Category: Content

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

Master the Art of Attention Management: Stop Managing Time and Start Focusing on What Matters

I’ve spent over twenty years running businesses, mentoring entrepreneurs, and guiding professionals. One realization I’ve made is that the busiest people are seldom the most productive. For decades, we’ve been taught strict “time management”— obsessively planning, scheduling, and racing against the clock. Yet, our days often still end feeling scattered and unproductive. But what if the issue isn’t time management at all? What if the solution lies in attention management instead?

Here’s the truth: You don’t need more time. You need sharper focus and smarter attention. Let me share how attention management transformed the way I—and hundreds of ambitious entrepreneurs—approach productivity.

The Shift from Time Management to Attention Management

Why traditional time management falls short

Time management tells us we should pack more tasks into less time. Yet here’s the reality: According to Lifehackmethod.com, 82% of people don’t even have a consistent time management system in place. Worse yet, the average worker spends about 51% of their daily tasks with little or no real value. You could optimize every minute on your calendar, but if those minutes are spent on distractions—like checking emails compulsively—you’ve lost already.

Have you ever found yourself multitasking, juggling emails, client calls, and strategy sessions simultaneously? You probably felt efficient. However, research from the American Psychological Association shows that multitasking actually cuts productivity by as much as 40%. Your brain isn’t built for multitasking. When you switch tasks, your mind essentially has to reboot, draining your mental energy each time.

I’m here to tell you: Time isn’t your problem. Where you’re directing your attention is.

The attention economy: Protecting your most valuable resource

Attention is the new currency. Major tech companies—Google, Facebook, and TikTok—compete fiercely for an ounce of your attention because they know it’s scarce and valuable. Every buzz, ping, and video autoplay is intentionally designed to hijack your focus.

Let’s end that cycle. When you become intentional about your attention, you’ll reclaim control, clarity, and peace of mind.

The Science of Focus: Understanding How Your Brain Works

Your brain loves distractions. It gives us instant gratification through dopamine, a “happy” chemical released every time we switch tasks. This chemical reward creates addictive behavior, trapping our brains into craving constant disruption.

Historically speaking, things were different. Did you know that in the 1960s, people’s attention spans were considerably longer? A Microsoft study now shows the average human attention span has fallen to just 8 seconds—less than a goldfish.

To regain control, here are strategies proven to improve concentration:

• Declutter Your Environment: A messy space leads to mental clutter.
• Single-Tasking: Commit fully to one task at a time.
• Deep Focus Time Blocks: Set periods of uninterrupted concentration to enhance deep, meaningful work.

Mastering Your Attention: Practical Strategies

The Pomodoro technique reimagined

The classic Pomodoro method (25-minute work sprints followed by short breaks) can be excellent. Still, I’ve found giving yourself freedom is even better. Identify your rhythm:

• Short sessions (15-25 min): Quick tasks or urgent matters.
• Medium sessions (45-60 min): Deep analytical work, client communications, bookkeeping analyses.
• Long sprints (90 min): High-creative endeavors, strategic planning sessions.

Experiment and find your optimal work-break balance. Remember, you’re managing your focus, not the ticking clock.

Deep work: Cultivating intense focus

Cal Newport popularized the “Deep Work” concept of working intensely without distractions. Here’s how to create your Deep Work sessions:

• Schedule distraction-free periods daily
• Mute unnecessary notifications
• Wear noise-canceling headphones

Over the years at Complete Controller, I’ve seen deep work transform productivity. Teams gain remarkable results by focusing on their essential business tasks.

In one case study shared by Focuswise.com, a company implemented this “Deep Work” system, teaching employees mindfulness and single-tasking. Their result? Significant improvements in productivity and noticeable reductions in workplace stress.

Taming the Distraction Beast: Managing Interruptions

Conducting a distraction audit

Not all distractions come from your smartphone. Internal distractions (overthinking, stress, daydreaming) can also splinter focus.

Conduct an audit:

• List external distractions (alerts, interruptions).
• List internal distractions (stress, wandering thoughts).
• Find solutions to neutralize each.

Why does this matter? A groundbreaking study from UC Irvine discovered each distraction can cost you over 23 minutes in lost productivity as you attempt to regain deep focus. Even short interruptions drain your mental energy.

Digital detoxing & tech boundaries

Establishing clear tech boundaries is vital. Happily.ai studied a tech company which implemented a digital detox policy—notifications blocked during working hours and smart apps introduced to minimize distractions. The outcome: highly improved mental clarity, reduced stress levels, and elevated workplace happiness.

Mindfulness and Attention: Strengthening Your Mental Muscles

Mindfulness exercises for enhanced clarity

Mindfulness is not merely about meditation; it’s training your brain to remain present. I often integrate simple mindfulness practices throughout the day:

• Box Breathing: Inhale deeply for four seconds, hold, exhale for four seconds, and hold again.
• Body Scan: Check in with your body; feel each sensation from toes to head.
• Three-Minute Awareness Reset: Pause, breathe deeply, watch your thoughts gently pass without judgment.

Link physical health to mental focus

Your body’s state directly influences your attention. Prioritize:

• Sleep: 7 to 9 hours nightly are vital for clear thinking.
• Nutrition: Include proteins and fats to boost cognitive function.
• Exercise: Even brief physical activity sharpens mental focus.

Designing Your Personal Attention Management System

At Complete Controller, we adopt productivity workflows that prioritize attention. You can employ similar practices, such as:

• Decluttered Workspaces: A simplified space equals simplified thoughts.
• Task Batching: Complete similar tasks together to lessen cognitive load.
• Effective Focus Apps: Tools like Forest and RescueTime guide intentional productivity.

Remember, productivity is a habit, not a lightning bolt event.

Measuring Your Success: Attention Over Hours

Measuring productivity based purely on hours worked is ineffective. Instead, consider:

• Focus Journals: Track when your mind wanders and why.
• Attention Scoring Tools: Use platforms like Brain.fm to assess actual cognitive engagement.
• Self-check-ins: Regular reflection on the quality of your attention.

