Partnerships with CPAs

 

I wanted to wait until tax season ended before posting, but this is too important. Our clients have been utilizing tax incentives to provide needed capital to businesses.

I have a growing number of CPAs and tax professionals who are affiliated with us and finding success for their client base.

Here is a link where you can check any one of your clients eligibility.

Some small business owners are seeking professional help with no upfront fees.

 

Talking to a financial adviser for more specific advice does not constitute professional financial advice.

If you can improve your personal finances with a solid emergency fund, strong personal credit, and a diversified portfolio of retirement savings aside from the equity that you own in your business, you will more likely be able to focus on running your company with a mindset of calmness and optimism. 

And for business owners, who are some of the busiest people in the world, having peace of mind about business savins can be truly priceless.  

Now help is only a click away at www.BusinessRefund.com

As businesses begin to reopen, owners are finding themselves in desperate need of cash flow.

While some programs are still available and can be the bridge that keeps your business alive, there are two new tax credits available through the CARES Act that you can take advantage of right now.

We’ve developed a tool that allows you to see your potential benefit.

Please let me know what you think. 

The R&D Tax Credit Can Benefit Many US Businesses.

 

Business firms in the U.S. are constantly needing to remain agile in order to keep up with the latest trends and business needs.

One solution for them is to take advantage of a government incentive that was enacted to reward American businesses for innovating—an activity that many businesses do nearly every day.

The Research and Development Tax Credit (R&D Credit), which is claimed by U.S. companies collectively at a rate of approximately $10 billion per year, was enacted in the 1980s to encourage American businesses to innovate in order to help our country’s economy thrive.

The credit has been expanded throughout the years through legislative and judicial activity, including the most recent change to the credit: the elimination of the corporate Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT) and the curbing of the number of pass-throughs subject to individual AMT.

This loosening of AMT restrictions has removed the most significant hurdle that prevented companies from using the credit, and opened the gates for businesses across the country to lower their tax liability.

A basic requirement of the R&D Credit is that the business is designing or improving a process or product.

Many businesses think they do not qualify, but now they can find out in seconds via 

BusinessRefund.com   

Businesses stressed by the coronavirus are seeking to hire and retain workers through tax incentives.

 

The IRS has opened a tool kit of exceptions to its standard policies on hiring, assigning and paying employees. This is clearing the way for increased recruitment, retention and relocation incentives for businesses.

These are among a number of moves over the past two months affecting both current and prospective employees in response to the Covid situation. This not only applies to for profit companies, but can also apply to non-profits. 

The amounts can be from $2400 - $9600 per person and can be quickly determined by going to WOTC and answering two simple questions, no contract is required and live support is available to answer all questions Mon-Fri from 9am-5pm EST

Did you know that you can stack Hiring Incentive Tax Credits?

Most employers have no idea. 

Use this survey to find out what you’re company is entitled to: 

It’s just been one different set of rules after another for business owners!

Take Jim Cory (owner) who resumed dining service at Jimmy’s Roadhouse in rural Newaygo, MI and now faces a threat by the state health department to revoke his licenses.

Corey complained (rightly so) that the governor “throws up something different every time you turn around.”

The owner said Jimmy’s Roadhouse has been in his family since 1970 and estimates he's lost about $65,000 since mid-March, when the governor told restaurants to close dining rooms and offer only takeout.

Cory says he received a loan from the federal Paycheck Protection Program, he said the money can only be used to pay his employees.

This astute business owner may now be looking at Business Refund for emergency relief for business owners that has no upfront fees.

Tax law provisions are available to help businesses recover financially from the impact of this disaster.

By completing a quick survey, the software will search hundreds of Local, State, and Federal programs that fit their qualifications and help them claim their benefits, often with a check arriving in 3-6 weeks that does not have to be paid back.

 

The R&D credit is reward for innovation and problem-solving...

 ...and there's really no industry limitation.

Any business that is eliminating technical uncertainty in the development of products or experimenting and relying on science to really develop a product is a very good candidate for an R&D credit.

Anyone looking to leverage the R&D tax credit should first visit BusinessRefund.com and then consult with their accounting team.

