Local Branding

IRS Tax Appeals: All That You Need To Know

on November 11, 2019

Getting in trouble with the IRS is something that no one would want to do. But this does not mean that they are always right. There could be times that you may not agree with their decision, whether it is a change they have made to your tax return or audit notice they have sent to you. As a taxpayer, you have the right to appeal the decision as an effort to resolve the disagreement. This means that you can still question the IRS but you should do it only when you are very sure and can prove that they are wrong. At the same time, you need to be aware of the procedure that you have to follow for getting a favorable result to your appeal. Here are the facts that you must absolutely know about IRS tax appeals before filing one.

Submitting a written protest

If you want to exercise your right to file an IRS tax appeal, you have to write a formal written protest first. The letter has to be signed and mailed to the IRS well before the deadline given on the report they have shared. The protest document should have your contact information along with an affirmative statement that you want to use your right to appeal. Also, provide a copy of the IRS notification you received and a complete explanation of your appeal. Additionally, you need to attach relevant documents that support the appeal. Keep a copy of the submitted protest for future reference. Once you send this letter, you will get a response from the IRS stating that your case will be transferred to the Appeals Division.

IRS Appeals Office

The IRS has an impartial Appeals Division that specifically looks after the resolution of appeals. The Appeals Division is nationwide and your case goes to the nearest Appeals Office. The office is separate from the other offices which investigate tax returns and audit them. This means that you can expect an impartial judgment in case you file an appeal. If you get written notification of an adjustment to your return by the IRS, you can request an appeals conference. This is an informal meeting where an impartial officer convenes the settlement of the dispute just as a judge does in court. While you can handle the appeal by yourself, the better option is to let a professional attorney do it for you. If you are not satisfied with the decision made in the Appeals Office, you may then file a lawsuit in court.

Filing a lawsuit

Obviously, filing a lawsuit is the only option if the appeals officer does not give a favorable verdict. If you plan to do so, you must have a seasoned tax attorney to handle the case. Of course, you may represent your case on your own but having a professional doing it makes you feel confident and improves your chances as well. You are required to pay the disputed tax amount first and then file for a refund in the Court of Federal Claims or a U.S. District Court.

Appealing IRS collections

The IRS will start collecting the tax debt you owe in case you do not get a favorable judgment in the Appeals Office or the court. At this stage, you can no longer challenge the validity of the debt you owe to the tax authorities. Still, you can raise a question on the methods that they use to collect the tax debt. In case the federal government gets a property lien, the taxpayer is entitled to a hearing right after receiving written notification of the lien. Alternatively, the IRS can collect the outstanding taxes using levies which may result in freezing the assets in the bank account or wage garnishments. However, the IRS must give advance notice before enforcing a levy or alien. You have the right to an appeal if they fail to provide the notice. But the appeal will not relieve you of the liability to pay your tax debt though it may delay the collection.

Now that you understand how tax appeals work, you can avail the advantage of one if you want to exercise this right against a wrongful action by the IRS. Still, the appeal will get you the desired benefit only if you are on the right side of the law and follow the right procedure as well. So you should be very sure before appealing and taking the case to the court. Also, having a seasoned tax lawyer gives you better chances of securing a verdict in your favor.

Digital Branding

How to Personalize User Experiences to Retain Customers

on November 8, 2019

As soon as we’ve transitioned into the predominant use of digital channels to buy and connect with businesses, we’ve sacrificed a certain level of intimate and personal interaction with the brand in question. To overcome this modern-day obstacle and adapt their business for better personalization, brands now utilize a slew of methods that ensure that customers can engage with them more effectively. Thankfully, there are many online and offline ways to cross that gap in brand-customer interactions that actually use personalization at the heart of their strategy. 

Of course, these methods increase customer acquisition as well, but their primary purpose is to inspire customers to stay loyal to your brand. They have the potential to become your finest brand advocates, to increase your customer acquisition over time, and to boost your reputation online as well as offline, all as a result of proper personalization tactics. Without further ado, here are a few ways to personalize each experience your customers have with your brand and reap the many rewards this approach brings to modern businesses.

