Not every person has a budget though every financially responsible adult should. For those that do have one, if you are not meeting that budget, you are likely overpaying for some of the bills or other items you purchase. When creating a budget, you should look for ways to lower your bills rather than cutting the sources out completely. Here are three budget items you can lower your payments on and how to do it.
Cable or Satellite Dish
Entertainment is the number one area most people overpay. Many get cable packages with hundreds of channels, and studies show that people generally regularly watch about seventeen of them. There are a few ways you can save money when it comes to cable.
Get a smaller cable package: Knowing that most people only watch a handful of channels, you should assess what channels mean the most to you and get a cable package that includes those channels and as few channels more as possible.
Use cable services you can customize: A few services will let you completely customize the included channels, so you can choose to leave out channels you never watch and keep only the ones you do.
Cut out cable altogether: Many have “cut the cable” and never regretted it. You can have multiple streaming services which generally carry many of the shows you love. If you add up the monthly subscriptions with access to hundreds of movies and shows, you can have them all and still pay far less than cable. Also, you can choose when you watch the shows.
Car Payments
Many people overpay for their car and often because car salespeople are good at what they do. You can, however, beat them at their own game with a few pro tips.
Never purchase payments: Often, when in the negotiation process, a salesperson will at some point ask you what kind of payment you can afford. Never give the maximum you can afford, and be sure they don’t come back and give you only the car payment and length of the loan. Even if the payments are comfortable, you may have agreed to pay significantly more than you should because of the length of the loan. Be sure to ask for the total cost of the car and the interest rate.
Get a Loan Yourself: Many people don’t realize that they can go to their banking institution and get a preapproved loan for a certain amount if they have decent credit. They can then look to purchase a car for that amount or lower using that preapproved loan. This is a way to get a low-interest rate and no hidden costs in the car purchase because you strictly negotiate the price.
Boost your Credit: The higher your credit score, the lower the interest. Having a good or excellent credit score gives you the negotiating power to get the lowest interest rates on your car loan possible. You can sometimes save thousands on your car purchase by having a low-interest rate.
Utilities
Of course, there are so many areas of life we can save or be more frugal, but utilities are an area most of us can stop overpaying. Here are a few ways you can save on your utilities.
Cut your usage: We all have been guilty of leaving lights and electronics on when not in use, but you can also cut your usage in other ways besides remembering to turn things off. Many utility companies now offer thermostats built-in money-savers such as automatically adjusting the temperature for a few hours a day while working or less likely to need cooler or warmer air. You would be amazed at how that adds up.
Payment plans: Many utility companies have payment plans in which you pay the same amount every month at a fixed rate. This payment plan is generally an average calculated by the previous year’s usage. If you don’t use as much as you paid, you get the money back or get it as a credit on our account at the end of the year. If you overuse, you will have a balance due. Most find they will use less with this type of payment arrangement.
Conclusion
There are other areas in the budget you can cut down on, such as groceries and gas. However, these three areas of the budget are the simplest to get adjusted. While you may not be able to make significant cuts in your expenses, every little bit helps when operating on a tight budget.
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-hosted desktop where their entire team and tax accountant may access the QuickBooks™️ file, critical financial documents, and back-office tools in an efficient and secure 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.
During the technological era, the outburst of data during the technological age has undoubtedly helped businesses grow and make decisions that have worked out positively for them in the short term and the long time. Thanks to the evolution of data collection applications and browsers, businesses now collect information about their audiences that help them make decisions driven by predictive algorithms. As the world continues to go digital by the second rapidly, these algorithms are also going rogue to keep up with the pace.
What Are Predictive Algorithms?
Artificial intelligence (AI) has emerged and advanced into all walks of life. Robots that perform complicated surgeries to helping brands understand their audiences, AI is employed by businesses everywhere. Predictive algorithms provide essential insights, process data into understandable trends, and help humans power through the clutter of data and information present online. Algorithms are based on data collected through real-time human activity and help businesses provide quick solutions to public queries in prompt services.
Take, for instance, the introduction of the story feature by Snapchat in 2011. Because of the popularity of this feature among its audience, all other social media applications added this interactive detail to their programs. This trend caught up that a business networking application like LinkedIn also recently introduced its story feature.
Predictive algorithms are not a new phenomenon. Weather reports are based on data-driven approaches and have seemed to work well for ages now. With the help of advanced AI, the climate industry has performed even well. It has also helped the construction and other related industries time their projects just so, for instance, rain does not tarnish the foundation laying at the start of constructing a building.
How Do Predictive Algorithms Work?
Before you start working with algorithms, you must have a goal in mind. Do you wish to gauge a piece of content in terms of its performance? Or do you want to drive sales through an ad? Define your outcomes before you invest in predictive analysis software.
Once you have set a goal, the next step is to collect data from sources such as ERP and CRM systems, et cetera. Data collection is not enough because to be able to use data. Further, you need to be able to read it properly as a source of information. This step is where data mining comes, whose primary purpose is to channel all raw figures into usable facts to help with the actual decision-making process.
The final step is to employ predictive analytics software to provide insights and statistics by interpreting results.
The analysis may also recommend courses of action you can take in terms of decision trees. In essence, after you have helpful information presented to you in bar charts, graphs, and tables, you can make decisions that will most align with the need of the hour for your business.
