Author: Jennifer Brazer

Here are a few tips that can become your hobby or sometimes life hustle. The best thing about these hustles is they can also become your dream career.

Write a Book

This method suits experts in their field or those who have coped with a difficult life situation or know how to write stories. Sometimes, a book is written by blog authors with large audiences. You can publish a manuscript in two ways: through a publisher or yourself.

If you work with a publisher, it prints, promotes, and sells the book. The author receives a percentage of the sales. In the United States, author royalties are typically 10-15% for print sales and 20% for e-books. For instance, with a 10% royalty on the sale of 500 books at $100, you could earn $5,000.

If you publish yourself, you pay for the print run and promote and sell the book. This path is more complex, and suits experienced writers with a solid personal brand. But the income is also higher here.

Come Up with Something New

Elon Musk’s first business was Global Link. Its first product was an electronic directory of local businesses. They have combined a map of cities and the “Yellow Pages.” It was the first online travel guide to California.

A year later, Musk renamed the company Zip2, and after a while, he collaborated with 160 newspapers. In addition, his company developed online directories, connected corporate e-mail, and published news from publications on the Internet.

Open an Advertising Agency

Every product needs advertising – you can make good money in this area. For example, offer website promotion, contextual, or social media advertising, but you should be good at this.

There is also outdoor and outdoor advertising. If you need to buy expensive equipment for the first one, negotiate with the city authorities, then you can organize promoters to distribute leaflets for the second one.

In her fifth year, the psychologist and founder of the Upgrade course, Alla Klimenko, earned $20 thousand. She had her own advertising agency. Before that, she was a marketer in a publishing house. At school, she worked as a promoter, so she knew the processes from the inside. Her fellow students were employees of the company. Alla recalls that up to 500 people worked at some events, and she led them.

Buy a Franchise

One lucrative income-generating method is purchasing a franchise from a renowned brand. The franchisor grants the use of its trademark and assists in acquiring equipment, materials, staff training, etc. The franchisee gains access to a profitable business model, typically in exchange for a lump-sum fee and ongoing royalties.

In the United States, franchises like Subway, Mcdonald’s, and The UPS Store may operate without a lump sum payment. Entrepreneurs must find premises and cover additional expenses like equipment, employee salaries, etc. The payback periods vary:

Subway:

• Initial Investment: Varies (typically $116,000 – $263,000)
• Payback Period: 1.5 to 3 years

McDonald’s:

• Initial Investment: Varies (typically $1 million – $2.3 million)
• Payback Period: 2 to 4 years

The UPS Store:

• Initial Investment: Varies (typically $150,000 – $370,000)
• Payback Period: 2 to 4 years

Rent Out an Apartment

Dmitry Tomchuk, the founder of the investment fund Fison, believes that it is a mistake to think that renting out real estate brings passive income. Everything that you rent requires control, money, and repairs.

Yulia Kirilyuk, CEO at Althaus, says that renting apartments is profitable. But, to make tenants happy, the homeowner needs to think through everything to the smallest detail:

• Provide additional services, such as cleaning, parking space, etc.
• Make a professional renovation with functional design and quality materials; this will help keep the apartment in the premium price segment.
• Offer transparent terms of cooperation.
• Renting a one-bedroom apartment with renovations and appliances in a residential area in the United States can cost $700. The same apartment near the metro may range from $900. In the premium segment, prices are higher.

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.

Customer value is the extent to which a product satisfies a customer’s need. There are many ways to add value to blogs, but maximizing the revenue is different.

We will discuss how to maximize the revenue from a blog and create something more critical to the customers through which they can gain something.

Why Focus on Creating Customer Value

Customer-centric companies are 60% more profitable, according to a study by consulting firm Deloitte. Many factors affect profitability. Here are some of them.

Learn to Make Products that are Better for Customer Needs

It saves the company’s resources; such products are more accessible to promote and sell.

Build Customer Loyalty

More value leads to more satisfaction with the purchase. A satisfied customer is a faithful customer. For example, three corporations install quality plastic curtains. The company’s workers install the curtains and windows and then leave while the different workers remove the created waste. The second makes extra value for the customer.

Win the Competition

Corporations that compete on the price sometimes lose. Price is one of the main points for the customers. Most customers are ready to pay more if they understand the value and feel the price is worth enough.

How to Create Value for the Customer

You need to collect the data continuously to know what is essential to clients and the openings you could get.