On-site customization options

We live in an era when being true to yourself is encouraged all around, and that authenticity is partly achieved by how we make our purchasing decisions. One by one, brands are beginning to allow and encourage a greater level of customization for their products and services, thus effectively allowing their customers to create the brand as they go. For example, you should consider letting your customers add their initials to the product of their choosing, choose color combinations, or add a design detail they love.

Even for brands that sell technology such as laptops, it’s more than possible to let customers build their own ideal product – for a price, of course. The ability alone is often more than enough to inspire greater loyalty since customers then feel that they have the freedom to create their experience as they please, which is the best way to encourage and empower authenticity. 

Utilize data to your advantage

On one hand, it may seem that relying on a slew of impersonal tools that collect information about your customers is anything but personal. On the other, this data is precisely what will give you the insights you need to refine your online presence so as to appeal to each and every individual customer that comes to your online store or subscribes to your newsletter. Data is at the forefront of better market segmentation, and it’s up to you to make use of all the information you gather.

Luckily for growth-oriented brands, modern digital tools also have the ability to filter all of that collected data and create actionable reports that allow you to act rather than waste time analyzing. This seemingly impersonal approach reduces human error as well as bias and gives you access to the kind of data that can elevate your brand’s standing in the online community. This will let you create customer profiles, envision ideal customer journeys, and change how you interact with each customer in time.

Give your efforts a personal touch

Personalization should not end with your data collection or your on-site efforts. In fact, even when the purchase is completed, you should go above and beyond to let your customers know that you pay attention to their needs. For instance, a simple way to achieve that would be to send them a personalized thank-you note. 

You can rely on fast printing services to create such thank-you notes and other printable materials quickly that will impress your customers with every purchase. You can attach a note that encourages them to leave a review on Google and that gives them a personalized discount code for their next purchase, thus inspiring them to come back to your store. Alternatively, printing out flyers that focus on products each particular customer likes is another way to promote your brand in a subtle way as an extension of your efforts to increase engagement. 

Enable social media support

FAQ pages and chatbots are both valid channels for qualifying leads that provide ample information for each and every site visitor. They help shorten the customer journey by giving them directions as to how and where they can find the products they want and give them guidelines on how to use them. However, a growing number of customers now want a more personal support experience, preferably through social media platforms. 

There’s a double benefit to this strategy. First, you get a chance to humanize your brand and adjust your voice to each individual customer that uses these channels to communicate with you. Secondly, that is a perfect research opportunity for you to ask them a few questions or even to complete a survey so that you can get more in-depth insights into their perception of your brand. Both of these perks allow you to improve your personalization over time and to always provide relevant content for each customer on social media.

Your customers interact with various brands every day. In order for your particular experience to stand out and earn their loyalty, you need to give it that personal touch that resonates with their needs. Use these tips to infuse every customer contact with personalization that delivers results, and you’ll allow your brand to gain the traction it needs to grow its customer base and to inspire loyalty at the same time.

Legal Branding

5 Tips on How to Get an Excellent Credit Score

on November 8, 2019

A credit score is an analysis of your credit; it represents your creditworthiness. It relates to how likely you’re to repay your debts. 

Having a good credit score is beneficial in numerous ways, including lowering your interest rates on loans, and it’s a key factor that lenders consider when assessing your funding requests.

There’re numerous models of calculating credit scores, but Fico, one of the leading scoring agencies, puts an excellent credit score anywhere at 800-850.

In the article below, we shall highlight the top five tips for improving your credit score. 

However, understand that the journey of improving your credit score is not a sprint but rather a marathon. It will take time, and you need to be patient.

Always Pay on Time

First things first, always keep your debts in the green, and this shows the creditors that you’re responsible for your debt.

Experian states that payment history heavily influences your credit score.  It usually forms the basis and the most influential factor of VantageScore and Fico.

Remember that credit score is a reflection of your ability to repay your loan timely. From the creditor’s perspective, if you have an established history of timely payment, it’s a good indicator that you can handle your future debts responsibly.

Therefore, you would want to stay at the top of your payment and avoid issues such as late payments, defaults, repossession, or third party collections.

Anything that may indicate a non-performance of a loan, such as filing bankruptcy, is going to dent your credit score severely. 