Are you getting paid for new hires and existing employees?

  

If not, you should be. 

Check here for your companies eligibility. 

Credit Card Audit with no upfront fees and no changing providers?

 

A credit card audit should focus solely on expense reduction within the payments industry and should be a two-phase approach to expense reduction in the payments industry for businesses.  

1. First, correct the processing plan to reflect the most competitive plan type and rate, using formulated, specific asks of the existing provider.  

2. Second, assist the client to further reduce the non-negotiable fees through processing optimization and help qualify payment transactions at lower interchange rates by passing through additional processing data.

The highest success rate for merchants that process credit card transactions are where the card is not physically present. This is referred to as a Card Not Present (CNP) environment, and includes B2B and eCommerce companies.  

Companies processing card payments between $1M and $20M on an annual basis typically have the largest potential savings opportunity.  

For card present locations, where the credit card is physically swiped at a terminal device, there may still be significant savings. As such, those types of merchants should never be overlooked or immediately disqualified.

A no upfront fee credit card audit can performed in seconds at Business Refund.

WOTC is a win-win for business owners and disabled workers.

 

The Workers Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) can save you thousands of dollars and employ a largely overlooked workforce such as disabled workers.

Other potential hires who qualify for the credit include certain lower-income individuals, qualified veterans, and ex-felons. It’s even possible that you have already hired someone who qualifies, so be sure to check as part of your tax planning. In fact, many people who have been on unemployment assistance as a result of COVID-19 will qualify for this program.

See your results in seconds ($2400 - $9600 per employee) with live assistance Mon-Fri 9am-5pm EST 

at YourWotc.com

Multifamily Properties and Engineered Based Cost Segregation

 

Cost segregation is a tax benefit that is not well known. Cost segregation is a strategy used by property owners to maximize the amount of depreciation taken each year.

This kind of depreciation expense is one of the major tax benefits of multifamily ownership because it helps to reduce the property’s tax liability without impacting the cash available for distribution. Commercial property owners, such as a multifamily property, have a strong incentive to take as much depreciation as they can each year. One of the ways this can be done is through a cost seg study (with no upfront fees).

Without cost segregation, tax rules allow multifamily assets to be depreciated over 27.5 years using a straight-line schedule. Cost segregation involves reviewing every aspect of a property and segregating its components into different buckets for which depreciation can be accelerated. 

By dividing a property into its components and depreciating them over a shorter time period, depreciation expense is maximized, and the resulting tax liability can be significantly reduced. Over a 10-year investment holding period, the tax savings from using cost segregation can be significant.

Depreciation is a noncash expense, meaning that it does not represent money that the property owner paid to another party. It is an accounting concept that does not impact the property’s cash available for distribution.

The benefits include:

*Increased Cash Flow

*Minimizes Taxes

*Catch Up Benefit (no amending returns)

*Free Up Money For Investments

Now you can see your benefits in seconds.

If you have a business, it's time!!!

 

It is time to focus on year-end tax planning to minimize taxes for 2020 and get ready for 2021. 

Numerous tax law changes from recent legislation, including the SECURE Act and the CARES Act, may influence last-minute actions for business owners. 

There are many tax planning opportunities that can be implemented now that will make a favorable impact on income tax returns for this year.

See your specialized tax incentives now and then show this to your CPA while there is still time.

Dentists have adjusted their practices during a pandemic...

While many businesses have been hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic, dentists have faced some of the biggest challenges because numerous procedures routinely use instruments that can create droplets and aerosols, posing potential risks of transmission.

Many were closed for months and were seeing emergency cases only. They were seeing patients who were in pain; no treatment was being done to not have aerosols. It was whatever could be done without a handpiece or ultrasonic devices. There were no fillings, no treatment per se, or crowns — only for symptom relief. 

Patients, of course, were anxious about safety, so it has taken a lot of training of staff and then also reassuring patients of all the steps that were taken so that they feel safe to come in. Pre-COVID versus post-COVID, most practices have lost 20 to 30% business.

Now there is emergency business relief for the dental industry and it is not a loan. More info here.