• Understand what value to the target audience is

There are many ways to define value:

• • Ask clients questions through managers and record data in CRM.
  • Analyze recordings of conversations that sellers have with customers.

Conduct polls – in mailings and on the website.

• • Organize focus groups.
  • Communicate with clients at exhibitions, seminars, and webinars.

• Examine competitors’ offers

Above, we discussed that competitors‘ products assess the value of a product.

• Understand what your value proposition is

Figure out the correct value of your products and services and how they deliver them to your client while noting their prices.

• Set a price that is beneficial to both parties

Probably, each of us once said about a product: “It looks good but suspiciously cheap.” It happens if the price and value differ in the client’s eyes. Therefore, it is essential to set a fee based on how much customers are willing to pay.

Offer the Best Quality

The product is the basis of customer value. All other factors only matter if the customer is satisfied with the product. Therefore, drastic improvements are not necessary. Sometimes, it’s enough to do a little better than the competition. Or just do well.
For example, the website of the Dodo Pizza chain tells how they provide the principal value of pizza – taste. Their primary technique is that they “bother,” that is. Many other techniques can help you represent yourself to your clients better and make them feel like they are given better quality products and they are more than a regular client.

Quality means similar to everyone: a product that is well made and will last longer over time; it can be software that can be operated on multiple OS or a device that can be linked to various people while not losing its performance quality.

Conclusion

The concept of customer value makes it possible to look differently at developing a product, service, and additional services. But, of course, the main things are the products’ quality, service, and delivery.

But you can add value in another way – for example, by reducing the time spent purchasing. In addition, psychological techniques help increase the perceived value and increase the conversion on the website, landing in the newsletter.

One of the most active approaches to cumulative value in online business is to create helpful content for clients: training courses, webinars, and masterclasses.

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.

Our product or service sells well, and your business runs smoothly. Time for the next step: growth. You want to help more customers and make more impact. How do you handle that? What should you keep in mind as your business grows? Read some helpful tips in this article.

Set a Clear Goal

If you want to develop your business, it is necessary to focus on that entirely. Always set a clear goal. How fast do you want to grow? Where do you want to be in 3 months, six, and a year? It becomes a lot easier to choose the right strategy with a clear goal in mind. Are you going to achieve your goal by increasing your marketing activities? Or would it be better to develop a new product or attract a new target group? Constantly keep your goal in mind and make sure this goal steers you in the right direction like a compass.

Gather the Right People Around You

To help more customers and make more impact, you need more people. As an entrepreneur, you may like to be the driving force, but the moment you grow, you must outsource more and more things. It is then essential to gather the right people around you. For example, hire an advisor to realize your company’s growth. It is also time to form a strong team. It would be best to have more staff to put the growth into practice. Our tip? After many conversations, you better understand which roles you need and who does not fit in your company.

Motivate Your Employees

Forming a solid team is the first step, but motivating and keeping your employees motivated is essential. That starts with expressing expectations well to each other. Mutual. As an employer, listen carefully to what your staff expects of you. This way, you create a situation where everyone is happy.

Are you feeling a little down because things don’t seem to be going as well as they once were? Fear not, my friend! That’s where motivation comes in and saves the day! This year has been a rollercoaster ride for all of us due to the impact of the Coronavirus, but there’s a silver lining – we’ve discovered that working from home can be a great option, as long as we stay connected. And here’s a wonderful idea – why not surprise your team members with thoughtful gifts delivered straight to their doorstep? It’s an amazing way to show your appreciation and boost their motivation, resulting in a more productive team!

Dare to Make Mistakes

Sometimes, you only discover if something works by simply trying it out. So don’t be afraid to make mistakes. Most successful entrepreneurs have become successful by making a few mistakes first. You can learn from making mistakes, they say. That’s true. You know more from making mistakes than from successes. So, dare to try things out, even if you are still determining whether there is a high chance of success.

Perfect Your Product or Service

Looking critically at your product or service is essential when trying to help more customers and make more impact. Can you still make improvements? Can it be done faster and more effectively? Can you add something to make it easier for the customer? Or do you have to remove something to make it simpler? Listening to and talking with your customers is critical. You can respond if you know the pain points and needs. As soon as your product or service seamlessly matches a need in the market, you will grow faster.

