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Take bankruptcy as a motivational matter; it isn’t a barrier to success. After getting freedom from debts, you get a great chance to re-establish your credit score. And all your financial burdens pull out. But it doesn’t mean you will never experience adverse outcomes of bankruptcy. MyFICO says your FICO scores will vary after bankruptcy, for example.

• Good credit score before bankruptcy – FICO scores will decrease substantially.
• Average credit score before bankruptcy – the score reduction will be less severe.
• In other conditions – your scores may vary around 300 to 850 scale.

A Chapter 7 bankruptcy gives you a clean and debt-free financial status to a great extent. It also affects your credit score for seven to ten years because all bankrupt accounts stay on your credit report. You can’t get another loan because of financial instability as well. However the weight of such problems reduces over time with on-time debt return and careful use of credit.

You can re-establish your credit score by implementing various intelligent strategies. Let’s have a look at a few of them.

Offset the Bankruptcy Effect in 12 Months

The US credit system discounts penalties as it is pretty forgiving. It is an excellent chance to offset the affected credit within 12 to 18 months. It can only happen when your credit score is 550 or lower after bankruptcy.

You can’t get a good credit score until the bankruptcy is removed from your credit report. But at least this strategy can improve your credit score.

Show Bankrupt Accounts with Zero Balance

Keep all bankrupt accounts with zero balance for a good credit score. Show this balance of accounts, including Chapter 7 bankruptcy, on your credit report.

If these accounts still have credit, the score will remain lower than its original amount. Regularly update your bankruptcy accounts and credit reports. It will not let any error exist regarding credit display. Also, an error-free credit report will increase your credit score.

Send your credit report to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau without paying a single penny. You can discuss any incorrect information on your credit report with them. They also adjust your error-free scores when you update your credit report.

Get Leverage from Reaffirmed Debts

You have an opportunity if you are still a debtor, even after bankruptcy. You use it to re-establish a good credit score. Use your current credit card rather than purchasing a new one. Pay all your bills on time. It will recover your payment history, the most vital credit scoring factor. So, it would be best to thank those debts or due dates.

The careful use of credit will help you in achieving good credit scores. The evidence of high-level responsibility will boost this achievement. However, chapter 7 bankruptcy will stay on your credit report for 7-10 years.

Keep a Secured Credit Card

If you don’t have an active loan or credit card, no problem. You can get good credit scores by applying for or having a secured credit card. You can keep the one whether you have a bankruptcy notation or extremely low credit scores.

You must deposit cash for a secured credit card safety that you will purchase. The amount of deposit cash is typically like the credit line. For example, if you deposit $500, your credit card limit will be the exact cost.

Mostly, creditors return the deposited money. It happens when you pay all credit bills on time. Then, your credit card will turn into an unsecured card. While a few creditors offer rewards so you can make the same money you will charge.

Fill Your Credit Profile with Alternative Data

Add alternative data to your credit reports, such as utility and mobile phone bills. It will increase your credit score. Also, fill your Experian credit report with this data by freeing the Experian Boost program of the credit bureau. There will be no terms and conditions for approval. Only you will need to pay all bills on time. According to Experian Reports, this program increases your bad credit range to 64%, a fair credit score.

Final Words

You don’t need to worry about bad credit scores after bankruptcy. For tremendous credit scoring strides, you need to focus on the following:

• On-time debt and bill payments
• Careful use of credit
• The level of time and efforts

Don’t call bankruptcy a barrier to success; it is a motivational push to increase your credit score.

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.

Unlike working in a company with limited liability on your shoulders, entrepreneurship requires determination, hard work, commitment, and the will to keep going, irrespective of the hurdles. A startup meets different challenges, especially initially, as one is often inexperienced and needs insights into the market. However, the startup stage demands one to stay put, make tireless efforts, and kick-start the venture! Let us hear the secret recipe for a great startup!

Develop a Business Idea

The first step is knowing where to start! Everyone is good at something or the other, and knowing it is the key to a great business idea. What is it that the team can do that nobody else can? It means listing down the key strengths and expertise of the team members or the individual entrepreneur. Some people are good at writing and can start being great bloggers. Some people have a taste for fashion and can run a designer house. Some people are exceptional with desserts and can run a successful pastry house. The business idea should often come from one’s comfort zone and passion!

Explore the Platforms

Often, entrepreneurs mistake following the trends and forget to align the processes with their business ideas. Even though the e-commerce industry is booming, it does not mean one must jump into an online business. Social media has become the primary marketing platform, but it does not mean it is great for every business. You must carefully choose the operations venues as they determine the company’s potential. If the industry targets an aging population, it might still want to stick to the traditional marketing channels; however, the business must vigorously adapt to the trends if it targets the younger lot.

