Category: Content

Improve Your Google Ranking

A verse in digital marketing goes like this: the best place to hide a body is the 2nd page of Google. You may or may not like this game, but 95% of users do not make it to the second page of the search engine. So, if you want your business to be prominent on the internet, you must be on the front page. That’s where content marketing comes in.

Two trillion Google searches take place every year to give you an idea of ​​the size of this opportunity. The Google algorithm considers specialized and relevant content production an essential criterion for ranking among the top results. This improvement in ranking increases the chances that the right audience will find your business, that is, those who might be interested in what you sell.

Expanding Business Influence

In addition to attracting more people interested in your content, you can also spontaneously increase the reach of your business; this means that you increase the chances that your posts will appear to more and more people.

Most people are on the internet for connection, fun, and information. Unless your business is entertainment, providing information is the best chance for people to find your business. But not just any data. You need to know your audience very well to fit your language and give them exactly what they want and need. People tend to share information they find valuable and exciting on social media and with friends and family; this creates an entire network that allows your publications to reach more and more people.

Another fact that helps to increase its reach is that people are naturally curious. So, it is likely that many of them will want to visit your business page or profile to find out more if you are the face of your business, meaning more traffic to your sales site and more chances to make new customers.

Driving Cost-Efficiency

One of the main reasons you invest in content marketing is that it costs 62% less than traditional marketing (based on selling products or services only through ads). This conventional process tends to be less well-received by consumers and consequently becomes less efficient.

To better understand this data, 78% of companies are not as satisfied with the conversion rates generated by ads alone, making it necessary to spend more money to attract customers and close sales. If you only focus on ads, you can get good results, but chances are, it will cost you more than it could.

Think with me; if you use content marketing in your strategy, you will more easily attract people with an affinity with your business. These people start to get used to and build rapport with you and your business. Hence, when you display an ad to sell, chances are it will happen more naturally, and you will get a better result. And this combination makes your costs cheaper.

Maximizing Marketing Efficiency

One of the great benefits of content marketing (and one of the reasons it generates savings for your company) is that you can reuse your productions. If your company publishes a blog article per week, you can extract excerpts from it to post on your social networks during those seven days, for example. You can also apply the same principle to your videos. You can adapt a single recording for YouTube, Facebook, and IGTV.

Another idea is to send a weekly newsletter about the content your company has produced during the week or month to your email list. It means you can increase the chances of your messages getting into users’ inboxes. A weekly newsletter helps you keep in closer contact with your audience and decreases the chances of your sales emails being seen as unwanted by providers such as Gmail.

Maintaining an adequate frequency of valuable messages for your list will likely go where you want it: your inbox when you send a sales email.

Unlocking Sales Potential

If you still need clarification about why investing in content marketing is vital to your business, look at this data. More than 50% of consumers say that reading a blog influences their decision to buy a product.

In other words, if your company still doesn’t invest in content marketing, you may fail to close up to half the sales you could. That’s because you control everything published on your communication channels, whether a blog or a YouTube channel. This autonomy allows you to teach people about the advantages of your product, clarify doubts, and awaken interest in what you sell.

About Complete Controller® – America’s Bookkeeping Experts Complete Controller is the Nation’s Leader in virtual bookkeeping, providing service to businesses and households alike. Utilizing Complete Controller’s technology, clients gain access to a cloud platform where their QuickBooks™️ file, critical financial documents, and back-office tools are hosted in an efficient SSO environment. Complete Controller’s team of certified US-based accounting professionals provide bookkeeping, record storage, performance reporting, and controller services including training, cash-flow management, budgeting and forecasting, process and controls advisement, and bill-pay. With flat-rate service plans, Complete Controller is the most cost-effective expert accounting solution for business, family-office, trusts, and households of any size or complexity.

Future-Proof Your Retail Business: Strategic Blueprint for Lasting Success

Future proof retail business strategies center on building adaptive capacity through technology integration, supply chain resilience, and customer-centric operations that position companies ahead of market disruptions. The retail landscape demands comprehensive transformation as 84% of retail executives identify digital advancement as crucial for organizational survival within five years, while nearly one-third of retail CEOs acknowledge their current business models won’t remain viable without significant changes.

I’ve witnessed firsthand how retail businesses across every sector struggle with the same fundamental challenge: balancing immediate operational demands with long-term strategic investments. Over my 20 years leading Complete Controller and working with thousands of small to mid-sized businesses, I’ve seen companies rise and fall based on their willingness to adapt. The retailers who thrive share one common trait—they invest in building systems and capabilities before they need them, not after disruption hits. This article provides a strategic roadmap based on proven transformation patterns, cutting-edge research showing AI can boost revenue by 15% while reducing costs by similar margins, and practical implementation strategies that work for businesses of any size.

What does it mean to future proof retail business operations?

• Future proof retail business means creating adaptive systems that thrive regardless of market disruptions through technology, resilience, and customer focus
• Technology integration includes AI-powered operations that reduce forecasting errors by 50% and automation systems that cut operational costs
• Supply chain resilience involves diversification strategies, local sourcing initiatives, and real-time monitoring capabilities across vendor networks
• Customer-centric operations demand seamless omnichannel experiences that increase revenue by 23% compared to single-channel approaches
• Financial planning requires balancing immediate needs with strategic investments while maintaining cash flow buffers for unexpected challenges

Building Technology Foundations for Retail Transformation

Retail digital transformation represents a $305 billion global market in 2024, projected to reach $859.5 billion by 2030 with an 18.8% compound annual growth rate. This explosive growth reflects widespread recognition that technology adoption drives both revenue increases and cost reductions across retail operations.

AI implementation delivers measurable financial impact, with 69% of retailers reporting revenue increases—28% seeing 5-15% gains and another 15% experiencing growth above 15%. Cost reduction benefits prove equally compelling as 72% of AI-using retailers report decreased operating expenses, with similar percentage breakdowns for savings ranges.

