In a recent appearance on “Varney & Co.,” Portnoy didn’t hold back his frustration, stating, “I don’t do it to be a nice guy, Stuart. I’m deathly afraid of somebody seeing me not tip and them being like, ‘Dave Portnoy is a cheapskate who doesn’t tip.’ So that, I live in fear of, and it forces me to tip at all times.” His comments reflect a growing sentiment among Americans who feel that tipping culture has reached a tipping point—no pun intended.

The Rise of Self-Checkout Tipping: A New Frontier of Guilt

The traditional model of tipping has always involved a direct exchange: a waiter, a bartender, or a service worker provides a service, and the customer reciprocates with a gratuity. But the landscape is changing. Today, customers are confronted with tipping prompts even when there’s no direct human interaction, such as during a self-checkout process. This new development is raising eyebrows and stirring debates about the ethics and expectations surrounding tipping.

Portnoy’s critique zeroes in on this phenomenon. He explained that the new trend of self-checkout tipping is particularly troubling because it creates an awkward situation where customers feel pressured to tip despite receiving minimal or no service. “It’s a tough one,” Portnoy admitted. “I tend to tip all the time, regardless if it is a self-checkout kiosk or not.”

The sentiment was echoed by other critics of this practice. James W. tweeted, “If a person is not serving or helping, no tip. That’s what the tip is for. No tip for the company. They get theirs when they make a sale.” This opinion reflects a growing frustration among consumers who believe that tipping should be reserved for instances where genuine service is provided.

The Cultural Pressure to Tip: A Double-Edged Sword

Tipping has always been fraught with social pressure, but the introduction of technology into the equation has amplified that pressure tenfold. As businesses increasingly embrace self-checkout tipping options to boost pay for workers outside of their regular salaries, consumers are left questioning the fairness and transparency of these practices.

Companies such as airports, bakeries, coffee shops, and sports stadiums are now deploying self-serve tipping options, prompting customers to leave gratuities of up to 20% even when they’ve had minimal interaction with an employee. As reported by The Wall Street Journal, many customers feel obligated to tip, but they are often left wondering where that money actually goes and whether it truly benefits the workers.

One Twitter user, Onliesteverwho, voiced their frustration, stating, “Self serve tipping? I’d gladly leave me a big tip!” This sarcastic remark captures the essence of the absurdity many feel when faced with the expectation to tip a machine.

The Fear of Being Seen as a ‘Cheapskate’

A significant part of the problem, as Portnoy pointed out, is the fear of social judgment. In a world where everything is recorded and shared on social media, the fear of being caught not tipping can be paralyzing. “I live in fear of somebody seeing me not tip,” Portnoy confessed. This fear is not unfounded in an age where public shaming can happen in an instant, often with severe personal and professional repercussions.

Social media amplifies this anxiety. A user named George commented on Portnoy’s stance, highlighting the public nature of tipping: “You noticed too that ⁦@daveportnoy⁩ is a loud annoying dude?” This comment, while directed at Portnoy’s outspokenness, underscores the broader point that actions—whether tipping or otherwise—are subject to public scrutiny, especially for high-profile individuals.

The Ethics of Tipping: When is Enough, Enough?

The broader question that emerges from this tipping culture is one of ethics: When is enough, enough? Traditionally, tipping was a way to reward good service, but as it becomes more ingrained in transactions that require little to no human effort, it raises questions about the morality and necessity of such practices.

Many consumers are beginning to push back. Zach Lowe predicted, “It’s only a matter of time before there’s a tip option at self-checkout kiosks.” Now that this prediction has become a reality, the backlash is growing. Consumers like Dave Hartman have expressed their surprise and frustration: “At Newark Airport, one of the general stores has self-checkout kiosks that have a tip prompt. I was flabbergasted.”

The sense of bewilderment is palpable across social media and beyond. Ted Zink tweeted, “What happens when a worker’s skill set does not generate a service level worthy of the $15 hourly? More self-checkout kiosks, less tips, less hours, more automation?” This comment touches on the broader implications of tipping culture, including how it intersects with the labor market and the push towards automation.

The Broader Implications: A Shift in Service Culture

Portnoy’s critique of tipping culture isn’t just about self-checkout kiosks; it’s a reflection of a broader shift in American service culture. As businesses continue to find new ways to offload costs onto consumers, the expectation to tip—once a voluntary gesture of appreciation—has become a nearly mandatory social obligation.

This shift has significant implications for the service industry. As tips become more pervasive and expected in non-traditional settings, the original intent of tipping—as a reward for good service—is being diluted. Consumers are increasingly frustrated with the pressure to tip in situations where they feel it’s unwarranted, leading to a potential backlash that could reshape the service industry.

Rethinking the Tipping Culture

Dave Portnoy’s candid critique of America’s tipping culture has sparked a necessary conversation about where tipping is headed. As technology continues to blur the lines between human service and automated transactions, it’s clear that the traditional tipping model is facing unprecedented challenges.

The debate is far from over, but one thing is certain: Consumers are growing weary of being guilted into tipping in situations where it feels unjustified. As Portnoy put it, “I don’t do it to be a nice guy,” capturing the frustration many feel. Whether the tipping culture will recalibrate itself in response to this growing discontent remains to be seen, but the conversation Portnoy has ignited is an important step in that direction.

As more voices join the chorus calling for a reexamination of tipping practices, businesses will need to consider how they approach tipping in the future. Will they continue to push the boundaries of where and when tips are expected, or will they heed the growing calls for a return to a more traditional, service-based model of gratuity? Only time will tell.

Changes in Commission Structure

The overhaul in how real estate commissions are handled represents one of the most significant shifts in the industry in decades. Previously, it was standard for sellers to shoulder the burden of both the buyer’s and seller’s agent commissions, a structure that often kept overall costs high. Now, with the burden of negotiating and paying the buyer’s agent falling on the buyer, the process introduces more transparency but also complexity.

Leo, CEO of EXP Realty, described the transition as a “departure from the way things are done,” emphasizing that the changes will require both consumers and agents to adapt to a new reality. “I’m calling it the messy middle because it will be for consumers as well as agents getting used to the new process,” he said, noting that the change will fundamentally alter the dynamics of homebuying.

The new rules also create potential scenarios where buyers and their agents might need to negotiate directly with sellers who may or may not choose to contribute to the buyer’s agent fees. “We’ve already had stories where the agent presents the contract, and the buyer is confused because it’s not how things were done before,” Leo added. This confusion is likely to be a common theme as the industry adjusts to the new normal.

Barbara Clemens, president of a local realtor association, highlighted that some sellers might still offer to cover the buyer’s agent commission to make their properties more attractive, but this will no longer be transparent in the MLS listings. “Commission is not in the MLS any longer, so agents have to reach out to find out what the seller is offering,” Clemens explained. This shift underscores the need for buyers and their agents to be more proactive in understanding the financial implications of each transaction.