Analyze the Feasibility of the Idea

A creative business idea does not necessarily mean it’s a great idea. The blogging may not go viral if the content is not focused on the target audience. The designer house may fail if the apparel is just another collection in the market. The pastry house may struggle to generate enough revenue if the customers do not like the taste. Hence, a feasibility report is needed to analyze the idea’s potential. It will assist in knowing the idea’s potential, target market characteristics, competitors’ strengths, industry trends, business name, location, and projected sales in the first few years. However, the feasibility report must be based on statistics and facts of the market, not on hopes and wishes of success!

Analyze the Need for Financing

While the feasibility report is on its way, the finances required for the startup will start getting more apparent. Although one generalizes how much it would need to set up the business, the estimations often need to be considered. One will likely ignore the costs associated with several minor tasks and activities, which later add to the burden. However, once the finances required to start and run a business are calculated, it’s time to know whether the required amount is available or not. And if not, how will the amount be achieved? Consider contacting an angel investor, trying to raise money from family and friends, or taking a loan from the bank.

Explore the Legalities

Every business must undergo certain legalities, such as registering the company with the relevant authority, patenting the idea, and so on! Different permits and licenses apply to other businesses; one must be meticulous about them. Several business and legal advisors help entrepreneurs get through the legal stage in exchange for a fee. They are well-versed with licenses and permits and save one from the trouble of running through the streets!

Develop your Team

An efficient and enthusiastic team is a must-have for a startup. Before the business officially starts its operations, it must have a solid and skilled team committed, proactive, and in love with the company. You must make this decision wisely!

And finally, open the doors to the customers!

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

By: Jennifer Brazer

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

Fact Checked By: Brittany McMillen

A Winning Interview: Master the Art of Interviews with Our Tips for Success

Landing a dream role isn’t just about having the right qualifications—it’s about showcasing those qualifications with confidence and clarity during the interview process. Over the years as the CEO of Complete Controller, I’ve witnessed firsthand how preparation and thoughtful execution can transform an interviewee’s experience from nerve-wracking to empowering. In this guide, I’ll share strategies to help you ace your next interview, stand out from the competition, and land that coveted position.

Why Preparation is Your Key to Winning

I’ve often said that preparation turns interviews from an unpredictable gamble into a calculated opportunity. When you prepare properly, you not only showcase your readiness but also project a confidence that speaks volumes.

Steps to nail interview prep

• Research the Company

Understanding the company’s mission, values, and challenges positions you as someone genuinely invested in their goals. Check their website, follow their social channels, and read recent press releases. This insight helps you craft tailored responses and ask intelligent questions. If you’re actively finding a new job, this foundational research will put you a step ahead.

• Study the Job Description

Every answer you give should connect back to the role you’re applying for. Review their listed qualifications and responsibilities, then link them to your own skills and achievements.

• Practice Common Questions

While every interview is different, certain staples like “What are your strengths?” or “Why should we hire you?” come up almost every time. Preparing succinct, confident answers will ensure you’re never caught off guard.

Remember, just getting an interview is a milestone. On average, 118 people apply for every job opening, yet only about 20% make it to the interview stage. Getting a seat at the table means you’ve already outrun 94 other candidates.

Mastering Responses with the STAR Method

From my experience, behavioral questions can trip up even the most qualified candidates. That’s where the STAR method shines because it ensures every response is clear, structured, and impactful.

Breaking down the STAR method

• Situation: Set the stage by describing a specific challenge.
• Task: Highlight your role in addressing it.
• Action: Explain the deliberate steps you took.
• Result: Emphasize measurable outcomes that underscore your impact.

Example: Tackling a Common Behavioral Question

Question: “Can you tell me about a time when you faced a difficult deadline?”

Answer: “Our team had just two weeks to prepare for a major client presentation—a timeline far shorter than usual. I created a detailed project plan, divided tasks based on individual strengths, and held brief daily meetings to address blockers. Not only did we deliver on time, but the client extended a new contract that increased revenue by 30%.”

This level of preparation sets you apart and eases doubts regarding your abilities.

Building Confidence Through Deliberate Practice

Nobody is born ready for interviews. Confidence is built, not stumbled upon. Early in my career, I realized that preparation was my antidote to nervousness, and the same principle applies to you.

Two techniques I swear by

• Mock Interviews

Conduct trial runs with a friend or mentor. Their feedback can uncover blind spots you didn’t realize existed.