Not the best way to start Thanksgiving Week!

Restaurants across the Unites States are again bearing the brunt of some of the tightest restrictions as COVID-19 cases keep rising.

Much of Illinois, Michigan, California, Washington and other states have banned indoor dining and New York City's mayor said it's "just a matter of time" before the same happens in New York. Yet, some restaurant workers say that they are "relieved," about the measures, especially following a recent CDC report that found that those who had tested positive for the virus were twice as likely to have reported dining in a restaurant.

As for relief for restaurant owners, it's right there at their door steps via BusinessRefund with no upfront fees

3 Ways A Small Business Can Win the Holidays This Year

 

Note: Under the PATH Act a "Small Business" is:

A corporation the stock of which is NOT publicly traded

A partnership, or

A sole proprietorship, AND if the average annual gross receipts of such corporation, partnership or sole proprietorship for the 3-taxable-year period preceding the taxable year does not exceed $50M

*Drive Urgency by Focusing on a Couple of Key Shopping Days

One great way to make sure your customers take advantage of your holiday offerings is to make them time sensitive. Then surprise your audience by extending your sale last-minute and give yourself another opportunity to mention your offerings. 

*Double Down on Your Small Business Story

Your business has something the superstores don’t: a regional story that has the potential to capture hearts.

*Refresh Your Social Creative

Consider updating your cover photos on social media to reflect the holidays or a new merchandise you’re hoping to move.

Regardless of the size of your business, take advantage of the specialized savings available for you company now. 

Daycare and preschool providers deal with more stress and they, and in-home providers, are a critical workforce link.

These providers have always been a critical workforce link. If the daycare provider isn't able to take care of the kids, parents can't go to work. Now as the pandemic enters a dark new phase and essential workers, such as doctors and nurses, try to cope with a surge of sick patients, daycare has become vital.

Added to their other duties, providers must be ever-vigilant against a rapidly spreading virus. A single infection in a facility has the potential to trigger a domino effect, impacting parents, their ability to work, and other businesses.

The daycare industry was struggling even before the pandemic struck. A shortage of providers was exacerbated as some closed their doors in the wake of the pandemic.

Some states have seen a rate of closure as high as 50 percent. Unfortunately, many did not realize there was immediate help with just a couple of clicks.

 Immediate help for providers.

Your business could save on the average of $240,000. Here's how...

 

In 60 Seconds you can check your eligibility for:

• COVID Employee Retention Credit

• Disaster Retention Credit

• Workers Opportunity Tax Credit

• R&D Employer Tax Credit

• Cost Segregation

• Property Tax

Where?  Business Refund

Then take the results to your CPA, we don't do taxes.

Country on verge of shutting down again?!?

 

Stryde has released another page for businesses as the country seems to be on the verge of shutting donw again!!!

You can view that page now.

Larry Potter

Losing sleep over your PPP loan?

  

 

                                There is a better way to get immediate cash for your business!

Free Business Tool

 

 

I just found this tool and set up a couple of alerts to see if it will aid my BusinessRefund.com business.

It's free, so......   https://vimeo.com/331491290

Startup Companies & The R&D Tax Credit

 

                                                     Startup Companies Now Qualify

The definition of a Startup under the PATH Act is simply, any company formed after 2010 with gross receipts less than $5M in 2016. Qualifying businesses may capture up to $250,000 of incentives and tax credits annually and be able to claim credits against payroll taxes. Companies that don't meet this criteria still qualify for Federal Tax Credits under the PATH Act with the expanded R&D Tax Credit.

See if you qualify now

Elevator Pitch, Your First Step to Success

 

An Elevator Pitch is a 30-60 second, well-crafted speech designed to sell a product, a service, or yourself.  

Well known business author Seth Godin says, "The purpose of an elevator pitch is to describe a situation or solution so compelling that the person you're with wants to hear more even after the elevator ride is over."

With the growth of technology, social media, and instant information, it has become more difficult to connect with other professionals and build new relationships.  By preparing an elevator pitch you put yourself at the ready to build those relationships when the opportunities arise.  