Examples of Predictive Algorithms
As mentioned earlier, organizations and businesses use algorithms, a by-product of Artificial Intelligence, to make all kinds of decisions. The way that some major, thriving industries use this tool for their benefit is given below.
The Healthcare Industry
Doctors and medical health professionals, at large, come across many extensive and minor procedures, prognoses, and diagnoses, et cetera, daily. Algorithms built are based on patients treated historically, implemented to look for life-threatening perils to understand the severity of the cases and reduce the redundancy of most tasks and risks while dealing with complicated patients.
The Manufacturing Industry
This industry uses expensive, extensive heavy machinery that could be a liability for a company if something were to go wrong. Such machinery often has sensory devices that receive and analyze real-time data to deem activities as harmful or safe. For instance, imagine using a bulldozer for a task that could be carried out using lighter machinery.
The Sports Industry
The sports industry often uses predictive tools to gauge the performance of players in the long run. These analyses help even small-time teams set contracts for specific players, price them, and even help managers examine aspects like a player and team analysis.
Advantages of Predictive Algorithms
Make informed decisions that will help save essential resources like time, money, and resources
Improve performance of employees, managers, businesses, and the organization in the face of evolving technology
Analyze what works better for a particular business, for instance, what content will drive engagement from the audience when to run digital advertisements, and so on.
Providing valuable insights to companies and organizations they can use to devise long-term and short-term strategies
Challenges of Predictive Algorithms
While the advantages of Artificial Intelligence and predictive algorithms are plenty, the challenges faced by users are essential to address before you sign up for the process. It is important to remember that you need to get your whole team on board.
Utilizing the system to its maximum capacity requires a team familiar with the statistical model of the algorithms
Some analytic tools can be challenging to manage
Adoption of the new tool will take time because of the constant innovation of technology
Decisions and solutions can be biased based on historical data. For instance, if a brand happens to sell more during a breast cancer campaign, the predictive analysis might produce insights related to this event in the short term.
Predictive algorithms and analysis are on the rise given the constant innovation technology. Businesses and people want to get instant results and hit the right nails with their devised strategies and policies. This branch of artificial intelligence leverages statistics, data mining, modeling, and algorithms to make better decisions that help businesses thrive.
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-hosted desktop where their entire team and tax accountant may access the QuickBooks™️ file, critical financial documents, and back-office tools in an efficient and secure 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.
Business models have evolved over the years, from manufacturing and distribution to the partnership and knowledge era. The rise of artificial intelligence (AI) has profoundly changed the meaning of ideas, creativity, and technologies over the years. As a result, corporate models are changing ever further. When company sectors experience a significant and drastic change in the quantitative balance of intelligence strength, AI applications and deployment provide each business enterprise with new opportunities as it does obstacles.
AI is now changing industry and trade across borders. AI has leveled the playing field for countries and provided their businesses with a rare opportunity to step forward and expand, whether they are rich or poor, industrialized or growing, small or big. However, access to technology and software is consistent; the question is how each company uses the information — for which intent and target. While innovative technology helps to level the playing field for companies across sectors in terms of their ability to access intelligence from growing digital data and information, it is essential to consider the other criteria that will help determine individual and joint performance in improving AI capabilities for businesses.
The coming data challenges
Businesses around the world will face unprecedented obstacles and improvements in the coming years. The development led by automation is the only constant in such transitions. Development in AI-driven automation means more informative data from connected devices, social media, market data, and other sources, which increases the ability to revolutionize business models. Over the years, digital data has developed at an astounding rate across nations. It is essential to understand:
how this modern data-driven knowledge reality opens an entirely new landscape of possibilities and threats for each sector across countries.
What would the expected implications for each industry (existing and emerging) be?
Businesses are starting to realize the ramifications of the emerging AI-driven automation landscape, extending well beyond limited artificial intelligence applications. Although the relationship between data, knowledge, and intelligence is complex and indirect, the power and speed of AI-driven automation improvements predicted in the coming years will present each company with opportunities and challenges for its productivity. It will be fascinating to witness how AI modifies the global business power dynamics.
Business model transformation
Today, businesses can gather more data, gain the requisite information, and innovate as it becomes more connected. As a result, we are likely to see a much-needed industry evolution: quicker marketplaces, learner activities, vibrant companies, rising earnings, informed customers, and dynamic businesses.
How is AI transforming business models? Although businesses in diverse sectors and countries are at various stages of AI adoption, it appears that the current approach to AI strategy is overly limited. Companies use AI to improve customer service, evaluate data, and forecast output to automate workloads, trading, and other tasks. The current trend in AI application and adoption does not sufficiently adapt to rapidly changing intelligence capabilities. Furthermore, corporations often cultivate an atmosphere of distrust and hostility toward one another within their respective sectors and nations. Cultivation may be one of the factors preventing a standardized approach to data processing and information access.
Furthermore, countries lack basic digital data technology. In contrast, a lack of modern technology discourages data opportunities and developments, making it challenging to meet customer and knowledge needs — leaving companies with obsolete data, information, and intelligence. AI not only changes the way companies operate, but the standard thinking and sense of partnership, competitiveness, and creativity have also profoundly changed. However, most AI programs generate a competitive advantage by identifying a whole new opportunity, improving existing activities, providing a business niche that has been overlooked, or developing new markets. The connected devices that feed a continuous stream of data regarding functionality, use, demand, and more to a central location can generate even more interesting and competitive transformations. Transformations will take us to a critical point: How will integrating the Internet of Things transform market models with newly developed interfaces for brands to interact with their customers?
