Restaurant Success Tips That Work

Essential Tips for Restaurant Success You Need to Know

Restaurant success tips start with mastering operations, marketing, and finances—focusing on local SEO, menu engineering, customer loyalty, cost control, staff training, and data-driven decisions to boost revenue and retention in a competitive industry. Smart restaurant owners prioritize financial discipline while leveraging technology to streamline operations and create memorable dining experiences that keep customers returning.

Over twenty years leading Complete Controller, I’ve partnered with hundreds of restaurant owners across every segment—from food trucks to fine dining establishments. The patterns are clear: thriving restaurants share specific habits that struggling ones ignore. My team has helped restaurants uncover 20% hidden savings through proper bookkeeping, double customer retention with data-driven insights, and transform chaotic operations into profitable enterprises. This article reveals the proven strategies that separate successful restaurants from the 17% that fail in their first year—strategies you can implement starting today. ADP. Payroll – HR – Benefits

What are essential restaurant success tips and how do you implement them?

  • Restaurant success tips encompass strategies for revenue growth, cost control, customer loyalty, operations, marketing, and staff management for long-term profitability and sustainability
  • Prioritize digital presence and local SEO to drive foot traffic and online orders, optimizing Google Business Profile for 7x higher visibility than websites
  • Use menu engineering and data analytics to highlight high-margin items, reducing waste and increasing table turnover
  • Build loyalty programs with personalized offers via email/SMS, turning one-time guests into regulars
  • Track finances rigorously with cloud bookkeeping to monitor costs, forecast trends, and avoid common pitfalls like overstaffing

Master Menu Engineering for Higher Profits

Menu engineering analyzes item profitability and popularity to guide customer choices toward high-margin stars while minimizing waste on low performers. This scientific approach transforms menus from static lists into strategic profit drivers.

The Brasserie, a full-service restaurant, implemented comprehensive menu engineering strategies including data analysis, item categorization, and strategic pricing. After applying these techniques, the restaurant achieved a 15% increase in average revenue per table through customers selecting strategically highlighted high-margin items. This success led them to commit to menu engineering reviews every six months.

Identify high-margin items and strategic pricing

Apply value bundles, dynamic pricing, and descriptive callouts to boost orders of premium dishes—restaurants using these strategies see 10-15% profit gains. Strategic placement of items in the “sweet spot” (upper right corner) increases selection rates by 20%, while adding photos to high-margin dishes boosts orders by 30%.

Portion control and seasonal rotations keep costs manageable while maintaining quality. Track each item’s contribution margin by calculating selling price minus variable costs, then promote items with margins above 70% through server recommendations and prominent menu placement.

Reduce food costs with smart sourcing

Track ingredient costs weekly using inventory management software that flags price increases and suggests alternatives. Partner with local farms for premium produce that reduces transportation costs and spoilage—many restaurants report 15% lower produce costs through direct relationships. Implement FIFO (first in, first out) rotation systems and train staff on proper storage to minimize waste.

Cross-utilize ingredients across multiple menu items to reduce inventory complexity. A single protein prepared three different ways or vegetables appearing in soups, sides, and entrees maximizes purchasing power while minimizing waste.

Build a Bulletproof Digital Marketing Strategy

Top restaurant success tips emphasize online visibility through optimized websites, social media engagement, and targeted ads to capture local searches. Digital channels now generate 60% of restaurant orders, making online presence non-negotiable for growth.

A struggling Reno pub invested strategically in Google Ads targeting local high-intent customers. Results included 952 direction requests in August 2025 alone (85.2% increase year-over-year), translating to 945 first-time visitors generating $19,100 in new sales. The pub achieved 35% year-over-year sales growth within months of campaign launch.

Optimize local SEO and Google Business profile

Update NAP (name, address, phone) consistency across all platforms, add high-quality photos weekly, and respond to reviews within 24 hours. Restaurant local SEO drives 7x more views than websites alone, making your Google Business Profile your most valuable digital asset.

Include detailed menu descriptions, highlight dietary options, and update special hours immediately. Posts about weekly specials or events appear directly in search results, capturing customers at decision moments. Encourage satisfied diners to leave reviews through table tents or receipt messages—each positive review increases click-through rates by 5%.

Leverage social media and paid ads

Post behind-the-scenes reels, user-generated content showcasing happy diners, and time-lapse videos of signature dish preparation. Instagram Stories featuring daily specials drive 3x more engagement than static posts. Geotargeted PPC campaigns on Google and Meta deliver high-ROI by reaching nearby users searching for dining options.

Retarget website visitors with special offers, converting browsers into orders. Create lookalike audiences based on your best customers’ profiles to find new diners with similar preferences and spending patterns.

Create Unforgettable Customer Experiences

Personalization and ambiance convert first-time diners into loyal advocates. The restaurant industry maintains only a 55% retention rate—the lowest across all industries—making exceptional experiences crucial for survival.

Data reveals loyalty program members visit 20% more frequently and spend 20% more per visit compared to non-members. Loyalty traffic doubled from 2019 to 2024, now representing 39% of total restaurant visits. While overall restaurant traffic declined 2% in 2024, loyalty visits grew 5%, proving retention strategies work.

Personalize service with data insights

Implement customer relationship management systems that track preferences, allergies, and special occasions. Servers equipped with tablet-based guest histories can greet regulars by name, suggest favorite wines, and acknowledge anniversaries—personal touches that increase tips by 23% and return visits by 40%.

Use purchase data for tailored email campaigns featuring dishes similar to previous orders. Send birthday offers automatically and create VIP tiers rewarding top spenders with exclusive tastings or priority reservations.

Enhance ambiance and upsell training

Optimize lighting for different dayparts—brighter for lunch productivity, dimmer for romantic dinners. Add memorable touches like tableside Caesar salads, chef meet-and-greets, or complimentary amuse-bouches that create Instagram moments.

Train staff in consultative selling rather than pushy upselling. Servers who describe wine pairings as “enhancing flavors” rather than “adding to your bill” increase wine sales by 67%. Role-play exercises during pre-shift meetings build confidence in suggesting appetizers, desserts, and premium options.

Know what’s really driving profit. Complete Controller can help. Complete Controller. America’s Bookkeeping Experts

Tackle Staffing and Operational Efficiency

Labor costs plague restaurants at record levels—full-service establishments now spend 36.5% of sales on wages and benefits versus 33% historically. This 3.5 percentage point increase represents $35,000 annually for every $1 million in sales, making efficiency crucial.

Technology and smart scheduling reduce costs while improving service. Predictive analytics prevent overstaffing during slow periods and understaffing during rushes, balancing customer satisfaction with profitability.

Predictive scheduling and training programs

Workforce analytics software analyzes historical sales patterns, weather data, and local events to forecast optimal staffing levels. Restaurants using predictive scheduling report 8% lower labor costs and 15% higher customer satisfaction scores. Cross-train employees for multiple positions, creating flexible teams that adapt to demand.

Implement referral incentive programs offering $500 bonuses for employees who bring quality hires staying 90+ days. Restaurant staff retention tips include career development paths, performance-based raises, and shift flexibility for work-life balance.