Despite the potential for disruption, many in the industry see this as an opportunity to enhance transparency and foster more informed decision-making. “This change forces everyone to be more upfront about the costs and value of the services provided,” said Aaron Farmer of Texas Discount Realty. “It’s a chance for agents to really demonstrate their worth and for buyers to make more educated choices.”

Impact on Buyers and Sellers

For Home Buyers:

• Agent Commission Responsibility:
  • Buyers are now responsible for negotiating and paying their agent’s commission directly.
• Transparency of Fees:
  • Buyers must have a clear understanding of agent fees upfront and agree on them before starting the home search.
• Negotiation Requirement:
  • Buyers need to negotiate commission fees with their agents before viewing homes.
• Impact on Property Listings:
  • Commission fees are no longer listed on the MLS; buyers must inquire with the seller’s agent to determine if the seller is contributing to the buyer’s agent fees.
• Legal Agreement Requirement:
  • Buyers are required to sign a written agreement with their agent before touring any homes.

For Home Sellers:

• Agent Commission Responsibility:
  • Sellers are no longer automatically responsible for paying the buyer’s agent commission.
• Transparency of Fees:
  • Sellers can choose whether to contribute to the buyer’s agent fees, but this cannot be disclosed in the MLS listings.
• Pricing Strategy Impact:
  • Sellers may need to adjust their pricing strategy depending on their willingness to contribute to buyer agent commissions.
• Communication of Fees:
  • Sellers must provide commission information through alternative means such as flyers, direct communication, or social media.
• Focus on Marketing and Negotiation:
  • As buyers now have direct responsibility for commission costs, sellers must focus more on effective marketing and negotiation strategies to attract potential buyers.

The new commission rules are poised to significantly alter the dynamics between buyers and sellers, with potential benefits and drawbacks for both sides. Buyers, particularly first-time homebuyers, may find the process more daunting as they navigate new responsibilities, including directly negotiating agent fees. “For many first-time buyers, this adds a layer of complexity that they may not have anticipated,” said Andi DeFelice, owner of Exclusive Buyer’s Realty. “They’re already stretching their finances to afford a home, and now they must also consider the cost of their agent’s services upfront.”

The impact on sellers could be mixed. While they might benefit from not having to automatically pay the buyer’s agent commission, this change could also affect their property’s marketability. “In competitive markets, sellers might still feel pressure to offer some form of compensation to attract buyers, especially if neighboring properties do so,” explained Gaby Pitts, president of the National Association of Hispanic Real Estate Professionals’ local chapter. “It’s a delicate balance—offering too little might turn buyers away, but offering too much could eat into the seller’s profits.”

Moreover, the rule change might lead to more strategic and varied approaches to how commissions are handled, depending on market conditions. In hot markets, sellers might be less inclined to offer buyer agent fees, knowing demand is high. In contrast, in slower markets, the need to incentivize buyers could see sellers reverting to covering more costs. “Sellers and their agents will need to carefully consider how these decisions impact the final sale price and the speed at which a property sells,” said Aaron Farmer of Texas Discount Realty. “It’s no longer a one-size-fits-all approach.”

This shift also emphasizes the need for both buyers and sellers to be more informed and prepared. As real estate professionals adjust to the new rules, the focus will be on clear communication and setting expectations from the outset. “There’s going to be a learning curve for everyone involved,” noted Leo, CEO of EXP Realty. “But ultimately, this could lead to a more transparent and fair process, where both parties better understand what they’re paying for and why.”

A New Era of Transparency

The introduction of these new commission rules signals a broader shift towards transparency in real estate transactions, a move that many industry experts believe is long overdue. “For too long, the inner workings of commission structures were opaque to most consumers,” said Kevin Sears, President of the National Association of Realtors (NAR). “This change gives buyers and sellers clearer insight into where their money is going and why.”

By requiring buyers to sign explicit agreements with their agents before starting the home search, the new rules ensure that all parties are on the same page from the outset. “This is about setting clear expectations,” explained Bernice Helman, NAR’s regional vice president for Indiana. “When buyers know upfront what their agents are charging and what services are included, it eliminates misunderstandings down the road and fosters trust.”

However, the increased transparency also places greater responsibility on agents to clearly communicate their value to clients. As the commission structure becomes more visible, agents will need to justify their fees more effectively. “This is an opportunity for agents to demonstrate their expertise and the critical role they play in navigating complex transactions,” said Mark Fisher, CEO of the Indiana Association of Realtors. “When everything is out in the open, it allows for more honest and productive conversations between agents and their clients.”

Despite the potential for initial confusion as both consumers and agents adapt to the new system, the long-term benefits of transparency are expected to outweigh the challenges. “Ultimately, this is about empowering consumers,” noted Sofia Veras, a digital policy expert. “When buyers and sellers have a clear understanding of what they’re paying for, it leads to better outcomes and a more efficient market overall.” As the real estate industry continues to evolve, these new rules mark a significant step toward a more transparent and consumer-friendly environment.

Looking Ahead

As the real estate industry adjusts to these new rules, there is a broad consensus that the changes will have lasting implications, not just for commission structures but for the overall way in which homes are bought and sold. “The industry will look different in five years,” predicted Stephen Brobeck, a senior fellow with the Consumer Federation of America. “These changes are just the beginning of a shift toward a more consumer-focused market.”

One of the key areas of interest will be how agents adapt to the new landscape. With commissions now more transparent and negotiable, agents will need to emphasize their unique value propositions to maintain their client base. “There’s going to be a lot more competition among agents to prove their worth,” said Aaron Farmer of Texas Discount Realty. “The days of assuming a standard commission rate without question are over. Agents who can clearly articulate their value and adapt to client needs will thrive.”

The industry may also see a rise in alternative business models, with some agents offering flat fees or a la carte services as they seek to differentiate themselves. “We’re likely to see more innovation in how real estate services are priced and delivered,” noted Mark Fisher, CEO of the Indiana Association of Realtors. “This could lead to more tailored and flexible options for consumers, which is ultimately a good thing.”

For consumers, the road ahead involves becoming more informed and proactive in their real estate transactions. “Buyers and sellers will need to do their homework more than ever before,” said Bernice Helman, NAR’s regional vice president for Indiana. “Understanding these new rules and how they impact the costs and services involved in a real estate deal is crucial to making the best decisions.”

As the industry navigates these changes, the focus will be on ensuring that the benefits of transparency and flexibility outweigh the challenges of adaptation. “Change is never easy,” reflected Sofia Veras, a digital policy expert, “but this is an important step toward a more equitable and consumer-friendly real estate market. The key will be how effectively the industry and its professionals manage this transition.”