Conclusion

Forget frantically managing the clock—it’s a losing battle. Instead, take back your attention. As you master attention management, you’ll enjoy heightened productivity, mental clarity, and greater satisfaction.

The beauty of this is clear: you’ll no longer finish days feeling frazzled. Instead, you’ll see results, clarity, and joy in productivity. Trust me, mastering this will revolutionize your approach to work.

To discover more productivity hacks and attention management strategies, explore our blog at Complete Controller.

FAQ

What is attention management?

Attention management means controlling your focus intentionally, rather than obsessing about time.

Is multitasking harmful?

Yes. Multitasking reduces your productivity by up to 40%. Single-tasking is more efficient.

How quickly can I improve my focus?

With consistent practice, expect to see noticeable differences within a few weeks.

How do I minimize distractions?

Conduct distraction audits, mute notifications, and use mindfulness to remain present.

Sources

• American Psychological Association
• Microsoft/Time Study
• Complete Controller
• Lifehackmethod.com, Timewatch, UC Irvine, Focuswise.com, Happily.ai, Smith A., Digital Journal

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.

Your business website needs to be exposed to a large audience. An audience that will go through the website will likely respond sooner or later. However, it is best not to have high hopes for a massive conversion as it takes time. Consider it: who would try innovative strategies to increase conversion rate if it were this easy? It is not, so keep trying and develop genius ways to optimize your site’s conversion rates. Remember that it will require you to do things you may not usually do. For instance, engaging with specialists and marketing consultants will provide you with enough tips to find helpful conversion-increasing tips. Be open to suggestions, and do not shy about implementing practical, effective ways to improve your site’s conversion rates.

Try implementing the following tips. These will surely help improve the conversion rate of your eCommerce site:

Make a Stellar Website

Your eCommerce site will attract many customers if it is pertinent, unique, and worth using. Make sure your eCommerce site looks fantastic. To do that, you must hire reputable web designers/developers. Give them the time they need, but ask them to meet or exceed your requirements. Do not rush things up; give ample time to develop a stellar eCommerce site.

Page Load Time

No matter how good your eCommerce may be, it is next to useless for customers with a slow response time. Remember, customers have access to thousands of eCommerce sites like yours. They will prefer buying from a site that loads fast. Therefore, page load time is essential as it saves customers time. Ask your developers to keep the page load time to 3 seconds or less. This might need a lot of customization, but it is worth investing in if it brings more traffic.

Responsive

We live in the age of multitasking. You can do things that you never thought you would using your smartphones. Purchasing products using smartphones is what millions around the world do every day. A responsive website can be used equally efficiently regardless of the hardware platform. Ensure that your eCommerce business has a responsive website and is accessible to customers all the time.

Easy to Navigate

What good is a website if it is complicated and challenging to navigate? You will spend more time finding product pages where your desired product might be listed. Make sure that your site is very well organized and easy to navigate. Pages must be in proper order, and customers must know where they are likely to find the desired product. This will bring more visitors to your website and possibly improve the conversion rate.  

Add Media and Images Where Appropriate

Your eCommerce site will likely get more traffic if it has relevant media and pics. Visitors love to go to these and learn more about the eCommerce site. Familiarize them with your company’s background, as it adds credibility and authenticity to your website.

Use PPC and SEO

Search for eCommerce sites on search engines, and it will show you thousands of sites on different pages. Sites that are listed on the first page attract more traffic. Organic searches also help, but using effective strategies is something you should do. Methods like SEO and PPC can work wonders for improving the search engine ranking of your eCommerce site. Ranking might not improve overnight, but it will surely improve, and you will notice favorable results. Run these campaigns consistently and repeatedly for the best results. Your eCommerce site will start to move up the ladder and improve its ranking. Just make sure to hire prominent SEO and PPC services for the job. PPC campaigns are paid so that you can run them from time to time. It will surely bring more visibility to your site and improve rankings. It will inevitably increase your site’s conversion rate and make it visible to audiences around the world.

Clear and Concise Product Descriptions

Your eCommerce site will attract buyers only if it has described products properly. Keep the description brief, but it should contain pertinent product details. Also, note that customers will skip products that lack high-quality photos.

They will give them a cursory look at best and scroll away. Take many high-resolution photos and choose the best three out of the lot. 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 is not strange if one states that we have still not come out of 3G and accepted 4G, reaching a point where 5G will change businesses. It is a powerful wireless technology that makes business processes more manageable. 

The technology offers wireless speed, a high data transfer rate, a large network capacity, and extensive user experience.

Being a game-changer, 5G will change businesses and beyond. Technology is essential for companies today to grow and connect to industries in different parts of the world, increasing their scalability overall.

Here are a few ways in which 5G will impact businesses.

Fast Processing Speed – It is All that Your Business Needs

The most apparent advantage will be quicker information speed, unlike that of 4G. 5G can arrive at a speed of 10GB each second — which is up to multiple times quicker than 4G! Downloading something that used to require a couple of moments will be conceivable in only a few seconds. Moreover, transfers and moves that once caused massive migraines will not be an issue. In this way, do not stress over-burdening your PC because 5G can likely deal with it!

Greater Capacity – Offering More than what a 3G or 4G will do

Envision strolling down a road with information towers introduced in each light post, never agonizing over network issues. With 5G, something to that effect will be a reality. The only inquiry is, how soon? 5G pinnacles are more modest than 4G ones and can be put in more areas than believable before. The limit regarding the concurrent utilization of various gadgets will likewise increment enormously. Since 5G organizations can uphold up to an expected 1,000,000 devices for each square kilometer, endeavors can undoubtedly uphold many gadgets in their workplaces.

More Efficient Remote Work – Utilize Talent from Every Part of the World

We have all accomplished the organization speed and availability dissatisfactions accompanying far-off work. To keep up a similar degree of execution, it is essential to build up stable availability and quick web speed. 5G will assume a critical part in this, as numerous representatives have been telecommuting during the COVID-19 pandemic. Indeed, even without interfacing with their business organizations, representatives can now achieve errands quicker than at any time in recent memory. 