• Record Yourself

Playbacks can be a revelation—watch for filler words or tendencies like avoiding eye contact, then refine your delivery. Small tweaks here can change how confidently you’re perceived.

Those who repeatedly practice are better positioned to beat the odds. Remember, only 1 in 5 interviewees gets the job—a success rate of 20%. To stand out, preparation isn’t optional; it’s essential.

Using Body Language to Reinforce Your Message

Believe me, what you say is just half the battle. How you carry yourself—from your posture to your gestures—often determines the impression you leave.

Five body language hacks

• Sit straight to show you’re engaged, not slouched or disinterested.
• Avoid crossing your arms. It subtly signals resistance or disengagement.
• A genuine smile (not forced) makes you seem approachable and personable.
• Make intentional eye contact throughout the conversation. Be natural but deliberate.
• Use hand gestures sparingly to emphasize points—but don’t overdo it.

Confidence is about consistency. Ensure both your body language and words say, “I’m ready for this.”

Dodging Common Interview Pitfalls

Even stellar candidates can sabotage themselves. Over the years, I’ve seen fantastic résumés undermined by simple missteps.

Three Mistakes to Avoid

• Being Late

Punctuality speaks to professionalism. Plan to arrive 10–15 minutes early.

• Skipping Questions

Asking nothing when prompted signals disinterest. Instead, prepare thoughtful queries like, “What does success look like in the first six months of this role?”

1. Rambling

Stay succinct. Over-explaining dilutes your message and risks losing your interviewer’s attention.

Preparation and respect for the process, down to being detail-focused—much like keeping accurate financial statements—are attributes interviewers value immensely.

Why Following Up Sets You Apart

Here’s a truth few candidates understand: the interview doesn’t end when you walk out the door. A proper follow-up can tilt the odds in your favor.

How to craft a perfect thank-you note

• Send it within 24 hours via email.
• Address specifics from the interview to show genuine interest.
• Reiterate your enthusiasm for the position.

Sample Thank-You Note:

“Thank you for the opportunity to discuss the marketing manager role. Learning about your initiatives to expand digital campaigns resonated with my experience. I’m excited about the possibility of joining the team to contribute to its ambitious goals.”

It’s a simple gesture, but one that leaves a lasting mark.

Improving Through Feedback

Interviews are stepping stones, and whether you succeed or stumble, what you learn from each one is invaluable. After losing out on a role early in my career, I asked the interviewer for feedback. Their insight helped me refine my responses and nail my next opportunity.

Tips For applying feedback

• Proactively Seek It

Whether from mock interviews or actual ones, constructive criticism helps illuminate where you can improve.

• Act On It

Use feedback as fuel for growth. For instance, if they highlight weak answers to behavioral questions, double down on the STAR method next time.

Making Insightful Questions Your Secret Weapon

When the interviewer turns the tables and asks, “Do you have questions for us?” use this as an opportunity to wow them.

Strategic questions to ask

• What challenges does your team face, and how can my role help address them?
• How would you describe the company culture?
• What are the top priorities for this position in the first 90 days?

Thoughtful, strategic questions can shift the interview dynamic, showcasing you as someone engaged and forward-thinking.

Conclusion

The essence of a winning interview comes down to preparation, presentation, and persistence. By researching deeply, practicing deliberately, and following up thoughtfully, you put yourself in the best possible position to succeed.

As the founder of Complete Controller, solving hurdles for entrepreneurs is my passion. Tackling interviews is much like solving a puzzle—every piece of preparation and confidence snaps together to reveal your value proposition.

Looking for personalized strategies to elevate your career? Visit us here to unlock tools, tips, and expert insights for your success.

FAQ

What’s the best way to prepare for an interview?

Research the company, review the job description, and practice answering commonly asked questions.

How can I build confidence for an interview?

Mock interviews and recording yourself are powerful tools to refine your delivery and self-assurance.

Why is follow-up important?

Sending a thank-you note expresses gratitude, reinforces your interest, and leaves a positive impression.

How can I avoid rambling in interviews?

Practice concise responses aligned with the STAR method and stay focused on the question.

What should I focus on in behavioral questions?

Use the STAR method to structure your answers, ensuring clarity and impact.

Sources

• [1] Simplilearn.com. “Job Interview Statistics and Trends for 2024.”
• [2] IU Southeast – Indiana University. “Sample Behavioral Questions.”
• [4] Apollo Technical. “21 Essential Job Interview Statistics You Want to Know (2024).”
• [5] Built In. “35 Behavioral Interview Questions and How to Answer Them.”
• Google’s Interview Prep Tips. “Preparing for a Google Interview.”