Content Creation

Social media and the nonstop news cycle have created new chances for creative people like writers and graphic designers. If you’re good at these things, grab the opportunity to create great content for businesses and news sites as it is one of the best ways to make money online. They always need better content to keep their audience interested. With more freelancers, showing off what you can do and getting hired for jobs is more accessible. You can become a famous professional if you use your imagination and skills well. Use this changing world to show what you can do and help businesses and media companies with their content. It’s a great way to build a successful career online.

Personal or virtual Assistant

Entrepreneurs who want to make their businesses bigger must focus on jobs that benefit them. They need people who organize things to help everything run smoothly. Personal or virtual assistants are super important because they do many different office jobs from their homes. They work for other people, managing schedules, booking trips, and doing office work well. As businesses get bigger, they need more assistants who are good at their jobs. It means there are lots of chances for assistants to do well. They can work from home and help many clients, ensuring everything runs smoothly. It allows entrepreneurs to focus on essential things that help their businesses grow and be successful.

Event Planning Services

Starting an event-planning business could be significant if you’re good at organizing and paying attention to small things. Event planners help with different parties, such as weddings and birthdays, ensuring everyone has a good time without any worries. Plan a few free events to improve and show what you can do. Use websites like LinkedIn and make calls to find people who can help, like vendors and contacts. It will help you prepare to make your clients’ dreams come true and give them parties they’ll never forget. With hard work and a love for arranging, you can turn your hobby into a successful future as an event planner.

Errand/Concierge Service

Many working parents have jobs and care for their kids, so they only have a little time for grocery shopping or mailing packages. But if you’re motivated, you can help out with these tasks. It gives parents more time for important stuff. You can charge for every hour you work or each task you do, and remember to include travel costs in your rates. By helping with errands, you not only make life easier for busy parents but also get a chance to earn money. This job lets you make a big difference in their lives while reaching your money goals. If you’re committed and willing to help, you can create a successful business while supporting families in your area.

Professional Reviewer

A professional reviewer gets paid to share their thoughts about products, services, or experiences. They might work for companies, websites, or magazines or be independent reviewers who write on blogs or social media. These reviewers often know much about technology, fashion, food, and entertainment. They try out the things they’re reviewing and share detailed feedback based on what they experienced. Their reviews can help people decide what to buy and help companies improve their products. To be a professional reviewer, you need to think critically, communicate well, and care about giving honest opinions.

Social Media Consultant

Big companies can afford to pay a marketing team or hire someone to handle their social media and blogs. But small businesses usually do this themselves. Business owners already have much to do, so utilizing social media can take time and effort. As a consultant, you can help by advising them on what to post, when to post, and how to make their posts delightful for the folks they want to reach. When their follower numbers go up, it’s good for their business, and it’s good for yours too. More people noticing their business online means more people noticing your consultancy, which helps both of you grow.

Online Courses and Tutoring

Do you enjoy doing something a lot? Like yoga, baking, or making websites? You can teach others about it and help them learn. Giving virtual classes is an excellent way to do this. You can make instruction sheets and videos for people to download or teach live on Skype. Another idea is to start a tutoring service where you help people learn at home or online. It feels good to share what you love and watch others improve. Teaching can make a difference in people’s lives and help them find new things they enjoy. So, whether you’re doing virtual classes or tutoring, there are many ways to teach and help others.

Personal Chef

In this business, your main task is to cook meals for your clients weekly or daily. So, having good cooking skills and understanding nutrition and various diets is important. You don’t necessarily need to attend culinary school, but cooking classes can give you more confidence and credibility. Sometimes, you may have to go to the grocery store or your clients’ homes to cook the meals. But don’t worry; your clients will cover the cost of the food and any additional fees for your service. It’s a great opportunity to showcase your culinary talents while providing a valuable service to busy individuals or families. As you build trust with your clients and deliver delicious meals, your business will likely grow through word-of-mouth recommendations.

Translation Service

If you know another language well, you can work as a translator. Your job is to change words from one language to another in writing and when speaking. This job is needed because there are more connections between countries now and more people in the U.S. who don’t speak English. The government says it will keep growing by 4 percent until 2032. You can start your translation business and offer services to businesses, schools, hospitals, courts, and meeting spots. Helping break down language barriers will make it easier for various groups to understand each other. As you get more clients, you’ll be helping to create a more open and understanding society where everyone can communicate better.

Conclusion

People can start many types of home-based businesses without spending much money. They can use their skills and interests to help others and chase their dreams of owning a business. Whether creating content, cooking meals, translating, or something else, each option lets people make a difference in their community while earning money. With the internet connecting everyone and more people needing special services, now is a great time to start a business from home. People can use their talents and ideas to build successful careers while making life better for others around them in the changing world.

How to get started

When first starting, try to plan as much as you can before arriving in Dubai. There are loads of aspects you can research before finalizing the idea. Here is a checklist of what to do: 

• Research a potential product/service
• Look into the target market for such a service. 
• Write up your business plan and decide on a name. 
• Finance your business through either a loan or self-funding. 
• Network and make contacts to support your business. 
• Find a suitable location to set up. 

Many of these can be researched beforehand. Once you arrive in Dubai, you can then implement them more practically. This includes finding an appropriate bank to take a loan from or finding an empty lot to set up a shop. Dubai is full of other businesses willing to make connections. Depending on what type of business you are doing, you can begin networking with them to help you out. 

The more you have sorted before landing, the less work there will be to do while you are there. You may even have a business that has combined accommodation, giving you somewhere to live as well as starting up. 

Example 1: Construction Sector

Dubai is a city that never stops changing. It is always building new infrastructures to help more businesses flourish. If you wish to help the city grow, the construction sectors have seen massive accomplishments. So long as you have the knowledge and experience needed, you can set up new projects across the city. You can even set up a business to help provide the materials needed for such projects. This includes providing bricks, cement, metals, and more. You can organize contractors and workers to offer help in building new projects. 

Example 2: Tourism

Dubai is one of the most popular destinations in the world for tourists. There are many activities and beautiful sights to see. There will always be a target market for providing tourism services and travel options. Thankfully, there are many ways to provide such services. Tour guides are common, and you can find them anywhere along the main city areas. 

There are also offices that can offer guides to the city as well as directions to popular activities. Some unique services can also be provided, such as bus tours, skyscraper hunts, shopping destinations, and so much more. If you can provide something new, this will benefit Dubai as a whole. 

Example 3: Car Rentals

Dubai has the biggest automobile market in the world. Car rentals are common, providing vehicles for people to travel with whilst they visit. If you wish to start your own car rental service, it can be difficult to face such varied competition. The best way to provide this service is to choose vehicles that can support multiple types of visitors. This includes families, couples, business travelers, and more. The cars themselves must be convenient, easy to handle, as well as offering a sense of luxury. You could provide cars that visitors would never be able to normally drive on their budget.