More Tips For and By Entrepreneurs

Looking to expand your knowledge of entrepreneurship? Our blog offers an open platform where we share our personal experiences and offer valuable insights to help you grow and succeed in the world of entrepreneurship.

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.

Everything you do has potential for further development, and as someone focused and committed to progress, you’re always looking for new ways to improve. You’re aware, though, that you’re not flawless. We’re here to assist you! You may have been doing these five things even better if we had to guess. You must listen to the experienced ones to improve in your field while knowing the trend, so you don’t always stay old-fashioned.

Learn to Manage Your Time

We seldom miss a deadline, and we consider our days productive. However, you may spend more time on a project than you’d want or be distracted and stay at the workplace later than usual. Furthermore, you lack a “formal” time management approach, making it challenging to remain focused and productive. When a person finds out how to manage their time, it helps him complete the maximum task he could have in a day. First, it feels hard because you must rush from one task to another to meet your deadlines, but you gradually start to like it because it helps you use your time on a maximum level.

Try to Stay Organized

Unlike your deskmate, who has a pile of junk increasingly encroaching on your space, yours is relatively tidy and clean. Unfortunately, although your email and desktop aren’t very frightening, important messages can be lost in the swirl, you might forget to-do items, and files can become challenging to locate.

In terms of your inbox, you might want to try utilizing filters to separate different types of communications. Alternatively, you might use Gmail’s new capabilities to stay on top of everything.

What about your computer’s desktop? Quick adjustments can improve how you operate on your computer.

Finally, if you don’t already have one, consider purchasing a high-quality planner to help you manage every aspect of your life.

Try to Have Some Meetings

Your discussions are often practical. But you’re unfamiliar with the 30-minute strategy meeting or the one-on-one when you left feeling slightly perplexed.

A meeting agenda might assist you in staying on track with your meetings. Learning to communicate with the one who is often late might also help you avoid attending extra-long meetings. Finally, plan time to make your talk as efficient as possible.

Consider not holding a meeting instead of sending an email—this may quickly transform ineffective meetings into positive actions.

Team Working with a Co-Worker

In general, you and your co-workers get along well. But occasionally, you get into fights with them or must deal with them slacking on something, and wouldn’t we all want to avoid these situations as much as possible?

Practice how you’ll respond to a disrespectful or lazy co-worker so you can resolve any issue quickly and professionally. Also, improve your game by employing these strategies to increase respect for you.

Working with the Boss

You are consistently courteous and well-mannered with your employer. However, you are always on the lookout for opportunities to impress them and improve your standing in their eyes. You take great care to ensure that your actions align with their expectations and make an effort to exceed them whenever possible.

You don’t meet with your boss regularly? These are questions that the best workers ask their supervisors daily. If you want to be on the same page all the time, you should (here’s how to set one up). Along with this 15-minute routine, these four hidden habits will likely wow even the most challenging bosses. One of the benefits of working with the boss is getting an experience that most of us are unaware of. It is primarily a privilege for the youngster to get a chance to work with a boss, and that’s why most motivational speakers tell the youngster to work in a new company.

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.

There are many ways to plan a career. There is also a problem, it is to know at which stage you are at first, are you a school student seeking to decide which field to choose, or have got admission at the college and want to pursue the highest earning career in it or easiest? Or you are in the mood to change your field through some expertise you must make in different job experiences. Knowing which place you are and then moving is essential; this blog will help you decide how to go through the long, arduous process.

Are you finding it challenging to locate a job that matches your personality and interests? Take a quiz to find out which job might be right for you. Begin at the beginning – with yourself. We all want to find an excellent job by picking the proper profession. “Find a job you adore, and you’ll never have to work again in your life,” as the saying goes. It enlightens something that most of us aspire to. It also puts a lot of pressure on those trying to figure out what they desire to do with their lives. Is it feasible to find a career you enjoy enough that it no longer feels like employment?

Is it Possible to Find a Good Job by Choosing the Right Career?

Most of us will probably have days when we do not want to work. Regardless of how much effort we spend looking for a decent job and selecting the correct career. There will be days when you feel forced to do that task even if you are not compensated. The trick is to pick a job with many lovely days above those that aren’t so wonderful.

With all these occupations to select from, there are several things to remember to maximize your possibilities of finding a rewarding job. Find a job that fits your interests, aptitude, personality, attributes, and values.