Streamline with technology

Self-service kiosks reduce wait times while freeing staff for hospitality-focused tasks. Handheld POS systems enable tableside ordering and payment, turning tables 23% faster during peak hours. Kitchen display systems replace paper tickets, reducing errors by 40% and expediting orders.

Automated inventory systems track usage patterns and generate purchase orders, preventing stockouts and reducing waste. Integration between POS, inventory, and accounting systems provides real-time insights for immediate adjustments.

Prioritize Financial Discipline and Bookkeeping

Many restaurants fail not from bad food but poor financial management. I’ve witnessed countless establishments discover significant savings through proper bookkeeping—often 15-20% of revenue hiding in inefficiencies. Restaurant financial management separates thriving businesses from those merely surviving.

Weekly financial reviews catch problems before they compound. Restaurants monitoring key performance indicators (KPIs) consistently outperform those checking numbers monthly or quarterly.

Implement cost controls and forecasting

Monitor prime costs (food + beverage + labor) weekly, targeting below 65% for full-service restaurants. Use menu mix reports identifying slow-moving inventory for promotional pushes before spoilage. Set SMART goals like “increase Tuesday night covers by 15% in Q1” with specific tactics and accountability.

Create daily cash position reports tracking sales, deposits, and outstanding invoices. Forecast seasonal fluctuations using three years of historical data, adjusting purchasing and staffing accordingly. Restaurant financial management tips include automated alerts for unusual variances requiring investigation.

Outsource for expertise

Cloud bookkeeping services handle compliance, detect anomalies through pattern recognition, and generate actionable reports. Professional bookkeepers spot issues owners miss—duplicate vendor payments, incorrect tax filings, or missed vendor discounts. Outsourcing frees 10+ weekly hours for strategic growth initiatives while reducing errors by 75%.

Complete Controller’s restaurant clients receive customized dashboards highlighting profitability by menu item, labor efficiency ratios, and cash flow projections. Real-time financial visibility enables confident decisions about expansions, menu changes, or marketing investments.

Scale with Loyalty and Off-Peak Promotions

Strategic promotions fill empty seats without cannibalizing profitable peak business. Happy hours featuring high-margin appetizers and cocktails generate incremental revenue while building habituation for return visits.

Community partnerships create win-win scenarios. Host fundraisers taking 10% of proceeds while gaining exposure to new customer segments. Offer meeting space during slow afternoons, generating revenue from previously dead hours.

Design data-backed rewards

Structure point systems rewarding frequency over spending—visit-based programs create habits while spend-based programs can feel transactional. Offer double points on slow nights or for trying new menu items. Create experiential rewards like kitchen tours or wine dinners that strengthen emotional connections beyond discounts.

Omnichannel loyalty programs syncing dine-in, takeout, and delivery purchases capture complete customer value. SMS-based programs achieve 98% open rates compared to email’s 20%, making text messaging ideal for time-sensitive offers.

Final Thoughts

Restaurant success requires mastering multiple disciplines simultaneously—from menu psychology and digital marketing to financial rigor and genuine hospitality. The strategies outlined here transformed struggling restaurants into thriving enterprises generating sustainable profits and loyal followings.

Contrary to popular myths, restaurant failure rates hit record lows in 2025—just 0.9% failed in their first year according to Datassential research. Success is achievable when owners embrace data-driven decisions, prioritize customer retention, and maintain financial discipline.

Start implementing one strategy weekly: audit your menu for profit opportunities, claim your Google Business Profile, launch a simple loyalty program, or schedule weekly financial reviews. Small improvements compound into dramatic results. Ready to transform your restaurant’s financial operations? Visit Complete Controller to discover how expert bookkeeping support provides the insights and efficiency needed for sustainable growth. Download A Free Financial Toolkit

Frequently Asked Questions About Restaurant Success Tips

How should I market my restaurant in 2026?

Combine local SEO optimization, consistent social media posting, data-driven loyalty programs, and community event partnerships to attract and retain customers cost-effectively while maximizing digital visibility.

What is the most important restaurant success tip for beginners?

Focus on menu engineering and cost control first—these directly impact profitability without requiring large budgets and provide immediate returns through strategic pricing and waste reduction.

How can restaurants improve customer retention?

Implement personalized loyalty programs tracking preferences, use data-driven targeted offers, provide exceptional service recognizing regular guests, and create memorable experiences worth sharing on social media.

What are key restaurant financial management tips?

Track prime costs weekly, forecast sales using POS data and historical trends, monitor daily cash positions, and consider outsourcing bookkeeping for professional accuracy and time savings.

How do you increase restaurant sales in 2026?

Optimize your digital presence for local searches, expand revenue streams through catering and takeout, strategically promote high-margin items, and use off-peak promotions to fill slow periods.

Sources

  • How to Increase Restaurant Sales: 5 Key Strategies in 2026.” Hitchcockfarms.com, 2026.
  • 2026 Restaurant Marketing Guide: Free & Paid Strategies.Get.chownow.com, 2026.
  • “How to Overcome Restaurant Industry Challenges: Your 2026 Success Strategy.” Clearcogs.com, 2026.
  • “31 Restaurant Marketing Ideas for 2026.” Touchbistro.com, 2026.
  • 26 Restaurant Marketing Ideas for 2026 (That Actually Drive Revenue).Barmetrix.com, 2026.
  • “33 Restaurant Marketing Strategies for 2026.” Bloomintelligence.com, 2026.
  • 12 Ways to Improve Customer Experience in Restaurant (2026).Restolabs.com, 2026.
  • “5 Digital Ways to Increase Restaurant Profitability in 2026.” Finedinemenu.com, 2026.
  • “The Future of Restaurant Loyalty: Trends to Watch in 2026.” Merchants.doordash.com, 2026.
  • Circana LLC. “Restaurant Loyalty Members Visit 20 Brands Annually, Same as Nonmembers.” Nation’s Restaurant News, June 12, 2025.
  • Bloom Intelligence. “The State of Restaurant Guest Retention in 2025.” Bloom Intelligence Blog.
  • Alias Creative. “Case Study: The Brasserie—Menu Engineering & Its Revenue Impact.” Alias Creative.
  • National Restaurant Association. “Restaurant Labor Costs Are Well Above Historical Averages.” Restaurant Economic Insights Analysis, 2025.
  • 7shifts. “Restaurant Workforce Report 2025.”
  • 39 Celsius. “Google Ads for Restaurants Case Study: $19K New Sales in 30 Days.”
  • Datassential. “Restaurant Failure Rate Plunges in 2025: Datassential Sales Intelligence.”
  • Owner.com. “The Real Restaurant Failure Rate Is Lower Than You Think (2026 Data).”
  • EatApp. “Restaurant Failure Rate: The 2026 Data Every Owner Needs to Know.”
Cubicle to Cloud virtual business 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. ADP. Payroll – HR – Benefits
author avatar
Jennifer Brazer Founder/CEO
Jennifer is the author of From Cubicle to Cloud and Founder/CEO of Complete Controller, a pioneering financial services firm that helps entrepreneurs break free of traditional constraints and scale their businesses to new heights.
Reviewed By: reviewer avatar Brittany McMillen
reviewer avatar Brittany McMillen
Brittany McMillen is a seasoned Marketing Manager with a sharp eye for strategy and storytelling. With a background in digital marketing, brand development, and customer engagement, she brings a results-driven mindset to every project. Brittany specializes in crafting compelling content and optimizing user experiences that convert. When she’s not reviewing content, she’s exploring the latest marketing trends or championing small business success.