Adapting is Key

A last bit of advice is to make sure you are prepared for most outcomes. Expect to make a loss every now and then, as this is similar for most businesses that start out. Be prepared for competition being intimidating, as it can be hard to set yourself apart from others. Be sure to have some finances left as a backup in case money troubles could be around the corner. Don’t spend too much endlessly just to keep the business afloat. Take your time, plan accordingly, and Dubai will be thankful for another entrepreneur.

The Burden of Self-Salaries in Small Businesses

The financial strain on small businesses often comes from the salaries that owners draw from their ventures. The allure of higher personal earnings can be tempting and misleading, detracting from the fundamental goals of long-term business growth and stability. As the discussions pointed out, many small business owners transition from regular employment to entrepreneurship with expectations of higher compensation. However, this shift is fraught with financial perils if not managed with foresight.

The expert discussion highlighted that initial low or no salary for business owners could be a strategic choice that supports business health. Reinvesting profits back into the business rather than drawing a high salary can fuel growth, enhance infrastructure, and cover essential expenses like legal fees, marketing, and lead generation.

From Self-Employed to Business Owner: A Critical Transition

A significant highlight of the talk was the distinction between self-employed and business owners. The former often find themselves tied down to the company, unable to step away, and their presence is critical for the business’s operation. In contrast, a valid business owner sets systems that allow the industry to run passively and generate income without daily oversight.

This distinction is crucial in financial planning and business strategy. For instance, the panel discussed how, without understanding the nuances of cash flow management and proper salary allocations, a business is merely a job with extra steps and not a venture that genuinely ‘owns’ itself.

Strategic Expense Management and Growth Planning

One of the most compelling parts of the discussion revolved around strategic expense management. Experts emphasized the importance of meticulous financial tracking and management, especially in the early stages of a business. Engaging with professional accounting services that can act as de facto CFOs helps identify and trim unnecessary expenses and plan for scalable growth.

For example, understanding the actual costs of operations, such as customer acquisition and service delivery, can illuminate paths to efficiency and profitability. This process involves regular reviews of profit and loss statements and making informed decisions that align with long-term business goals rather than immediate personal benefit.

Real-Life Application and Active Cash Flow Management

Practical advice from the floor stressed active engagement in the business’s core activities – particularly sales. Generating active cash flow through direct sales efforts is essential, especially when a company does not have the cushion of substantial startup capital.

Furthermore, the ability to adapt to multiple roles within the business was touted as beneficial. The willingness to ‘get one’s hands dirty’ and understand every facet of the operation can lead to better resource optimization and more informed strategic decisions.

Building Sustainable Business Models

The insightful session wrapped up with a strong message on sustainability and prudent financial planning. Aspiring entrepreneurs were encouraged to adopt a disciplined approach to business finance, focusing on building a robust operational foundation that transcends mere survival and gears towards thriving in competitive markets.

This discussion has illuminated the pathways through which small business owners can transform their operations from fragile startups into robust, profitable enterprises. By focusing on strategic reinvestment, careful expense management, and cultivating passive income streams, entrepreneurs can navigate the tumultuous waters of business ownership toward the coveted shores of financial independence and success.

Rodrick minced no words in describing the challenges for small business proprietors operating under the franchise model. “The days have now dawned upon us where countless operators in California face a $20 minimum wage,” he stated. “It will be the most serious challenge for entrepreneurs that do business on the franchising platform.”

As Rodrick emphasized, the impact of this wage mandate extends far beyond the corporate level, affecting predominantly family-owned and operated establishments like his own. “The vast majority of these restaurants are run by small business proprietors who operate on the franchising platform,” he explained. “Whether you own one or ten doughnut shops in California, if you’re part of a franchise brand with 60 or more locations, the new wage mandate will apply to you.”

Indeed, the unprecedented nature of this wage increase, a staggering 25% overnight, has left many franchise owners scrambling to adapt. Rodrick highlighted the significant repercussions this wage hike could have, particularly on employment levels within the industry. “Historically, many cities have implemented living wages with an annual CPI bump,” he noted. “But this sudden and substantial increase specifically targeting fast-food restaurants is unprecedented.”

Addressing how franchise owners navigate these challenges, Rodrick outlined a multifaceted approach focused on maximizing efficiency and exploring alternative revenue streams. “One of the most critical levers I can use as a business owner is price,” he explained. “But I can’t charge $20 for a Happy Meal.”

Rodrick underscored his commitment to preserving jobs and supporting his workforce in the face of these challenges. “People in my company are my greatest single asset,” he asserted. “The last thing I want to do is impact the folks that run my Golden Arches.”

However, Rodrick’s concerns are not unfounded, as recent developments in the industry have already demonstrated the potential for significant job losses. “Leading up to today, Pizza Hut and Round Table Pizza laid off 1,500 drivers up and down the state,” he revealed. “And at the end of January, 18 Subway sandwich shops closed overnight.”

As California’s fast-food industry grapples with the far-reaching implications of this wage mandate, franchise owners like Rodrick are left to navigate an uncertain future, balancing the imperative to remain competitive with their commitment to their employees and communities.

As the debate over minimum wage continues, California’s fast-food industry’s resilience and adaptability will be tested, with implications that extend far beyond the confines of individual franchises.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o6rbjHVE4LI

Generative AI is not just about automation; it’s about empowering small businesses to achieve more with less. By leveraging AI-driven insights and capabilities to drive growth, streamline operations, and deliver unparalleled customer experiences, small businesses can unlock new opportunities, solve complex challenges, and stay ahead of the curve in an increasingly digital world.

Large models are at the heart of generative AI, meticulously trained on massive amounts of data, enabling AI systems to generate diverse forms of content, including images, text, code, and multimedia, with remarkable speed and precision. This technology is reshaping industries and democratizing access to cutting-edge AI capabilities once reserved for tech giants.

For small and midsize enterprises (SMEs), embracing generative AI offers a pathway to innovation and success. By harnessing AI-driven insights, SMEs can uncover market trends, detect fraud, strengthen security measures, and personalize customer interactions. This will drive operational efficiency and foster growth in a fiercely competitive market landscape.

However, realizing the full potential of generative AI requires more than just adopting the technology; it demands a holistic approach encompassing people, processes, and technology tailored to the unique needs of small businesses.

From a people perspective, SMEs need visionary leaders to spearhead AI initiatives, teams of adaptable employees eager to learn and innovate, and access to experts with generative AI experience who can provide guidance and support.

On the process front, SMEs must ensure easy access to high-quality data, implement strategies to mitigate bias, and integrate generative AI solutions seamlessly into existing workflows to drive tangible business outcomes.

From a technology standpoint, SMEs require secure infrastructure for data management, flexible and scalable solutions that can grow with their business, and compliance with industry regulations to safeguard sensitive information.