 

 

A good elevator pitch consists of 5 parts:

1.  Introduction

Before jumping in, you need to introduce yourself.  Who you are, perhaps including your role with the company. Remember to keep personal information about yourself to a minimum at this point as you have not earned the prospect's interest or attention yet.

2.  What You Do

Have a clear and simple understanding of what your company does.  Know the company's mission and goals for the product or service.  Briefly introduce this.

3.  What's The Value / What Makes You Different

What does your company do exceptionally well that sets itself, product or service apart from others.  1-2 sentence statement about the value of the product or service to your clients.

4.  Grab Their Attention

Now is your chance to pull the prospect in with an exciting story about a client, company founders or offer a fascinating fact or statistic about the service or product.

5.  What's Next

At this point you're going to have piqued interest and you can show them an example via the app on your phone and setup a time to walk through presentation pro.

Write down your pitch word-for-word.  Start with the 5 part formula, and then tweak it so that it flows naturally.  Keep it short!  The tendency is to ramble ... which guarantees that people will stop listening.  

After writing it out, read your elevator pitch over and over, like an actor preparing their lines.  

Remember to work in adjustments according to the potential client you are speaking to.  When it flows off your tongue, you'll sound confident and conversational.

USAdvisors.info

 

 

WOTC for any size business

What is WOTC

The Key Message

 

In his book Speak Like Churchill, Stand Like Lincoln, former political speechwriter James C. Humes writes, "Whether you are going to a breakfast meeting with a potential investor, making a sales talk, or delivering a product presentation, you need to first come up with the key message you want to leave with your audience."

Let that key message be your North Star. If you can't state your idea in a single sentence, don't give up. Keep at it. For many speakers, this is the hardest part of their speech — and the most critical one.

If you do the heavy mental lifting upfront, it will be much easier to craft clear, compelling copy when you sit down to write. As Humes notes, "Make figuring out your bottom-line purpose (your big idea) your first priority."

The "Perfect Storm"

I'm sure you know that businesses, large and small, are abandoning ship every day. The news can barely keep up with announcing the closures. You come home from work every night to this, "Did you hear? So and so has just thrown in the towel." Incredibly sad ... and the improvement keeps getting stalled out.

How can you assist in help stemming this tide and help businesses survive?

This is a call to action for those who want to create significant income while helping others. It is the perfect time, and businesses need your help today.

For sixteen years, Growth Management Group (GMG) has provided tax incentive studies to successfully reignite businesses of every imaginable genre, from "mom and pop" to Fortune 500. Frequently, these companies' accountants or CPAs were unaware or afraid to deploy these studies. IMHO, these "professionals" have deprived those organizations of the tax credits the government has purposely set aside to help those very businesses, billions of dollars allocated.

GMG is currently engaged in significant marketing outreach to your businessess. This is an incredible opportunity. The "relief" is right there; black and white, staring directly at the client.

You have a simple task: contact those companies. Ensure they see GMG's correspondence, and ensure they click those links, which will take them directly to their Feasibility Study where they can engage on the spot. It is an easy call to make, even to a prospect you hardly know; "Hi John, I'm just calling as I wanted to be sure you saw an email from Growth Management in the last couple of days. It could be incredibly beneficial to you right now. If you haven't seen it, please contact me right away. Here's my cell number ..."  [Read the numbers slowly and distinctly JUST ONCE if you're leaving a voicemail.]

Cost Segregation is, by far, the fastest payout program I know of within our Advisor world and one of the most beneficial programs for our clients. It can create instant tax relief.

Get on the phone, send an email, send a text, do it right now. You can find templates in your Advisor Portal. Help society, help your situation.