Bottom line
Artificial intelligence for any company is an essential part of the future. The new developments in automation led by AI represent imperative changes in the AI domain, which are about reconfiguring priorities, leverage, and investments in global enterprise policy. Although market automation provides exciting prospects quickly, it also poses significant safety risks. Given how nations manage their essential data resources through cyberspace, Squarespace, Geospace, and space (CAGS), the future of artificial intelligence-led market transformations must focus intensely on advancing data projects to collect more knowledge to develop the AI environment further.
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-hosted desktop where their entire team and tax accountant may access the QuickBooks™️ file, critical financial documents, and back-office tools in an efficient and secure 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.
Promotion and advertising for your business is a strategic investment. Whether you are just starting or have been in business for a while, marketing, promotion, and advertising will need to be part of your business plan and budget. Before you can figure out how much to spend on marketing, advertising, and promotion, you need to ask yourself these six important questions.
What are the most efficient ways to communicate with the market?
The objective of advertising and sales promotion is to communicate the competitive advantages of the company’s products or services to influence consumers’ or users’ purchasing behavior. But, logic tells us that this goal must be achieved with the maximum possible efficiency: achieving the desired results with the minor investment of resources.
In this sense, to the extent that the company is directed to more extensive and more dispersed markets, the greater need will be to invest in advertising and sales promotion to communicate its messages to consumers and users distributed throughout the territory.
What is the decision and purchase process?
In this sense, it is necessary to take into consideration two aspects. The first of these is the weight that emotional and rational motivations have in buying a product or another within the same category.
There are products and services whose purchase decision is highly emotional; the extreme examples are refreshing drinks, alcoholic beverages, cigarettes, ice creams, chocolates, and other sweets and desserts, snacks, cosmetics and luxury perfumery, products related to fashion (clothing, watches, jewelry, accessories, etc.), exclusive tourist destinations, automobiles, and the like.
What is the level of knowledge of the product?
A widely known product in the market, with many years of sale and that enjoys a wide acceptance, can afford to carry out maintenance advertising; that is, invest prudently to keep the brand “alive” and prevent competitors from advancing.
On the other hand, a little-known product, new or never publicized, will need significant budgets to reach the first magnitude in the market. In this case, a large part of the decision will depend on answering the next question.
What are competitors doing?
Suppose your company operates in a competing market. In that case, it has to take into serious consideration what its competitors are doing, both in terms of the type of communication it must establish with its consumers and users and the ways to use it, as well as in terms of the number of your investments.
What is known as a share of voice (“voice participation,” literally translated); that is, of all the investment made in your business sector in advertising, promotion, direct marketing, etc. What percentage corresponds to your company? The principle says that your “voice participation” must be at least equal to your market share so that the existing balance is maintained. Some observations in this regard that apply in highly competitive markets:
Should you use push strategy or traction strategy?
These two types of strategies are applied in the mass consumption markets. The push strategy concentrates all its marketing resources in the distribution channels (prices, promotions, discounts, merchandising, etc.). The intermediaries “push” the product until they reach it. Convince consumers.
On the contrary, in the pull strategy, the company concentrates its marketing resources on consumers and users (mainly advertising, sales promotion, merchandising) to go to the retail establishments and pressure the latter to have the product or brand.
What is the investment and profitability strategy?
When deciding on the management of a product, service, or for the entire company, your decision centers can follow one of the following options:
Investment strategy Invest even more than what the product generates to “buy” market share and achieve high levels of profitability in the future.
Stability strategy The Company invests in the necessary product to maintain its market share, generating a stable flow of profitability over the years.
Exploitation strategy The Company sacrifices the future of the product and decides to obtain the maximum benefit in the short term.
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-hosted desktop where their entire team and tax accountant may access the QuickBooks™️ file, critical financial documents, and back-office tools in an efficient and secure 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 entrepreneurs realize the importance of using technology to achieve their business goals. They have come to understand what it takes to run a successful business operation by embracing the latest technology.
Training employees is no exception to the need to use innovation within the company. Businesses expect to develop innovative training programs and methods to meet inevitable changes as the business grows. Cutting-edge technology is used to improve how the business is done and used to train employees on the latest practices.
Training can include new hire training, continuous training, new technology training, and training for new positions within the company. Since there are multiple aspects of training within a company, innovative technology will need to be embraced.
One of the latest technologies used for training is augmented reality. The question is, should you use augmented reality technology for employee training in your company? Here are the reasons you should consider augmented reality technology for employee training.
Gaining momentum
Augmented reality is not new technology. It has been around and used for decades. It has been around for decades. Augmented reality was the brainchild of Howard University computer scientist Ivan Sutherland.
Upon its creation, the far-reaching implications and applications of this technology were evident. The development continued for decades while the technology was being used. While not yet widely used, the benefits of augmented reality technology have made it more utilized in business in recent years.
It combines hardware with software and produces a simulated environment. The visual effects are cutting edge, whereas it can use different types of software, be it gaming, training, or simulation. IDC estimates that augmented reality combined with virtual reality is an $18-billion industry and will likely continue to grow.
Steps to introduce AR
As discussed, businesses around the world are welcoming new technologies. These companies are willing to accommodate changes if necessary. Introducing new technology is as good as implementing a change. Steps will be taken to ensure the tech is correctly absorbed into the organization’s structure.