While at it, it’s worth noting that staying on top of your payment not only applies to the conventional lenders, but also other entities such as bills, including utilities, rent, and cell phone services.

Optimize Credit Utility Ratio

Creditors often compare your credit utilization rate when determining your credit score.

Credit utilization refers to the amount of credit card balance compared to the credit limit.

Generally, the scoring agency recommends that your credit utilization stays below 30%.

There’re numerous methods that users can employ to shrink the balances owed while at the same time maintaining or increasing the amount of credit.

Here are some of the common methods of improving the credit utilization rate listed by Fundera;

  • Paying more than the monthly minimum;  this helps to reduce the card balances
  • Asking for a higher credit limit
  • Leaving your card open after paying them off

Leave Old Debts On Your Report

I know it’s tempting that once you’re through with the student loan or even mortgage, you might get impatient and want to rid the loan from your reports.

But as long as your payments were timely and complete, no need to scrape them off.

In any case, they may have a positive impact on your credit score.

See, many of the lenders will usually go back in history to see your credit metrics and loan performance. And if you have an account with a long history and a solid track record of paying your loans promptly, it shows you’re responsible.

Regularly Monitor Your Credit

Human is to error, and at times, there might be inaccuracies in your credit report.

Regardless of whether they’re unintentional, they can derail your journey to a great credit score.

So, you must be always up to date with your current financial status.

Regular credit monitoring is necessary, and if you catch any inaccuracy on your credit report, you can file a dispute to the scoring agencies, and they will rectify.

Regular monitoring of your credit not only helps you to see all your financial accounts under a single roof but reviewing them may also be an incredible way of spotting inaccuracies or even instances of security theft.

Take Advantage Of Score-Boosting Programs

Experian and Fico are the leading scoring agencies in the market.

These two agencies have programs that allow consumers with thin credit profiles to boost themselves.

The Experian Boost program, for instance, will allow you to incorporate online banking data, utility payment, or even communication to your report.

While these programs will not improve your credit rating in leaps and bounds, it will still have a positive effect on your overall score.

Conclusion

Raising your credit score is easier than you think.

While the mentioned tips are by no means conclusive, following them religiously will see your credit rating improve in no time.

Legal Branding

Safeguard Your Business Against IRS: Here’s How

on November 5, 2019

Getting in trouble with the IRS is the last thing that you would want to do. For this reason, it is always advisable to be regular with your tax returns and payments. A major concern for taxpayers is criminal charges by the IRS. If you are going through investigation or expect a potential audit coming up, you need to be aware of the situations when the authorities may file criminal charges against you.

Though this may sound scary, remember that you will not get implicated unless you have intentionally done something seriously wrong. Honest mistakes, on the other hand, are not illegal and you will probably not go to jail for them. The key lies in being proactive and knowledgeable so that you can get help when you require it for preventing such a situation. Here are some facts that you should know about criminal charges by the IRS against the taxpayers.

Tax fraud can implicate you

Deliberately cheating on your tax returns is a crime and will definitely not be taken lightly by the IRS. If you misrepresent your annual income on the return to avoid paying taxes, you are doing a tax fraud. Once the IRS is able to prove that you did the fraud intentionally, they will go ahead and prosecute you for tax fraud.  The burden of proof in such cases lies in the tax authorities, which is the reason that the IRS would rather avoid such cases. But if you are found guilty of tax fraud, be ready for jail time and large fines as well.

Tax evasion can also lead to criminal proceedings

Tax evasion is essentially a subset of tax fraud and carries similar penalties because it is also intentional. Evasion involves misrepresenting the true state of your affairs to the authorities just to reduce the amount of tax that you need to pay. Obviously, this will not be a mistake and you will know when you are intentionally claiming an income lesser than the actual. Similarly, overstating your deductions significantly is a form of evasion.  Even making large and questionable donations to charities for claiming deductions comes under the scope of evasion. Such situations can also cause criminal charges by the IRS.