In this transformative journey, Amazon Web Services (AWS) emerges as a trusted partner, offering a comprehensive portfolio of AI solutions, secure infrastructure, and expert guidance tailored to the needs of small businesses. With AWS, SMEs can leverage enterprise-grade AI technology to innovate, compete, and thrive in the digital era.

As small businesses embark on their generative AI journey, they can unleash unprecedented innovation, drive operational efficiencies, and create meaningful value for their customers. Generative AI is not just a technological advancement; it’s a catalyst for growth and a cornerstone of success in the digital economy.

In a recent video that has sent shockwaves through the marketing community, an industry insider exposes the stark reality: despite having the same number of followers, posts made by individuals on LinkedIn garner ten times the engagement compared to those made by companies.

“I am literally like, okay, if I post the same thing from me personally, I’m going to get about ten times the engagement. Why would I even post as my company?” the insider laments.

They argue that the reason for this discrepancy lies in LinkedIn’s inherently personal platform. Unlike other social media networks, where users may feel comfortable engaging with faceless corporations, LinkedIn users crave authenticity and connection.

“When you comment on a company’s post, you’re going to say, ‘I don’t know if anyone is even on the other end of this. It’s a faceless organization,'” the insider explains. “But on LinkedIn, organically, it is the easiest network in the world to go viral on. This is all driven by comments.”

LinkedIn, they assert, is hungry for conversation. With only a fraction of its users actively posting content, the platform prioritizes posts that spark dialogue and engagement. This presents a unique opportunity for savvy marketers to boost their visibility by leveraging the power of thought leader ads.

Enterprising companies can now sponsor individual posts made by their executives, seamlessly blending corporate messaging with personal authenticity. While the process may still be cumbersome, the potential benefits are clear: increased engagement, enhanced visibility, and a more authentic connection with the audience.

“With thought leader ads, your ads are actually being engaged with at potentially ten times what your company posts were,” the insider reveals.

As marketers scramble to navigate the ever-evolving landscape of social media advertising, one thing is sure: on LinkedIn, the personal touch reigns supreme, and companies ignore it at their peril.

As a guest on Small Business Quick Wins, presented by Thrive, Hayden shared her expertise and insights into the pitfalls to avoid and the tips that small business owners need to know for effective accounting and bookkeeping practices.

Hayden’s journey to becoming an accounting expert started nine years ago when she founded Kickstart Accounting. Drawing from her experience as a CPA and CFO, Hayden recognized the need to provide tailored accounting solutions to small businesses. Her company has since become a leading firm in the field, specializing in helping small businesses make informed financial decisions.

One of the key points Hayden emphasized is the importance of separating personal and business finances—a common mistake she encounters among small business owners. By maintaining separate accounts for business transactions, owners can ensure clarity and compliance, reducing the risk of legal and financial complications.

Moreover, Hayden highlighted the misconception that business owners need to be proficient in accounting before hiring professional help. She debunked this myth, emphasizing the value of outsourcing specialized tasks to qualified experts. Whether it’s bookkeeping, tax preparation, or payroll management, Hayden stressed the importance of entrusting these responsibilities to professionals, allowing business owners to focus on what they do best.

Throughout the discussion, Hayden underscored the role of accountability in financial management. As an accountability partner to her clients, she ensures that they stay organized and compliant with financial regulations. By providing regular reports and guidance, Kickstart Accounting helps small business owners confidently navigate the complexities of financial management.

In addition to her practical advice, Hayden addressed the common misconceptions surrounding bookkeeping and accounting. She emphasized the need for clarity and transparency in financial reporting, urging business owners to prioritize accuracy and consistency.

Wrapping up the conversation, Hayden shared her passion for empowering entrepreneurs and helping them thrive in their business endeavors. Through her podcast, “Business by the Book,” and personalized services, she remains committed to supporting small businesses on their journey to success.

As the podcast concluded, Hayden’s insights resonated with listeners. She offered practical solutions and dispelled myths surrounding accounting and bookkeeping. With her guidance, small business owners can approach financial management with clarity and confidence, knowing that they have a trusted partner in Kickstart Accounting.

Harley Finkelstein, COO of Shopify, discusses how COVID has dramatically sped up the timeline for commerce moving online and has also moved Shopify closer to its goal of becoming the world’s first retail operating system:

Shopify Evolving Into World’s First Retail Operating System

Most people assume that Shopify is an ecommerce provider. We have more than a million stores on Shopify. If you were to aggregate our stores in the US we’d be the second-largest online retailer in America. Of course, we’re not a retailer but we’re a platform. But we now have these great economies of scale that we’re using to level the playing field for entrepreneurs and small businesses. That being said, what really Shopify is evolving into is the world’s first retail operating system. 

What we’re trying to figure out is what do brands and entrepreneurs and retailers need, not just now but in the future? We think the future of retail is retail everywhere. A brand that’s going to be successful in 5, 10 or 15 years from now needs to sell across any platform and across any channel where they have customers. This idea of enabling Shopify merchants to very easily push their products to the Amazon Marketplace or the eBay marketplace or now the Walmart marketplace, that gives them access to a new set of consumers. The idea is that it all feeds back in one centralized back-office, the retail operating system, which is Shopify. 

Then we’ve gone ahead and asked what else can we do for these merchants? Can we do capital? We’ve now given out about a billion dollars worth of cash advances and loans to small businesses. We’re doing fulfillment and we’re doing shipping. We’re increasing the scope and the relationship that we have with the million stores on Shopify. This is allowing them to become category leaders.

COVID Speeds Up The Ecommerce Revolution

From our view, it seems like the commerce world that would have existed in the year 2030 has really been pulled into the year 2020 (as a result of the COVID crisis). We’ve seen ecommerce as a percent of total retail go from 15 percent to 25 percent in the last three months. That’s the same growth rate that we’ve seen over the last 10 years. What really has emerged here is sort of this tale of two retail worlds. On one side you have these resilient retailers that are doing great, they’re pivoting, and they’re expanding their businesses. On the other side, you have these resistant retailers who have not made it. In many ways, it’s probably the most exciting time for retail in a very long time. 

We talk a lot about these direct to consumer brands that are becoming category leaders. The Allbirds and the Gymsharks who started on Shopify when they were very small and have grown to become the incumbents in their industry. Every 25 seconds a brand new entrepreneur makes his or her (products) for sale on Shopify. We talk a lot about those new startups, those new DTC brands. But actually, what we’re also seeing on Shopify are companies like Lindt Chocolate or Heinz ketchup or Chipotle. They are signing up for Shopify and basically from like five days from contract to launch they are completely changing their businesses. 