Identifying the requirements
Is there a need to introduce new technology for employee training? If old procedures were working great, then where does the new method of training fit in? These and many questions must be asked before incorporating new technology. Firstly, the company hierarchy must identify the need to induct the latest technology.
Several questions will be asked, so the hierarchy knows if there is a need to incorporate the tech or not. Managers will revisit previous methods of employee training and check for the possibility to integrate with AR. The idea is to provide better technology to pave the way for proper training. Accustoming employees to modern methods of training is equally important.
Identifying training targets
In the second phase, the management will identify the company’s targets by revisiting training regimes. Incorporating AR will improve training remarkably. It will pave the way for new possibilities and help employees learn interactively. The AR will effectively replace previous technologies for good.
Providing the AR to users
After introducing the technology for users, the next step is to continue with the assessment. Augmented reality is flexible enough to incorporate into different situations if needed. The ability to produce demonstrations to meet various conditions is where AR tech comes in handy.
It is worth noting that AR is a technology that was developed with versatility in mind. That’s why it stands out when used for negotiating with different scenarios. It is dynamic and has the flexibility to perform.
Building an innovative AR experience is essential for training. Employees will get a hold of the technology once they are familiarized with it. Trainers can help them with the tech by explaining ways to use the tech properly. Training using the VR may take some time, but they’ll love it once they get used to it. An immersive experience is where employees learn the most.
Initially, states may call for an audit of the technology necessary for removing caveats and gaps. These are common obstacles that occur every time a new technology is introduced for employee training purposes.
Each time a versatile technology such as augmented reality is used, these gaps will occur as the training program may be specific. In contrast, the technology used is dynamic and has a broader scope. Identifying this using auditing technique is a must as it will help companies properly use the tech and eliminate possible gaps.
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-hosted desktop where their entire team and tax accountant may access the QuickBooks™️ file, critical financial documents, and back-office tools in an efficient and secure 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.
An organization’s growth is next to impossible if its employees are not focused. Look around you, and you will find that organizations that prioritize the welfare of their workforce grow faster than others. This business growth is where the actual value of human resources comes into play.
To negotiate with increasing pressure at the workplace, managers now have a more significant role to play than ever. A human resource manager is a multi-talented individual. They are responsible for keeping the upper-tier happy. At the same time, they are responsible for keeping employees satisfied as well.
Modern human resource concepts are being looked into. Business culture is evolving, so are human resource protocols. Here are six reasons every business needs human resources.
Knowledge sharing
How would you inform your team members? Will you inform them about something one by one or will you do it in a meeting? It is for you to decide, but going by modern standards, keep an eye on HR practices that will be practiced in coming years.
These modern standards mean you will have to leave those vintage practices and quickly embark on the new ones. Sharing your knowledge is an ongoing process which is something managers must often do. Being a manager must be more knowledgeable, so be forthcoming to your team and help them learn something new.
Pinpoint top performers
Evolving Human resource concepts pave the way for improving employee performance. Employees must know they’ll get excellent reviews and performance bonuses if they continue to perform well. These positive reviews and bonuses must be done without discouraging other employees.
Keep in mind that not everyone can be a star performer. Employees that fail to achieve their targets must be encouraged.
HRM must avoid providing feedback openly to continue motivating those whose performance was not up to the mark. Reward those who perform better, so they continue to do so
Performance reviews
Modern HRM best practices include performance analysis and review of every employee. Efficient practices are in place that allows managers to have a close look at the performance of every team member.
The reward is based on employee performance, so it is necessary to identify top performers of the month and reward them accordingly. Nepotism and favoritism must be avoided so that employees don’t feel sad and discouraged. Make it a fair chance for all to achieve performance goals and take the reward they deserve.
Enforce a fair evaluation system
A convenient method that can help companies and employees grow together. The human resource team can achieve this goal by creating a system that allows employees to grow by achieving their targets. They can do that by individually performing better, thereby helping the company meeting business goals.
Human resources should lay down a well-defined reporting methodology. Managers must keep the evaluation process fair and unbiased so that employees know they have a fair chance to win rewards if they perform well.
Work Environment
The environment of a workplace plays a pivotal role in enhancing employee performance. A healthy, safe workplace is where employees love to work. The office must be adequately ventilated and have provisions for lighting if required.
A suffocated workplace can make employees feel tired too often without working tirelessly. On the contrary, a properly lit, well-ventilated workplace can motivate employees to work harder than usual. Employees tend to work overtime when they feel the environment is right.
Likewise, they push themselves to perform better than their colleagues if there are no restrictions at the workplace. Many corporations understand that employees don’t like to work all the time. That is why they invest in activities such as recreation and sports. Employees are free to take a break from work when they feel like it. They can play sports of their choice that allows them to relax and concentrate on work again.
Conclusion
There is a world of difference between HRM practices of today those that were practiced in the previous century. Modern HRM practices continue to evolve with more intriguing methods that are likely to change the face of organizational human resources the way we know it.
The focus of HRM practices is to improve employee performance and paving the way for the company’s growth, but there is room for more improvement. The evolution of HR continues.
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-hosted desktop where their entire team and tax accountant may access the QuickBooks™️ file, critical financial documents, and back-office tools in an efficient and secure 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.