There are certain red flags that the IRS will look for

When it comes to initiating a criminal investigation, the IRS will consider certain red flags that indicate fraud or evasion. Experts at Travis W. Watkins Tax Resolution & Accounting Firm have a checklist of the indicators of wrongdoings that the IRS may bear while considering criminal charges against a taxpayer. Here are the ones that may put you under the lens:

  • Consistently underreporting your income
  • Destroying your records deliberately
  • Maintaining inadequate or shady accounting records
  • Concealing your assets intentionally
  • Dealing exclusively in cash
  • Illegal activities
  • Fictitious deductions
  • Omission or understatement of substantial amounts of money
  • Refusing to cooperate with an examiner or auditor
  • The irrational explanation for the behavior

Unintentional mistakes will not implicate you

While the IRS will definitely not spare you for fraud and evasion, they will not implicate you for unintentional mistakes. Being negligent with your tax returns and payments is also not illegal. When you do it without wrong intentions, you are not lying about your income or concealing it deliberately. These are genuine mistakes and the authorities are trained and experienced enough to make out the difference. You should not be concerned about criminal proceedings in such situations because they will probably not happen. At the same time, you should make your best efforts to avoid such mistakes. Hiring a tax professional to handle your returns and payments is the best approach in this context.

Prosecution by the IRS is less common than you imagine

If the IRS approaches you with a grave matter such as audit, evasion or fraud, you should take it seriously. Rather than having a panic attack, you should seek help from a tax attorney and respond properly. Scary as a criminal case by the IRS may sound, it is less common than you imagine. Statistics indicate that it is very rare for a taxpayer to be investigated for fraud. Further, the rate of prosecution in such criminal proceedings is also low. Despite this, you should still be genuine and honest with your returns and taxes to avoid the situation in the first place. If you are still worried about an impending criminal investigation or charges by the IRS, you should see a tax lawyer sooner rather than later.

Local Branding

The Complete Guide on Outdoor Current Transformers

on November 5, 2019

Let’s start with the necessary knowledge you need to understand what outdoor current transformers are and how they work.

What Is a Transformer, and How Does it Work?

A transformer is an electrical apparatus that is designed to convert alternating current from one voltage to another. It can be planned to either “step up” or “step down” works and voltages based on the magnetic induction principle. A transformer has no moving parts. This means that it’s an entirely static and solid-state device made to insure under normal operating conditions a long and hassle-free life.

A transformer is made of two or more coils of insulated wire wound which are placed on a laminated steel core. When voltage is introduced to one coil (the primary), it magnetizes the iron core. Then the voltage is induced into the other coil, which is called the output or secondary coil. The change of voltage, also known as voltage ratio, between the secondary and the primary is affected by the turns ratio of the two coils.

What Are Outdoor Current Transformers?

Current transformers, also known as “CT”, are devices used to transform current from high to low. In this way, power can be controlled and measured. This type of transformers can convert current to an accurate ratio so to allow an attached instrument to receive the current without running full power through the tool itself.

An outdoor current transformer has a primary coil made with one or more turns of heavy wire. It is always connected in series in the circuit where the current is measured. The secondary coil is made of many turns of fine wire, which should always be connected across the ammeter terminals.

Outdoor current transformers are made of a core as well as a primary and a secondary winding. In particular, when an alternating current flows through the primary winding, that’s when a magnetic flux is created. Then it induces an alternating current in the secondary winding. After that, this alternating current is proportional to the current located in its primary.

Besides, outdoor current transformers are also known as “step-down transformers”. Once the current is reduced, you can safely monitor and measure it with an ammeter. Outdoor current transformers can perform circuit control. They can also play roles for current limiting and safety protection.

Here is where you can find outdoor current transformers:

  • Electrical substations
  • Generating stations
  • Commercial electric power distribution

What Are The Main Types of Outdoor Current Transformers?

  • Wound Current Transformer – This type of outdoor current transformer is connected physically in series to the conductor. The conductor carries the measured current and lets it flow in the circuit. The magnitude of the secondary current depends a lot on the turns ratio of the transformer.
  • Toroidal Current Transformer – These outdoor current transformers are shaped like a doughnut and don’t contain a primary winding. Besides, the line carrying the current, which is flowing in the network, is threaded through a hole or window in the toroidal outdoor current transformer. This type of outdoor current transformers is highly efficient and yet creates a minimal excess noise while at the same provide little excess leakage inductance.
  • Bar-type Current Transformer – This type of outdoor current transformer relies on the actual table or bus-bar of the main circuit. That’s its primary winding, which equals to a single turn. Bar-type outdoor current transformers are entirely insulated from the high operating voltage of the system. Besides, they are usually bolted to the device which is carrying the device.