Expanded Use of the Internet of Things (IoT) – IoT is the Next Big Thing

As per the IoT Agenda, The Internet of Things (IoT) is a game plan of interrelated enrolling gadgets, mechanical and progressed machines, articles, animals, or people outfitted with novel identifiers and the ability to move data over an association. Without anticipating that humans should have human or human-to-PC associations.

IoT gadgets create a lot of information for organizations to dissect, and their utilization is relied upon to increment with the ascent of 5G organizations. With the presentation of 5G, IoT will augment the productivity and concurrent utilization of gadgets while bringing their weakness down to cyberattacks. Conveyance organizations, for instance, can consolidate IoT with 5G to caution clients about bundle areas continuously while guaranteeing that solitary, the most productive courses are utilized. This implies more critical information for the two clients and organizations!

How 5G Will Change Business

5G will supercharge business. However, it is not as essential as changing to another organization’s supplier or agreement. Pioneers hoping to benefit from the far-reaching presentation of 5G can prepare by Remembering 5G for the spending plan. Like every innovation, 5G equipment will be more costly than 4G. For organizations to stay serious when a full-scale dispatch of the creation happens, they will need 5G-prepared hardware available and all set. Also, new technology is a trendsetter for businesses as it opens doors of opportunities so your business can work towards its betterment.

Regardless of whether your business is prepared for 5G coordination or is simply starting to think about its suggestions, the upheaval is undoubtedly on its way. With countless such upgrades, the sooner coordination occurs, the sooner organizations will receive rewards. Try not to stress if you are not prepared; there is still a great deal of time, cash, and definite organization planning vital before all that produces full results. Most organizations will take 1-5 years to dive in. 

So, begin deciding to use the following technology after 5G when it arrives! 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

How Blockchains Build Trust in Supply Chains Effectively

Blockchains build trust in supply chains by creating transparent, immutable records of transactions and enabling real-time tracking, which enhances security, accountability, and efficiency for businesses and customers alike. This revolutionary technology eliminates information silos and fosters collaboration among all stakeholders in the supply chain ecosystem.

In my 20+ years leading Complete Controller, I’ve watched countless businesses struggle with fragmented supply systems that breed mistrust and inefficiency. The statistics speak volumes—blockchain adoption in supply chains is projected to grow from $1.17 billion in 2024 to $33.25 billion by 2033, a staggering 39.7% annual growth rate. Through this article, I’ll share how your business can leverage blockchain to build unshakeable trust with suppliers and customers, reduce costly errors, and gain competitive advantage through enhanced transparency and security.

What are the ways blockchains build trust in supply chains?

• Blockchains build trust through transparency, immutability, security, efficiency, and real-time verification across all supply chain operations
• Transparent shared ledgers create a single source of truth visible to all authorized parties, eliminating information gaps
• Cryptographic security prevents unauthorized changes, creating tamper-proof records that counter fraud and counterfeiting
• Smart contracts automate transactions and compliance verification, reducing human error and streamlining operations
• Real-time tracking enables immediate identification of issues, from contamination to delays, allowing rapid response

The Foundational Role of Transparency in Blockchain-Enabled Supply Chains

Blockchain’s distributed ledger technology creates an unprecedented level of visibility across the entire supply chain network. Unlike traditional systems where each participant maintains separate records, blockchain establishes a single source of truth that all stakeholders can access and trust.

The impact of this transparency is transformative. Suppliers, manufacturers, distributors, retailers, and even consumers gain visibility into every transaction, from raw material sourcing to final delivery. This enhanced trust in logistics allows companies to build stronger relationships with partners and customers while differentiating themselves in increasingly competitive markets.

Eliminating information silos

Traditional supply chains operate with disconnected databases where information becomes trapped, creating bottlenecks and inconsistencies that breed mistrust. These silos make it nearly impossible to verify product origins or track movements accurately.

• Each participant only sees their immediate transactions, not the complete journey
• Data discrepancies between systems lead to disputes and delays
• Limited visibility prevents proactive problem-solving and risk management

Blockchain demolishes these silos by creating a shared record that updates in real-time for all participants. When information flows freely between stakeholders, collaboration replaces suspicion.

Enabling provenance verification

The ability to trace a product’s complete history—from raw materials to end consumer—represents one of blockchain’s most powerful trust-building capabilities for supply chains.

In 2006, a spinach E. coli outbreak took weeks to trace to its source, leading to industry-wide recalls and consumer panic. Compare this to Walmart’s blockchain implementation, which can now trace produce origins in just 2.2 seconds—reducing a weeklong process to mere moments.

Walmart’s food safety blockchain tracks 25+ products across five major suppliers using IBM’s Hyperledger Fabric platform. During contamination scares, this system allows for precise, targeted recalls rather than broad, costly actions that damage consumer confidence.

• Immediate verification of organic or fair-trade certifications
• Proof of compliance with regulatory requirements
• Authentication of raw material sourcing claims
• Documentation of proper handling throughout transport

Building consumer confidence

Modern consumers increasingly demand transparency about the products they purchase. They want to know their coffee was ethically sourced, their electronics weren’t made with exploited labor, and their food hasn’t been contaminated.

Blockchain enables brands to prove their claims rather than just making promises. By scanning a QR code, consumers can access a product’s complete blockchain history, verifying:

1. Origin location and production date
2. Processing methods and ingredients
3. Sustainability practices and certifications
4. Temperature conditions during transport
5. Authenticity verification for luxury goods

This level of transparency builds powerful trust between brands and consumers in ways previously impossible with traditional systems.

Security and Accountability in Decentralized Supply Chains

Blockchain technology in supply chains creates unprecedented security through cryptographic verification and distributed consensus mechanisms. Every transaction requires validation from multiple network participants, making unauthorized alterations virtually impossible.

This immutability creates a foundation for accountability across the entire supply chain network. When actions are permanently recorded and visible to all participants, responsibility becomes clear, and disputes become easier to resolve.