Core technology investments

• Predictive analytics for demand forecasting and inventory optimization
• Automated checkout systems and robotic warehouse operations
• IoT sensors for real-time inventory tracking and customer behavior monitoring
• Cloud-based platforms enabling scalable operations and remote management
• Integrated point-of-sale systems connecting physical and digital channels

Machine learning algorithms continuously improve accuracy by processing transactional data, customer interactions, and market signals. These systems identify patterns human analysts miss while adapting to changing conditions automatically. IoT trends shaping retail demonstrate how connected devices create unprecedented visibility into operations.

Mastering Omnichannel Integration for Revenue Growth

Omnichannel strategies generate 23% higher revenue growth compared to single-channel retail approaches, with 86% of customers willing to pay up to 25% premium pricing for superior cross-channel experiences. This financial advantage stems from meeting customers wherever they choose to shop while maintaining consistent service quality.

Successful omnichannel execution requires breaking down operational silos between online and offline channels. Inventory systems must synchronize across all touchpoints, enabling features like buy-online-pickup-in-store and real-time availability checking. Customer data integration allows sales associates to access complete purchase histories regardless of channel origin.

Essential omnichannel components

• Unified inventory management across all sales channels
• Consistent pricing and promotional strategies
• Integrated customer profiles accessible by all team members
• Mobile-responsive platforms supporting seamless device transitions
• Cross-channel fulfillment options maximizing convenience

Technology infrastructure supporting these capabilities must handle complex data synchronization while maintaining performance during peak demand periods. API integrations connect disparate systems automatically, reducing manual processes and improving accuracy across operations.

Strengthening Financial Resilience Through Strategic Planning

Financial management extends beyond traditional accounting into strategic territory where money management principles determine long-term viability. Cash flow optimization becomes critical during growth phases or market volatility when seasonal fluctuations strain working capital.

Investment prioritization requires evaluating potential returns against implementation complexity and strategic alignment. Technology investments often demand significant upfront costs but deliver compounding benefits over time through efficiency gains and competitive advantages.

Employee turnover represents a hidden financial drain, costing retailers approximately $10,000 per departure—$4,000 in recruitment, $2,500 in training, and $3,500 in productivity losses. For mid-sized retailers with typical 60% annual turnover rates, this equals $600,000 in preventable annual costs.

Strategic financial priorities

• Build cash reserves covering 3-6 months of operating expenses
• Diversify revenue streams across products, channels, and customer segments
• Invest in employee retention through competitive compensation and development programs
• Balance technology investments with measurable ROI expectations
• Implement robust financial tracking systems monitoring key performance indicators

Risk management protects against supply chain disruptions, cyber security threats, and competitive pressures through diversification and contingency planning. Insurance coverage, emergency funds, and flexible credit facilities provide buffers against unexpected events.

Creating Supply Chain Resilience and Operational Excellence

Supply chain resilience emerged as competitive necessity following recent global disruptions, with 46.2% of UK retailers investing in network strengthening through diversification and monitoring technologies. These investments protect against future disruptions while potentially reducing costs through optimized operations.

A comprehensive European study involving seven major retailers demonstrated that improving inventory accuracy delivers 4-8% sales increases. This research analyzed one million SKUs across 100 stores, proving that operational excellence directly translates into revenue growth.

Supply chain optimization strategies

• Develop relationships with multiple suppliers for critical products
• Implement geographic diversification across different regions
• Invest in local sourcing to reduce complexity and delivery times
• Deploy real-time monitoring systems tracking shipments and conditions
• Create automated replenishment systems responding to demand changes

Multi-echelon inventory optimization determines ideal stock levels across entire networks rather than individual locations. These models consider transportation costs, service requirements, and demand variability to minimize total system costs while maintaining target service levels.

Advanced inventory management and demand forecasting

AI-driven demand forecasting reduces inventory holding costs while improving product availability through sophisticated pattern recognition. These systems analyze historical sales data, market trends, seasonal patterns, and external factors influencing customer demand.

Dynamic replenishment automatically generates purchase orders based on real-time data, responding faster than manual processes while reducing human error. Integration with supplier systems enables automated order processing and coordinated delivery scheduling.

Seasonal and promotional demand requires specialized forecasting approaches accounting for irregular patterns and new product introductions. Machine learning algorithms identify subtle patterns improving accuracy for challenging situations. Collaborative planning with suppliers and key customers enhances forecast reliability through information sharing.

Implementing Performance Metrics and Continuous Improvement

Key performance indicators provide essential feedback on business health and strategic progress. Financial metrics including gross margins, inventory turnover, and same-store sales growth indicate operational efficiency and market performance.

Customer-focused metrics reveal relationship quality through lifetime value calculations, retention rates, and net promoter scores. These indicators correlate with long-term financial performance more strongly than short-term sales figures. Advanced analytics enable detailed segmentation identifying improvement opportunities.

Critical retail KPIs

• Customer acquisition cost and lifetime value ratios
• Inventory turnover rates by product category
• Employee productivity and retention metrics
• Digital engagement rates across channels
• Supply chain reliability and cost efficiency measures

Operational metrics tracking order fulfillment speed, inventory accuracy, and service quality indicate internal efficiency. Regular monitoring enables quick problem identification and corrective action implementation before customer experience suffers.

Digital metrics including conversion rates, mobile usage patterns, and social engagement reflect online presence effectiveness. Integration between digital and physical metrics provides comprehensive customer journey visibility supporting data-driven decision making.

Taking Action: Your Retail Transformation Roadmap

Building a future-proof retail business requires commitment to continuous adaptation and strategic investment across technology, operations, and human capital. Success depends on implementing integrated strategies rather than pursuing isolated initiatives.

Start by assessing your current capabilities against industry benchmarks, identifying gaps requiring immediate attention versus longer-term development areas. Prioritize investments delivering quick wins while building toward comprehensive transformation.

Marketing strategies supporting growth complement operational improvements by attracting and retaining customers throughout your transformation journey. Balance customer acquisition with retention initiatives maximizing lifetime value.

Your retail business faces unprecedented challenges but equally significant opportunities. Companies willing to invest in building adaptive capacity today position themselves for sustained success regardless of future disruptions. The question isn’t whether to transform but how quickly you can implement changes maintaining competitive relevance.