You use social media platforms and stay in touch with people every day, but have you thought about using them for business? If not, then now is the time to explore ways you can use it for business promotion.
There is no denying the usefulness of social media for business marketing. Nearly all notable companies worldwide utilize social media marketing for business promotion. For many, social media marketing is the cornerstone of their marketing campaigns.
Others who were late to the party and the following suit and making a late start. Despite that, it only makes sense to use social media to promote your products, services, and businesses to the world. It helps when you know ways to use this form of promotion properly. Be aware of the dos and don’ts of social media marketing before you tap into this concept.
Why use social media for promotion?
Think about it, would you forego a platform that nearly 70% of the world’s population use every day for business promotion and interacting? Certainly not! On the contrary, you would do everything to capitalize on making the most of this platform. However, there are things to consider before you decide to use it for business promotion. The following will help you maintain focus and capitalize when using social media.
The Do’s
Nowadays, it is necessary to find and hire a proficient social media marketing team for business promotion purposes. They do this by giving ads in job portals, newspapers, and many other ways. Advertising for hiring is the best thing to do as you will find good profiles that will do justice to their selection. Keep in mind that your business’s social media account will create an early impression. It is necessary to fill in all the details, so your customers have no difficulty finding your account.
Segregate business and personal accounts
Some social media executives combine personal and business accounts, thinking they will receive more ROI, which is rarely the case. Segregating business and personal accounts is a must, so discuss this with your social media team. Maintain consistency when sharing your business content so your customers, readers know which account to follow. This also helps your friends and family avoid spam as they know which account to follow for your updates.
Make regular posts
It is for you to decide how often to engage with your community using social media posts. The frequency of making posts should depend on the type of business and industry you operate in. Follow the rule of making at least two thoughtful posts weekly to ensure community engagement and interest. Posting inconsistently will result in a loss of community and readers. The
Share thoughtful content
Every post you share from a business account becomes a representation of your business. Put a lot of thought into every post you make and share. It will give you many readers and discuss your business the way you want. Take pride and own the content you share after putting an immense amount of time and effort into crafting a company as a result.
Don’ts
Posting too often on your business profile can be just as harmful as not posting at all. Too many posts can lose your reader’s interest, and they’ll soon unfollow the page. Continuing this trend for a month or two make you lose many of your business page followers.
Use the following criteria for engaging with your followers and keep them interested:
Pinterest – 10 pins per day
Twitter – 15 tweets per day
LinkedIn – 1 post per day
Facebook – 1 post per day
Falling for numbers
One way of knowing where your page stands is through the numbers found in the analytics. Business page owners would lose sleep over numbers and eagerly wait to have more followers on the page. This will not work as media platforms are now separating real accounts from those found to be spam. Getting likes and comments from such accounts is now redundant as these will not work.
Engagement bait
Engagement baits were once a great tactic to boost your page’s engagement, but this is no longer the case. Social media platforms no longer allow this type of engagement. Many clients complained about pages using spamming and baits for luring readers into becoming followers, to which social media platforms responded. Such posts will not be demoted, and page owners will receive a warning about this. If the page continues to bait, the platform will blacklist the page.
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-hosted desktop where their entire team and tax accountant may access the QuickBooks™️ file, critical financial documents, and back-office tools in an efficient and secure 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.
Social media has become an integral part of the daily routines of millions around the world. Next time you log in to your social media account, think about exploring things, and you will likely find some fantastic benefits of the platform. Many social media platforms are indeed designed with many uses in mind besides the social aspect.
They are well thought of and have a pool of engineers working on it for months years. Take Facebook as an example. How many years did Mark Zuckerberg and the team take to launch the beta version of the platform? Twitter took a similar path and took years to mature. In short, the social media platform of your choice has some surprises for its users. Here are six unexpected ways you can use social media.
Booking an appointment
It is incredible how social media is becoming a must-have in our lives. Booking an appointment for your doctor is something new and unexpected. You will not find many social media users reserving an appointment with a physician.
The trend is changing fast, and approximately 26% of users in the U.S are now booking appointments through social media. Social media is helping users in learning new ways of doing things they never thought were possible. You can look up information on the medical condition you may be experiencing and know about it in detail.
Leadership ideas
One of the most amazing things about social media is that it helps users regardless of where they come from. For instance, an entrepreneur will get as much information from social media as a novice. The same goes for leaders and managers.
Lookup for top-rated content on management and leadership to gain firsthand knowledge of leadership. Do this often, and you will find helpful content on many platforms. Often, these are written and shared by managers and leaders themselves.
Surprisingly cost-efficient
To say that social media platforms are a marketer’s dream would be an understatement. They have an incredible reach and are surprisingly cost-effective. Marketers can use these platforms in many ways for promoting services and products for free.
The cost of running paid campaigns on social media is surprisingly less when compared to other forms of media. You can make a side-by-side comparison of both and see the difference. When it comes to price/performance ratio, social media platforms win hands down.
Customer satisfaction and engagement
One of the notable pros of social media is that it makes customer engagement so much easier. Marketers and salespersons can engage one on one with customers and ask for feedback on a campaign.
Customers value personal engagement and would love to be responded to by a person compared to an automated response. You can show customers your attentiveness by responding personally to every comment. This responsiveness will give your business better brand awareness and excellent feedback.