Learn more at USAdvisors.info

 

The Great Shock of July 15th, 2020

 

This tax season I encountered a record number of business owners that were outright shocked to find out how much they owed for 2019 taxes. There are a few common questions I keep hearing.
#1 – How Did I End Up Owing Money?
There are four key areas that contributed this year to so many companies owing:
Surprise Profitability
The last several years have been decent if you’re lucky but dismal for most. This caused most companies to pull back on quarterly tax prepayments, or often eliminate them altogether.2019 Was Better Than Expected
There is no question that 2019 started an upswing that is continuing to get stronger with each passing quarter (even for those companies have yet to feel the impact of that upswing).
Once income began to flow again, many businesses were forced to make capital investments that were years overdue. This means that although 2019 was in fact more profitable, it wasn’t “felt” by many Owners. Not all investments may be written off in the current year. Even if the bank account hasn’t recovered, the P&L sheets have and additionally the IRS considers many to be profitable and out of AMT. Even if the bank accounts don’t reflect the same.
Tax Breaks Disappeared
Without many major tax breaks that companies have not only come to enjoy, but have come to count on, many are finding themselves with unexpected increases to their tax liabilities.
Tax Rates Increasing
Tax rates have increased, for example; the recent Personal Limit increase to 40% and Capital Gains increasing from 15% – 25%.
#2 – Why Didn’t My CPA Warn Me?
Many owners are left wondering:
Did my CPA let me down?Why didn’t they prepare me for this?
The reality is, your CPA only knows the information you provide to them And for most of us business Owners we don’t do our CPAs any favors. As Owners we know this, and if we are honest we’ll admit that we just don’t take the time necessary to discuss an overall tax strategy with our CPA.
Yesterday I spoke with one CPA that was completely unaware that their Client had purchased an additional building (over $2M in cost), and another CPA that upon delivery of our Cost Segregation report didn’t understand where we got our figures from only to find out the Client spent over $300K in renovations last year that they failed to tell the CPA about.
Most business Owners are guilty of … running their business. As business Owners, we make decisions today that are good for our company and good for our bottom line, with little to no regard of how it affects our tax strategy (and it usually wouldn’t cross our minds to call our CPA in the middle of summer to review something for next April).
#3 – What Can I Do About It?
Step #1 for most business Owners I’ve talked to is:
Pound their fist on the desk angrily while complaining about the governmentWhen that ceases to provide relief move on to the below Step 2Step #2 (True Step #1)
For some business Owners, you bit the bullet and made a payment yesterday, for others you either filed extensions or simply filed without making a payment and are going to wait for the dreaded IRS bills to arrive.
In either instance, the good news is that just because tax day has come and gone doesn’t mean your numbers are written in stone. There is over $200B in Federal Tax Incentives allocated to small and mid sized businesses to help offset your liability.
We’ve developed a simple online tool for business owners to check in 30 seconds if you qualify for any Federal Programs.
Click here to find out in 30 Seconds if you qualify for any Federal Tax Incentives. BusinessRefund.com

Congress Has Passed The Act!!! - VIP Today

Your clients will be thrilled with the trillions of dollars in new aid available to them.  Most importantly, YOU are the gateway to these funds.  

On today's VIP we will be discussing:

PPP Expansion

ERC Increase by 4X it's previous value

WOTC Expansion and new qualification groups

New Tax Credit for employers to offset COVID-19 costs

The new Act recently passed by Congress

How to get in front of clients during thse historic times

This webinar WILL max out.  Join 10 minutes early to secure your spot.  Register now (link below) and join us at 3pm EST.

Larry at USAdvisors.info

What is TCJA?

That stands for Tax Cuts Jobs Act

What about Small Businesses?

Congress came up with a 20% deduction

Bonus Depreciation:

-50% first-year bonus depeciation deduction

-Only new assets qualify used assets do not

Qualified Leasehold Improvements:

-All 3 categories now fall under only one qualified Improvement Property

Property

More Info

92% of US Small Businesses Have “Reinvented” Themselves During Pandemic

According to a survey, 92% pivoted their business in at least one way, but many have pivoted in multiple ways. This means only a small minority, or 8% didn’t pivot their business at all to adapt to the current environment.

When these businesses are pivoting, they are changing their business model on the fly. And when they do, they are hitting paydirt. One of the respondents in the survey highlights the need to quickly change a company’s business model.

Bullion is hot in the streets

Gold has been considered a safe harbor for investors for its ability to hold long-term value and hedge against inflation. 