Ready to accelerate your retail transformation with expert financial guidance? Connect with the Complete Controller team to discover how our comprehensive business solutions support your growth objectives while maintaining operational excellence.

Frequently Asked Questions About Future Proof Retail Business

What technologies should small retailers prioritize when starting their future-proofing journey?

Small retailers should focus first on cloud-based point-of-sale systems integrating inventory management and basic customer relationship capabilities. These foundational technologies cost less than $200 monthly while providing immediate benefits through improved accuracy and customer insights. Next priorities include e-commerce platforms and social media management tools enabling omnichannel presence without massive infrastructure investments.

How much should retailers budget for digital transformation initiatives?

Industry benchmarks suggest allocating 3-5% of annual revenue toward technology investments, though this varies by current digitalization levels and competitive pressures. Retailers significantly behind digital adoption may need 7-10% investment rates initially. Focus spending on solutions delivering measurable ROI within 12-18 months while building toward longer-term transformation goals.

What are the biggest mistakes retailers make when implementing omnichannel strategies?

The most common mistake involves treating channels as separate businesses rather than integrated customer touchpoints. This creates inconsistent pricing, conflicting promotions, and frustrating customer experiences. Other critical errors include underestimating staff training requirements, failing to integrate inventory systems properly, and measuring channel performance independently rather than evaluating total customer value across all touchpoints.

How can retailers improve employee retention without significantly increasing labor costs?

Focus on non-monetary benefits including flexible scheduling, skill development opportunities, and performance recognition programs. Create clear advancement paths showing employees how to progress within your organization. Implement mentorship programs pairing experienced staff with newcomers. These strategies often prove more effective than wage increases alone while building stronger organizational culture and reducing the $10,000 per-employee turnover cost.

What supply chain diversification strategies work best for small to mid-sized retailers?

Start by identifying your most critical products representing highest sales volumes or margins, then develop secondary supplier relationships for these items. Join buying cooperatives or industry associations providing access to vetted supplier networks. Consider regional suppliers offering shorter lead times and transportation savings. Implement simple supplier scorecards tracking delivery performance, quality metrics, and pricing competitiveness to guide diversification decisions.

Sources

• Globe Newswire. (2025, February 12). “Retail Digital Transformation Industry Opportunities and Growth Analysis 2025-2030.” www.globenewswire.com
• NVIDIA. (2024). “State of AI in Retail and CPG: 2024 Trends – Survey Report.” www.nvidia.com/retail-ai-report
• ECR Community. (2023). “Measuring the Sales Impact of Improving Inventory Records.” www.ecr-community.org
• Complete Controller. “IoT Trends That Could Shape Manufacturing in 2021.” www.completecontroller.com/iot-trends-that-could-shape-manufacturing-in-2021/
• Complete Controller. “5 Money Management Tips to Help Avoid a Deficit.” www.completecontroller.com/5-money-management-tips-to-help-avoid-a-deficit/
• Complete Controller. “5 Essential Marketing Strategies to Help Grow Your Business.” www.completecontroller.com/5-essential-marketing-strategies-to-help-grow-your-business/
• TruRating. (2025, May 1). “Employee Turnover in Retail.” www.trurating.com
• Magenest. (2024, June 25). “Omnichannel Retail Statistics: Current State and Future.” www.magenest.com
• U.S. Small Business Administration. www.sba.gov
• Wikipedia. “Artificial Intelligence.” https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Artificial_intelligence
• Wikipedia. “Supply Chain Management.” https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Supplychainmanagement
• McKinsey & Company. (2024). “The Future of Retail Operations: 2024 and Beyond.” www.mckinsey.com
• Retail Industry Leaders Association. (2024). “Supply Chain Resilience Report.” www.rila.org
• Harvard Business Review. (2024). “The State of AI in Retail.” www.hbr.org
• Deloitte. (2024). “Retail Financial Management Best Practices.” www.deloitte.com
• Gartner. (2024). “Retail Technology Investment Priorities.” www.gartner.com
• IBM. (2024). “AI in Retail: Implementation Guide.” www.ibm.com
• Forrester Research. (2024). “The Future of Retail Technology.” www.forrester.com
• British Retail Consortium. (2024). “UK Retail Supply Chain Survey.” www.brc.org.uk

About Complete Controller® – America’s Bookkeeping Experts Complete Controller is the Nation’s Leader in virtual bookkeeping, providing service to businesses and households alike. Utilizing Complete Controller’s technology, clients gain access to a cloud platform where their QuickBooks™️ file, critical financial documents, and back-office tools are hosted in an efficient SSO environment. Complete Controller’s team of certified US-based accounting professionals provide bookkeeping, record storage, performance reporting, and controller services including training, cash-flow management, budgeting and forecasting, process and controls advisement, and bill-pay. With flat-rate service plans, Complete Controller is the most cost-effective expert accounting solution for business, family-office, trusts, and households of any size or complexity.

We are thrilled to share that social media marketing can play a vital role in building connections and engaging with like-minded individuals on Twitter, LinkedIn, and Facebook. With its unparalleled ability to amplify your message, we believe that incorporating social media marketing into your business strategy will yield significant results in the upcoming year. To help you take full advantage of this opportunity, we’ve compiled six tips that will enhance your social media marketing efforts. Let’s get started on this exciting journey together! And you can also always learn even more with other similar articles on our Complete Controller blog. 

1. Make information and entertainment a priority (stop talking about sales)

Nobody likes to see social media updates that sound like product advertisements. No matter, select whether your platform is Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Instagram, Pinterest, Snapchat, TikTok, or any other channel. Focus on getting your updates on social networks was on the brand and the story, not sales.

You can link to current news related to your industry, share trivia and tips, create entertaining videos that open your brand values, and regularly develop interactive contests for people to participate. Informative, helpful, and entertaining content builds customer loyalty further than endless product mentions and sales offers. 