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.

Whenever you consider a bank, you will see a place to make deposits, track your savings account, etc. True, but another type of bank focuses on stocks, securities, and other financial instruments. These financial organizations may be subsidiaries of larger firms that offer banking and financial services. Still, they play an essential role in the financial industry, considerably impacting the whole economy.

Goldman Sachs

Goldman Sachs is one of the most prominent investment banks in the world. It is a more than 150-year-old public organization with about $2.5 trillion in assets under supervision at the end of 2021. Goldman Sachs has hosted several high-ranking government leaders. There are Treasury secretaries from the United States, White House advisers, and leaders from central banks and governments throughout them. As a result, it is a significant power center on Wall Street.

The bank has been involved in several scandals, notably its participation in the 2008 financial crisis, but it also participates in various social activities.

JP Morgan

JPMorgan Chase is one of the world’s most powerful financial institutions. This enormous corporation is divided into two parts. The Chase part of the firm is a commercial and business bank. JPMorgan concentrates its efforts on investments, especially investment banking. At the end of 2021, the company reported total assets of $3.7 trillion.

Barclays

Barclays may not be the most well-known bank on our side of the Atlantic, but it is well-known in the United Kingdom. Based in London, Barclays was founded in 1690 and currently has £1.5 trillion in assets (almost USD 2.0 trillion).

Barclay’s credit cards are well-known in the United States, and the corporation is developing consumer financial services for the nation. It is well-represented in New York and other major financial centers worldwide, both inside and outside Europe.

Morgan Stanley

Morgan Stanley is a big investment bank founded in the United States in 1935.

Morgan Stanley is a financial services firm based in Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Discover & Co. merged with Dean Witter Discover & Co. in 1997. Dean Witter Discover & Co. Morgan Stanley was renamed Morgan Stanley in 2001. With $6.9 trillion in assets under management, it is part of the “too large to fail” financial stable.

The three main sections of an international investment bank are institutional securities, wealth management, and investment management. The wealth management segment caters to individual investors. Most of this gap was caused by Smith Barney’s acquisition of the famed investment bank Salomon Brothers, which Smith Barney had previously purchased.

Bank of America

This investment bank, a subsidiary of Bank of America, was founded through a period of consolidation, the latest of which is Bank of America’s absorption of significant investment bank Merrill Lynch amid the financial crisis of 2008. Bank of America is the second-largest bank in the United States, with assets of $3.3 trillion. Its offices are in Bangkok, Edinburgh, and New Jersey, among other places worldwide.

Credit Suisse

Investors typically seek the Swiss franc as a haven when the U.S. dollar looks unstable. Regarding significant financial transactions, Swiss banks have a reputation for expertise and discretion. Credit Suisse, which dates to 1856, is a leader among Swiss banks.

Deutsche Bank

Deutsche Bank is a diversified financial company that was founded in 1870. Its investment banking branch is powerful and influential. Deutsche Bank, headquartered in Frankfurt, has around 1.3 trillion euros in investments, making it one of Europe’s top ten investment banks.

Deutsche Bank is the best player in the U.S. and across the world. Its operations in the mortgage bonds market had a crucial role in the financial crisis of 2008, earning it a $7.2 billion fine in 2017.

RBC Capital Markets

In Toronto, Canada, RBC Capital Markets is RBC’s investment bank. RBC, or Royal Bank of Canada, has assets of CAD 1.7 trillion, with origins dating back to 1869. This significant bank is also one of the largest in North America and globally, with offices in the United States and other nations. 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 create content, but some are better than others. And there are life hacks that allow you to increase efficiency further and attract a wider audience. This article has analyzed all the trending methods, from simple to the most complex. A fundamental economic hack is a toothpaste with another non-standard application method. It copes well with drying inflammation and various pimples, as it contains anti-inflammatory and antibacterial substances. Sometimes, toothpaste is also used to treat minor burns.

Learn to Work in Microsoft Excel

Take the time to learn how to use MS Excel because it is an essential tool in the finance and auditing fields. Don’t be hesitant; don’t assume it’ll be simple; you’ll figure it out as soon as you secure a job or an apprenticeship. Excel, believe us, is a beautiful tool that will make your work a lot more successful. Start taking Excel courses if you’re not a specialist, and augment what you learn using online learning materials. It is appropriate for any business or science graduate who wishes to devote time to personal growth and broaden their perspective on the matter, situations, and individuals.