5 Ways to Pull Through Bankruptcy

Anyone in the world can face the dread of bankruptcy. Bankruptcy is a legal procedure against a person who cannot repay the loan taken from the bank in a given period. Sometimes, the bank takes over every bankrupt person’s property and assets. The afterlife of the same can be daunting if you do not use your presence of mind to recover from the legal embarrassment. However, bankruptcy doesn’t mean your credit or bank account has crashed completely. It strictly depends upon the amount of unpaid debt. Here are the ways to help you swim hassle-free from the situation.

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Analyze Your Credit Reports 

Credit reports are crucial to running a stable and successful business. To save your business from potential losses, make it a habit of checking your credit report every month. If you were careless about doing so, pledge to stick to the convention in your post-bankruptcy period.

Take a follow-up of your activities like paying the bills, taxes, and many more on time. Being careful can save you from getting stuck in the tornado of bankruptcy. Take every possible measure to improve your business actions.

Ensure To File An Accurate Credit Report

Make sure that you file your credit report accurately. It will inform you about the amount of paid and unpaid debts. There is a probability that the liquidation you face is just a mistake or misunderstanding around the mark.

Review each detail very carefully. Ensure that your financial record covers every detail of the paid debt. An error of a missing entry can ease your bankruptcy claim.

Clear Your Payments on Time

Adopt the habit of clearing all your bills on time. It will help you uphold the trust of your vendors, bank, and business partners. Your payment history makes up 40% of your financial records and graphs. Don’t be a lazy bone; clear your bills as soon as possible.

Get technical support to avoid any miscalculations in maintaining the record of your paid bills and play safer. Install applications designed for the same. Choose to work smarter for a better way out.

Clearing bills and payments on time will not only help you develop a trustworthy relationship with the associated person or company, but it is also convenient in boosting your credit score.

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Elude the Purchase of Costly and High Interest Products

After bankruptcy, you should take every step very carefully. Give up on purchasing high-priced and high-interest products. Once immersed in the bankruptcy case, all your rivals, business partners, vendors, and every 3rd person in the corporate market will try their best. They will urge you to purchase products and assets ready to shock you with either their high-cost or after-sales high interest.  

A Secured credit Card is A Surplus

Get a secured credit card. It will be a step ahead in rebuilding your image on the bankruptcy scale. It can be a proactive measure to eliminate legal and financial claims much faster. Such cards have a credit limit of up to $250$. They will be a great assistant in clearing your payments within the given deadline. Carry out small purchases each month; it will aid you in constructing a better credit score.

Once you agree to the bank’s terms and conditions, your card will instantly be upgraded to an unsecured one.

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Final Words

Being bankrupt can happen to anyone around the line. However, one has to be strong enough to overcome the margin of financial loss. The article has some recovery measures proven beneficial in surviving through the bankruptcy claim in almost 5 – 7 years. All you have to do is mend your ways, get organized, and develop a keen eye to cross-check every bit of financial details from credit transactions to premium accounting and confidential policies. Switch towards automated payments to play even brisker and safer.

Keep a personal check on each bit of minutes to avoid errors that can leave you tangled in legal claims like bankruptcy. Remember to formulate a concrete financial plan for your business.

Download A Free Financial ToolkitAbout 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.ADP. Payroll – HR – Benefits

Maximizing Home Business Tax Benefits

People often say it is a bit cliché, but one of the substantial virtues of beginning a home business is the tax breaks you can claim. A popular belief surrounding home businesses is that aggressive and slightly exaggerated write-offs are a sure way of attracting IRS auditors. In this guide, we’ll examine some of the famous home business taxes and legitimately claim them.

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Maintain a Business Journal

Being audited is not the day of judgment. However, being audited and not having the records to cover your reductions can be a nightmare. The easiest way to ignore this unpleasant situation is to journal your home business activities regularly. The more detailed your accounts are, the simpler it will be to face an audit. Compiling your regular reports into a monthly tracking sheet will drastically lessen the time it takes to combine your taxes, and it will have the additional benefit of providing a summary of your business every month.

Deducting Your Workspace

Deducting your home office can be attractive if you have tons of work restricted to a single room. You can still utilize a part of a shared room, but you determine space as a percentage of the entire house or apartment area.

You apply this percentage to all the related costs, including insurance, rent, utilities, etc. However, they never claim unrelated expenditures as they make the IRS suspicious.

Update Your Inventory

Office furniture, softwareinventory, and laptops are all completely deductible within the same year you incur the cost, and you don’t need to depreciate. There’s an upper limit, and you must primarily use these purchases to benefit the business.

Savings for Retirement

If you work individually for your home business, you’ll probably have to pay for your employer’s insurance and social security. However, you can reduce half the amount from the total payments for you and other helpers as part of the retirement fund.

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Strong Communication

If communicating with customers is a necessary part of your business, getting a verified business phone number or a second phone line might be worth it, as both are utterly deductible. However, if you only contact the customers occasionally, it would still be feasible to dismiss the costs by dates, time, and causes for the calls and then highlight the items on your regular phone bill to subtract at the tax time.

Get Connected

Like the call bill, you can reduce part of your internet cost if you use it for business purposes. There’s no definite percentage to utilize, but it will be hard to ignore that more than 50% of your other family members are accessing it for personal references. Be reasonable and pick a sustainable percentage that you won’t regret in case of an audit.

Entertainment

You can entertain customers and get a tax break. The tendency for business owners at every stage has scared off many entrepreneurs from claiming it. However, it is acceptable for you to take customers out for some entertainment or a business dinner. It will be easier to fascinate a client who has brought you a lot of business.

Employ Your Family Members

Being a home business owner, you can assign your family members as employees and subtract their salaries as long as you can account for their services and pay rate. If you’re a business that accepts the benefits of relatives, then you must utilize that labor pool. You’ll probably spend less than market rates for the assistance.

As an additional bonus, children under 18 don’t sustain the Social Security taxes, but you can still teach them to work ethics and saving habits.

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Make Legitimate Deductions

The most significant pointer has been a theme, but it’s worth replicating. Just because you’re running a home-based business doesn’t mean you can go insane with the deductions. If you don’t think of communicating with an auditor with evaluated proof justifying the deductions, then perhaps it shouldn’t be the deduction you can consider.

Conclusion

In conclusion, while the allure of tax breaks for home businesses is undeniable, it’s essential to approach deductions with caution and integrity. Maintaining meticulous records and adhering to legitimate guidelines is paramount to avoid any complications with the IRS. From deducting your workspace to leveraging family members as employees, there are various opportunities to optimize your tax situation within the bounds of the law.

However, exercising prudence and restraint is crucial, ensuring that each 
deduction is well-documented and directly related to your business activities. By following these principles, home business owners can navigate tax season with confidence and peace of mind, maximizing their savings while remaining compliant with regulatory requirements.

ADP. Payroll – HR – BenefitsAbout 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.Download A Free Financial Toolkit

Payment Terms for Small Biz

Invoice payments frequently relate to payment periods. They’re contracts that spell out your payment expectations, such as when the client must pay you and the consequences of missing a payment. Transparent payment conditions can help you get paid and make your customers’ billing process easier to understand.