2. Use the latest social media trends

Your business must leverage the latest social media developments to stand out in customer feeds to build awareness and showcase your brand. Some of the crucial trends shaping the social media landscape are: 

• Augmented reality 

Social media technology continues to evolve, significantly augmented reality (AR). Brands are picking up this trend by creating AR filters to promote new products, launch creative campaigns, and increase user engagement. Consider incorporating augmented reality into your social content to interact with customers, entertain them, and attract new subscribers to your business. 

• Targeted social networks 

Not only are more and more people participating in significant social, cultural, and environmental movements on social media, but they also expect their favorite brands to join them. Your business should consider incorporating targeted initiatives into its social strategy to connect with today’s conscious customers/users and give them a reason to follow your business. Whether it’s sustainability and environmental awareness or distraction and inclusion, you’ll want to create social messages that match what’s most important to your audience. 

• Social commerce 

While customer engagement is critical, your social media should also deliver results. Social media platforms are constantly evolving to make them more user-friendly. The latest built-in commerce features on Facebook and Instagram make selling directly to social media easy. Consider using these social commerce features to attract new customers and drive them along the buyer’s journey.

3. Keep your followers closer and your competitors closer

What are your competitors doing on their social media? If you don’t know, now is the right time to find out. Identify your top 3 competitors and do your research to find out which social media platforms they are on, how many fans and followers they have, what hashtags they use to increase reach, and what types of content and advertising strategies they are pursuing.

4. Understanding, segmentation, and target customers

Do you know who your primary demographic is? Your strategy must be based on a deep understanding of your audience to be successful. Examine your sales data and web analytics to understand your target audience better and segment it based on their wants, needs, and preferences. 

5. Prioritize maintenance and communication daily

In addition to entertainment, social media has become a significant customer support channel for businesses. Consumers turn to social media to communicate and interact directly with their favorite brands and quickly resolve their questions and concerns. The comments and posts they leave on your social platforms are publicly available. 

6. Focus on social media metrics

If done correctly, social media marketing can deliver impressive results for your eCommerce business. You must closely monitor your social media metrics to determine if your strategy is hitting the mark. Your goals will help you choose the right metrics to track – for example, if your goal is to improve conversions on your site, you look at metrics like social traffic and conversion rate to determine if your posts, ads, or influencer content were successful.

Social media metrics help you get an idea of ​​the state of your online presence and its impact on your business. While the metrics you select will depend on the specific goals and needs of your business, here are some essential metrics that can help you determine the success of your social media strategy.

About Complete Controller® – America’s Bookkeeping Experts Complete Controller is the Nation’s Leader in virtual bookkeeping, providing service to businesses and households alike. Utilizing Complete Controller’s technology, clients gain access to a cloud platform where their QuickBooks™️ file, critical financial documents, and back-office tools are hosted in an efficient SSO environment. Complete Controller’s team of certified US-based accounting professionals provide bookkeeping, record storage, performance reporting, and controller services including training, cash-flow management, budgeting and forecasting, process and controls advisement, and bill-pay. With flat-rate service plans, Complete Controller is the most cost-effective expert accounting solution for business, family-office, trusts, and households of any size or complexity.

The Current State of 5G Globally

The average download speed on 5G networks is about ten times faster in the consumer segment than in previous generations; this has fueled the widespread adoption of virtual reality (VR) applications and live streaming services with 360-degree camera angles. 5G applications have already passed the testing phase and are gradually becoming more widely available. In the corporate segment, 10,000 projects are currently in development, within which the possibilities of 5G industry applications in the B2B segment (5GtoB) are also under investigation.

Mr. Hu noted “the existence of specific areas, which require improvement despite the stable development of 5G. We already have extensive application implementation practice but need more long-term business cases”.

He talked about the massive organizations’ impact on the atmosphere and how people globally are becoming more serious about climate change. “These trends open up many chances for our manufacturing,” he said. “But they also create particular challenges. There are a few things we can attempt to anticipate and prepare for them. “

In the expedient consumer market, dropping the fences to headset usage will mark a turning point for virtual reality, one virtual reality key technology, including augmented (AR) and mixed reality (MR). “To do this, we must improve both the headsets and the content. Users want less intrusive, lighter, and more reasonably priced headsets. “To support the development of the gratified ecosystem, Mr. Hu encouraged the manufacturing company to create cloud-based stages and apparatuses to efficiently and quickly develop content that is now too complex and expensive to develop.

Second, carriers must modernize their networks and develop new competencies to prepare for 5GtoB solutions. A modern network is crucial for implementing 5G applications in industry scenarios, so operators must continually improve network performance, such as uplink speed, positioning accuracy, and recognition quality. Because industry scenarios are much more complex than consumer scenarios, O&M will face significant challenges. To solve these upcoming issues, Huawei is developing autonomous networks that support intelligent functions.

Digital alteration also demands new approaches. Operators can provide communication services and act as cloud providers and system integrators, developing the necessary competencies. Industry telecommunications standards are also essential for the widespread industrial adoption of 5G networks. In China, carriers have begun working with industry partners to develop standards for 5G in the coal, steel, and power industries, which has fueled the broader adoption of new network solutions in these sectors of the economy.

“Beyond technology,” Mr. Hu concluded, “several intangible benefits will not be immediately apparent.”

Third, the industry must prepare for the transition to green technologies. According to the World Economic Forum, digital machinery can help reduce global carbon dioxide emissions by at least 17% by 2030. “On the one pointer,” said Hu, “we have a great chance to assist all businesses to reduce releases of Co2 and improve energy competence through cardinal technology. On the other hand, we must find out the carbon footprint of our company’s industry is also growing, so we need to take steps to remedy the situation. Huawei is already using new materials and algorithms to reduce the energy consumption of its products. We are modernizing sites and optimizing energy consumption in our data centers to improve operational efficiency. “

“Over the past two years, we have witnessed tremendous change related to the pandemic, technology, business, and the economy,” concluded Mr. Hu. “In the future, when the world begins to recover, we must realize what opportunities are opening up before us and meet them in full readiness. We must prepare technologies, enterprises, and competencies. ” About Complete Controller® – America’s Bookkeeping Experts Complete Controller is the Nation’s Leader in virtual bookkeeping, providing service to businesses and households alike. Utilizing Complete Controller’s technology, clients gain access to a cloud platform where their QuickBooks™️ file, critical financial documents, and back-office tools are hosted in an efficient SSO environment. Complete Controller’s team of certified US-based accounting professionals provide bookkeeping, record storage, performance reporting, and controller services including training, cash-flow management, budgeting and forecasting, process and controls advisement, and bill-pay. With flat-rate service plans, Complete Controller is the most cost-effective expert accounting solution for business, family-office, trusts, and households of any size or complexity.