Combating counterfeits and fraud

Counterfeit goods trade could rise 75% by 2030, reaching a staggering $1.79 trillion globally. This represents not just economic damage but serious safety risks in sectors like pharmaceuticals and automotive parts.

Blockchain provides a powerful weapon against this threat by enabling verification of product authenticity at every step:

• Each genuine product receives a unique digital identity on the blockchain
• Transfer of ownership is tracked through secure transactions
• QR codes or RFID tags link physical items to their digital records
• Any attempt to introduce counterfeit goods becomes immediately apparent

In pharmaceuticals alone, blockchain could reduce counterfeit drug distribution by 30%, potentially saving $100-150 billion annually in healthcare costs by 2025. This represents not just financial savings but protection of patient safety and brand integrity.

Strengthening audit trails

The immutable record created by blockchain transforms compliance processes across highly regulated industries. Instead of periodic, disruptive audits that sample limited data, regulators can gain continuous visibility into operations.

• Real-time verification of regulatory compliance
• Automatic documentation of quality control processes
• Permanent records of certification and testing results
• Simplified reporting for sustainability and ethical standards

For manufacturers of critical components, blockchain provides indisputable evidence of quality control and testing. A leading aerospace supplier implemented blockchain to track compliance certifications, reducing audit costs by 40% while strengthening documentation for safety-critical parts.

From Theory to Practice: Implementing Blockchain Solutions

Moving from blockchain concept to operational reality requires strategic planning and phased implementation. The technology alone doesn’t build trust—it requires thoughtful application to specific business challenges.

I’ve guided numerous businesses through digital transformations, and blockchain implementation follows similar patterns of success. The most effective approach combines technology adoption with cultural change and stakeholder alignment.

Bridging trust gaps with permissioned networks

While public blockchains like Bitcoin are completely open, supply chains typically benefit from permissioned networks where participants must be approved. This balanced approach maintains transparency among partners while protecting sensitive information.

Starting small with trusted partners allows organizations to demonstrate value before expanding:

1. Identify a specific pain point (traceability, compliance, counterfeit prevention)
2. Select a limited product category or geographic region for the pilot
3. Implement with a core group of willing supply chain partners
4. Document results and refine processes
5. Gradually expand to additional products and partners

When we first moved Complete Controller to cloud-based systems, we followed a similar phased approach. Building trust with early adopters created momentum that eventually transformed our entire operation.

Integrating IoT for real-time tracking

The power of blockchain multiplies when combined with Internet of Things (IoT) sensors that capture and record physical data automatically. These blockchain applications in logistics create real-time visibility into product conditions and locations.

• Temperature sensors ensure cold chain integrity for pharmaceuticals and food
• Humidity monitors protect sensitive electronics and paper goods
• Location tracking validates routing and prevents diversions
• Light sensors detect unauthorized package opening

When sensor data writes directly to the blockchain, it creates an objective, tamper-proof record that eliminates disputes about handling conditions. A wine importer uses this approach to guarantee temperature control during ocean transport, building buyer confidence in product quality.

Addressing adoption challenges

Despite compelling benefits, blockchain implementation faces real obstacles that must be addressed head-on:

Technical Integration Complexity

• Legacy systems often lack compatible APIs for blockchain connection
• Data standardization across multiple partners requires negotiation
• Network infrastructure must support increased communication demands

Organizational Resistance

• Established processes have institutional momentum
• Concerns about competitive data exposure must be addressed
• The benefits may not be equally distributed among participants

Cost Considerations

• Initial investment in technology and training
• Ongoing operational expenses for network maintenance
• Uncertainty about long-term return on investment

However, these challenges are being overcome as technology matures. A recent Deloitte survey found 57% of supply chain companies plan to invest over $1 million in blockchain by 2025, signaling growing confidence in positive ROI.

Future Trends: Enhancing Trust Through Advanced Technologies

Blockchain’s evolution continues at a rapid pace, with emerging capabilities that will further strengthen supply chain trust. The most promising developments combine blockchain with complementary technologies to create integrated solutions.

AI-driven predictive analytics

The vast data repository created by blockchain transactions provides fertile ground for artificial intelligence applications. Machine learning algorithms can analyze patterns to predict disruptions before they occur:

• Identifying potential supplier quality issues before they affect production
• Forecasting shipping delays based on historical performance
• Detecting unusual transaction patterns that might indicate fraud
• Optimizing inventory levels to prevent stockouts and reduce carrying costs

This predictive capability transforms blockchain from a record-keeping system to a strategic decision-making tool. Companies gain not just transparency about what happened, but insights into what might happen next.

Sustainability and scope 3 emissions

Environmental sustainability has become a strategic priority, with companies facing growing pressure to document their carbon footprint across the entire supply chain. Blockchain provides the mechanism to capture and verify this critical data.

• Carbon emissions tracking from raw material extraction to final delivery
• Verification of renewable energy usage by suppliers
• Documentation of sustainable harvesting and manufacturing practices
• Proof of proper waste disposal and recycling

A global apparel brand uses blockchain to verify organic cotton sourcing and ethical labor practices, providing consumers with scan-able codes that reveal the complete sustainability story behind each garment.

Cross-industry collaboration

As blockchain matures, standards and best practices are emerging that enable broader ecosystem integration. Maersk’s TradeLens blockchain platform (developed with IBM) demonstrates this trend, tracking 30 million container shipments annually across multiple shipping lines, ports, and customs authorities.

This collaborative approach reduces document handling costs by approximately 20% for partners while accelerating cargo clearance through ports. The digital ledger for supply chain verification becomes more valuable as it connects more participants across industry boundaries.

• International standards organizations developing common protocols
• Industry consortia creating shared blockchain infrastructure
• Government agencies adopting blockchain for trade documentation
• Financial institutions integrating payment systems with supply chain platforms

Building Your Blockchain Strategy

The question isn’t whether blockchain will transform supply chains, but how quickly and which organizations will lead versus follow. The technology has moved beyond experimentation to deliver measurable business value.