Payment terms are critical because accurate cash flow estimates require knowing how much money will touch your account and when.

When deciding on payment terms for your small business, keep in mind that extending them for too long may threaten your company’s future.

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What Makes You Think That?

Depending on the sector, you may be paid in days or months. Restaurant proprietors, for example, are usually compensated within 1-2 days, whereas construction businesses may take up to 90 days to receive payment. That may be OK for significant corporations that can afford to prolong payment terms to their customers, but a lack of cash flow could cause small enterprises to fail.

It’s easy to dismiss payment terms as minor details that no one will read. However, this viewpoint will not serve you well in the long run. Avoiding payment terms totally or accepting poor terms that fail to express any meaningful bounds leaves you at risk of being taken advantage of. Furthermore, the practice of declaring invoices as “paid” before they have been will be exceedingly perplexing.

Businesses track the money that flows in and out as cash flow. A company’s cash flow is positive when it has a consistent income stream larger than its debts. A negative cash flow occurs when a company’s debts exceed its income.

By specifying payment terms in each sale, you can ensure that your firm has a consistent, positive cash flow. Your business will not minimize overdue fees if you make consistent, regular payments using proper payment terms. This will also ensure that you can continue making profitable investments.

If you don’t provide clear payment terms, your consumers may forget (or purposefully delay) payments. Our remote bookkeeping services can assist you in maintaining a regular cash flow.

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As Per the Research

Eighty percent of small business owners are concerned about their financial flow.

More than half of small business owners cite Late customer payments as the leading source of cash flow problems.

Sixty-two percent of small business owners have no idea how much money they get each month.

Fifty-eight percent of small business owners said they made the wrong business decision because they were worried about cash flow.

One of the most important things you can manage is how and when you receive payments as a business owner. Taking control of this produces a much more stable financial route for your company, allowing you to pay suppliers, employees, and other vendors on time.

Typically, a company will not see an issue with its invoice payment terms until too late. When you have a cash flow problem and can’t pay your suppliers, staff, or other bills, you might be in a financial bind.

Optimizing Payment Terms for Improved Cash Flow and Client Relationships

Payment terms of 30 days were standard in the past. Thanks to technological advancements and a decreased reliance on mail and check payments. However, payment terms of this nature are no longer necessary. In practice, the shorter your payment conditions, the more likely you will be paid quickly.

Even if you mention that your payment conditions are a week, it’s doubtful that you’ll receive payment so quickly. However, if you give clients four weeks to pay, you should still get paid sooner. Quicker payment times will increase your company’s cash flow and lessen the demand for debt collection.  

Many organizations continue to employ lengthier invoice payment periods because they believe this is what their customers expect. However, around three-quarters of invoices now request payment within two weeks. You may even offer customers a discount if they pay you sooner.

Setting up an invoicing procedure with specific payment periods is critical for business accounting. Payment terms prioritize your payments and establish expectations for your consumers, resulting in more professional and productive client relationships.

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Conclusion

In conclusion, establishing clear and reasonable payment terms is crucial for any business’s financial health and stability. These terms outline when payments are expected and help maintain a positive cash flow, which is essential for meeting financial obligations and making strategic investments. By clearly defining payment expectations, businesses can minimize cash flow problems and reduce the risk of late payments, ultimately fostering stronger and more professional relationships with clients.

Additionally, shorter payment periods can expedite cash flow and reduce the need for debt collection efforts. As businesses adapt to modern 
payment methods and expectations, setting up efficient invoicing procedures with clear payment terms becomes essential for effective financial management and sustainable growth.

CorpNet. Start A New Business NowAbout 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.Complete Controller. America’s Bookkeeping Experts

Checkbook Balancing: Financial Must

Back to the time when receiving paper statements from your potential bank was the norm rather than an abnormality, taking the time to balance your checking account records with your statement every month was a sign of keeping your finances healthy.

Now that you can frequently access all of your cash transactions via your bank’s online portal, you might assume that balancing a checkbook is a hectic chore that has lost its usefulness completely. However, manually balancing the checkbook is still a mandatory part of maintaining your checking account.

If you use a checkbook, it is essential to keep it balanced. Balancing a checkbook is far easier than we think, requiring only facile addition and subtraction details. Balance your checkbook by recording all cash transactions to your bank account. Divide cash transactions into two categories, mainly deposits and withdrawals. These factors highly influence the addition and subtraction process. Balancing a checkbook refers to knowing the exact amount of cash in your bank account to make the related decisions without errors. Follow the below steps to understand how to balance a checkbook.

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Recording Your Cash Transactions

The initial step of balancing a checkbook is to list every cash transaction as it occurs. Every check you write and deposit you make, including debit card swipes, ATM withdrawals, and curricular bank fees, will be enlisted in the records. Always maintain a running balance by reducing the withdrawals and adding the credits.

Reviewing the Monthly Bank Statements

The second step is to update the checkbook register upon receiving the monthly bank statement. Start with the report’s top and work to the end, one transaction at a time. As you spot the cash transaction in your checkbook journal, place a checkmark in the provided column.

Once you carefully review the bank statement, you can spot any missing information from the checkbook register. For instance, if you instantly grabbed $30 at the ATM to update it in the journal later but then forget, you’ll notice the cash transaction listed on the bank statement but not on your register. You can later add that cash amount to your journal to correct the balance.

Address Existing Issues

When your balances don’t match, go through every transaction and carefully determine the occasional errors. Making mistakes is human nature, especially when trying to make calculations in your head. Ask a bank representative for assistance if you cannot locate the variations.

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Draw a Line in Your Journals

Now that you’ve balanced the checkbook journal draw a line under the last cash transaction. Also, you can label the available space in the front with the date. This will make locating the beginning point for your upcoming bank statement easier when you receive it.

Register Your Bank Statement

The final step includes registering your bank statement for protection purposes. The IRS suggests saving key documents for up to seven years. Since banks must keep your account records for five years, you might not want to rely on electronic records forever.

Importance of a Balanced Checkbook

You might wonder why maintaining a checkbook register is essential if you can quickly get an update through online banking portals. These services won’t update you with your outstanding checks, precisely the ones you made but didn’t process by the banks.

Why Should We Maintain a Checkbook Regularly?

Balancing a checkbook is an outdated task, and the quick services of online banking portals have made tracking cash transactions much more effortless.

Truthfully, no one likes to record cash transactions and deposits manually every month. Indeed, online applications can help you manage your money quickly. However, there are still a few possible reasons why manually balancing the checkbook is a productive part of your financial regime. You might need to backtrack further if you don’t review your checkbook correctly.

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Conclusion

In summary, while online banking has made it easier to access and track financial transactions, manually balancing a checkbook remains crucial to maintaining a healthy financial status. The process involves recording all cash transactions accurately, reviewing monthly bank statements, addressing discrepancies, and registering statements for long-term record-keeping. Despite the convenience of online banking, manually balancing a checkbook ensures that all transactions are accounted for and helps identify any discrepancies or errors that may arise.