Managing disasters
Social media has proven its worth for disaster management and continues to do so. It has been used in many countries across the world for this purpose. Subscribers get updates and alerts through social media apps. Some apps show hourly updates, while others are updated every six, twelve, and twenty-four hours. These alerts have proven handy as they’ve helped save lives across the world.
Tracking and alerting of pandemic
Social media has played a pivotal role in managing the spread of diseases and during a pandemic. Many users get regular updates and news on the status of Covid-19. These alerts help people and the government alike. The effectiveness of social media for pandemic control is undeniable and has helped governments track and segregate pandemic intensive areas.
Tracking of the disease has also helped in forcing smart lockdown in places where necessary. This tracking helped in reducing and removing the impact of the disease in some countries. Social media platforms are adding more features to make their apps easier to use.
In addition, social media users now enjoy other benefits such as crime prevention as well. This feature is area-dependent for now but keeping its usefulness in view, and it will become a standard feature soon.
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-hosted desktop where their entire team and tax accountant may access the QuickBooks™️ file, critical financial documents, and back-office tools in an efficient and secure 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.
Top Solutions for Common IT Issues You Need to Know
Common IT issues like network connectivity problems, software crashes, password lockouts, hardware failures, and security breaches can be resolved through systematic troubleshooting, regular maintenance, robust security protocols, and strategic IT support—saving businesses an average of $427 per minute in avoided downtime costs. The most frequent technology problems affecting businesses include forgotten passwords (40% of help desk calls), network disruptions, software bugs, email failures, and data loss incidents that cost companies millions annually.
Over my 20 years as CEO of Complete Controller, I’ve witnessed countless businesses struggle with the same technology headaches—from sudden network outages during critical financial reporting periods to devastating ransomware attacks that encrypted entire accounting databases. Through working with thousands of companies across every industry imaginable, I’ve discovered that the difference between businesses that thrive and those that merely survive often comes down to how they handle their IT challenges. This guide shares battle-tested solutions that have saved our clients millions in prevented downtime, recovered data, and avoided security breaches, giving you the tools to transform IT problems from business-stopping disasters into minor speed bumps.
What are the top solutions for common IT issues?
Regular system maintenance, robust cybersecurity measures, clear troubleshooting protocols, timely hardware upgrades, comprehensive user training, and strategic outsourced IT support.
Routine maintenance including automated updates and patch management prevents 70% of major system failures before they occur.
Strong security policies with multi-factor authentication and employee awareness training reduce breach risk by 83%.
Step-by-step IT troubleshooting guides empower staff to resolve 60% of issues without help desk intervention.
Scheduled hardware replacement cycles eliminate unexpected failures that cost businesses $5,600 per minute in downtime.
Partnering with managed service providers fills critical skill gaps affecting 87% of organizations.
The Most Common IT Issues Businesses Face (and Why They Happen)
Every minute of IT downtime costs the average small business $427, while large enterprises can lose over $1 million per hour when systems fail. Understanding which technology problems strike most often—and why they persist—arms you with the knowledge to prevent catastrophic losses before they happen.
The most frequent IT challenges plaguing businesses today include persistent network connectivity issues that drop connections and create WiFi dead zones, software bugs that crash applications and corrupt data, hardware malfunctions from overheating devices to failing hard drives, email disruptions that block critical communications, and the increasingly common threat of data breaches. Password-related problems alone account for 40% of all help desk calls, costing organizations an average of $70 per reset and totaling $5.2 million annually for larger companies.
These problems persist because businesses operate with outdated technology stacks, skip regular maintenance windows, and underinvest in IT training. Many companies run systems well past their useful life, creating a ticking time bomb of potential failures. Inconsistent update schedules leave security holes wide open, while 87% of organizations report significant IT skill gaps that prevent proper system management.
Fast Fixes: Step-by-Step Solutions to Everyday IT Problems
Empowering your team with clear troubleshooting steps transforms helpless waiting into productive problem-solving, reducing resolution time from hours to minutes.
IT troubleshooting checklists for users
Start every troubleshooting session by documenting the exact error—screenshot messages, note timestamps, and describe what actions triggered the problem. For network connectivity issues, follow this sequence: physically check all cable connections, power cycle your router and modem, verify your internet service provider’s status page, run built-in network diagnostics, and temporarily disable VPN connections to isolate the issue.
Software crashes demand a different approach:
Force quit the frozen application using Task Manager or Activity Monitor
Clear the application cache and temporary files
Uninstall and reinstall the problematic software
Roll back to the previous stable version if a recent update caused issues
Check for conflicts with recently installed programs
Hardware problems require systematic elimination—run manufacturer diagnostic tools, update all device drivers, test with different cables or peripherals, monitor temperature readings for overheating, and check Event Viewer or Console logs for hardware error codes.
Resolving common IT issues with minimal downtime
Create laminated quick-reference cards for common fixes and place them at every workstation. Schedule automatic system reboots during lunch hours to prevent memory leaks and clear temporary issues. Implement a “15-minute rule” where users attempt basic troubleshooting before escalating, dramatically reducing help desk volume while building technical confidence across your team.
When Technology Problems Require Expert Support
Knowing when to call in professionals saves both time and money—some issues demand specialized expertise that internal teams simply cannot provide cost-effectively.