The challenge for marketers will be to translate the lessons of 2020 into growth for 2021. Marketers reported a 17% loss in sales during the 2020 pandemic while expecting just 4% growth this year. New strategies are needed to achieve that 4% because 2021 also promises to be a year full of uncertainty and changes in behavior.

Despite the changing circumstances, we’ve outlined four ways for CMOs to drive digital marketing team growth in 2021.

1. Bet on flexibility and agility

Because we don’t know when the pandemic will be largely behind us, 2021 will not be a ‘normal’ year either. Knowing this, let’s stick to what Forrester writes:

“Resilience, when confronted with unprecedented and unpredictable change, requires a high degree of agility.”

For clarity, being flexible and agile doesn’t mean you don’t have a plan. Quite the opposite, as marketing leaders need to have a concrete plan. A program that aligns with business objectives and reflects a healthy mix of marketing channels and functions.

When marketing strategies fail or business goals shift, marketing leaders must help the team respond. A key point for growth in 2021 is quickly stopping systems that seem to be forgetting and focusing on investments that show growth and promise.

2. Cherish and nurture your existing foundation

According to a Garner survey, 45% of CMOs surveyed say their #1 strategy for growth is introducing new products into an existing market. While 34% say they plan to sell more existing products in a current need. The overarching theme? Focus on the existing markets.

For many companies, 2020 was about stabilizing profits and reducing churn. 32% of marketers focused mainly on retaining current customers during the pandemic. Only 14% have started focusing on attracting new customers, according to the 2020 CMO survey.

Maintain focus and spend around your organization’s critical competencies. Your customers feel well taken care of, so they remain loyal to your offer. You can then look further and invest in areas within your existing market with growth opportunities. You can then offer your existing customer base new products and services.

3. Fill your marketing communications with trust and empathy

The past year has been an amalgamation of personal and professional. We see each other’s houses, dogs, and children during calls. We deliver webinars from our living rooms and hear how our colleagues and customers’ families cope with the pandemic.

At the same time, we share feelings of fear, loss of control, insecurity, and overwhelmingness. We want to take care of each other more and contact each other.

These emotions and shared experiences have a lot of impact on decision-making. 40% of respondents to an Edelman survey said, “I have convinced others to stop using a brand that I felt was not coping well with the pandemic.” And 36% said it is more important than ever for a brand to make them feel safe during the pandemic.

Marketing leaders needed to take such emotions into account in 2021. Otherwise, they will seem out of touch with the zeitgeist. Marketers must fill their content and messages with trust and empathy to display these emotions effectively.

CMOS works closely with other members of management to ensure coverage aligns with customer experience. Marketing teams can draft messages to promise something to deliver to (future) customers; this closes the ‘experience loop’ and ensures that intention and reporting match what you provide.

• Show empathy

Instilling confidence in your message is not enough to meet the challenges you will face on your way to growth in 2021. Showing empathy and recognizing the human needs of (future) customers is essential to ensure that your marketing efforts are successful with your supporters. Deloitte writes in their Global Marketing Trends for 2021 report:

“When a brand connects in a human, empathetic way, people become more open to its intentions; they believe that their needs are indeed seen. ”

4. Hold on to your brand values

An important driver for growth in 2021 is your brand values ​​firmly in place. More than ever, customers want to know which brands reflect their values ​​and beliefs, and they are expressing this through their wallets. In a 2019 survey by Edelman, 64% of respondents said they choose, switch, avoid, and even boycott brands based on their views on social issues. 81% said they must ensure a brand is doing the right thing.

In short, customers notice when companies have a clear purpose and strong values and reward this with brand loyalty. One in five consumers admits that they have switched to brands with a vital sense during corona. Marketers can use this by reinforcing their brand values ​​and goals and communicating them.

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.

Embracing and driving change with development is seemingly the critical answer for the most quickly increasing food Business and refreshment problems. At the same time, slender net revenues and contests are significant developing issues. Change is about a settlement with development; it is vital to coordinate current innovation and developing market needs with advancement. Driving growth in the food and drink industry is significant for making worth and item separation.

In the space of Research and Development in the food business, advancement, food quality, security, and administrative consistency are essential variables to consider when fostering an item. Dealing with the information from the store network and creation angle is fundamental in marking. Also, food guidelines are changing quicker and becoming harder constantly. Two instances are the public authority charge on sugar and the new EU food guidelines, alongside the developing shopper interest in clean marks, adding more provokes and unique intricacies to food naming.

Customers are moving towards careful eating by picking spotless and supportable food varieties. However, they are not surrendering their inclinations for organoleptic properties. Besides, changing medical problems and dynamic ways of life encourage a more prominent interest in inventive and altered food varieties as purchasers’ interest in sound, new, and nutritious food increments. So, too, is an expanded inclination for natural, practical, plant-based food varieties arising. Innovation is filling the change of purchaser necessities achieved by evolving patterns. Rivalry is getting fiercer for F&B as retailers have their brands.

Furthermore, observing the rack space in the FMCG business is overwhelming, as retailers progressively require food items in the pattern. Food Startups are developing quicker than at any time in recent memory. In the meantime, the most beneficial food companies are making another market through their items and enhancing things to satisfy present buyer needs. Then again, Big Food has its arrangement of objects and brands. This significant industry needs to continue improving or reformulating new things, a cycle that requires more assets like expense, time, executives, and workers; this introduces some significant food producers’ difficulties in getting productivity. Consolidation and acquisitions have been an essential impetus after reshaping the food and drink industry to satisfy developing business sector needs. Different changes incorporate beginning hatcheries, cost-cutting – rebuilding projects, and lay-offs notwithstanding, the simple formula to progress lies in innovative work, advancement, new item improvement, and re-formulation with the assistance of an item life cycle on the board.