Additionally, it provides a comprehensive overview of outstanding 
checks, offering a more accurate representation of available funds than online banking portals alone. Thus, while it may seem outdated, balancing a checkbook remains essential to personal financial management, offering peace of mind and financial clarity in an increasingly digital world.

Complete Controller. America’s Bookkeeping ExpertsAbout 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.CorpNet. Start A New Business Now

Smooth Spreadsheet to CRM Migration

Seamless Migration:
From Spreadsheets to CRMs Made Easy

Spreadsheet to CRM migration is the process of transferring your customer data, sales records, and business information from spreadsheets like Excel or Google Sheets into a dedicated Customer Relationship Management system, enabling automated workflows, centralized data access, and scalable growth for your business. This transformation involves data cleanup, field mapping, testing, and team training to maximize your new system’s value.

I’ve spent over 20 years as CEO of Complete Controller working with businesses across every industry imaginable, and I’ve witnessed the exact moment when spreadsheets stop being helpful and start becoming harmful. That moment usually arrives when a company loses a major deal because two salespeople contacted the same prospect, or when preparing a simple sales report takes an entire afternoon. The good news? Migrating to a CRM can boost your sales productivity by 34% and deliver an average return of $8.71 for every dollar spent. In this guide, you’ll learn the exact steps to clean your data, map your fields correctly, avoid the pitfalls that cause 70% of migrations to fail, and train your team for rapid adoption. ADP. Payroll – HR – Benefits

What is spreadsheet to CRM migration, and how do you get it right?

  • Spreadsheet to CRM migration transfers customer data, sales records, and business information from Excel or Google Sheets into a centralized CRM platform
  • Data cleanup removes duplicates and standardizes formats before importing to avoid corrupting your new system
  • Field mapping connects spreadsheet columns to CRM fields so no critical information gets lost during transfer
  • Test imports with small data samples identify problems before they affect your entire database
  • Team training on the new CRM platform drives adoption rates and maximizes your migration investment

Why Businesses Outgrow Spreadsheets (and When to Make the Leap)

The data speaks volumes about spreadsheet limitations. Research shows that 94% of business spreadsheets contain errors, with an average of 1.8% of all formula cells containing mistakes. These aren’t just minor inconveniences—they’re business-critical problems waiting to happen.

Public Health England learned this lesson dramatically in 2020 when they nearly lost 16,000 COVID-19 case reports. They used an outdated Excel format (.XLS) that maxes out at 65,000 rows, while modern testing was generating far more data. When the file hit its limit, thousands of cases vanished from official counts, delaying contact tracing and public health responses. If spreadsheet limitations can impact public health on this scale, imagine what they’re doing to your sales pipeline.

Signs you’ve outgrown spreadsheets

  • Multiple team members edit the same file, creating version control nightmares
  • Finding specific customer information takes longer than the actual customer interaction
  • Sales reps waste hours on data entry instead of selling
  • Monthly reporting requires days of manual compilation
  • You’ve discovered duplicate entries for the same customer across different sheets

Why CRM is a game changer

Modern CRM systems transform chaotic data into organized intelligence. Companies using CRM report a 29% increase in sales and save each sales rep an average of 18 hours per week on administrative tasks. These systems provide real-time dashboards, automated follow-up reminders, and mobile access that keeps your team productive anywhere.

The security benefits alone justify the switch. While spreadsheets sit vulnerable on local drives or shared folders, professional CRMs offer enterprise-grade security, audit trails, and role-based permissions that protect your customer data and meet compliance requirements.

Step-by-Step: Your Complete Spreadsheet to CRM Migration Checklist

Success requires methodical planning, not rushed execution. With 20-70% of CRM projects failing and 80% of data migrations missing their deadlines or budgets, following each step carefully makes the difference between transformation and disaster.

Before starting any migration, understand that poor planning causes 42% of failures, bad data quality accounts for 31%, and team resistance adds another 27%. This checklist addresses all three risk factors systematically.

Cleaning and auditing your data

Start by creating a complete backup of all spreadsheets in multiple locations. Then tackle the cleaning process:

  • Eliminate duplicate entries using Excel’s built-in tools or manual review
  • Standardize data formats (phone numbers, addresses, company names)
  • Fill in missing required fields or remove incomplete records
  • Archive old contacts who haven’t engaged in over two years
  • Verify email addresses using validation tools

Data cleaning typically takes 40-60% of your total migration time, but skipping this step guarantees problems later. One client discovered 3,000 duplicate contacts across their sheets—imagine the confusion that would have caused in their new CRM.

Mapping spreadsheet columns to CRM fields

Create a detailed mapping document that shows exactly where each piece of information will live:

  • Match standard fields first (name, email, phone, company)
  • Identify custom fields your CRM needs to create
  • Decide how to handle multi-value cells (like multiple phone numbers)
  • Plan for data that doesn’t have an obvious CRM home
  • Document any data transformations needed (like splitting full names)

Pro tip: Print your mapping document and keep it handy during import. You’ll reference it constantly.

Back up and test your import

Never attempt a full import without testing. Create a test spreadsheet with 20-30 representative records that include:

  • Standard contacts with complete information
  • Edge cases with special characters or formatting
  • Records with custom field data
  • Contacts with maximum data in all fields

Run this test import and verify every field mapped correctly. Fix any issues in your mapping or data format before proceeding. This small investment of time prevents massive headaches later.

Executing full migration and verifying data

With successful testing complete, execute your full migration in logical batches:

  1. Import your most recent, active contacts first (last 12 months)
  2. Add historical data in chronological chunks
  3. Verify each batch before importing the next
  4. Check total record counts match your source data
  5. Spot-check 5-10% of records for accuracy
  6. Run reports to identify any missing data

Post-migration, assign team members to review their specific accounts or territories. They’ll quickly spot any issues with their familiar data.

Case Study: CloudMetrics Transforms Their Sales Process

CloudMetrics, a 12-person SaaS startup, was hemorrhaging $2,340 monthly on an overcomplicated CRM while their sales team struggled with manual data entry. They executed a spreadsheet-to-CRM migration in just four weeks, moving to an AI-powered platform that cut their costs to $647—a 73% reduction.

The results went beyond cost savings. Each sales rep reclaimed 18 hours weekly from administrative tasks. Within six months, annual revenue skyrocketed from $800K to $2.05M—a 156% increase. Their secret? They spent two weeks cleaning data before migration, partnered with an experienced vendor, and ran parallel systems for one week to verify everything worked perfectly.

Choosing the Right CRM (and Avoiding Buyer’s Remorse)

Selecting your CRM platform shapes your business operations for years. Focus on these non-negotiable features that matter most for spreadsheet refugees.

What to look for in a CRM as an ex-spreadsheet user

Your new CRM should feel like a natural evolution, not a foreign language:

  • Intuitive data import tools with clear error messages
  • Visual pipeline management that mirrors your sales process
  • Bulk editing capabilities for quick updates
  • Excel export options for comfort during transition
  • Strong customer support during onboarding

Avoid platforms that require extensive technical knowledge or coding. If the sales team can’t use it independently within two weeks, it’s too complex.