To position your organization for success, consider these strategic steps:

1. Assess your current supply chain pain points where trust, visibility, or efficiency gaps exist
2. Identify potential blockchain use cases that address specific business problems
3. Evaluate your ecosystem readiness by gauging partner willingness to participate
4. Start small with targeted pilots that demonstrate clear ROI
5. Build internal blockchain competency through training and strategic hiring

The most successful implementations I’ve seen focus on business outcomes rather than technology for its own sake. Blockchain becomes transformative when it solves real problems that matter to your customers and partners.

Final Thoughts: The Future of Trust in Global Supply Chains

Blockchains build trust in supply chains by creating transparency where opacity once reigned, security where vulnerability existed, and efficiency where friction dominated. The technology transforms not just operations but relationships among all participants.

In my years helping businesses modernize their financial systems, I’ve seen how technology can either build or erode trust. Blockchain stands apart as a trust-building technology by design—its very architecture creates accountability and verification.

As we navigate increasingly complex global supply networks, this trust infrastructure will become as essential as physical infrastructure. The companies that embrace blockchain today are building competitive advantage for tomorrow.

If you’re considering how blockchain might transform your supply chain operations, the team at Complete Controller can help you evaluate the financial implications and integration strategies. Contact us for expert guidance on this and other digital transformation initiatives.

FAQ

How exactly do blockchains create transparency in supply chains?

Blockchains create a shared digital ledger that records every transaction and product movement. Unlike traditional systems where each company maintains separate records, blockchain provides a single source of truth visible to all authorized participants. This eliminates information gaps and discrepancies that breed mistrust.

What types of supply chain fraud can blockchain prevent?

Blockchain prevents counterfeiting by creating verifiable digital identities for products, stops double-invoicing through transaction validation, prevents unauthorized substitution of inferior materials by tracking components, reduces document forgery through cryptographic verification, and limits “ghost shipments” by requiring consensus validation of transactions.

How much does implementing blockchain in a supply chain typically cost?

Implementation costs vary widely based on scale and complexity, typically ranging from $50,000 for small pilots to several million for enterprise-wide deployment. Most companies start with targeted applications showing clear ROI, like reducing counterfeit losses or streamlining compliance, before expanding. Cloud-based blockchain-as-a-service options have significantly reduced entry costs.

Can blockchain help with regulatory compliance in supply chains?

Yes, blockchain creates immutable audit trails that satisfy regulatory requirements across industries. It automatically documents compliance with safety standards, tracks chain of custody for controlled substances, verifies ethical sourcing claims, provides evidence for customs documentation, and simplifies reporting for environmental regulations—all while reducing manual paperwork and audit costs.

How does blockchain integrate with existing supply chain systems?

Modern blockchain platforms offer APIs and middleware that connect with existing ERP, WMS, and TMS systems. This allows organizations to implement blockchain without replacing core infrastructure. Data can flow bidirectionally between legacy systems and the blockchain through integration layers, while IoT devices can write data directly to the blockchain through secure gateways.

Sources

• Acropolium. “Blockchain for Supply Chain Management: Benefits & Use Cases.” April 2025. www.acropolium.com/blog/blockchain-supply-chain-management
• Corsearch. “Counterfeit Goods Could Rise 75% by 2030: Study.” 2024. vmsd.com/counterfeit-goods-could-rise-75-by-2030-study
• Deloitte. “Using Blockchain to Drive Supply Chain Transparency.” December 2023. www2.deloitte.com/insights/blockchain-supply-chain
• Deloitte. “Blockchain Adoption Growing Fast in Supply Chain Industry.” 2019. modernconsensus.com/technology/deloitte-report-blockchain-adoption-growing-fast-supply-chain
• IBM. “What are the Benefits of Blockchain?” November 2024. www.ibm.com/blockchain/benefits
• IMARC Group. “Blockchain Supply Chain Market Size and Forecast to 2033.” 2024. www.imarcgroup.com/blockchain-supply-chain-market
• ISM World. “How Blockchain Can Enhance Transparency, Traceability and Trust.” September 2023. www.ismworld.org/blockchain-transparency
• Kordestani et al. “Enhancing Security, Transparency, and Efficiency of Blockchain.” Frontiers in Blockchain. 2024. impactfactor.org/PDF/IJPQA/15/IJPQA,Vol15,Issue2,Article71.pdf
• LF Decentralized Trust. “Walmart Case Study.” 2023. www.lfdecentralizedtrust.org/case-studies/walmart-case-study
• Maersk. “TradeLens Amid Surging Use of Digital Solutions.” 2020. www.maersk.com/news/articles/2020/10/15/tradelens-amid-surging-use-of-digital-solutions
• McKinsey & Company. “Blockchain: A Catalyst for Supply Chain Transformation.” www.mckinsey.com/business-functions/operations/our-insights/blockchain-a-catalyst-for-supply-chain-transformation
• Oracle. “Blockchain for Supply Chain: Uses and Benefits.” October 2024. www.oracle.com/blockchain-benefits
• PMC. “How blockchain technology improves sustainable supply chain.” December 2022. www.pmc.gov/blockchain-supply-chain
• Rapid Innovation. “Blockchain in Supply Chain Management: Transparency & Efficiency.” 2024. www.rapidinnovation.com/blockchain-supply-chain
• Seko Logistics. “How Blockchain Technology Is Transforming Supply Chain.” September 2024. www.sekologistics.com/blockchain-transformation
• Walmart Inc. “Press Release: Walmart Deploys Blockchain to Track Leafy Greens.” 2018. corporate.walmart.com/content/dam/corporate/documents/press-center/in-wake-of-romaine-e-coli-scare-walmart-deploys-blockchain-to-track-leafy-greens/press-release-leafy-greens-on-blockchain.pdf
• Wikipedia. “Blockchain.” en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blockchain

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.

Just as New York is the city that never sleeps, the self-employed are the worker who (almost) never rests. The truth is that many self-employed people cannot afford to close their businesses during the summer season. Some of them, especially those dedicated to the hospitality or tourist sector, are kept at the canyon’s bottom to make the August, and that is never better said.