This resiliency isn’t simply in the hands of just the smallest of brands. Big companies are also beginning to think a lot more about how to stay resilient in this time. They’re moving well beyond ecommerce or thinking about offline commerce now. They’re thinking about how do they sell across social media? How do they sell across different marketplaces? So no, I don’t think it’s too late (to enter ecommerce) but I do think they have to rethink their strategies.

Fortunately, digitization has made it possible for small businesses to reach out to prospects online in the global marketplace. Businesses shouldn’t overlook the importance of digital marketing, regardless of their size. Besides learning various effective digital marketing methods, small businesses should keep tabs on digital marketing trends to remain competitive. Below are a few reasons small businesses shouldn’t overlook digital marketing strategies.

1.  Target Online Customers

Unlike before, modern shoppers begin their search for brands, products, and services online. In the current digital age, prospects expect businesses to have a strong social media presence and a website. There’s a lot that potential customers look for before reaching out to brands for business. For instance, parents might want to know how to transfer a car title from parent to child before buying car insurance.

Small businesses should leverage this opportunity to reach such customers. Your website should be mobile responsive, reflect your brand image, and have solid reviews. Most online customers start by reading reviews to learn what other customers say about your business. For instance, 87% of online customers check online reviews before reaching out to local businesses.

2.  Learn What Your Competitors are Doing

Small businesses should pay attention to their competitors for business success. Digital marketing methods can help businesses monitor and learn from their competitors. For instance, regardless of your niche, if your competitors have a better-performing web presence, you can begin by evaluating their content strategy. Do they use blogs or visual content?

Conducting thorough competitor research is the best way to learn about your competitors. Identify their preferred platforms, focus keywords, influencers, and other important pointers. Excellent tools for competitor research include:

• Ahrefs – Best for discovering competitor’s linked content
• SEMrush – Best for finding ranking keywords
• BuzzSumo – Used to track performing content types
• Moz – Keyword ranking platform
• Google Alerts – Used to track competitor mentions

You should also explore other consumer insights tools to boost your content marketing strategy.

3.  Improve Accessibility to Customers

You should strive to position your small business in front of potential customers, which is majorly the online space. As mentioned, modern customers start searching for products online. Businesses without an online presence miss many opportunities and cannot compete equally, especially if competitors have a strong online presence.

Small businesses should leverage digital marketing to position their brands in front of prospects. Besides creating a strong website, digital marketers should learn search engine optimization to outrank competitors on Google searches. Keywords (both long and short tail) are important, and you should understand how to use them to rank your website.

An online presence creates an environment where customers can reach out day and night. Prospects and customers can send emails, schedule appointments, and purchase products or services anytime. You can also visit WebmastersHall to learn more about improving your digital marketing efforts for enhanced accessibility to customers.

Endnote

Digital marketing is beneficial to small businesses in many ways. Unlike other marketing strategies, digital marketing is affordable, making it suitable for small businesses with limited marketing budgets. Businesses that haven’t ventured into the digital space miss a lot of customers and business opportunities.

Here are four tips to help you keep organized and get your business running like a well-oiled machine. Read on and discover how to build up your organizational acumen.

1. Leverage Technology

From messaging apps to project management tools to scheduling software, there are numerous tools that can help streamline all of your most routine processes. For example, scheduling meetings can eat up your valuable time, with lengthy email conversations back and forth to determine when everyone’s available. But an automated meeting scheduler can easily let your team settle on a meeting time, record it, and keep everyone informed as you go.

Nor are meetings the only thing tech can schedule for you. Lean on to-do list apps to prioritize daily tasks and specify the timelines by which they should be completed. When you’re juggling multiple projects, break down deadlines into smaller, more achievable goals so they feel less daunting. As you complete each task, cross it off the list. Seeing your progress visually can keep you motivated.

With technology, there’s no reason to keep reinventing the wheel. Templates enable you to quickly create a set of standard documents that you can reuse over and over again. There are other mundane tasks, such as invoicing and sending client welcome emails, that you can automate, too. And the best part of leveraging technology? Software vendors often offer free introductory plans, so you can easily check tools out before investing in additional features, user seats, or storage.

2. Optimize Communication

Open communication channels are key to keeping your business humming, but you have to avoid communication overload. You might rely on a single messaging platform, such as Slack or Trello, for all your internal communications, including project updates and meetings. This helps keep your people from being bombarded with messages from all directions. But it can also lead to messages piling up, making it tough to figure out what’s urgent and what’s not. 

To facilitate communication, be clear about what types of messages should be sent by what means. Slack might be preferred for answers to quick questions, while email is better for matters that require more deliberation — and attachments. If there matters you’d prefer to discuss in person or over the phone, let your team know what these are.

Finally, set boundaries for yourself and your employees. As the business owner, you may feel compelled to be available 24/7, but no one can be on all the time. Turn off notifications during specific hours and encourage everyone else to do the same. Set designated times for checking emails and making phone calls. Use that time to respond to all urgent messages.

3. Maintain Your Focus

It can be hard to limit distractions in a busy office. But nobody will accomplish anything when they’re being interrupted all the time — even by themselves. Self-interruption is essentially what multitasking is, and it’s a productivity killer. 

To maintain your focus and do your most efficient work, try out the Pomodoro Technique. It involves working for a set amount of time (usually 25 minutes), taking a short break, then repeating the cycle. During the work period, concentrate on the task at hand and nothing else. You’ll make steady progress by breaking larger projects into smaller chunks and not get overwhelmed.

Further enhance your ability to focus by taking some time to tidy up your space every morning. Having a cluttered workspace leads to stress and distraction, which is the last thing you need when running a business. So organize your files and papers, stow office supplies out of sight, and give everything a place. Once you do that, you’ll feel less overwhelmed by the chaos around you — because there won’t be any.

4. Collaborate and Delegate

When your team works together well, everyone can get more done. But to do that, people and teams need to talk to each other. Write down clear goals and deadlines for each project and make sure everyone understands what their role is. Better yet, consign this information to a project management system, which will give the entire team visibility into project deliverables and milestones. 

Encourage communication and regular check-ins, and when a project is finally finished, take the time to pat yourself on the back and celebrate. This kind of positivity builds up morale and makes sure people will want to collaborate and work together on future projects.

Lastly, don’t forget about the power of delegation. As a business owner, you probably wear many hats. While you may feel compelled to take on everything yourself, you hired your team for a reason. Look at your to-do list and pinpoint tasks that can be handled by someone else. Then delegate to the appropriate individuals and let them work their magic.

Achieving the Well-Oiled Machine

Organizing a small business can seem like a monumental task and one that never ends. But it doesn’t have to be overwhelming. With a few simple tips and the right tools, you can keep your business organized and running like clockwork. When you do, you’ll ultimately serve your customers and your employees better.