How Do You Select Outdoor Current Transformers?

  1. Determine the primary voltage and frequency you need
  2. Select the secondary voltage that best suits your needs
  3. Establish the capacity required in volt-amperes. You can do so by multiplying the load current (amperes) by the load voltage (volts) for single-phase. You should always select a transformer which is larger than the actual load.

Conclusion

Now that you are more familiar with the concept of outdoor current transformers, it’s time to get yours. You can spend hours online searching for a suitable option, but we wouldn’t suggest you do that. That’s why we would recommend Guangdong Sihui Instrument Transformer Works as one of the most reliable outdoor current transformer manufacturers. Visit their official website to learn more.

Local Branding

3 Aspects to Consider When Finding the Best Under Bridge Inspection Truck

on November 5, 2019

Deteriorating and damaged bridges are a major concern to the transport infrastructure companies. Currently, there are over 500,000 bridges that are more than 40 years of age. Not only is that one in every nine of these bridges considered deficient. What’s more, these bridges are nearing their initial service life.

Millions of dollars are used to inspect these bridges and to make sure they are structurally sound and functional. Bridges are a vital component to the economic growth of a country. With you have poor bridges, it means that goods will be delayed to the port and also to the market. And that where the under-bridge inspection truck takes the whole bridge inspection routine to a whole new level.

Not only does the bridge inspection truck make the work more manageable, but it also ensures efficiency and overall productivity of the whole team.

Finding the best under Bridge Inspection Truck

For you to get the best under bridge inspection vehicle, there are a few factors that you have to have in mind. Here are some of the considerations you should think of when buying an under-bridge inspection vehicle.

1. Location

We all know how difficult it can be to find the right bridge inspection truck for sale. On top of that, you might not always find legit bridge inspection vehicle manufacturers. That is why it’s always a good idea to find a manufacturer near you. Or even a manufacturer that has an excellent customer support platform. In case any issues arise with the equipment, you will be able to access the team that builds the vehicle.

2. Purpose of the Bridge

There are different types and sizes of bridges. This will majorly dictate the type and level of maintenance the bridge needs. Therefore, if you know the purpose of the bridge you will be working on, then you can identify the type of under bridge inspection vehicle to use.

3. Manufacturer

Each company has its own regulations and products. So, it’s always a good idea to do a background check on the company you are planning to buy the under-bridge vehicle from. Take a long look at the company’s credentials to see whether it has obtained the certifications required to produce under bridge inspection trucks. More to that, check on the feedback from their previous buyers. With that information, you will know what to expect from the vehicle.

Before You Go…

As you can see, where you buy your under-bridge inspection equipment matters a lot. Aside from having a team inspecting the bridge, you will also need the right vehicle. That said, check out some of the best platform type Bridge inspection vehicles that will help improve your services.

The good news is, at Hangzhou Special Automobile, you will get a range of different under the bridge inspection vehicles for you. It is a professional manufacturer certified to ISO9001:2008, ISO14001:2004 and GB/T28001, with whom you will get the best inspection vehicle that will serve you for years to come. Its top-of-the-line under-bridge inspection trucks are widely used in South Korea, Vietnam, Malaysia, Zambia, and Maldives. Take your time and go through the inspection available.

Bat removal tips
Local Branding

Bat Removal In Grand Rapids

on November 4, 2019

Grand Rapids is a city of constant economic expansion. With no signs of slowing down, Grand Rapids continues to grow and add to its stock of homes, businesses, and other buildings. However, as the city soars to new heights, local bat species have less room to spread their wings. In constant search for safe shelter, bats are now turning to residential and commercial properties for vacant space to settle down. This has created an expanded need for professional bat removal.