Features that matter most: An expert’s take

After helping hundreds of businesses migrate, these features consistently deliver the most value:

  • Mobile accessibility: Your team works everywhere—your CRM should too
  • Automated workflows: Set up follow-up sequences once, execute forever
  • Real-time reporting: No more waiting for month-end to know your numbers
  • Integration ecosystem: Connect with your email, accounting, and marketing tools
  • Customizable fields: Your business is unique—your CRM should adapt

Price matters, but the cheapest option often costs more in lost productivity. Budget for a system that grows with you. Download A Free Financial Toolkit

“What If Something Goes Wrong?”: Common Migration Mistakes and How to Recover

Even careful planning can’t prevent every issue. Understanding common problems helps you recover quickly when they occur.

The most frequent pitfalls (and how to prevent them)

Three mistakes cause most migration failures:

  • Skipping backups: Always maintain your original spreadsheets in multiple locations. Cloud storage, local drives, and even printed copies of critical data provide insurance.
  • Rushing field mapping: Mismatched fields create data chaos. That “Notes” column might contain deal values, contact preferences, or follow-up dates. Map thoughtfully.
  • Ignoring test results: Finding 10 errors in your test import means your full import will have hundreds. Fix test issues completely before proceeding.

Quick fix guide

When problems strike, stay calm and systematic:

  • Most CRMs offer “undo” or rollback features for recent imports
  • Restore from your backups if data corruption occurs
  • Contact CRM support immediately—they’ve seen every possible issue
  • Consider hiring a migration specialist for complex recoveries
  • Document what went wrong to prevent repetition

Training Your Team: How to Ensure CRM Success from Day One

Technology succeeds when people embrace it. Your team’s adoption determines whether your CRM becomes a powerful asset or expensive shelf-ware.

Practical onboarding steps

Structure training around daily workflows, not features:

  1. Start with the basics everyone needs: finding contacts, adding notes, updating information
  2. Create role-specific training paths (sales focuses on pipeline, service on tickets)
  3. Build cheat sheets for common tasks with screenshots
  4. Assign CRM champions in each department for peer support
  5. Schedule weekly check-ins during the first month

Make the first week about comfort, not comprehensive knowledge. People learn better when they’re not overwhelmed.

Set clear expectations about CRM usage from day one. This isn’t optional—it’s how your business operates now. But pair requirements with support. When someone struggles, help them succeed rather than punishing mistakes.

How Secure Is Your Data? Key Compliance and Trust Factors

Data quality and cybersecurity become critical when centralizing customer information. Your CRM holds the keys to your business relationships, making security non-negotiable.

Data privacy best practices

Choose CRM platforms with recognized security certifications like SOC 2 Type II or ISO 27001. These aren’t just badges—they represent rigorous third-party audits of security practices.

During migration, limit access to sensitive data. Not everyone helping with data cleanup needs to see revenue figures or personal information. Use your CRM’s permission settings to control visibility from the start, following the same remote work security principles that protect distributed teams.

Maintaining audit trails and accountability

Unlike spreadsheets where changes vanish without trace, CRMs log every modification. Enable comprehensive audit trails that track:

  • Who changed what data and when
  • Login attempts and locations
  • Data exports and report generation
  • Permission changes and user additions

These logs prove invaluable for compliance, troubleshooting, and training. They show exactly how your team uses the system and where additional support might help.

Final Thoughts: Your Path from Spreadsheet Chaos to CRM Success

I’ve guided countless businesses through this exact transformation, and my advice remains consistent: invest time in data preparation, test thoroughly, and support your team through the change. The companies that rush inevitably spend more time fixing problems than those who proceed methodically.

Your spreadsheets served you well, but your business has outgrown them. That’s success, not failure. Now it’s time for tools that match your ambition. Start with data cleanup this week, research CRM options next week, and plan for migration within 60 days. The sooner you begin, the sooner you’ll wonder how you ever managed without proper customer relationship management.

Ready to transform your business operations and join the companies seeing 156% revenue growth after migration? Visit Complete Controller to connect with our team of experts who specialize in helping businesses like yours modernize their systems and scale efficiently. We’ll guide you through every step, from choosing the right CRM to training your team for long-term success. Complete Controller. America’s Bookkeeping Experts

Frequently Asked Questions About Spreadsheet to CRM Migration

What is the simplest way to migrate from Excel to a CRM?

Start by cleaning your spreadsheet data to remove duplicates and standardize formats. Then map each spreadsheet column to corresponding CRM fields, use your CRM’s built-in import tool with a CSV file, and always test with 20-30 records first to catch any mapping errors before importing your complete database.

Can I import all types of spreadsheet data (contacts, deals, notes)?

Most CRMs successfully import standard contact information, company data, and deal records through their regular import tools. Custom data like detailed notes, historical communications, or complex relationships may require manual field mapping or working with the CRM’s support team to create custom import templates that preserve all your information.

What are the risks if I skip data cleaning?

Skipping data cleanup virtually guarantees you’ll import duplicate contacts, outdated information, and formatting errors that multiply across your system. Since 94% of business spreadsheets contain errors, these problems compound in a CRM, leading to confused sales teams, embarrassing customer interactions, and reports you can’t trust for business decisions.

Is my data safe during migration?

Your data remains safe during migration when you follow security best practices: create multiple backups before starting, use secure transfer methods (avoiding email), choose CRMs with SOC 2 or ISO 27001 certifications, and limit access during the migration process to only essential team members.

How long does a spreadsheet to CRM migration usually take?

Basic migrations with clean data and fewer than 1,000 contacts can be completed in 2-4 hours, while complex migrations involving multiple data types, custom fields, or over 10,000 records typically require several days to a week including data cleanup, testing, import, and verification phases.

Sources

LastPass – Family or Org Password Vault 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. Cubicle to Cloud virtual business
author avatar
Jennifer Brazer Founder/CEO
Jennifer is the author of From Cubicle to Cloud and Founder/CEO of Complete Controller, a pioneering financial services firm that helps entrepreneurs break free of traditional constraints and scale their businesses to new heights.
Reviewed By: reviewer avatar Brittany McMillen
reviewer avatar Brittany McMillen
Brittany McMillen is a seasoned Marketing Manager with a sharp eye for strategy and storytelling. With a background in digital marketing, brand development, and customer engagement, she brings a results-driven mindset to every project. Brittany specializes in crafting compelling content and optimizing user experiences that convert. When she’s not reviewing content, she’s exploring the latest marketing trends or championing small business success.

Personal Lines of Credit

When a person needs money, seeking a line of credit is probably the last thing that occurs to them. What comes to his mind is usually going to a bank for conventional, fixed, or variable rate loans, utilizing credit cards, borrowing from friends and relatives, or turning to donating organizations on the web. In extreme circumstances, there are payday lenders or pawnshops available.

Businesses have been utilizing credit lines for decades to meet working capital requirements or the advantages of strategic investment opportunities, but they’ve never suited the individuals. This is because banking institutions often don’t promote credit lines, and potential lenders don’t think of asking. The only line of credit that might appear is a home equity credit line or the HELOC, but the borrower’s house secures this loan and has its risks and faults.

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Understanding Line of Credit

A line of credit is a flexible loan from a bank or another financial institution. Unlike a credit card, which provides a limited amount of funds that you can utilize at your convenience, a line of credit is a fixed amount of funds that you can access as required and repay instantly or over a specific period. Like a loan, a line of credit charges an interest rate as soon as you borrow cash.