Scott Tousley, Senior Team Lead of User Acquisition for all products at HubSpot, was recently interviewed on the B2B Growth Podcast by David Kelly, General Manager at Sumo Dojo. Tousley discusses how HubSpot is using Surround Sound Marketing Strategy to drive leads and sales:

Surround Sound Marketing Strategy Starting to Take Off

There is a very smart individual at HubSpot named Alex Birkett based out of Austin, Texas. He is working on this concept that is really starting to take off called Surround Sound Strategy. Essentially what that means is that it runs with the notion that marketers are selfish. All we care about is how do we drive more traffic to our website. I don’t care where it comes from. Whether it comes from search or social or referral traffic or email, it doesn’t matter. You’re always looking at how do I get more traffic to my website? The reality is that when we are trying to buy something you don’t go to one website. You go to multiple different websites when you are trying to make a purchasing decision.

For example, I’m in South Lake Tahoe right now. One search I just did recently was “best bars in South Lake Tahoe.” I wanted to see a list and I wanted to see some reviews from a couple of different websites. I also like to surf, so let’s say I’m in the market for a new shortboard. So I search for “best shortboards 2019.” First, I’ll read a listicle, then I will go back to Google and I will click on the next list. Then I will go back again and click on the next list. Then I will start to narrow my decision based on seeing the same thing over and over. Once I narrow it down I will do a versus search such as “lost puddle jumper” vs. “channel islands average joe.” I’ve narrowed my decision at that point.

We Want To Be At All Stages of the Purchasing Decision

What we are trying to do at HubSpot right now is figure out how to be everywhere. We want to be at all stages of that purchasing decision when people are searching for “what is the best blank that exists today.” Well, there are a ton of lists that are out there and a ton of review sites and HubSpot’s B2B software (has to be there). There are a lot of review sites just dominating search engines right now like Capterra, G2 Crowd, and Software Advice. A lot of those are pay to play. You have got to pay to get listed on what appears when you land via search. Most of them are.

But listicles are free. Not only are they free to get added to, but they are free to create. That’s one of the biggest things we are working on right now. How do we change our mindset from being so obsessed at driving traffic to our website? How do we make sure that HubSpot’s brand is everywhere when you are doing your product research and you are on many different websites? We actually sometimes prefer that we drive traffic to multiple different websites where we are listed versus just to our own. It’s good for social grouping.

Listen to the full interview with HubSpot’s Scott Tousley.

Nirosha Methananda, Vice President of Marketing at Bombora, discusses the challenges of marketing without annoying your potential customers by bombarding them with marketing messages in an interview with Logan Lyles on the B2B Growth Podcast:

Marketing Is Really About the Customer Experience

As a B2B marketer, I get marketed to a lot. It’s something that I have increasingly noticed and I’m probably not the only one. That’s just becoming part of the experience in terms of being inundated with different messaging and different calls and this, that, and the other. Use this, do this, buy this, whatever it is. It’s really not a great experience. It doesn’t necessarily provide value. Marketers are so busy as it is, and I know that is applicable across the board with everyone we are marketing to. Being able to cut through the noise and having an understanding of all these different things is very challenging. 

Having on top of it being inundated with this constant flow of messaging like meet me, meet me, meet me, is not very helpful. That’s one of the things that I’m passionate about. It’s really about customer experience. I think that is something fundamental to marketing. I feel like we have gone down this path of almost over automating and having to constantly pounce on people without necessarily being conscious and mindful of what their experience is on the other end. From my experience, it’s leading to me switching off and ignoring messages. I’m sure I’m not the only one. 

Create a Marketing Strategy That’s Not Annoying

It also leads to this annoyance and irritation which leads to distrust of brands and that’s not great for this industry. From a customer perspective those bad experiences, unfortunately, more than good experiences, they stay with you for longer and you remember that. Another thing that we don’t necessarily think of is that it’s wasteful. It’s wasteful of time and it’s wasteful of money especially for marketing and sales where money is a precious resource. It’s not something to be wasted. That’s basically why I’m passionate about creating a marketing strategy that’s not annoying.

As an example, our Intent Event was our first flagship event that we did last year. It was a closed event so we did have limited numbers and we were limited as to what we could do with promotion. What we did was try to have mindfulness around what we were sending out and ensuring that it was helpful. Making sure that the recipients, the people that we invited, were given all the relevant information, but there was brevity in the communication as well as encouraging them to participate without forcing them to be there. 

There was certainly some urgency around some of our communication but it wasn’t you need to attend this and this is why you must attend this. It was more about being a bit more subtle in presenting them the idea and the concept of what it was, why it would help them, and exactly the information that they needed. What that meant was not sending out multiple emails, being very controlled around it, really thinking about what the experience was before the event, to during the event, to after the event. We were really focused on the customer and making sure that all of the content and communication was educational and helpful.

In 2021, the credit increased to 70% of up to $10,000 in wages per quarter, resulting in a potential credit range of $21,000 to $28,000 per employee for the year. However, for the 4th quarter of 2021, only businesses opened after February 16, 2020, with less than $1,000,000 in revenue, can file for the credit, known as Recovery Startup Business, potentially receiving up to $33,000 per employee.

The ERC program aims to assist businesses in recovering from the economic shutdown, compensating for lost revenue, and maintaining operations while retaining employees. Although the program officially ended in 2021, businesses can still file to receive funds. Many businesses qualify for ERC but are often unaware of their eligibility.

How to Qualify for ERC

Businesses must have experienced a significant decline in gross receipts during 2020 or a general decline in gross receipts during 2021 compared to corresponding quarters in 2019. The business should also operate within the US, regardless of size, and have faced a full or partial suspension of operations due to government orders or experienced a more than nominal impact on operations. Additionally, businesses that meet the criteria as a Recovery Startup Business in the third or fourth quarter of 2021 may qualify.

ERC requires considering qualifying wages, which include cash payments and a portion of employer-provided health care costs. Businesses that received Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans may still be eligible for ERC. The credit amount depends on the average full-time employees in 2019, with different calculations for businesses above or below certain thresholds.

Claiming ERC typically involves amending tax filings, and it may take 4-10 months for the IRS to process claims and issue checks. To navigate the complexities of ERC, businesses can seek assistance from qualified experts like Credit League. They provide consultations, help with documentation, and maximize the credit return. Credit League’s team of attorneys and CPAs can guide businesses through the qualification process, prepare necessary paperwork, and maintain contact with the IRS throughout the filing process.

In Summary

ERC is a valuable tax credit aimed at supporting businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic. By understanding the eligibility criteria, businesses can potentially save up to $26,000 per employee, and seeking professional assistance can help streamline the filing process and maximize the credit.

Due Dates are Coming

Starting in January, documents that are for employees and independent contractors are due by the 31st. The documents in question are Forms 1099-NEC 1099-MISC, and 1099-K. The documents for average employees are forms W2 and W3. Moving on to February, there are several dates to watch out for. The 1st is the deadline for any extension to opt out of any extension for Federal and State tax returns. 