Aware of this situation, we would like to offer you some management tips so that you can manage your business more efficiently in these summer months, whether you decide to hang the closed sign for holidays or not.

 

Accounting Analysis Before “Throwing Yourself into the Pool”

As we have just indicated, you must weigh whether you want to go on vacation. Your business model may require more production during the holiday season, but the opposite can also happen.

The best way to determine the profitability of keeping your business open throughout the summer is by reviewing your current accounting situation and previous summers. If the expenses have been exceeding the income, you can not only close for a period, but you must do so, and if not, you must continue to invoice.

Plan and Advance Your Tasks

We will not deny it; work in August can be a nuisance, but if you advance your tasks to July and thus alleviate the workload, it is possible.

Even if you have not decided to leave on vacation, July and August are ideal for setting your business objectives for the “next course.” Yes, you heard correctly. For many businesses, September marks a return to the load and an exceptional time to implement those changes or novelties.

Help Others: Delegate Tasks

We have advised you to advance tasks in the previous point, but this would mean an overload of work. What is the solution? Do it if you have hired qualified staff to participate in your daily routine. Delegating tasks not only leaves you more complimentary but also reinforces the management skills of your trusted employees. In this way, you will only have to be aware of the most urgent aspects.

Inform Your Customers Conveniently

If you finally choose to close for a while or reduce the opening hours, do not forget to give notice in advance. We do not speak of a day or two before but must inform at least one week in advance and by all possible means. It is best to send a reminder email of the closing or the new schedule to your list of users. Of course, do not forget the automatic email notifying you of your absence during the holiday period.

Create Summer Promotions

For many businesses, summer is the high season. For many others, the summer period is synonymous with falling billing. Despite this, many self-employed cannot close, but they must continue making cash to cover the activity’s expenses. If this is your case, how can you increase your income?

You can consider a maxim that many self-employed entrepreneurs serve: if demand declines, you lower your prices. In this way, you can attract potential customers and encourage the purchase of your products or services.  

 Form and Apply Your New Knowledge

Renew or die is another of the maxims that you should consider, especially in the summer months, the perfect time to catch up on those areas of your activity in which you falter. The pace of work slows down and leaves you with time for that online seminar that you had wanted to do for some time or the book on management techniques that you bought for months and have stored on the bookshelf. After the holidays, you can put everything you have learned into practice in your business.

Create Your Editorial Calendar and Program on Social Networks

It is more than possible that the traffic to your website will be affected through social networks in the summer, but this does not mean you should forget to keep your profiles updated. Otherwise, you will lose the trust of your followers.

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.

Commercial reports reflect the most relevant characteristics of a particular company. Therefore, as a source of reliable business information – your data is extracted from official public sources – they can help you decide what affects your business to a greater or lesser extent. Business reports are essential for all business owners. 

Consulting the commercial reports will allow you to evaluate the solvency and level of risk of operating with a new supplier, client, or business partner. Providing information about your current economic situation, the evolution you have experienced in your volume of income, business relationships you have had, or your reliability of payments, among others.

In specialized platforms in this type of report, it is possible to quickly and easily access the necessary information to analyze, from the same document, all the data of interest about the company: identification, corporate structure, financial ratios, possible delinquency or score of liquidity -that is, a score of 0 to 100 that measures the probability of a company being late in its payments, and eminently helpful fact when negotiating an agreement-, in addition to other information of interest to the employer as if it has any pending judicial or administrative claim.

Here are some of the most important things to know about business reports.

Commercial Reports Before Deciding

As it could not be otherwise, the commercial reports primarily collect data of a financial nature, beneficial to evaluate the convenience, or quite the contrary, to establish a contractual relationship with another natural or legal person.

That is why consulting business reports is recommended before taking a false step. Here we tell you the five main ones:

Evaluate the Feasibility of a Commercial Operation

To select the best prospect among suppliers, customers, and regular collaborators, it is necessary to analyze them beforehand. Financial entities, telecommunications companies, and supply suppliers consult commercial reports to evaluate the profitability of the contractual operations before they are signed.

Discover What the Organizational Structure of a Company is Like

Part of a company’s success is in its organization and contacts, so knowing the structure of its board of directors will help you discover some of its players. Such as the founders of the entity, account auditors, executive management, and shareholders that form it. Information of great usefulness in searching for business alliances. This makes it possible to meet the people who are part of its management and its relationship with other professionals and companies.

Evolution of Your Trade Ratios

In addition to collecting its hierarchical structure, the report adds a block on the evolution of its sales and its impact on the market concerning the average of its sector. Analyzing the company’s income and expenses and its development over the years will make it easier for you to identify your growth possibilities and, with it, the viability of investing in your business idea, being part of the company, or even buying it.

Access Your Financial Information

Knowing your financial structure, that is, the composition of your balance sheet, the sources that support the development of your business activity, and the result of your income statement will enable you to know the profitability and level of risk of a commercial operation before its closure.

Know the Trends of the Sector

Commercial reports also contribute to the analysis of the different competitors that make up a specific sector of activity and, with that, what the best possibilities are to do business. Understanding the market’s functioning and the industry’s trend will allow you to identify possible business opportunities, launch a new line of products or services, or acquire a competitive advantage. 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.

Investors look for different ways to diversify their portfolios and increase their ROI. At the same time, companies go for diversification to add new products in new product lines and enter new markets utilizing new opportunities. For companies operating in an environment that does not work for them, chances are all their investments can go down the drain. Considering that even a single threat can put investors and companies at stake, diversification will significantly help you in your journey to success.

Understanding Diversification

For investors, investing all their earnings in a single basket can pose a severe threat in the future. Diversification allows them to reduce the risks of losing returns, making things easier for them in the future. Consequently, diversification for companies is a means to enter new markets or develop new products or services. In short, if it so happens that your diversification turns into a success, chances are it will accelerate your returns on investment like no other strategy.