Regarding the food business, “get it going rapidly” ought to be the witticism. In any case, advancement, from item improvement to evidence of an idea, is tedious. It makes a market pipeline excessively long, even with quickly changing food patterns; this implies a slower reaction to customer needs. This perspective is fundamental to fostering a more customized association with clients through their items.

Because of intense rivalry and advancing the purchaser’s food inclinations, the food business ideates and reformulates new items; this is a continuous cycle, which speeds up the presentation of fresh food and drinks items to showcase consistently, thus making a mystery decision. Moreover, the low retail food expansion is another element that has come to fruition as one more aftereffect of extreme rivalry in the food business.

In rundown, having a business that will be creative and unique concerning what any remaining organizations are offering is crucial for making your spot in the food and refreshment industry.

Whether you utilize the patterns we referenced above or take motivation from the organizations we featured, we trust this blog assisted with conjuring up an imaginative food business thought that you can chip away at slowly.

Anyway, the proper promotion and effort of the business are fundamental for gaining clients and creating a dedicated client base.

Squint can assist you with doing this. Squint provides a Software-as-a-Service and provides internet with requesting an answer for both web connection points and portable applications.

With the Blink stage, you approach a protected, versatile, associated with a pre-planned yet marked portable application and site layout. These go about as your online retail facades and proposition your clients simply the web-based requesting without you going through the issue of making these stages.

About Complete Controller® – America’s Bookkeeping Experts Complete Controller is the Nation’s Leader in virtual bookkeeping, providing service to businesses and households alike. Utilizing Complete Controller’s technology, clients gain access to a cloud platform where their QuickBooks™️ file, critical financial documents, and back-office tools are hosted in an efficient SSO environment. Complete Controller’s team of certified US-based accounting professionals provide bookkeeping, record storage, performance reporting, and controller services including training, cash-flow management, budgeting and forecasting, process and controls advisement, and bill-pay. With flat-rate service plans, Complete Controller is the most cost-effective expert accounting solution for business, family-office, trusts, and households of any size or complexity.

A bank is a business that treats money as a commodity, lends it to borrowers for a limited time, and then charges them for it. Regarding a consumer loan or mortgage, the annual interest rate is set rather than the monthly, daily, or minute rate because it is easier for the client and the bank to calculate.

If the phrase “annually” does not appear in the loan agreement at a surprisingly low-interest rate, it could signify quarterly or monthly charges. Central banks will not engage in such shady practices; this isn’t the price rise we observed during the outset of the pandemic when scared people rushed out to buy toilet paper and hand sanitizer. Instead, a rise could indicate that we are entering an inflationary period, with continuous increases in the cost of living spurred by a gradual reopening of the economy following the pandemic’s abrupt halt.

What Determines the Interest Rate?

The central bank sets the country’s minimum rate, the most significant regulator. No one will make a loan if it is less than this amount. As this minimum rate is known, the refinancing rate is linked to the critical rate, a financial phrase that is meaningless to ordinary people.

Inflation is the second most crucial factor. Inflation is closely related to emissions and the government’s issue of banknotes into circulation, but we won’t get into that here. When a bank issues a loan, it is interested in generating a profit on the amount it expects to receive. However, because money will be worth a little less in a year and we would be able to purchase minimum items for the same amount, the initial interest rate will need to be increased by the real interest rate.

Finally, there’s the premium or extra payments. There seems to be one drawback: if the price of ordinary loans consists simply of the refinancing rate plus inflation, it will be difficult for banks, tiny ones, to make money. Banks are at risk of nonpayment; they’re aggressively borrowing cash from one other, and the central bank needs to pay for offices and staff. As a result, they employ several strategies to raise the ultimate cost, ranging from a simple surcharge to an increase in the rate for specific consumer groups.

By the way, the lower the price, the larger the financial institution.

What Does the Interest Rate Depend On?

Interest rates and payment types are two factors to consider. Everything is evident in interest; however, think about the additional payments. There are two types of them:

• Annuity: Your loan is accepted, interest is computed in advance, and a payment schedule is set so that you pay a regular amount every month, but the early months primarily pay off interest, and the last months predominantly pay off the principal debt.
• Differentiated: In this situation, they take your principal debt, divide it evenly over the entire period, and charge interest on the outstanding amount.

Different Types of Interest Rates

There are a lot of them, but they aren’t as significant for lending to individuals. Let us give you a quick explanation:

• Fixed versus flexible exchange rates: In one, the rate remains constant throughout the term, while in the second, it fluctuates.
• Recursive and anticipative: In one case, the borrower must pay everything after the period; in the second, the borrower must pay everything in advance or through the banking procedure.
• Inflation-adjusted nominal: Excluding inflation or adjusted for inflation.

What Is the Effective Rate of Interest?

What is a common interest per annum on a consumer or other loan? The fact that the percentage given in the offer does not align with the overpayment leads to people misunderstanding their loan terms. The effective interest rate enters the picture at this point. The EIR includes the loan’s interest and all additional payments and levies. The bank decides the initial price, and you have no control over it. The only choice is to keep this proportion unchanged. Pay on time, take advantage of special offers, hunt for benefits, and read and analyze documentation. A hike in price is neither a good nor a bad thing. The ability to keep things under control is a sign of a thriving economy. It encourages us to spend rather than hide money beneath the bed. However, while inflation has remained consistent in recent decades, some fear that current prices will continue to climb, putting consumers under strain and jeopardizing the recovery.