As geopolitical tensions turn up to volume 11 and central banks pump money into global financial systems, “You couldn’t create a better playbook for gold to perform,” Steven Dunn, head of a $2.2 billion gold ETF, told the WSJ.

Investors poured $3.8 billion into precious metals funds the week to July 22—the second-largest weekly amount ever, according to data analyzed by Bank of America.  

COVID-19 update

The U.S. crossed 4 million coronavirus cases yesterday. 

That means at least one in 82 people in the U.S. have been infected, Reuters calculated.

Global supply chains have come under pressure from the pandemic...

...prompting many businesses to rethink how they bring their goods to market.

Businesses are always looking for new ways to optimize and improve their supply chains but figuring out the right approach requires an understanding of the macrotrends that shape trade and manufacturing. 

Outperform all your competitors

Our revolutionary business service distinguishes you from every competitor and gets you through doors that are closed to everyone else.  

USAdvisors.info

Economic Recovery: Handle With Care

New data shows the economy is getting better...but recovery is fragile and largely dependent on historic government intervention. 

Retail sales for June gained 7.5%, a sign that Americans started spending again as states eased lockdowns and people received a heavy dose of extra income from the government. If you exclude purchases at gas stations—which fluctuate widely based on oil prices—retail sales just climbed back to a record high. 

Rising COVID-19 caseloads could put the momentum in retail sales at risk in July.

Virtual Mental Health Care through Cohen Veterans Network

Mental wounds are just as difficult to heal as physical wounds – and treating them is just as important. Through a national network of clinics, Veterans and their families are eligible for personalized, evidence-based mental health care. There is no cost for care if you don't have insurance

Learn More

Amazon to use tracking carts

 Called a “Dash Cart,” this dune buggy can detect items you drop in using a scale, sensors, and cameras. Then, when you exit the store through a special lane, it charges you—no need for a cashier. 

A few lessons from the oil crash

The date of April 20, 2020, will go down in history as the 1st time the price of a barrel of oil crashed below zero. The price war between Saudi Arabia and Russia, compounded by the unexpected impacts of coronavirus, sent the value of oil spiraling in mid-February.

What does all this mean for small and medium-sized businesses? 

* If, as a small or medium-sized business, you’re heavily invested in oil-related industries, now is a good time to diversify your portfolio.

* Consumer and business prices for oil-related products aren’t determined by the base price of a barrel of oil. There are other costs involved, including refining, distribution, packaging, etc. While slightly lower prices are likely, you shouldn’t count on pumping stations offering petrol for free just yet.

* Taxpayer-Backed Loans for SMBs Went to the Fossil Fuel Industry

Result:

Good financial management is essential to small and medium businesses. Many companies will shut down as a result of what’s happened over the last few months. And an even greater number will struggle to get back on their feet. That's why it's important to cut costs with no upfront fees at  BusinessRefund.com

Business Income Deduction

Business Income Deduction

With only two days left to file taxes, you should know that the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act drastically cut the corporate tax rate and it also introduced the qualified business income (QBI) deduction. The QBI offers a way to lower the effective tax rate on the profits of owners of pass-through entities. These include sole proprietorships (including independent contractors), partnerships, limited liability companies, and S corporations.

It's time for you or your CPA to see those deductions in seconds at BusinessRefund.com

Are you ready for the July 15 tax deadline?

                       

It may have paid to procrastinate this year, as the IRS touts accrued interest on refunds and waives penalties for Americans that owe. 

If you are a business owner in the US, you still have time to capture your tax benefits before filing. 

See your benefits in seconds at BusinessRefund.com

Small Business Jobs Added

According to the June 2020 ADP Small Business Report, small businesses added 937,000 jobs to the American economy from May to June.

The most jobs gains came from the smallest businesses, those with 19 or less employees. Those companies added 574,000 jobs from May to June. Companies with slightly more employees added 363,000 jobs in that time.

Goods-producing small businesses added the other 208,000 jobs in that time.

Customer Communication During the Pandemic.

Most businesses will benefit by interacting  with their customers more not less. In the process, your customers will have more questions about your service and any issues they face now will be even more time sensitive.