It’s also crucial that you enjoy your work tasks, that your wage is fair, that your prospects are promising, and that the corporate culture is appropriate. You may find more advice on finding a decent job by picking the correct career here.

Get to Know Yourself

First, you should learn as much as possible about yourself by doing a self-assessment. Only when you have a greater understanding of yourself can you successfully explore careers based on what you come up with.

Learn More About Different Professions and Careers

After completing a self-assessment, some occupations you discover may be ideal for you, while others may be entirely inappropriate. Another list of alternative occupations and jobs that may suit you based on numerous variables, such as personality, is sometimes included in the findings of a self-assessment. However, picking the right career or finding suitable employment is only the beginning.

Many Different Criteria Must be Agreed Upon

Certain occupations may appear to be a good fit based on your personality, hobbies, and values, but they may be incompatible in other ways. The tasks may be unappealing to you. Or that the work market’s prospects may be bleak. It’s also possible that the requisite training will take more time and effort than you’re willing to devote.

Investigate Several Career Opportunities

Assure you’re making an informed selection by thoroughly researching each career option. Read position descriptions for various occupations carefully and attempt to get over any preconceived preconceptions you may have. If you do not have professional experience before beginning your review, you will have more to learn until you can obtain a promising career.

Find Out if You Meet the Requirements

Again, if you’re interested in specific vocations after researching them, the following stage is determining the training requirements. Suppose you need an academic education to grow in your career but cannot obtain one. Then, you should probably avoid that profession. Make sure your resume’s standards are met.

Examine the Prospects for Jobs in the Future

When you don’t investigate what a given career offers regarding job possibilities, you’re doing yourself a disservice. Whether the competition is considered modest or high, and where it occurs. It’s not fun to devote time to studying for a vocation and career to discover that competition is fierce and that unemployment inside the profession is significant. Decide right away! 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.

First, information security is becoming more and more relevant due to objective reasons: the number of threats and the activity of cybercriminals, in general, is growing from year to year. The problem of cyber security is becoming more and more evident and close to the management of various companies, and, accordingly, the principle of the impossibility of realizing certain business risks is increasingly put at the forefront. Building security of this kind goes hand in hand with increasing the corresponding budgets.

Second, CII cybersecurity, the concept that began a few years ago with surveys, categorization, and design, has finally reached the actual implementation stage. It ensures an increase in protective equipment manufacturers’ turnover and integration.

Thirdly, this year, the business realized that next year will change in the new conditions and from the point of view of the usual budgeting for IT. Information security sought to maximize the plans planned for 2020 and use the available resources.

COVID on All Fronts

It is not to say that the COVID-19 pandemic did not affect the cybersecurity market in any way. However, there was more talk on this topic than beneficial influence. By the finish line of the first quarter of 2020, a condition began to take shape that caused several concerns: the total number of pilot projects dropped sharply. And it is entirely understandable why this happened – in the updated conditions (lockdown, a sudden transition to a remote work format), these projects have become objectively more difficult (and sometimes even impossible) to be carried out at the companies’ sites.

At the same time, you understood that the same renewed working conditions forced the business to refrain from freezing projects to develop its cybersecurity. Both moments depict a hazardous situation where the customer companies could abandon piloting technologies (as a selection criterion) and focus only on formal price indicators. But these fears remained: healthy competition in the domestic information security market remained the same, and the general focus of the business, specifically on practical security, did not allow companies to follow a simplified path of choosing protection means. It is curious that during 2020, we saw two powerful bursts of financial project activity. Surprisingly, the first happened when the country moved into quarantine: information security services on the business already had clearly defined tasks for the year and confirmed budget plans. Still, external conditions collapsed the visibility of the planning horizon to almost zero.

Therefore, some market players chose to speed up tenders, start (or complete) projects, etc. As a result, April explained the first burst of financial and related project tasks on the market. The 2nd wave of spending on information security occurred in the 4th quarter and was related to applying the approved plans. In general, this allowed Russia’s information security market to grow.

The Course Toward Absolute Information Security

We have already remarked that the IS paradigm is changing in principle: some time ago, the community canceled the idea of “building cyber fences” and came to the realization that the purpose of any security system is to find an attacker inside information systems as steadily as possible (since, in principle, there is no protection system that you cannot hack).
In practice, over the past year, this idea has evolved somewhat: we realized that it is realistic to build such a protection system that would be guaranteed to prevent a potential attacker from learning specific business problems. It implies that any company can be hacked in one way or another during an attack. Information security activity is to stop an attacker from inflicting any significant damage. It’s a trend that took shape over the past year, and with a high degree of probability, it will dominate in the coming years. In this regard, creating a new type of SOC will come to the fore – as an SLA that does not operate with 24/7 availability.