Remember that the interest rate usually varies, making it less predictable what the borrowed money will cost you. However, lines of credit generally have a lower risk than credit card loans. Still, they complicate the system as the outstanding balances become uncontrollable after a line of credit is approved.  

They identify banks that are not overwhelmingly interested in underwriting single personal loans, which are undoubtedly unsecured for most clients. Similarly, it would not be feasible for a borrower to get a loan once a month, repay it, and then apply for it again. Lines of credit provide solutions for both issues by making a particular amount of money available when the borrower requires it.

How to Achieve Credit for Personal Purposes

It is imperative to comprehend the credit scoring landscape to achieve financial success and freedom. During the lending phase, your credit profile reflects your creditworthiness. Generally, attaining a line of credit is hard without primarily maintaining a versatile credit profile. However, qualifying for credit is mandatory for personal use. Here’s a list of pointers for building a sound profile.

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Getting a Secured Credit Card

The first step is to apply for a secured credit card. However, the individual will have to deposit a certain amount later to be used as security against a deposit. Due to the higher risk, most secured credit cards have higher fees and penalties. This option is flexible for individuals looking forward to growing their credit score. You’ll have a sound credit score after using the credit card wisely for six months.

Become a Legalized User

Becoming a legalized user on a productive account can enhance your creditworthiness. Indeed, the more active your report, the merrier your credit scores will be. If the primary credit card user lists you as a legalized user, the original credit cardholders will also reflect their positive credit on your credit score.

Apply for a Retail Credit Card

Clients often find it easier to qualify for a retail credit card than other forms of credit. Retail cards generally offer lower limits and higher interest rates, so stay aware of them. If utilized responsibly, a retail card is a valuable link in developing a credit profile.

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Get an Endorser or Become One

As an endorser, you are mutually responsible with the other endorser for a sum of loans over an extended period. Endorsers generally apply for mortgages, auto loans, or substantial personal loans. However, it is essential to acknowledge that these loans can take years to pay off. Such circumstances require you to consider your relationship with the individual you’re applying with, such as your ability to make payments over a long period and how it can influence your future financing obligations.

Conclusion

In conclusion, while seeking a line of credit might not be the first option for individuals needing money, understanding its potential benefits can be crucial for achieving financial flexibility and success. Unlike conventional loans or credit cards, a line of credit offers a flexible borrowing option that can be accessed as needed and repaid over time. By understanding how lines of credit work and taking steps to build a strong credit profile, individuals can increase their chances of qualifying for personal lines of credit.

Whether through secured credit cards, becoming a legalized user, applying for retail credit cards, or considering an endorser, there are various strategies to improve creditworthiness and access lines of credit for personal use. With proper 
financial management and responsible borrowing, individuals can leverage lines of credit to meet their financial needs and achieve greater economic freedom in the long run.

Download A Free Financial ToolkitAbout 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.CorpNet. Start A New Business Now

Remote Work Security: Post-Covid

The COVID-19 pandemic reshaped global society in many ways. From reduced restaurant dining to near-no theaters and cinemas, entertainment quite literally has evolved for all. So have other industries. One of the major paradigm shifts that the COVID-19 pandemic caused was the work environment. Millions of companies shut down and had to implement remote work on short notice, increasing the need for more robust and secure network connectivity.

While companies worldwide are gradually opening, many adopt the hybrid work culture, which allows employees to spend a part of their working week working remotely. There still are countries where strict work-from-home protocols are in place in the wake of the coronavirus variant spreading havoc.

While the remote working model has made life easier for both employers and employees, it has also presented us with its fair share of concerns. The topmost concern is cyber security. With the increased dependence on the internet, companies’ crucial data is also prone to hacking and data leakage. Last year alone, approximately $4.2 million was lost by businesses due to data breaches.

If you are among those worried about the potential threats of the remote working model, worry no more. Here’s a thorough guide on how to stay secure while embracing work from home.

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Get a Strong Virtual Private Network (VPN)

Before you give your employees access to work from home, get a solid VPN to secure their remote connections. Opt for a VPN with a layer two tunneling protocol, and ensure your employees update their passwords frequently.

Make Sure Your Employees Have Updated Hardware

Obsolete systems like Windows 7 and earlier versions no longer need security updates. Your employees working remotely must have the most updated hardware. In addition to being up-to-date, ensure the devices are protected biometrically, and your employees use super-strong passwords and 2-factor verification wherever possible. Install and update anti-virus programs frequently.

Ensure You Connect on a Secure Network

If you don’t have a VPN, connect to your workplace through a secure network. Do not use public networks at any cost. If you link from your Wi-Fi, secure the WLAN and ensure your neighbors cannot see it.

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Use The CRM for Data Management

Do not share data analysis or lead reports in an Excel sheet. Use a professional CRM tool for all such data transfers. Professional CRM tools not only restrict unreported access to company data by your employees but also minimize the risk of losing potential leads. If you don’t have a proper CRM, now is the time to get one and automate your data protection.

Opt For Cloud-Based Solutions

It would be best if you opted for cloud-based solutions. Get your employees to download project management apps or use Google Docs or Google Sheets to share the data with your team members. Cloud-based solutions are very effective if you don’t want to hand over your data to any employee. They not only keep your data secure but also allow access to it at all times, are very flexible, and offer threat prevention and threat mitigation.

Set Strong & Unique Passwords

Strong and unique passwords are complicated and almost impossible to crack, so your employees must use them for Wi-Fi connections, remote connections, and user accounts. It is also vital that your employees frequently change their passwords to avoid data theft. You could use a single sign-up option for all your devices or one of the many password management tools to keep all your passwords in one place.

Develop a Bilaterally Encrypted Remote Work Solution

Buy one, or get your IT and software guys to develop an encrypted, remote work solution. Ensure that your employees can only access official documents through that system, and it doesn’t allow data transfer at all, thus keeping all your data safe.

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Conclusion 

In conclusion, the COVID-19 pandemic has drastically changed our work, with remote work becoming the new norm for many industries. At the same time, this shift offers flexibility and convenience but raises significant cybersecurity concerns. To mitigate these risks, companies must invest in robust security measures such as VPNs, updated hardware, secure networks, CRM systems for data management, cloud-based solutions, strong passwords, and encrypted remote work solutions. By prioritizing cybersecurity, businesses can ensure the safety of their sensitive data and maintain operational efficiency in the remote work environment amidst evolving global challenges.

Complete Controller. America’s Bookkeeping ExpertsAbout 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.LastPass – Family or Org Password Vault

Accident Protocol: Essential Steps

When we have a traffic accident, either as a driver or as a passenger, regardless of whether we were at fault for the accident, it is a tough time, and in most cases, we are confused about the steps we must follow.

No matter how many precautions you take, any person traveling in a vehicle can be involved in an accident. When an accident happens, knowing how to react and keeping calm as much as possible is essential.

Not all traffic accidents occur under the same conditions, so we must adapt to each specific situation. Next, we will explain the steps we must follow in each case.

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Signaling of the Accident

In an accident, we first must signal the accident properly to avoid having more accidents.

When There are Injured

When someone is injured in a traffic accident, after signaling the accident, we must address the victims and call the health services. Although the injuries or pains are minor and a priori have no significance, it is essential to contact the health services to record the injuries or ailments of those involved and evaluate them.