About Complete Controller® – America’s Bookkeeping Experts Complete Controller is the Nation’s Leader in virtual bookkeeping, providing service to businesses and households alike. Utilizing Complete Controller’s technology, clients gain access to a cloud platform where their QuickBooks™️ file, critical financial documents, and back-office tools are hosted in an efficient SSO environment. Complete Controller’s team of certified US-based accounting professionals provide bookkeeping, record storage, performance reporting, and controller services including training, cash-flow management, budgeting and forecasting, process and controls advisement, and bill-pay. With flat-rate service plans, Complete Controller is the most cost-effective expert accounting solution for business, family-office, trusts, and households of any size or complexity.

Most lenders require a PMI (Private Mortgage Insurance) when a household makes a down payment of less than 20% of the home’s purchase price — or, for mortgages, a collateral-to-value ratio (LTV) of more than 80% (the higher the LTV ratio, the higher the risk level of the mortgage). PMI allows borrowers to receive financing if they can afford (or prefer) to file only 5% to 19.99% of the cost of living, but there is an additional monthly cost to pay. Borrowers pay their PMI monthly until they acquire enough equity in the home that the lender no longer considers high risk.

PMI costs can be limited from 0.25% to 2% (but typically work out to 0.5 to 1%) of your loan balance per year, depending on your down payment and mortgage, the length of the loan, and your credit score. The higher your risk factors, the higher the rate you pay. Also, since PMI is a percentage of the loan amount, the more you borrow, the more PMI you will pay.

How Long do You Tolerate PMI?

Once the LTV of the mortgage drops to 78%—that means your down payment, plus the loan amount you “paid,” equal to 22% of the home’s purchase price. The lender must automatically cancel the PMI, as required by federal homeowner protection law, even if the market value of your home has decreased (if you use your mortgage).

Otherwise, the time you must transfer PMI depends on your chosen PMI.

PMI Types

There are three different types of private mortgage insurance:

Paid PMI (BPMI): You pay a monthly premium until your PMI ends (when your LTV balance should reach 78% of your home’s original value) or when it is canceled at your request. When the borrower has reached 20% equity in the house, the borrower may notify the lender in writing that it is time to stop making PMI payments. Lenders must provide the buyer with a written statement at closing stating how many years and months it will take for the buyer to pay 20% of the mortgage principal. But this may be earlier due to rising home prices (validated by appraisal) or because you have made additional principal payments. The lender must comply if the value of your home has not fallen, you have a history of timely payments, and you verify that you do not have a second lien or a subordinate lien on the property. You can also request a cancellation when you reach the middle of the amortization period (for example, a 30-year loan will get the middle in 15 years).

Premium PMI: You pay mortgage insurance premiums upfront in a lump sum, eliminating the need for a monthly PMI payment. You may pay the single premium in full at the closing or financing of the collateral. While it requires more upfront costs, this option can save money for long-term homeowners.

Payable PMI (LPMI): The lender pays private mortgage insurance on behalf of the borrower. It can be the outcome of lower monthly mortgage payments. Unlike BPMI, you cannot cancel LPMI because it is a durable loan part. Still, you may end up paying more interest over the life of the loan, mainly since rates are usually higher for this kind of PMI (because its cost is included in the mortgage interest rate for credit life).

Cancel PMI

This 78% threshold for auto-completion is based on the date LTV is scheduled to reach 78%, not actual payments according to the depreciation schedule. If you made additional payments and hit the 78% threshold early, your lender does not have to terminate PMI before the initially scheduled date, which could leave you with months or even years of avoidable PMI payments. (By law, creditors must tell you about the general right to cancel PMI, but not when you precisely can.) With BPMI, tracking mortgage payments and building your wealth is essential.

Also, don’t expect the lender to know that your equity in the property has reached 20% of the original purchase price or current appraisal value. If so, then you will be required to cancel. To request a cancellation, you must be aware of your mortgage payments and have a good account; specifically, what you have:

• Price has not been made that has expired 60 days or more within the first 12 months of the last two years before the date of cancellation (or the date you are requesting cancellation, whichever is later) or
• Has not made a payment for 30 days or more in the 12 months before the cancellation date (or the date you request the cancellation, whichever is later).

Paying off your mortgage isn’t the only way to create equity that allows you to claim a cancellation. Making improvements that add enough value to your home can also go to the bare minimum. If you’re doing a major renovation – for example, it’s important to redo the kitchen – review the numbers to see if you can now get a written PMI cancellation request.

Once PMI has been canceled, the lender cannot claim further PMI payments more than 30 days after receiving your written request or when you satisfied the evidence and certification requirements, whichever is later.

About Complete Controller® – America’s Bookkeeping Experts Complete Controller is the Nation’s Leader in virtual bookkeeping, providing service to businesses and households alike. Utilizing Complete Controller’s technology, clients gain access to a cloud platform where their QuickBooks™️ file, critical financial documents, and back-office tools are hosted in an efficient SSO environment. Complete Controller’s team of certified US-based accounting professionals provide bookkeeping, record storage, performance reporting, and controller services including training, cash-flow management, budgeting and forecasting, process and controls advisement, and bill-pay. With flat-rate service plans, Complete Controller is the most cost-effective expert accounting solution for business, family-office, trusts, and households of any size or complexity.

“It’s okay to be in debt a little bit, isn’t it?” That’s how it started so that unwitting debt continues to grow and accumulate. A little or a lot, you should avoid debt. Naive? Is there a living person who never owes a debt? The answer may be “barely any.” Some even make it a hobby or, rather, a bad habit. It makes no difference for the rich or the poor; debt is just debt.

Isn’t it okay to owe? It’s not like that either. What can’t be if we owe and don’t want to pay? But, if possible, avoid going into debt if it’s just to fulfill a wasteful lifestyle and not an urgent need or productivity goal. Look at the lifestyle we live today. Is a peg bigger than a pole? If so, be careful because it becomes a gap to get to the doors of debt.

If ordinary people are in personal debt or stuck to moneylenders, it’s a different story for those in the socio-economic circle, which is more fortunate. Instead of getting out of debt bondage, even for some, debt is a way of life. Well, how come? Of course, using more subtle language makes them feel like they’re not in debt. Yes, just a magic card – a credit card, swipe anything you want. They feel proud and sometimes show off the magic card. These credit card users seem to be pampering themselves, but without realizing it, credit cards trap them in a pile of debt that will only swell.