The speed of response to an incident is crucial, serving as a more specific indicator of an attacker’s guaranteed prevention of unacceptable risks for the organization. The effectiveness of a SOC will be literally at the yes / no level – whether the risk is realized or discovered. In this concept, high-quality, practical cyber-training is of particular importance as the only measure of the effectiveness of the built-in defense system. In information security, it is good to slip into the ambiguity of assessments.

This approach, ultimately, expands the market, qualitatively changing it and leaving the right to life only to those decisions and technologies that affect the result. That is, we are dealing with a kind of interpretation of Darwin’s theory at the technological level: only those who can detect the activity of the attacker in time, block it, and exclude the possibility of developing an attack and, in principle, “clean” it from the infrastructure, will survive. And we, as a vendor, are also working to create an intelligent automated tool that will allow us to solve this problem quickly and efficiently.

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.

Be Clear About the Concept of Qualified Lead

One of the most significant issues a sales team faces is identifying a qualified lead, the contact who is ready to make a purchase. Lack of knowledge can make the sales force pay too much attention to a marketing lead that under no circumstances will close a deal or, on the contrary, does not evolve in the interaction with a particular company that is, in fact, a potential brand customer.

Therefore, the first step towards generating leads for sales is to understand who is the lead that should be developed.

Create Forms and Landing Pages with Valuable Offers

Generating leads requires you to provide conversion sites. Where will users share their contacts?

Landing pages and forms are excellent conversion channels. Exit pop-ups are also used to convert your website visitors into leads. For a user to feel attracted to sharing their data with your company, you must offer a natural attraction.

Among the most used options are landing pages with:

• Ebooks on subjects the person might be interested in
• Downloadable worksheets
• Free webinars
• Infographics
• Access to more searches

In addition, pop-ups on websites offering freebies, discount coupons, or free extra uptime are also effective strategies for generating qualified leads.

Create Ad Campaigns on Facebook Leads Ads

Social media can also generate leads, including in ad campaigns, for example, from Facebook Ads (in this case, do efficient profile targeting).

Make a list of your company’s marketing actions and think about how to generate leads on these channels.

Generate Sales Leads by Nurturing Marketing Leads

In most cases, the generation of qualified leads for sales goes through a lead management process that takes place through the nourishment of these contacts.

In this case, nutrition focuses on “maturing” the marketing lead to become a qualified lead for sales. Through targeted email marketing triggering strategies, for example, you feed the lead with information about the product/service so that it later recognizes the problem your brand can solve and then goes on to consider purchasing what you have to offer.

Understand User Behavior to Generate More Leads

Knowing the profile of your potential customer is another practice that is part of generating leads, which can encourage your marketing to sales. Some tools can help you track the behavior of your target audience, making it much easier for you to generate more leads.

Leverage Customers to Ask for Leads

There is nothing like generating qualified leads with the help of satisfied customers who refer your company! What does that mean? It means that the customers the company already has and who are comfortable are the best source of new contacts.

When your company has a long-term relationship with a customer, and they are satisfied with their work, it is natural that at some point, you will ask them for referrals, just as they might ask you.

That said, providing a quality service to customers is the best way to create a lasting relationship between you so that you can later ask for referrals from future customers. It’s much easier to arrive at a lead saying it was a referral from a customer. It shows that the customer believes in their work and helps eliminate purchase barriers.

Roadshows, Events, and Meetings are Great Places to Generate Leads

Events are of great importance in generating sales leads. After all, not everyone closes deals at a fair, but many cards and quick conversations are exchanged. Therefore, taking advantage of the contacts generated in these events needs to be the first step after the events take place.

It is precisely at this screening time that lead management allows you to screen and work on them. Segment contacts and separate those leads from other contacts who don’t have the requirements or interest in being the company’s customers and become eligible. Don’t just spend a few thousand dollars on a stand or an event. Take advantage of booth opportunities and visits to fairs and networking events to create new business opportunities. The purpose of the events is not just to show what the company does but to create and develop new business contacts.