Bat Trapping Troubles

Bats are intelligent creatures, but they often can’t tell the difference between n building where they are unwelcome and an underground cave. Once bats enter your home or business, they can quickly roost, reproduce, and start to raise their young. Typically, a multitude of bats gather in the same roost to spend maternity season in a safe and contained colony. Unfortunately, this means that your infestation can double within just a few months.

Although bats can bring devastating damage to your building, there are severe consequences for dealing with them on your own. Multiple bat species are state- endangered and protected by Michigan law, which means unlicensed removal is prohibited. Unless you seek professional wildlife management for your bat infestation, you’re at risk of violating the law while putting wild animals in harm’s way.

Dangers of DIY Bat Removal

Removing bats and moving on from their mess takes time and careful cleanup, and one false step anywhere in the process could cause severe damage. For example, conducting a faulty exclusion could accidentally trap bats within a confined space and fatally injure them inside your home or business—leaving behind a foul odor that could potentially attract even more animals. Likewise, mishandling bat guano could cause airborne spores to spread disease and severe infection. Some of the most common contagions spread by bats include:

● Histoplasmosis – an infectious disease that can cause symptoms ranging from fever to fatality
● Rabies – which requires immediate medical attention to remedy severe symptoms

To limit the risk of infection to you or your residents, tenants, guests, and pets, the exclusion of bats from your home or business should only be attempted by professional pest removers.

Hangings bats in their natural habitat

Signals of a Bat Infestation

A bat infestation isn’t always obvious. However, there are a few signs that definitely indicate an issue. Although you won’t be able to narrow down the exact species, here are some warning signals to tell if your pest problem is the result of bat behavior.

● Visible bat feces in piles of thin, black pellets
● Bat sightings near your property around dusk or dawn
● Grease marks near entry points, or on walls, ceilings, and floors
● Rustling and squeaking noises during late hours
● Sights or strong smells of urine

If the above signs are present in your building, contact expert pest removal services immediately to survey your space, understand the details of your wildlife issue, and quickly get started on a humane solution to carefully guide your property from removal to restoration.

Grand Rapids Bat Removal and Prevention

If bats are getting comfortable in your Grand Rapids property, the team of trained pest removal technicians at Critter Control® of Grand Rapids can control your bat problem and create a system that keeps your property in prime condition while still ensuring the safety of protected bats. Starting with your first inspection, the source of your infestation will be determined and a systematic approach will be designed to alleviate your bat problems. Then, local and state wildlife laws will be consulted to ensure a humane and regulated removal. Finally, all entryways will be sealed, interior spaces sanitized, and any damage to your attic and insulation will be restored.

Legal Branding

How To Make Sure You Get The Right Bail Bondsman?

on November 4, 2019

The thing that you need to do immediately when someone from your family or friends get arrested is that get the person released on bail. The nature of the case and the current state laws around it determine the bond amount. If you know a trusted bail bondsman in the city, such as Castle Bail Service Columbus, you can expect the bail bond process to go smoothly. The person can come out of jail as soon as the company pays the bond. However, to ensure everything goes in the right order, you have to pay attention to a few things.

Bail bond process

As you may know, accuse has to pay some money as bail to get rid of the imprisonment temporarily. It is a form of guarantee that the person will visit the court at a scheduled date and time as required. The magistrate decides the amount, which the accused can pay himself or ask his dear ones to deposit. In this process, they may take the help of a bail bondsman. A bail bond company mediates between the government and the accused as it assumes the responsibility that the person will attend the court hearing. The company charges a fee for the service. If the accused doesn’t appear in court, the bonds company has to clear the amount to the government.

Usually, these companies charge 10% of the total bail amount from clients. Anyway, you should know how much the firm would take before you hire it. You will need to sign an agreement, too, and pay back the rest of the amount as per the negotiation.

Online search

You can find a reliable bail bonds company online. Make sure to look at the reviews, if possible. What others are saying about the service can reveal if you should opt for it or not. When you go through a couple of them, do pay attention to their background and experience. The companies should be trustworthy and reputable. Else, you can talk to your lawyer also for a reference. Since they have to deal with them frequently, you can get a useful contact for your needs quickly.