Looking For a Part-Time Job

Experience in real life is superior. Nothing can replace it. Even if this job doesn’t suit you, you can learn a lot as a beginner. The corporate world has a lot to teach you.

Keep Doing Your Hobbies

When you have work that you enjoy, it is a dream come true. But what about unstructured time? Why not explore those talents or hobbies you’ve always wanted to pursue but may have had to give up during your education if you’re a trainee or have recently done your exams? It can include mountain climbing, entertainment, presentation skills, drawing, kung fu, poetry, and writing.

Learn The Language!

This task is not for everyone, but for most of us, learning a language can be a plus, primarily if you work for a foreign corporation, go abroad, or start studying another language.

Lifehack generally means a little trick, folk wisdom, or helpful advice to help solve everyday problems. It is a set of methods and techniques for “hacking” the surrounding life to simplify achieving your goals with the help of various helpful tips and tricks. Usually, a life hacker does not create new techniques but masters existing ones. A few economic hacks that we don’t know are:

1. Did you know that one battery is enough for the remote control?
2. If you need to take a photo together, and there is nowhere to put your smartphone, a shoe and improvised items can help you.
3. IKEA bags are so durable that they are great for carrying firewood.
4. You can replace the keychain (puller) on the slider with a simple eyelet from a can.
5. A box from Tic Tac can be a convenient container for storing hairpins or any other small items that are always out of place.
6. A potato peeler is excellent for cutting hard cheese into thin slices.

If you don’t know how to eliminate the smell from the cat litter, you can add some baking soda to it. Or that warm rice, put in a bag and then in a sock, will save you from pain because it is an excellent thermal remedy. – Probably not, which is why today, on our site of interesting facts for you, a selection of life hacks for every day. Another hack is to make the mascara easier to apply; you should douse the brush with warm water—no need to poke the brush up/down inside the tube. Before using the next layer of mascara, it is better to rotate the brush in a circle. Removing bags under the eyes will help with the usual ointment for hemorrhoids. It contains active substances that have an anti-inflammatory effect. They help to narrow the blood vessels, thus reducing the flow of blood to this place. It is essential to ensure that the ointment does not get on the mucous membranes, for example, in the eyes.

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

Personal finance. It is a subject that is part of anyone’s routine, but have you ever thought college is an excellent time to start establishing a healthy relationship with money? After all, if you reach this stage still young, the chances of achieving a quiet financial situation during adulthood and old age are much higher!

As if it were not enough to worry about the grades at the end of each semester, one of most university students’ significant problems is dealing with the lack of money. It is difficult to pay for college, rent, books, transportation, and food. It also excludes the other activities included in the student’s daily life!

Has this scenario seemed too familiar to you? To help organize your financial life, here are several tips for keeping your accounts in order and saving for a better future. Check out!

How to Organize Personal Finances Early?

Have you ever wondered if you had taken a course called Financial Planning for Beginners in elementary or high school? No doubt you could consider yourself privileged! After all, most students do not have any contact with financial education during their primary education.

That is why, when they reach youth and adulthood, people find it difficult to start saving, even knowing the basics about how to make investments. In the family, financial education is a topic that tends to pass well away from the conversations. Due to these shortcomings, people get into debt quickly. They often live with the rope around their necks to close the accounts at the end of the month.

But beware: even with this unfavorable track record in the country, you’re not required to go that route, okay? Quite the opposite: you can take advantage of college time to start your financial planning and thus not suffer from the lack of money in the future.

It is noteworthy that, because you are young, you have several advantages that others no longer have, such as time to accumulate resources. In addition, youth is when you can change habits more efficiently and have more energy to overcome challenges. So, anyone who realizes early on the importance of setting economic goals will possibly achieve goals equally soon.

Revenue and Expenses

Revenue can be understood as all the money that goes into your budget, be it salary, internship, remuneration for freelance work, or the result of the sale of products or services, among other diverse possible origins. The expense is the opposite, referring to the amounts that leave your budget. In an ideal scenario, revenues must exceed costs. Otherwise, your budget will turn red.

Savings and Investment

If you strive to leave a scrap of resources every month, you can form a saving – here understood as the result of the act of saving and not like that famous application offered by the banks. Getting into the habit of keeping monthly, you accumulate, little by little, a significant amount. With this, you can go to the investment world to make your money yield.

What to do with Debt?

No matter how rare it is for someone to live without making a debt, this cannot be an excuse for the lack of control of personal finances! The idea is not to have outstanding debt. If you cannot keep it that way, try to adjust the obligations to your income and ability to pay. And without despair because we will explain this relationship later.