Offer a Good Customer Experience on Your Website

Until now, the vast majority of strategies on how to generate leads were exclusively using digital tools. And, of course, your site is not out of this one. A well-structured website is essential for generating leads for your company. Therefore, creating an online lead generation strategy through content, sponsored links, and optimization of your website helps find customers interested in what your company offers.

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 an entrepreneur wants to set up a restaurant, they first need to evaluate the potential success of the business. It is unwise to begin a restaurant venture without carefully considering its success, and most companies fail because they do not validate the idea’s viability. As such, an entrepreneur must consider the hospitality industry’s characteristics and, above all, the investment necessary to finance the business.

Buy or Rent the Space?

Creating a business plan at least a year in advance will help you establish the items needed to start the process and eventually break even. The purchase or rental of the premises will be the initial expense and require the most significant investment. A well-known tax advisor remembers that “in case of acquiring the premises, the investment will rise considerably, depending on the area and size.”

According to this source, in case of having sufficient resources, it is preferable to acquire the premises than to pay an income. On the other hand, another legal adviser encourages renting “so as not to run out of treasury that allows other expenses to be met.” In short, the decision will depend on the possibilities and the risks you are willing to take. If you decide to rent, evaluate renovations that you will have to make by asking for several quotes and determine if it allows you to develop the idea you had in mind.

Necessary Purchases

Another vital expense to face is the purchase of machinery. You will need industrial items, such as cold rooms, a kitchen, a freezer, an oven, kitchen utensils, a coffee maker, a register, etc.

In addition to the referrals in the business plan, you must consider other expenses, such as the constitution of the company and agency, acquisition of furniture, purchase of stock, personnel and employment expenses, and all taxes. These factors will impact income and the time it takes to profit. Therefore, to the initial investment, you should add at least 20% to expenses to cover unforeseen events.

Also consider

Once expenses are determined, you must estimate the benefits you will obtain to calculate business profitability. A restaurant is profitable if it earns an income that doubles the expense invested in the products necessary for cooking.
To calculate the required provisions, you must determine the number of tables in the room, the food shifts, if you will offer restaurant or cafeteria service, the number of hours they have open the business, etc.

The Provisions

The daily supply of products is essential, so you should see what is consumed daily to replace it. However, some products can be kept in stock because they are not perishable. Some experts recommend purchasing bulk stock of products used the most, such as alcoholic beverages, for cheaper prices.

The Space

Industry professionals advise that the dimensions of the premises should be between 175 and 200 square feet. However, smaller premises have been licensed, and new business models have emerged that make it possible to reduce space. Traditionally, to make the initial investment profitable, a person needs at least five tables of four people each, doubling at lunch and dinner.

Business Features

Opening a restaurant that only offers meals or a mixed business cafeteria-restaurant will depend on the target audience and the restaurant’s location. Experts advise taking full advantage of business opportunities and diversifying services by extending hours of operation so it will be easier to cover fixed expenses.
On the contrary, if you intend to create a high-class restaurant, it is essential to cater to your clientele. There are no golden rules to succeed in the restaurant business because success largely depends on what you offer and to whom you submit it.

The Menu

Industry professionals explain that you can establish a menu price that increases the item’s margin once subtracting expenses. However, do not lose sight of competition so as not to deter potential customers. It would be a mistake to charge eleven dollars for an item if comparable items at other local restaurants rarely exceed seven dollars. The best option is a good value for the product you offer

Advanced Knowledge

If you lack accounting knowledge, entrusting these tasks to a financial professional or administrative expert is best. It is especially advisable if the restaurant is franchised since its accounting is more complex.

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. Reviewed By: Brittany McMillen

Brittany McMillen

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.

See Full Bio

Many people are passionate about giving back to the community. After all, helping others is the most rewarding thing to do in the world! If you’re considering starting and running a non-profit organization, this blog will tell you the most essential things you need to know. 

The list includes:

• Connecting well with the community beyond your organization.
• Optimizing operational processes.
• Getting the staff, volunteers, and board members on the same page.

Of course, like any other business, you also need to work on your branding. Now, let’s look at how you can run your non-profit organization. 

Internal Operations

Lay a strong foundation for your non-profit organization by:

Deciding on a mission statement

Articulate distinct goals to serve as the guiding principles for your organization’s endeavors. Once your mission and vision are defined, conduct regular annual reviews to assess alignment and ensure ongoing relevance, keeping your organizational compass finely tuned to its intended course.