However, make sure you don’t believe anyone blindly. Check the status of the license the company holds. Sometimes, the charges of misconduct or legal action from a client can result in restriction or revocation of their license. So, be sure to find out if the concerned bail bondsman is facing any such issue. Plus, be specific about how much the company would charge and what they need to post bail.

Contract

Signing agreement is mandatory. Before you seal a deal, read all the terms and conditions carefully. For example, if you have convinced the bondman about partial payment of the fee along with monthly installments, then it should find mention in the papers. Plus, it should also declare the interest rate (if any) charged by the company.  Then, these companies can ask for collateral, where you may have to pledge your home or some other asset. Any terms or conditions around it should also feature in the documents. And, yes, don’t forget to collect invoices.

Since honest bail bonds companies understand the pain of the defendant and are conscious about their reputation, you would not have to worry about their services.

Local BrandingPersonal Branding

8 Outstanding Customer Service Tips

on October 30, 2019

Having outstanding customer service is the best way to make your business stand out from the competition and keep customers loyal and buying your products. If you want to ensure that you are giving the best that you can, follow the tips listed below.

1. Know Your Products

This may seem like a given, but you may be surprised at you and your staff’s inability to answer some of your customer’s most common questions. Before you are able to offer outstanding customer service, make sure you and all your employees know the products inside and out and can anticipate and answer any questions that might arise.

2. Have Trained Staff

Every person on your team should know what is expected of them when they interact with customers. Even if it’s not in their job description to have contact with customers on a daily basis, you never know when they might have to fulfill this role. Make sure they know how to talk to and act around customers. This will ensure that customers get the best service no matter who they talk to on your staff.

3. Be Respectful

Often, when a person is dealing with customer service, there will be emotions involved. That person might be upset or disappointed about your product or service, and they may not be able to keep themselves under control. When you and your employees deal with this person, be respectful of the customer’s position and don’t let you or your employee’s emotions make the situation worse.

The goal is to make the customer feel better about what happened—they may not always walk away happy, but they should walk away in a better mood when they approached. It can be hard to deal with an emotional individual, but if you and your employees stay calm and cool, this will ensure that the problem can be worked out without anyone else getting upset.

4. Listen

Listening to your customers is one of the most important aspects of giving outstanding service. Not only does it involve hearing what they are saying, but it also means taking into account their tone and body language. These can giveaway that the customer is upset, and listening to what they have to say will help you find the best solution to their problem.

5. Be Responsive

It can be incredibly frustrating and upsetting for a customer to be looking for service and be denied. Whether they are trying to talk to someone in person, on the phone, or online, the longer they have to wait, the more their emotions are going to take over. It’s better to let them know that someone isn’t available at the moment but will get back to them as soon as possible than to just leave them hanging. It still might make your customers upset, but at least they’ll know that someone will be getting back to them.

Of course, you can’t just say that someone will be getting back to them and not follow through. Make sure the customer is contacted in the promised timeframe to deliver outstanding customer service and make them happy.

6. Correct Customers the Right Way

There was a point in time when the motto was that the customer was always right. This led to a lot of problems and people who felt entitled—even though they weren’t. When a customer calls in to get service and you or your employees know they have been misinformed, make sure to correct them in the right way.

Consider saying something like, “I would really like to help you, but you have been given some incorrect information.” This lets them know that you will still work with them and opens them up to the correct information.

7. Get Feedback

If you really want to know how to improve your customer service, ask the customers directly. You can do this through surveys or by having ScoutMI Mystery Shopping come in and scout out the place. This will let you know what is being done right and what needs to be improved.

8. Be Kind

The most important thing you can do to have outstanding customer service is to be kind. It takes no effort to say nice things and make a customer feel good, but it can have a lasting and mood-changing impact.

Legal Branding

How Does A Short Term Loan Benefit Your Business?

on October 30, 2019

Every business needs to maintain a minimum financial balance in order to carry out smooth operations. Seeking a loan or a credit from a financial institution is a very common practice. And, there are many options available in the market as well.

Still, a quick boost in cash deposits for any small business is best met with short term loans. For example, you can get a short term loan here, and clear of your outstanding debts to start afresh. They are easy to get and repay, and offer the much-needed flexibility without burdening the borrower with long-term repayments of the loan.