So, consider not putting all the eggs in the same basket as the rule of thumb if you start as an investor or entrepreneur. Instead, consider diversifying your venture as much as you can. Diversifying is sharing, and it is a way to reduce risk. 

Take this as an example to understand the concept, i.e.: If you put all your meals in the same basket and it gets dunked in the dustbin, you will have nothing left and have to live for a day dying from hunger. Taking the same example in an actual setting, i.e., the money market, losing all the money because of your investment in one basket can be quite a setback, causing you to recover a lot while significantly reducing your profitability.

Today, most companies are devising their diversification strategies because they understand the risk of putting all the money into a single project. Coca-Cola, Fanta, Sprite, and Nordic are some of the most common examples. While these companies are already soaring higher in returns, they get a chance to secure their future through diversification.

Types of Diversification

Diversification is of a few different types, and considering the minor differences, understanding the concepts can be a little confusing for beginners. Consider the type per your niche, whether concentric, conglomerate, or horizontal and unleash your hidden potential. Let us explore the subject a little in detail and see how it can fit your scope. 

Geographic Diversification

Not all successful countries today can give you a secure future. Consider this example; for instance, all the developed companies today were once in their developing stage, and due to any contingent event, chances are they might not stay the same in the future. So, while researching to invest in a foreign country, consider Geographic diversification to save yourself from the repercussions.

Asset’s Diversification

If you are an investor thinking of investing only in shares or a single company, chances are you are getting yourself in serious trouble. So, diversify your portfolio. Invest in shares, bonds, or even as challenging as cryptocurrency, as if one of the markets goes down, the other might reduce your problem.

Temporary Diversification

While the time value of money does not directly apply here, understanding this might help you know temporary diversification. If you did not know already, the money today would not have the same value in the future, and it is better to receive returns today than in the future. Consequently, through temporary diversification, you get to invest in different time frames to make the risk factors as minor as possible. 

Summing Up

Investing can be mentally draining while we spend hours on end earning and securing our lives. You must ensure you are trying out every route to improve your strategies, and diversifying your portfolio helps you achieve that. Diversification helps us from losing our money and provides substantial ROI. Also, we can proficiently fight high and low volatility in the financial markets with diversification. So, while you are at it, ensure you are researching every market while choosing the one that perfectly fits your requirements.

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.

Do you want to leave your job for nine hours? Perhaps you wish to do that after watching Steve Jobs’ shows on Netflix. There can be a reason, as maybe it is your dream to become an independent business. If you are also the same boat traveler, you must beware of alarming statistics. If you want to reduce your chances of failing, read on to learn specific points you should avoid ensuring success.

There is no issue if you make mistakes, as every successful entrepreneur succeeds by making many mistakes. There are lots of things you need to understand if you want to be a successful entrepreneur. Let us learn!

1. Do not be envious

The success of others should motivate you to be better, even when it comes to your competition. You must understand that each business or person will likely be successful, and wasting time worrying about what others do or stop doing will divert you from your goals and progress.

2. Do not look back

Yes, it is essential to learn from past mistakes, but you should not focus on them to the extent that they are the only thing you see. Keep looking ahead to the future and what you can improve or change to not repeat past mistakes. Find new ways to overcome obstacles to continue the progress of your idea, business, or project.

3. No excuses

Making a wrong decision or making a mistake can happen to anyone. If this happens, accept your responsibility, and do not look for excuses. If something does not go as planned, look for the cause of the error, learn the lesson, and find a way to solve it. If you remember problems or mistakes, likely, you will not make them again.

4. Keep learning

It does not matter how much experience you have or if this is your first or tenth business. No one knows everything, and all people live in processes of constant learning. Look around you and turn on others who do things better than you; look for success stories online and try to learn about companies like yours and the qualities that have led them to success; talk with other people about your ideas and listen to their opinions.

5. Stay away from negative people

Some people always complain, look for an easy way out, or generally have an opposing perspective in any situation. Seek to partner or work with people who encourage you to be better, have fresh and well-founded opinions, and who want to achieve your exact goals.

6. Don’t work without a plan

There are many moments during the birth of a new business or project in which we lose our way and begin to take blind steps. These points can be dangerous since they can lead you to waste time or act in vain. Organize a short, medium, and long-term plan to achieve success efficiently. Review these plans regularly to make sure you are taking the right actions that will get you to achieve your goals and modify those points that you think may be moving away from your goals due to circumstances.

7. Avoid risk

There are further disruptive inroads of industries that let all entrepreneurs play with care and safety. No one gets an inch of success sitting in their zone of comfort. You must have to do something and sacrifice something. You will have to take some chances in such cases, but it does not mean you try risks.

You can take a little risk in business but must have a strong backup. In this way, you will cope with any loss. Entrepreneurs who have taken their first step in the business world worry about their investment in a new business. They do not know where to invest and how much they should invest. For example, suppose you belong to a specific job and shift towards another business. In that case, you will have to think about a hundred times about stepping into the new location. 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.

Currently, there are two basic approaches to determining the compensation of the employees in the company. Both methods require that the person be placed in a specific position in the organization, for example, production manager, editorial adviser, secretary, messenger, or general assistant.

It is also crucial that the following is known about each position:

• Title
• Purpose
• Responsibilities
• Expected Results
• Priorities
• Ideal Characteristics
• Expected Work Environment

Ideally, the compensation calculation in a company will happen before a person gets hired for the position. However, since each employee will have different skill levels and experience, it must be factored into the calculations.

Steps to Compensation Calculation

Step 1. Obtain information from the clearing market

This approach determines how much to pay for a job through a compensation market survey. For example, if you wanted to decide how much to pay for the position of accountant in a small company, it would be enough to know how much other counter places earn in other companies similar in size to the one we are dealing with and which is the information contained in the compensation surveys.

Step 2. Decide the level of competitiveness of the compensation we need to pay

Once you have the information on the market compensation for the position, which in the example is that of an accountant, the crucial decision of the employer is to decide what professional quality is wanted in the person filling the position.