Selecting the right board of directors

Crafting a board of directors necessitates selecting highly qualified and experienced individuals. Seek those who can fundraise, devise impactful policies, and embody humility, passion, and compassion. Establish a clear code of conduct for board members and conduct annual board meetings for comprehensive reviews of strategies and plans, ensuring ongoing alignment with the organization’s mission and goals.

Hiring the right people

Your team is your greatest asset, so the selection process is paramount. When hiring decisions, prioritize qualities such as passion for your cause, relevant skills, strong work ethic, and collaborative abilities. Provide each team member with a comprehensive written job description for clarity, complemented by an organizational handbook to guide them in aligning their efforts with the broader mission.

External Operations

With internal affairs in order, redirect your attention to external considerations. Key focal points include:

Research

To truly champion the cause you support, delve into comprehensive research to grasp its intricacies. Go beyond the surface by actively tracking and surveying the individuals you serve, ensuring their needs are met with genuine care. Consider engaging a qualified program recipient as a vital link between the beneficiaries and the board members, fostering a deeper understanding and connection with the community you aim to empower.

Manage volunteers

Recognize volunteers’ pivotal role in your organizational workforce by establishing a comprehensive volunteer management strategy. Begin by formulating clear policies that outline their involvement. Thoughtfully seek and assess potential volunteers, ensuring a suitable match for your organization. Upon onboarding, articulate precise job descriptions to set expectations. Strategize ways to foster and sustain motivation, such as expressing gratitude through personalized thank-you cards to acknowledge their invaluable contributions.

Increase visibility

Consider implementing strategic initiatives to enhance your organization’s visibility and attract more donations and volunteers. One practical approach is joining business networking groups, where you can connect with like-minded individuals and businesses that may share an interest in supporting your cause. Hosting annual dinners or events not only serves as an excellent platform to showcase your mission but also provides an opportunity to engage with potential supporters and partners.

Another impactful strategy is reaching out to celebrities and inviting them to become brand ambassadors for your cause. Celebrities often have substantial influence and reach on social media platforms, allowing your organization to reach wider audiences. Their endorsement can lend credibility to your cause and inspire others to get involved.

Creating digital presence

Digital marketing has become a cornerstone for effectively reaching and engaging audiences in today’s landscape. To establish a solid online presence for your non-profit organization, consider the following strategies:

• Develop a compelling website:

Create a user-friendly and visually appealing website that effectively communicates your non-profit’s mission, activities, and impact. A well-designed website is a central hub for information and a platform to showcase your organization’s credibility.

• Leverage social media platforms:

To connect with a diverse audience, utilize popular social media platforms, including Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Regularly share updates about your organization’s initiatives, events, and success stories to maintain engagement. Social media platforms also provide a direct line of communication with your supporters.

• Real-time engagement:

Harness the immediacy of digital platforms to engage with your audience in real time. Respond promptly to comments, messages, and inquiries to foster a sense of community and demonstrate your organization’s commitment to transparency and responsiveness.

• Paid advertising:

Consider investing in digital marketing initiatives, such as paid advertisements and sponsored posts on social media platforms. This targeted approach ensures that your content reaches specific demographics or interests, maximizing the impact of your message.

• Analytics and optimization:

Regularly analyze the performance of your digital marketing efforts using analytics tools. Evaluate engagement metrics, website traffic, and the effectiveness of paid campaigns. Use this data to refine your strategies and optimize your online presence continually.

The Bottom Line

Running a non-profit organization can be challenging, but you can make things run smoothly with the right approach. Remember, your primary purpose is to serve people and to do that. You will need to lay the proper foundation for your organization. These tips will help you create the right environment within your non-profit organization and deal with external matters properly. Of course, your strategies should match your specific cause and organization dynamics. Make sure you do proper research before you start a non-profit organization, and keep learning from experience.

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. Reviewed By: Brittany McMillen

Brittany McMillen

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.

See Full Bio

As the year draws to a close, our anticipation for unwrapping presents and indulging in festive treats grows. Yet, as a self-employed individual, you know your work for the year still needs to be finished. In fact, for many, the end-of-year period presents a significant opportunity for increased sales—a compelling reason to ensure thorough preparation. The question then becomes: How can you best prepare for this busy and potentially lucrative time?