So, what exactly are these short term loans?

Simply put, like any other loan, short term loans are also credits that can be secured from a financial institution. There is an interest to be paid by the borrower on the principle amount borrowed, according to a monthly installment plan. The only difference lies in the term for which these loans are offered. Usually, the term for such loans range between 3 to 18 months.

But, the real question still stands unanswered- how do these short term loans benefit your small business?

Well, here we have listed some of the benefits of short term loans:

Short Term Loans Are Easily Processed

Applying for a short term loan is easier than ever. With the financial institutes offering loans online, the processing time is reduced from days to a matter of minutes.

In fact, all you need to do is fill in the application, upload a few needed documents. And you’ll receive a notification about the money being credited into your account not later than the next day.

With the ease in processing and securing of loans, short term loans offer stress-free conduct to business owners like you.

Short Term Loans Offer Flexibility In Repayment

Another benefit that short term loans offer is the flexibility in repayment of the loans. In other words, the lender may accept a flexible payment for the installments they receive. Moreover, the lenders are more interested in retaining a customer; since short term loans are easily cleared off, and there is no limit to how many loans you can avail at the same time.

Furthermore, short term loans, are customizable in terms of rate of interest, and the amount for installments. Since these loans usually entertain small amounts of money, this allows the borrower to easily compare and manage their loan repayment.

Short Term Loans Are More Cost-Effective

As already mentioned a short term loan can be customized, the interest rates vary for each application. Usually, the financial institutes consider a number of factors such as your credit history, your annual turnover, the assets you have, and more alike, in order to offer the best loan deals for you.

Flexibility in the rate of interest makes these loans more cost-effective with any other type of financing option. The typical range for short-term loans varies from 5% to 35% depending upon the amount requested and the period of the loan, along with the aforementioned factors.

Short Term Loans Are Usually Unsecured

While most of the other loans are secured, meaning they need some sort of collateral to secure the repayment of the loan, short term loans are usually unsecured. This means, you don’t need to place your property, or even your assets for that matter as collateral to avail a short term loan.

This can further enable you to exercise the liberty and use the loan amount as per your needs. For example, you can avail of a short term loan without having to put your shares or stocks at stake and use the amount to further expand your inventory.

Short Term Loans Can Help You Manage Your Business Capital

One of the most common situations, when a business struggles to manage, is when it runs short on business capital. As already mentioned, every business needs to hold on to a certain amount of capital for smooth operations. On the contrary, in the event of a shortage of capital, it could be a bumpy ride.

Short term loans can get your business out of these situations, almost instantaneously. For example, there can instances when you may need to pay a vendor of yours, but your business has not generated enough profits. This could create a tense atmosphere for you and your vendor. Thankfully, you can apply for a short term loan to pay the vendor, and carry on with the operations, smoothly.

Short Term Loans Are Best Suited For Emergency Needs

As the popular proverb goes, change is the only constant, business scenarios are bound to change. The circumstances can take grave turns, unannounced and you may find yourself amidst an emergency situation. For example, its payday, and you’re running short on capital. This is just one instance where securing a short term loan may help. There could be a number of situations where you may need the capital all of a sudden.

Since short term loans are easy to process and require minimal documentation, it can be a perfect solution to your emergency financial needs.

Having known the benefits of short term loans, you may feel an urge to know more about it and how to avail it.

Here’s some bonus information that may help you secure a short-term loan, easily.

Look for online financial institutes

With the digital revolution, even the financial institutes and large commercial and public banks have taken their operations online. You can access the information online regarding short term loans and the institutes that offer the same.

Compare the rates of interest

Once you’re done preparing a list of institutes that offer short term loans, you need to compare them. Look for the ones that can offer you the maximum amount for the shortest period at the lowest rate of interest. This would enable you to repay your loan easily and continue with your life, stress-free.

Choose the best plan

Now that you have the sorted list of banks and lenders, the wait is almost over. Make sure you choose the plan that suits your needs the best, along with meeting your budget. Because eventually you are to pay back the loan and you need to ensure that you can repay comfortably.

Hope that this information helps you secure the best deal for your financial needs.

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