Signs you need IT support solutions for small businesses
Escalate immediately when network outages persist after basic troubleshooting, affecting multiple users or lasting beyond 30 minutes. System crashes that increase in frequency signal deeper problems requiring expert diagnosis. Any security alerts, suspicious emails from supposedly known contacts, or unexpected system behavior demands immediate professional intervention—the average data breach costs $4.88 million and takes 277 days to fully resolve.
Watch for these critical warning signs:
Multiple password reset requests from the same user
Unexplained spikes in network traffic
Systems running significantly slower despite restarts
Error messages mentioning corrupted files or failing drives
Any ransomware warnings or encrypted file extensions
Outsourcing and managed services
Managed Service Providers (MSPs) offer specialized expertise that fills the skill gaps plaguing 87% of organizations. One accounting firm we partnered with struggled with weekly server crashes during month-end close periods. After transitioning to managed IT services with 24/7 monitoring, they eliminated downtime entirely and prevented three potential ransomware attacks through proactive threat detection. Their IT costs dropped 30% while reliability increased dramatically.
Proactive IT Maintenance: Preventing Issues Before They Start
Prevention costs pennies compared to the dollars spent on emergency repairs—yet only 24% of organizations maintain mature IT maintenance programs.
Regular updates and patch management
Schedule operating system updates for Tuesday nights when Microsoft typically releases patches. Configure applications to update automatically during off-hours, preventing productivity disruptions. Maintain a testing protocol where updates install on non-critical systems first, catching compatibility issues before they affect your entire organization. Keep detailed logs of all updates, creating a rollback roadmap if problems emerge.
Data backups and business continuity
The statistics are sobering—60% of small businesses close within six months of major data loss, and 93% file bankruptcy after extended outages beyond 10 days. Yet backup systems fail more often than most realize, with only 57% of backups completing successfully and just 61% of restores actually working when needed.
Implement the 3-2-1 backup rule:
3 copies of important data
2 different storage media types
1 offsite backup location
Test your backups monthly by performing full restores to alternate systems. Document your recovery procedures step-by-step, including contact information, system priorities, and communication templates. Many businesses wrongly assume cloud providers like Microsoft 365 automatically protect their data—they don’t. You need separate backup solutions even for cloud-based systems.
Security Essentials: Protecting Business Systems in 2025
With 68% of data breaches involving human error and phishing attacks costing businesses an average of $150,000 per incident, security training becomes your most valuable defensive investment.
Modern cyber threats and employee training
Password policies must evolve beyond complexity requirements—implement mandatory password managers and enforce multi-factor authentication across all systems. Train employees quarterly to recognize phishing attempts, especially AI-generated messages that perfectly mimic legitimate communications. Create a “skeptical culture” where verifying unusual requests becomes standard practice, not an exception.
Run monthly phishing simulations, rewarding employees who report suspicious emails rather than punishing those who fall victim. Share real examples of attacks targeting your industry, making threats tangible rather than theoretical. Companies investing in comprehensive security awareness training are 8.3 times less likely to experience public data breaches.
Access control and remote work security
Audit user permissions quarterly, removing access for terminated employees and contractors immediately. Implement role-based permissions where users only access systems required for their specific duties. Remote workers need VPN connections with split-tunneling disabled, preventing data leaks through unsecured home networks.
Hands-On Insights: Lessons from the Trenches and Firsthand Advice
Real-world experience teaches lessons no textbook covers—these battle-tested strategies come from two decades of keeping businesses running through every conceivable IT crisis.
Complete Controller’s playbook for stress-free IT
Our transition to cloud operations in 2010 taught us invaluable lessons about redundancy and preparation. We maintain paper copies of critical contact lists and recovery procedures because when systems fail completely, digital documentation becomes useless. Building a culture where employees report issues immediately, rather than struggling silently for hours, cuts resolution time by 70%.
Create “IT Champions” within each department—non-technical staff who receive extra training and serve as first-line support. These champions handle basic troubleshooting, freeing IT staff for complex issues while building technical confidence throughout your organization.
Real-world recovery success story
A Dallas logistics client suffered a ransomware attack at 3 AM on a Thursday, encrypting their entire accounting database and threatening payroll processing for 200 employees. Because they followed our recommended backup protocols—including hourly snapshots stored offline—we restored all data within four hours. Clear incident response procedures meant everyone knew their role: IT focused on recovery while leadership communicated with employees and customers. The company processed payroll on schedule and lost zero data, transforming a potential catastrophe into a minor disruption that cost less than $5,000 in recovery time versus the $5.08 million average for ransomware victims.
Final Thoughts
Technology problems will always exist, but they don’t have to cripple your business. Through systematic troubleshooting, proactive maintenance, strategic security measures, and knowing when to call experts, you transform IT from a constant headache into a competitive advantage. The key lies in preparation—businesses that invest in prevention, training, and proper support spend far less than those constantly fighting fires.
Take action today by auditing your current IT practices against the solutions outlined here. Start with password management and backup testing, then expand to comprehensive security training and maintenance schedules. For personalized guidance on building bulletproof IT systems that support rather than hinder your growth, contact the technology experts at Complete Controller. We’ve helped thousands of businesses achieve stress-free IT operations, and we’re ready to do the same for you. Visit Complete Controller to discover how the right financial and technology partner accelerates your success.
Frequently Asked Questions About Common IT Issues
What are the most common IT problems and how do you fix them?