Decking the Halls: Elevating Holiday Ambiance in Restaurants and Stores

The holiday season brings an abundance of warmth and coziness that permeates every corner. A festive spirit is in the air, whether it’s the festive charm at people’s homes or the meticulous efforts of municipalities and cities in adorning streets with enchanting decorations. Even traders actively contribute to this delightful atmosphere.

For a restaurant, infusing the holiday spirit is as simple as adorning tables with charming Christmas items, serving coffee with Christmas tree-shaped sweets, and adding a touch of winter charm to chalkboards or windows with artistic drawings.

Similarly, a regular store can enhance appeal by offering festive packaging or opting for reusable bags adorned with uplifting Christmas quotes. Visit your nearby wholesaler, and you’ll discover many delightful options to elevate the holiday ambiance!

Festive Gratitude

Many households are already proudly displaying their Christmas trees, and the subtle rustle of the first wrapped presents can be heard. It’s the season when customers turn to you for their holiday needs, and it’s an excellent opportunity to express your gratitude with a thoughtful gift!

Smaller businesses often face constraints when offering incentives—whether it’s the lack of time or concerns about expenses. However, providing gifts for your customers doesn’t have to be daunting. Many suppliers organize Christmas promotions or competitions that you can take advantage of as a business manager. Alternatively, they may offer older collection items at a discounted rate, allowing you to create personalized gifts without breaking the bank.

If those options aren’t available, consider acquiring “pocket” products. For instance, beauty salons could offer small oil bottles in festive packaging, while interior stores might include candle holders. The possibilities are abundant!

If you still need inspiration, consider distributing discount coupons of a specific value that customers can freely redeem in the first months of the New Year. It shows appreciation and entices them to revisit your shop or catering business in the coming year.

Here’s an extra tip: add a personal touch by including a heartfelt message with the gift. It adds an extra layer of warmth to the remembrance of your business!

Enhance Your Sales

Elevate your sales strategy by strategically placing enticing interior items throughout your establishment, inviting customers to make spontaneous purchases. Consider whimsical additions such as playful salt and pepper shakers adorning tables or thoughtfully curated gift packages, available at a promotional price and prominently displayed in the heart of your space. Remember to maximize the potential at your checkout area, where carefully chosen impulse items can add a final touch to customers’ purchases.

Forge Collaborative Alliances: Partner with Another Store

A rising trend in city streets is the emergence of collaborative pop-up shops featuring products from two or more independent businesses that complement each other. Consider exploring the possibility of forming a partnership with a fellow business nearby. For instance, a liquor store could seamlessly join a bookstore, creating an enticing combination of spirits and recipe books for a beautifully curated gift. Embrace the synergy of shared spaces and complementary offerings to elevate the shopping experience for your customers.

Envelop Your Online Presence in a Winter Wonderland

Beyond adorning your physical space with festive decorations, extend the warmth of the holiday season to your digital realm. Consider sharing content that adds value to your online followers:

Behind-the-scenes moments

• Share glimpses behind the scenes, whether it’s capturing the enchanting setup of your Christmas tree with a unique twist, showcasing artistic chalkboard drawings, or presenting your team donning festive smiles in ugly Christmas sweaters on December 21st—Ugly Christmas Sweater Day. This personalized communication resonates well with your local audience, fostering a deeper connection with your followers.

Useful tips

• Tailor your content to your expertise. Share party recipes if you’re a chef, delightful Christmas nail patterns if you’re a nail technician, or offer gift-wrapping tips in retail. Providing practical advice engages your audience and positions your brand as a helpful resource during the holiday season.

Trends and 2024 highlights

• Create anticipation by curating a list of must-not-miss trends and new products in 2024 related to your industry. For instance, if you’re in catering, share insights into the latest catering trends for the upcoming year. It positions your business as forward-thinking and keeps your audience informed.

Changes in services

• If your business changes in opening hours, delivery services, or operations during the festive period, communicate this vital information to your customers. Repeat these updates throughout December to ensure your audience is well-informed and can plan accordingly.

By enveloping your website and social media in a winter jacket of engaging and relevant content, you enhance your online presence and create a memorable and festive experience for your followers.

Conclusion 

These are our insights and recommendations to make the most of the holiday season. We trust they’ve sparked inspiration for alternative approaches. We wish you abundant success in advance! Here’s to enhanced sales—ching!

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.