thoughts.
How can I stand out from other candidates?
Give specific, personalized examples using the STAR method, demonstrate deep knowledge of the company through your questions, and send thoughtful follow-up messages that reference your conversation.
What are the most common mistakes to avoid in a dream job interview?
Giving vague or generic answers, speaking negatively about previous employers, failing to prepare questions, and neglecting post-interview follow-up all significantly hurt your chances.
Should I ask about salary in a first-round interview?
Wait until later stages unless the interviewer brings it up first. Focus initial conversations on demonstrating your value and understanding the role’s full scope.
How do I answer behavioral questions I haven’t prepared for?
Use the STAR structure spontaneously and draw from similar past experiences. Take a moment to think—interviewers appreciate thoughtful responses over rushed answers.
VirginiaG3. “Four More Interview Tips to Help You Land Your Dream Job.” 2024.
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.
Jennifer BrazerFounder/CEO
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.
Brittany McMillen is a seasoned Marketing Manager with a sharp eye for strategy and storytelling. With a background in digital marketing, brand development, and customer engagement, she brings a results-driven mindset to every project. Brittany specializes in crafting compelling content and optimizing user experiences that convert. When she’s not reviewing content, she’s exploring the latest marketing trends or championing small business success.