Call the Police or the Civil Guard

If it is a minor accident, it is not necessary to call the Police or the civil guard. Still, on other occasions, it is essential for them to regularly manage traffic again, collect the data and statements of the persons involved and witnesses, and record the facts of the accident to facilitate future compensation (if any).

Fill in the Friendly Part

Whenever we participate in a traffic accident, we will try to complete the accident report in a friendly manner. We must ensure we have completed the fields correctly and signed where appropriate. The explanation of the accident is transparent so that the insurance does not have any confusion about who the culprit is.

Suppose the parties to the accident do not reach an agreement or there is a confrontation. In that case, they should call the authorities, either the Police or the civil guard, so that the agents can determine the causes of the incident and make a report. The certificate is considered evidence to determine who is to blame for the accident.

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Give the Share to the Insurer

We will have to inform our insurer that the accident occurred within seven days of its occurrence. When giving the part to the insurance, we must contribute all the medical reports, the pacifist position, and our testimony of the facts.

If the insurance were contracted through an insurance brokerage, such as Walnut Insurance, we would have more support and better advice when claiming compensation or giving the party to the insurer. Since from the insurance brokerage they can advise us of the steps to follow and the deadlines.

If we do not cause the accident, we will have six months to establish a criminal complaint against the other vehicle’s driver. If the fact is not constitutive of a crime or offense and the complaint is dismissed, we will have one year (from the end of the criminal procedure) to file a civil claim.

How Do You Claim Injuries From a Traffic Accident?

If you have suffered injuries after a traffic accident, you are entitled to compensation. To claim this compensation, we can do it in two ways:

Extrajudicial route: in this case, the injured party negotiates directly with the insurer until they reach an agreement.

Judicial route: we will go to court if an agreement is not reached or if the act constitutes a crime or offense. In this case, the judge sets the amount as compensation the insurer will pay the injured.

How Do You Claim the Material Damages of a Vehicle?

When the vehicle itself has suffered damage in a traffic accident, we must give the part to our insured within seven days after the accident. Once the region has been delivered, the insurer will send an expert to assess the vehicle’s damage.

As we have said before, if we had contracted the insurance through an insurance brokerage, we could ask the brokerage for help to process the part and the necessary documents after a traffic accident.

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Conclusion

In the aftermath of a traffic accident, whether as a driver or passenger, navigating the ensuing confusion and steps can be daunting. Accidents can happen to anyone despite precautions, emphasizing the importance of remaining calm and knowing how to react. As each accident is unique, adapting to the specific circumstances is crucial. From promptly signaling the accident to addressing injuries and involving authorities when necessary, a systematic approach is essential. Completing accident reports aids insurers in determining liability.

Seeking support from 
insurance brokerages like Walnut Insurance streamlines the claims process, offering valuable guidance and assistance. Whether pursuing compensation for injuries or material damages, understanding the avenues available, from extrajudicial negotiations to legal recourse, is vital. Ultimately, timely action and informed decisions mitigate the challenges of post-accident procedures, ensuring a smoother path to resolution.

Download A Free Financial ToolkitAbout 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.ADP. Payroll – HR – Benefits

Tech Giants’ Triumphs: Insights

It is not easy to know which company will be successful or not when they start in the business world. However, a series of signals allows them to identify those with the highest growth potential more clearly.

One of the most significant cases in which a company has had an unexpected success is Amazon. When he launched his growth plan in 2012, many analysts thought that this would be a total failure. However, nothing is further from reality; Amazon was consolidated as the most prominent eCommerce company worldwide.

On the other hand, when Sega launched its Dreamcast console in 1998, its technical specifications were vastly superior to those of its competition, the Sony PlayStation; even so, the Dreamcast was a commercial failure that marked the end of Sega in the console market. Meanwhile, PlayStation was a resounding success that forever changed the video game industry.

Google Wave was launched in 2009 with high diffusion, while technology analysts devoted whole books to analyzing the project that promised to change how we communicate on the web. However, its failure was inevitable; today, nobody remembers Google Wave or its function.

For a project to be successful requires something that differentiates it from the options that are already in the market; for example, if in the coordination industry, all companies have delivery periods of 3 days, have a shorter delivery period than this, it could position that company at the forefront, which will bring it closer to success.

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Information Technology as the Basis of Success

Knowing the development prospects of the technology in question is vital when talking about IT entrepreneurship. Investing today in the Internet of Things could be a clever idea, given that future projections indicate that the industry’s growth is assured.

Winning success is exceedingly difficult, but some tips can influence in avoiding failures, such as:

  • Understand and delimit the market to which the product or service is directed (scope, purchasing power, population density, consumption habits.
  • Know the competition (purchasing power, target market, area of ​​opportunity, strengths of the product or service).
  • Self-criticism and Evaluation (fundamental is to know if we have enough experience and knowledge to start or if we require any additional training or learning)

Business success depends on an almost infinite range of technological, human, and economic factors, making it impossible to determine the success of a project before its launch. Correct planning and market prospecting give a greater sense when starting. There are other ways to know whether your company will be successful or not. These are the ways that connect the dots with business success based on information technology innovations. Please read on!

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Clear Strategy

A clear and definite strategy advances your business activities. Set goals and make different strategies to encourage your potential clients. You can attract a maximum number of clients like Uber as they offer another black care service in San Francisco with twisted technology, Uber Cab.

Your strategies can be successful by learning based on experiences that help you understand the marketplace rules and requirements. You can achieve this goal by market research, keeping your eyes on your competitor’s activities, and the result of your current customer’s feedback.

First Rank on SERPs

It is the era of digital business, and every business owner wishes to get the highest rank on search engine page results. To get this result, you must work hard on your website. It must have a tremendous bulk of users as organic traffic. Your website or any digital product must be responsive, mobile-friendly, SEO-centric, and easy to navigate with aesthetic web design. Make a website that quickly resolves all your client’s queries on a sincere and relevant note. Remember, Google never compromises on its client’s wishes.

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Let the World Recognize Your Company

After getting moderate success in profit and ROI, business owners think they are making their best stand out in the market. You are setting goals and achieving them. Effectively, it is correct, but it isn’t suitable if you have limited your work with those results. It would help if you had to reach or at least try to get a level of a high achiever. You make it possible by enhancing your brand name as the world population quickly recognizes your brand. As with Pepsi, the demand for your products and services must be 98%.

LastPass – Family or Org Password VaultAbout 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.Cubicle to Cloud virtual business
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Jennifer Brazer Founder/CEO
Jennifer is the author of From Cubicle to Cloud and Founder/CEO of Complete Controller, a pioneering financial services firm that helps entrepreneurs break free of traditional constraints and scale their businesses to new heights.
Reviewed By: reviewer avatar Brittany McMillen
reviewer avatar Brittany McMillen
Brittany McMillen is a seasoned Marketing Manager with a sharp eye for strategy and storytelling. With a background in digital marketing, brand development, and customer engagement, she brings a results-driven mindset to every project. Brittany specializes in crafting compelling content and optimizing user experiences that convert. When she’s not reviewing content, she’s exploring the latest marketing trends or championing small business success.