One of the biggest challenges in communicating effectively with customers is that now they can contact your business in so many ways.

The solution a company implements will depend on the demographics of its customers and how they want to communicate. It is recommended to use online chat and text messaging since this can reduce interaction costs and increase service levels.

https://www.facebook.com/BusinessRefund

Unused Assets Cost American Companies $55 Billion in March and April

New data shows unused business assets - like empty offices or company vehicles that don't move - in March and April totaled $55 billion.

Business assets, such as office space, company-owned vehicles, and mobile phones become costly expenses when companies are not in the position to use them.

Now, when the Covid-19 has interrupted cash incoming for most small businesses, you should try to find ways to lower overhead and increase liquidity with no upfront fees for these refunds.

Business owners reckon with costly stop and starts as states close them down again!

Governors in Texas, Michigan, Florida, California, Colorado and Arizona are closing thousands of bars, again!

This is causing confusion and anger from bar owners, who say that all bars should not be punished for those who have not enforced social distancing. 

Some bar owners criticized the decision to treat bars and restaurants differently, even though many restaurants also serve alcohol to customers.

Key Marketing Trend and How to Adapt

Your products should be available everywhere.

*Think “mobile first”: This includes having a mobile-friendly website as well as creating more mobile assets to better serve customers. 

*These include mobile apps, in-game mobile marketing, location-based mobile ads, SMS marketing, mobile-focused CTAs, etc. 

*Have your products listed in Google’s shopping actions, Google’s platform bringing your products in front of shoppers across multiple platforms, including smartphones, voice-activated devices, Google search and more. 

 

Another all time high

The MetLife & U.S. Chamber of Commerce Small Business Index rose 0.4 points from 71.3 last quarter to 71.7 this quarter. 

This marks the third consecutive quarter that the Index has set a new record.

Now is not the time to be sleeping!

       BusinessRefund.com

Improve your customer success process.

 

Realize is that customer success is rooted in the speed and efficiency of the underlying processes and systems in a business.

Customers need to be happy and satisfied continually.

Business owners need to stay in touch and involved with the customers – and not just if they had a problem.

Sometimes it can be a real problem creating a better customer experience, especially given the fact that you’re probably also dealing with many relentless competitors on the market.

But no matter how ruthless they might be in their approach or methods, always remember not to use the same tactics and dirty tricks they’re using – think of the holiday spirit of kindness, it needs to continue to live on throughout the rest of the year.

On using the 80/ rule

 

Yes, it may sound counter-intuitive, but you should only be self-promoting on social media about 20% of the time.

People use social media to be social, they don't want to be subjected to your online sales pitch.

Posting about things that are valuable and relevant to your customers 80% of the time will not only encourage conversation, it will lighten your marketing load because you'll be curating content rather than having to constantly create it.

Many business owners (even smaller firms) are not aware that restrictions to qualifying for R&D are decreasing year after year.

There are a growing number of US businesses that now qualify for research and development tax credits, but not many are taking advantage of it.

What makes your business eligible for these deductions? Any firm with QRE or Qualified Research Expenditures. 

Below is a list of some tasks that can be performed within an organization that would qualify for the R&D Tax Credit:

Manufacturing

Fabrication

Engineering

Software Development or Improvement

New Product & Process Development

Developing New Concepts or Technologies

Design - Layout, Schematics, AutoCAD

Prototyping or Modeling

Testing / Quality Assurance: ISA 900X, UL, Sigma Six, etc.

Integration of new machinery(CNC, SLA, SLE, etc) into existing process

Automating /Streamlining Internal Processes

Developing Tools, Molds, Dies

Developing or Applying for Patents

Don't read this unless you have a business in the US, or know an owner and are going to actually use this info.

Does your US business use the internet, computers or tablets? If so, then you probably qualify for a R&D tax credit!

Find out now at:  BusinessRefund.com

What gets your customers to share their experiences at your store with others?

A survey found that three factors lead to people sharing their great shopping experience with their friends and followers:

• Convenience
• Simplicity
• Streamlined experience

It revealed shoppers prefer traditional retailers over digitally native brands when it comes to relationship building and loyalty programs.