While outsiders may think that a student has no reason to have debts, the truth is that graduation requires a lot of spending. For example, only the funding for a particular college already represents a relevant portion of the monthly budget. Even if I can start repaying the principal amount of the loan only after graduating, part of the income will still compromised for four years or even more.

Cash Flow

When faced with so many possibilities of debts, controlling everything that comes in and what goes out of the personal budget is essential when organizing finances. To do so, get used to using a management tool called cash flow – which is much used in the business environment. Believe me: this feature will be very useful in achieving a very bluish financial life!

To make it easier to understand, imagine this tool as an employee of any company’s warehouse who must write down everything that comes in and everything out of stock. In your case, you will use the cash flow to record your budget’s receipts (receipts) and outflows (expenses). Thus, you will know exactly where your money came from and where your money went.

By adopting this strategy, you will not forget the little expenses that usually go unnoticed, making a big difference at the end of the month. We are talking about coffee with cheese bread in the college cafeteria and even that ice cream you drink for dessert every 15 days.

It is quite true that it is not enough to record expenditure. It is necessary to think critically about all expenditures to identify which are essential and necessary but can be postponed and which are superfluous and should be left out.

Moreover, using resources from these sources shows that the university has not adequately controlled its finances!

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.

What would a company be without marketing? Marketing is a fundamental tool for any company at any level. Do not be disappointed with the false idea that marketing is synonymous with television ads. This discipline goes much further.

Then we will discuss a few marketing tips, and you can start up those ideas that flutter in your head for your company and that, for some reason or another, have remained just that. While it is true that marketing strategists and advertising analyze insights to know their consumer audience and generate campaigns capable of creating needs, it is also clear that the consumer is no longer seduced so easily. Four out of ten users of smartphones or smartphones are looking for and being informed of some product directly online to acquire it later, for example.

It means that people with this technology tend to research the product in the network before purchasing it. If the information does not convince you or does not meet your expectations, it could be the decision between choosing our product or not.

Another curious fact is that most people who ask for help, ask a question, or consult expect to receive information almost immediately. Waters!

A recent IBM study among 1,700 leaders in marketing revealed that 32% were not ready for the changes already manifesting in their areas of operation, in contrast to the 48% who said yes, be prepared for the challenges that it will present in the next five years.

• Use several means to advertise. Do not focus on a single medium; if you can invest in mass media such as television and radio, do not focus on a single space. The schedule of your ads varies from time to time.
• Use direct mail. Although digital media is booming, do not forget the effectiveness of physical mail, which produces good results with the right message to the target audience.
• Use a newsletter. Your website provides the opportunity for your customers to subscribe to the news you provide. Undoubtedly, the newsletter is a tool that will help you to reinforce the message you want to send to your clients.
• Email Marketing. Remember to use personalized email: do not send mass emails. You will see that you will get better results if you send individual emails. Always keep your list updated. Remember to get feedback on each campaign you use.
• Impeccable customer service. It is the most crucial thing and begins with answering the phone correctly. When a client has a problem, you must solve it as quickly as possible. It is essential to focus on the client. There is no other day to solve problems: today or never!
• Works of charity. We do not necessarily have to make monetary donations, but we can give our time to help organizations. Remember that the focus is not on your company but on an organization that makes a difference by helping others.
• Participate within your community. Be part of your community, help others, and show your human side to build a company’s positive image.
• Maintain a blog. It is an excellent way to get to know our clients and their thoughts. We can also reduce the distance between the company and the client. Take time to read the comments left by your customers and resolve your questions, complaints, or comments. It is a simple tool, but at the same time, potent; take advantage of it.
• Turn your business into 2.0. Create Twitter and Facebook, and take some time to learn how to use them with all your possibilities, participate and learn. Take advantage of the new opportunities offered by new technologies.
• Use your imagination. If you, more than anyone, know the market, the business, and your customers, dare to innovate, do not be one of the bunches, and be different. With your collaborators, try to create a new way to attract more clients, and you will see that you will obtain magnificent results.

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 fashion market is full of opportunities to start. Proof of that is the countless establishments that sell accessories of various styles according to the season’s trends. If you are interested in this segment and want to enter this but do not know how to open a jewelry store, continue reading and understand some crucial criteria to consider.

How to Open a Store: Study the Market

Two ways to maintain an accessories store are through a physical store or e-commerce. Analyzing the market before starting the venture is necessary because you need to face much competition in both cases.