In the case of the example, as long as you want to have an accountant with more preparation, experience, and skills, the level of compensation awarded should be more competitive. This decision is generally made considering the significant range of compensation included in the survey between the minimum and maximum reference market.

Step 3. Build a salary range that allows locating the occupants of the position according to their level of performance

To maintain internal equity in the company at different performance levels, you must also correspond to different compensation levels in the same position. For this reason, once you have decided on the level of competitiveness of the required compensation, you can.

You want to pay (compensation policy of the company). You need to build a range around that level of compensation that has been decided. Thus, within that range, the company can pay differential compensation at different performance levels of the company occupant of the position. 

The compensation approach by the content of responsibility of the post requires you to evaluate the position’s responsibilities.

It is assumed that you have a “job description,” which in some way identifies the reason for the position in the organization, its primary responsibilities, the results figures that impact the situation, the resources on which it acts, its main activities, and the most relevant aspects of the work environment in which the position is performed.

On the other hand, as in this case, the compensation is based on the content of responsibility of the position in the particular organization. The essence of this approach is that the company has a method that allows it to measure the responsibility content that the posts have of the organization, that is, with a method of valuing positions.

Once the positions have been valued, this approach allows a more precise diagnosis, both of the internal equity of the company and the external competitiveness of its compensation practices. Then, decide your level (policy) of compensation, Build your salary ranges, and, finally, have a firm technical basis to manage the staff salaries based on performance.

Compensation

It is the financial compensation that a collaborator receives for the services provided to a particular company or institution, which may be physical, mental, and visual efforts developed by a collaborator in favor of an employer or employer; in work contracts, the low conditions to which services are provided.

Objectives of the Compensation

These objectives create conflicts, and compromise solutions must be sought. Another essential aspect is the broad potential of the area to promote criteria of equality between people.

Among the most common and precise objectives that meet the compensations we have:

• Equitable compensation
• The attraction of qualified personnel
• Retain current employees
• Guarantee equality
• Alert adequate performance
• Control costs
• Comply with legal provisions
• Improve productivity and administrative efficiency

Characteristics of Compensation

Within the main unique characteristics of the compensations:

• It is a consideration
• It must be freely available
• It must be paid in cash
• It is intangible
• It is unattachable
• It has preferential or prevalent character compensation

The form of compensation for the payments will be made according to the company’s legal provisions in force and usual procedures.

The compensations are paid in cash or in kind.

Compensation must be paid after having made the provision of services, and the agreed periods may be weekly, biweekly, monthly, semi-annually, or annually. For this purpose, the respective payrolls and compensation slips must be prepared.

Fundamentally, there are three ways to determine the financial compensation of the collaborators:

• By time
• By performance or result
• By class of collaborator

Compensation Conditions

The compensations and their reimbursements must be made directly to the employee unless they are proxies with the status of spouse, child, elder brother, or father.

The compensation may be made directly by the employer or through third parties, provided that the latter case allows the employee to have the compensation at the time established at no cost.

The compensation must be paid to the employee in the agreed manner after having performed the provision of services, and the agreed periods, except when by agreement for the nature of the contract or by custom, must be paid in advance or periodically. 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.

When someone establishes themselves as a freelancer, many newbies often think that serving an extensive range of clients is better for their business because they will get more clients when trying to fit a group of older people.

In practice, just the opposite happens: specializing is a good thing for your business, and we will see three fundamental reasons explaining why this specialization is positive.

Specializing Will Make You More Visible

You are first; being specialized offers you greater visibility on Google. If you think of searches, a generic term such as “developer” will have exceedingly high competition, so if you try to position yourself on the first page of results for this term, it is likely to be quite challenging to achieve and even more in a short time.

Relevance is Critical in Google

The idea would be to specialize the search a bit, and all programmers know that there are many programming languages. Instead of writing a page saying that you are a “developer,” you would do well to say that you are a “PHP developer.”

But even so, this keyword formed by two words is likely too competitive, which would have to go a step further in specialization and specify what type of framework or development platform you specialize in. In this case, we can have “PHP developer in WordPress,” “PHP developer in Joomla,” or in many other platforms/ languages ​​that may exist.

When you describe your main competencies in your blog or on your website, it is essential that, at least for the main competencies you want to highlight, you create a specific page about this competition to allow you to position yourself well in Google for this term. In the case of the Joomla platform, you could have a page to:

• Plugin Development for Joomla
• Component Development for Joomla
• Module Development for Joomla
• Advanced layout for Joomla templates
• Use popular terms in your community!

Another exciting thing, if we take the example of a PHP developer in the WordPress community, is to identify the most popular or most used plugins or themes (which will surely be free) and try to position oneself for terms like «plugin customization X »Or customization of theme Y » because in this way, what you are going to attract are people who have an interest already identified. If you attend these visits by offering a solution to their problems, the play will likely go well:

• SEO WordPress configuration and adaptation
• Buddy Press installation and configuration
• Configuration and transformation of the theme Canvas

In general, this concept that I just reviewed is called the concept of the long tail (or Long Tail) and tells us that the most generic terms tend to have too much competition even if their popularity is significant (searches/month) and that is more intelligent if you want short-term results, try to attack many more specific terms, formed by 3 or 4 words that give you a search level/month much lower than the generic terms, but that will have a lower level of competence than yes it will allow you to position yourself very quickly on the first page of Google and this is what we want.

Friends Do Not Know How to Recommend You

The second point is that your level of recommendation is low if you do not specialize. I work on the internet, and a few weeks ago, a neighbor told me, «Hey Franck, how you work on the internet, and you are a computer scientist (I took it for granted) if you can go home that I have a problem with my PC, it has a virus. 

What happens is that I am not a computer technician, so my ability to help with these issues does not exceed that of an advanced user. Mine is digital marketing. Little must do.

People should be noticeably clear about what you are doing as a freelancer because, in this way, they can better explain to their network of contacts what you are doing and how you can help.

Suppose your mother does not understand very well what you are doing. In that case, you have a problem because these word-of-mouth recommendations are so necessary for freelancers, which also usually bring such good results that they will escape you. 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.