The most common IT problems are network connectivity issues, forgotten passwords (40% of help desk calls), hardware failures, software crashes, and security threats. Fix network issues by rebooting equipment and checking connections, resolve password problems with self-service reset tools, address hardware failures through diagnostics and driver updates, fix software crashes by reinstalling or rolling back updates, and prevent security threats with training and multi-factor authentication.
How do you troubleshoot network connectivity issues?
Start by checking physical connections and cable integrity, then reboot your modem and router in sequence. Verify your ISP service status, disable VPN connections temporarily, run built-in network diagnostics on your device, and check for IP conflicts or DNS issues. If problems persist across multiple devices, contact your internet service provider.
What is the best way to handle hardware malfunctions?
Run manufacturer diagnostic tools first to identify specific failures, then update all device drivers and firmware. Check Event Viewer or system logs for error codes, monitor temperatures for overheating issues, test with alternate cables or peripherals to isolate problems, and back up data immediately if you suspect drive failure. Replace hardware showing consistent failures rather than risking catastrophic loss.
How can businesses prevent recurring IT problems?
Implement automated patch management keeping all software current, schedule regular maintenance windows for updates and restarts, provide quarterly security training for all staff, maintain the 3-2-1 backup rule with monthly restore tests, audit user permissions and remove unnecessary access, and partner with an MSP for 24/7 monitoring and expert support when internal resources are limited.
When should you outsource IT support?
Outsource when experiencing frequent unresolved issues lasting over 48 hours, facing security incidents or suspected breaches, lacking internal expertise for cloud migrations or major upgrades, spending over 15% of IT time on repetitive tasks like password resets, or when downtime costs exceed $10,000 monthly. MSPs provide specialized skills, 24/7 coverage, and proactive maintenance at lower costs than hiring additional full-time staff.
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.
Online vulnerabilities and threats are on the rise. The time to invest in data privacy and cybersecurity solutions is now. With so many cyberattacks on online users every day, there is a pressing need to invest in better cybersecurity solutions.
Are you confident that your privacy and data are protected each time you go online? If not, you need to revamp the safety of your data and privacy. The chances are that your current security solutions will go outdated in a few months.
The race between privacy and data security solutions and online threats continues. It is just a matter of time when one will take over the other. Imagine the horror of hackers and cyber threats taking over. The nightmare scenario of $6 trillion in financial damages and losses will come true.
Thankfully, the worst-case scenario is just a figment of imagination for now, but for how long is anyone’s guess. Improve your personal and business security using these seven emerging trends in data privacy and cybersecurity.
Uncontrolled access to private data must be prohibited
Accessing your data in the absence of encryption tools can be risky. You never know how and where the threat comes from. It is best to keep your data protected and have the latest tools installed. These tools monitor incoming and outgoing traffic and provide your data and device from malware and other vulnerabilities. Invest in encrypted devices as they provide better protection against data theft.
Staff education is a must
Your employees must be aware of existing and upcoming cyber threats and vulnerabilities. They must be trained and educated on handling these threats using security tools. Remember, no matter how negligible, a threat can only be neutralized if identified at the right time.
Employees that are educated understand the implications of data safety and privacy.
They’ll act accordingly and neutralize threats using tools and protect precious data. Employees must be made aware of the consequences of losing precious data to hackers and other threats. A data breach is not an option for any company, so educate your staff on effectively assessing threats and using technologies to suppress them.
Security automation
Online data is multiplying every day. This rapid growth signifies the need to have innovative and efficient systems such as security automation. The process enables real-time analysis of data and accelerates incident response time. These tools also allow companies to make significant cost savings in the longer run.
Invest in a cybersecurity workforce
Knowing the effectiveness of the cybersecurity workforce should be enough reason to invest in it. Cybersecurity staff has the training, knowledge, and tools at disposal to take care of the threat then and there. Consider investing in a proper, highly proficient cybersecurity force that has the tools to tackle threats in an expanding digital world.
Protect your cloud service
Your cloud storage may not be as safe and secure as you think, and here is why. Regardless of all the features and tools it offers, cloud storage is still a prime target for hackers and attackers.
Companies that use cloud services must be aware of security implications in case of data loss. Use cloud service protection and buy tools for optimal protection of data.
Smartphone protection
You have access to the world through your smartphone. You cannot afford to lose all the data and account privacy to hackers and malware. Smartphone OS offers basic safety features and encryption tools, but these are not enough to counter dynamic threats. Protect your phone from such threats and install antivirus and antimalware tools on it.
Make sure that you download the latest version with updated virus definitions installed. Avoid relying on free versions as they do a quasi-job at protecting your phone. Buy a licensed version so that your phone stays free of threats and vulnerabilities.
Vehicle and infrastructure safety
If you are online, the chances are that you are vulnerable. The same goes for your car. Modern cars are infused with modern technology that allows them to sync through sophisticated operating systems. This makes them vulnerable to online threats just as much.
Anything that is connected can be exploited. It is best to invest in threat protection tools to keep your vehicle protected. The same is the case with transport infrastructure, as cyberattacks are becoming common. Identify upcoming privacy and data protection trends and invest in solutions that provide efficient protection without compromising your data and privacy.
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-hosted desktop where their entire team and tax accountant may access the QuickBooks™️ file, critical financial documents, and back-office tools in an efficient and secure 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.
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-hosted desktop where their entire team and tax accountant may access the QuickBooks™️ file, critical financial documents, and back-office tools in an efficient and secure 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.