Partner and manager of the Chilean virtual store Accessories, Carolina Ituraea, evaluates that the market is problematic because it is saturated. For her, while there are few e-commerce accessories, there is excellent competition and low prices.

“The online market is promising to the extent that you have a broad mix of categories and know how to deliver a good service, with good prices and offering the novelty factor. That is when you add products constantly, ” he analyzes.

Peculiarities of the Aftermarket

As in any market segment, opening an accessories store involves peculiarities to which the entrepreneur must pay attention. According to Carolina, you must be very informed about the latest trends through social networks, so observing the following season to know what will be imposed by fashion is necessary.

The trade manager of the Argentine store San Pretta, which focuses on handbags, shoes, and accessories, must constantly look for new niches and stand out in the offer. “Maybe the most significant difficulty is differentiating yourself from the competition. There are as many options in the local market as possible customers, “he points out.

According to her, the accessories and the ways to use them are diverse. “You can differentiate yourself in quality, colors, textures, materials, and contrasts and, in this way, generate a good balance between price and quality.

What You Should Analyze Before Opening a Store

You may doubt how to open a jeweler store even knowing the market. Therefore, analyzing some factors before entering the segment is essential.

Before starting the venture, knowing how to help the client is necessary. According to her, many girls need advice, and an accessory can make a difference in the look. “It is essential to understand that you are not only going to sell an accessory, you must also have knowledge and attitude. This is the key to having a store, “he says.

On the other hand, for Carolina, three points are essential. The first is that you like the sector because that makes the entrepreneur persevere in difficult times. “You have to fall in love with the project and be certain of your success.” In addition, she affirms that it is necessary to have an idea that differs from the rest and has an added value.

“Finally, I think it’s important to have a sufficient reserve to create the store in the way it was designed and to cope with the good and bad situations of the first months,” he clarifies.

Having a successful business means surviving amid competition. Incompetent markets such as fashion, offering a differential for customers is essential.

Carolina affirms that it is possible to stand out with an exciting mix of products, with accessories that follow the trend, but that has some peculiarity that makes them different in some way, different from what is found in each corner.

“A great challenge is to look for quality suppliers, with products of the trend, different and at a good price. This last issue is not easy because, unless you buy in large quantities, finding suppliers that meet the four factors is a constant challenge, “he says.

Plan the Store

From analyzing the market, knowing the sector’s peculiarities, and considering the issues mentioned in this text, you will learn how to open a store and start planning the company. Make a business plan, develop a marketing strategy, consider your store’s best location, and plan the initial expenses.

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 vast majority of small businesses now use social media and view them as critical to the success of their business, according to the Social Media Marketing Industry Report, which interviews more than 3,500 US entrepreneurs.

Facebook Dominates the Marketing of SMEs on Social Media

More than 93% of respondents use Facebook as a marketing method, compared to 79% on Twitter. Also, 62% of respondents believe they are increasing their investment in Facebook during the year. Instagram and Pinterest remain the social networks with the best growth, doubling their traffic from 2014 to 2015. YouTube remains the preserve of big businesses, while 71% of companies with 100 or more employees use it compared to 38% of self-employed workers.

B2B Companies Use Social Media Differently from B2C Companies

LinkedIn is the most used platform for B2B companies, while B2C companies are targeting Facebook to reach the mass of consumers present. This is very logical since B2B companies are primarily looking to reach buyers, marketing people, and other users who use LinkedIn a lot to expand their network of contacts. At the same time, Facebook makes it easy to get the majority of consumers around the world. 

Small Businesses Do Not Measure Most Results of Facebook Marketing Efforts

For many small businesses, no effort is made to measure the relevance of Facebook marketing. While 92% of small businesses agree that social media is essential to their business and that most people are marketing to Facebook, the majority have no idea if their marketing efforts on Facebook are giving them anything. Is. The results can be as broad as increased brand recognition or improved customer service. Ultimately, the problem is that many small businesses do not even ask themselves whether the expected results are achieved. Some do it without purpose, which is even worse.

Most small businesses plan to increase their activities on Facebook this year. Even if they are unsure of their effectiveness, most small businesses want to improve their investments on Facebook this year. Even though Facebook has been around since 2006, it is not surprising that most small businesses are still wondering how to use it to make it an effective tool for their business.

Most Small Businesses Spend More Than 6 Hours a Week on Social Media

Because of their many responsibilities, small business owners pay a lot of attention to the time it takes to maintain the various social media in their business. For many companies with 2 to 10 employees, the time spent per week is between 1 and 10 hours, with an average of 6 hours.

Brand recognition is the most important benefit for small businesses.