For this reason, it is best to avoid debt as much as possible. Why? Perhaps the following reasons will help us understand it;

Debt Drives Us to Spend More Than We can Afford

Debt, especially using a credit card, will eliminate self-control when we face many items that tempt our eyes and shopping desires. We can go crazy because we can obtain everything at a moment’s notice without simultaneously dealing with the pain of parting with money. But in the end, expenses that will catch up with us in the future may even be until the goods we get with the debt are damaged before the debt is paid off. Painful, for sure.

Debt Requires Money

While debt makes us feel free when swiping a card or signing loan documents, it doesn’t set us free. We generally pay the price for each debt we make plus the interest. The higher the interest rate, the bigger the installments we must pay. And the longer it requires to pay off, the higher our debt burden will be. The only exception is interest-free loans.

High-Interest Debt Causes Us to Pay More Than the Principal

It is even possible that the interest to be paid can be greater than the actual debt if the repayment limit exceeds the stipulated time. This interest is detrimental to us as debtors. Being patient to wait for time by saving until the amount of money is sufficient will help us save expenses.

Debt Borrows Our Future Income

Every time we withdraw a loan or charge something on our credit card, we only borrow money we should use for our future. Think about it! Do we want to spend our money paying for something we spent first and not getting other things we should have deserved later?

Debt Keeps Us from Reaching Our Financial Goals

Monthly debt payments limit the money we have to spend on other things that may be more crucial when needed and reduce our opportunities to have fun with the family. The more debt we have, the more monthly payments and the less we can set aside for other needs.

Debt can Hurt a Marriage

Individuals who are married, of course, have different needs from those who are still single. When we get into debt, we often exercise extra restraint and control in the current cash flow. This restricted budget will give birth to conflict in the household, accusing each other of who caused the debt, who was responsible for the accumulating debt, and other things. This debt, of course, drains household finances.

Well, for that you should think again if you want to borrow. If you need to go into debt, carefully calculate the debt you will take on with your regular income. If we can still enjoy life to the best of our abilities, be grateful, and don’t have to force ourselves to live too much like others. Because happy and sad, rich and poor, how we accept and interpret what we have is a gift from God, not in the quantity of material. The value of one thousand rupiahs can make a person rich if he feels he is rich. On the contrary, the value of one billion can make a person poor if he feels inadequate.

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.

An overview of your money matters gives you peace of mind. You also see what you can save if you know how much is coming in and going out.

Avoid Spending Money Without Having Insight into Your Financial Situation

Keep your eyes open to your financial status. Having some vague rules to make sound financial decisions is not enough. So, take the necessary time to map out your financial situation thoroughly: what are your incomes, both the certain (e.g., wages) and the uncertain (e.g., pocket money, money that you get as a gift on your birthday or on public holidays or the money you earn if you occasionally do some weekend work)? What are your fixed costs (e.g., house rent, electricity bill, telephone costs), and what variable costs (e.g., clothing, clothing, supermarket) do you have? Ten steps to put it all together.

Ensure you have a good overview of your total assets, including ALL your income and expenses (and therefore the amount you only have to spend once a year, e.g., the home insurance or the tax). You can use a budget planner to overview your income and expenses (see, e.g., budget planner. be). Also, keep the documents related to your finances (invoices, payment receipts, account statements, insurance contracts) organized and always keep this “paperwork” in order.

Investigate which Expenses You can Save and Spend on Social Rights/Premiums

After you have figured out your financial situation, you can adjust it if necessary. Decide which platform you do not want or cannot save and then save on less essential expenses. You can eliminate some costs while you can look for cheaper solutions for others.

It might also be interesting to schedule some new releases. Also, make sure that you use the premiums you are entitled to. After all, this can cause certain incomes to rise and decrease certain expenses.

Be Prepared for Unforeseen and Significant Expenses

If feasible, keep a piggy bank for unforeseen costs (for example, if your washing machine or automobile breaks down) and significant future purchases. You can build this piggy bank by putting an amount aside every month. Give this amount a place in your budget plan. Inform yourself about the various savings options at the bank and choose the most suitable product for you.

You can insure yourself against various potential setbacks (e.g., hospitalization insurance if you fall ill). Buying used products might be advantageous for significant purchases: you won’t have to empty your savings account!

Think Longer Term

 Do not save on necessary expenses (e.g., hospitalization insurance, family insurance, pension savings) that seem unnecessary in the short term but can be of great use at a particular moment.

Keep in mind that your financial status can change drastically if you or your partner become unemployed or long-term ill if you have children, if you start living together or get married if your relationship breaks down as you get older, and if more medical problems—or health care expenses.

Even if you are young, it is never too early to figure out your pension prospects and, if necessary, adjust them. When making (large) purchases, you should consider many more durable products that involve lower maintenance costs.

Be Sensible When Using Credit Cards

Credit cards are handy, but ensure the installment fits your budget! Be sure to think long-term. For example, consider possible future setbacks: make sure you still have a buffer in case you suddenly have to make urgent payments and pay off the credit. It is cheaper to save for some purchases and only afterward to make the purchase.

Borrowing money is typically highly costly. When using credit cards, be particularly cautious: “plastic money” entails the danger of spending more than you want, and interest rates might be considerable. So, if you don’t have any other options, utilize credit cards.

Avoid Impulse Purchases and be Alert to Temptations

Thinking longer-term also requires you not to get carried away when a salesperson approaches you on the streets or at the doors. An “amazing offer” online or in the supermarket can be less attractive than it seems initially. If you buy something in emotions, there is a high risk of forgetting the financial consequences or purchasing something you do not want or need. And if you go shopping in the supermarket, it is best to take a shopping list with you and not leave with an empty stomach. If you have given in to a whim, you sometimes have a right to cancel the purchase, but you must do this quickly. In concrete terms, you can cancel an online purchase or a purchase through a door-to-door seller within 14 days; this does not apply to purchases in stores, but sometimes the store allows you to return purchased goods.

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.