The effect of getting more visibility via social media is the most significant benefit for small businesses. While this is much more difficult to measure than traffic or bounce rate, small business owners consider it the essential benefit of social media. The other significant benefits, still according to small business owners, are increased website traffic, customer loyalty, and the development of admirers.

The Increase in Website Traffic is a Particularly Important Benefit

A tool like Google Analytics (or any other web analytics tool) will allow you to measure your social media’s impact on your website’s traffic. An important fact is that the greater the use of social media (and the length of time the company uses social media, too), the more significant the impact of increased website traffic. Like most marketing tactics, social media takes time to deliver concrete results.

Social Media Reduces Marketing Spend for Small Businesses

Social media has developed a reputation for reaching a large, low-cost audience. Although since 2014, it has been much more expensive, for example, getting a large audience on Facebook, most small businesses still believe that social media allows them to reduce their marketing expenses.

Direct Sales of SMEs on Social Media Increase Over Time

The goal of any marketing tactic is to increase the number of sales or leads. Measuring sales obtained via social media is still more challenging than, for example, using a Google AdWords campaign or organic SEO. One thing is sure: 70% of companies that have been using social media for more than five years are convinced of the increase in direct sales.

LinkedIn and SlideShare are Underutilized, Especially in B2B

If you are not targeting the public, use LinkedIn and SlideShare immediately to get to know you. Build firm profiles on LinkedIn for your most important employees, join groups on LinkedIn, and be sure to put all your presentations on SlideShare.

Visual Content is Much More Effective

Visual content is much more attractive than text content only. The increase in engagement on Facebook is in the order of 65%, according to Measured. In short, start thinking about video computer graphics and get out of the ordinary.

Finally, SMEs need to be agile when spending their marketing budget, and taking risks on smaller platforms can be very profitable. Your success rate can only increase when all your actions are based on internal data or research. With strong partners who know what they are doing, you can get more than exciting results on social media.

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.

Today, a smart factory is a factory that has adapted to the principles of what has come to be called Industrial Revolution 4.0. It is how all processes are digitalized and part of technological advances, especially from the so-called ERP and business control and management software.

What is an Intelligent Factory?

An intelligent factory consists of one that has first incorporated digitization as a flag. It supposes a factor by which complete control of all the production processes, sectors, and departments involved in its activity can continue. It applies to human resources, machinery, warehouse, stock control, production chain, distribution chain, etc.

An ERP or business management software can gather all the information related to the production of a business space. With this information, it is possible to make better decisions and, in general, to improve the whole business’s efficiency significantly.

For example, knowing the workings of the machines, their time stops, failures in production, consumption, and many other variables can help us adjust their performance as much as possible.

1. Control of the times

 The operators and the machinery comply with times that can be easily adjusted thanks to their knowledge and the control of downtime, breaks, or inefficient periods. With this, we can increase productivity and the quality of work for the operators themselves, making their tasks more dynamic and motivating.

2. Correcting faults in the production chain

The production chain is the backbone of any factory. That is why you should have great control over it and all the processes involved in it. An ERP is a tool that can allow us to correct failures simply and effectively, thanks to obtaining detailed information on the production chain. It will enable us to detect anomalies and errors in the supply chain in a minimum time to improve them, restore them, or delete them if necessary.

3. Improves the coordination and quality of communication

Another of the points that we must influence to get an intelligent factory is communication and coordination between different work teams, departments, and sectors of our productive space. In this way, we must ensure a continuous flow of information and be as organized and systematized as possible.

In this sense, the control and management software allows us to package the information efficiently to be transmitted and shared between departments and achieve better articulation and excellent performance.

4. Versatility, flexibility, and training

These three are some of the essential features that an intelligent factory should have. Versatility has to do with the ability to offer new answers according to the circumstances—flexibility, with obtaining new limits regarding performance through continuous improvement.

Finally, there is the question of training. It is a characteristic related to the previous two, which depends greatly on the circumstances of our factory or productive space.

It is precisely where, again, an ERP can fulfill an essential function thanks to its modular nature. It allows us to make the most of it specifically because it works by modules and will enable us to create an exclusive scheme for our company and sector. With this, he assures that the other two qualities, the versatility and flexibility of the same, are left overly covered.

5. Reduce costs

Thanks to all the points we have discussed and what ERP must do, they allow us to save on production costs. We minimize the time, waste, defects, and general waste of all kinds in our production. However, along with this, they can also make our business save a lot in losses thanks to the fact that they allow us to improve the quality of our future thanks to making better decisions in less time. In short, they make us much more competitive.

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.