However, it must be mentioned that it is recommended by the IRS to file for an extension if it’s anticipated to be later than the original deadline. Also, there is a penalty upwards of $25,000 for missed Form 5742 which deals with foreign investment information. February 22, is the deadline to submit documents for partnerships and S-Corps. That February deadline to keep watch on is the 28th when paper filings for forms 1099 and 1099-DIV. 

The first of March is the deadline to submit franchise annual reports for those who reside in the state of Delaware. To quickly calculate this number, simply compare the shares issued with the assets at year’s end. On the 15th, any extensions for partnerships and S-corps are due that day. The forms needed that day to submit are 1065 for partnerships, and form 8805 for partnership income shared with foreign partners. Onto S-corps, form 1120 is the document to submit as well as 1042 for dividends paid to foreign shareholders. March 31 is the deadline for electronic filing for forms 1097, 1098, and 1099s – Excluding NEC, 3921, 3922, and W-2G. 

Final Thoughts

April 8 is the tax day extension due date. Aside from Form 1120, the form that covers single owner LLC, & individual(1040) is due. On the same day, estimated tax payments for Q1 will also be due. Corporations are required to pay estimated taxes on their first year of being profitable. The Foreign Investment Form(called BE-12) is Required for companies with 10% or greater foreign ownership. Penalties range from $2500 – $10k and criminal charges. Surveyed every 5 years. June 15th is the due date for Q2 estimated tax payments. 

Jumping to September, the 15th fiscal year deadline for 6/30 year-end businesses Fiscal year deadline for 6/30 year-end businesses is the deadline to file partnership and s-corp returns on the 6-month extension deadline. Likewise, the fiscal year deadline for 6/30 year-end businesses is on that day as well. Lastly, October 16th is the final deadline for those on a 6-month extension. Drop dead date after which penalties will be assessed.

Email newsletters can lend a great deal of help in client retention, communication, and revenue-building. Many newsletters provide readers with coupons, exclusive offers and products, as well as membership perks and discounts. As a result, experts have found shoppers to spend nearly 137% more with a business after receiving email offers. To the benefit of the brand, a $45 return is seen for every $1 spent on email marketing.

In other words, the key to successful email marketing is getting your content seen and engaged with without getting flagged as spam. Luckily, this is achievable in various ways.

One of the easiest things you can do to raise your email open rates is to replace any irrelevant text or uninteresting subject lines. When crafting an email, be personal. Feel free to use the recipient’s name or location as a conversation-builder. Continuing on, be brief. As a general rule of thumb, keep email subject lines under 10 words – and/or 60 characters. However, remember to keep your subject line friendly, as this personable method also increases email open rates. With this, be sure to use no more than 3 punctuation marks and 1 emoji.

Of course, there are many methods to messaging targeted recipients. A/B comparison methods can assist as they allow for testing across various subject lines. With its results, you can learn which outreach variant your customers prefer.

You can also categorize your contacts into interest groups and geolocation to ensure content is relevant to all receivers. Geolocations can be as specific as time zones or regions.

On the other hand, you can increase your click-through rates using hacks just as easy. For example, change your hyperlink’s text, and avoid using “click here.” Remember: not many email recipients click for more. Instead, take the opportunity to embed multiple links to the same content, and create descriptive and concise link text when doing so. You can also use A/B style testing here to test out content blocks.

When conducting outreach, one of the most important keys to remember is not getting marked as spam. Recipients rarely flag marketing emails as spam; but when they do, it’s because they’ve grown stale of the marketer’s content, their contact information has been purchased, they have been contacted without permission, or something else along these lines.

As a human courtesy, ask customers to opt-in to receiving your emails before auto-blasting them with content. In fact, take the time to explain the benefits such as coupons or other exclusive offers when asking them to op-tin. Regardless of what you, never purchase email addresses. Similarly, never hide the unsubscribe link from your emails. It’s always important to keep emails and campaigns professional – so stick to any email frequency expectations you have set for your team.

Overall, all marketers want consumers to engage with their content. The best way in doing so may be through email marketing. Do you know the best tactics for engaging with the public?

Nirosha Methananda, Vice President of Marketing at Bombora, discusses the challenges of marketing without annoying your potential customers by bombarding them with marketing messages in an interview with Logan Lyles on the B2B Growth Podcast:

Marketing Is Really About the Customer Experience

As a B2B marketer, I get marketed to a lot. It’s something that I have increasingly noticed and I’m probably not the only one. That’s just becoming part of the experience in terms of being inundated with different messaging and different calls and this, that, and the other. Use this, do this, buy this, whatever it is. It’s really not a great experience. It doesn’t necessarily provide value. Marketers are so busy as it is, and I know that is applicable across the board with everyone we are marketing to. Being able to cut through the noise and having an understanding of all these different things is very challenging. 

Having on top of it being inundated with this constant flow of messaging like meet me, meet me, meet me, is not very helpful. That’s one of the things that I’m passionate about. It’s really about customer experience. I think that is something fundamental to marketing. I feel like we have gone down this path of almost over automating and having to constantly pounce on people without necessarily being conscious and mindful of what their experience is on the other end. From my experience, it’s leading to me switching off and ignoring messages. I’m sure I’m not the only one. 

Create a Marketing Strategy That’s Not Annoying

It also leads to this annoyance and irritation which leads to distrust of brands and that’s not great for this industry. From a customer perspective those bad experiences, unfortunately, more than good experiences, they stay with you for longer and you remember that. Another thing that we don’t necessarily think of is that it’s wasteful. It’s wasteful of time and it’s wasteful of money especially for marketing and sales where money is a precious resource. It’s not something to be wasted. That’s basically why I’m passionate about creating a marketing strategy that’s not annoying.

As an example, our Intent Event was our first flagship event that we did last year. It was a closed event so we did have limited numbers and we were limited as to what we could do with promotion. What we did was try to have mindfulness around what we were sending out and ensuring that it was helpful. Making sure that the recipients, the people that we invited, were given all the relevant information, but there was brevity in the communication as well as encouraging them to participate without forcing them to be there. 

There was certainly some urgency around some of our communication but it wasn’t you need to attend this and this is why you must attend this. It was more about being a bit more subtle in presenting them the idea and the concept of what it was, why it would help them, and exactly the information that they needed. What that meant was not sending out multiple emails, being very controlled around it, really thinking about what the experience was before the event, to during the event, to after the event. We were really focused on the customer and making sure that all of the content and communication was educational and helpful.

Harley Finkelstein, COO of Shopify, discusses how COVID has dramatically sped up the timeline for commerce moving online and has also moved Shopify closer to its goal of becoming the world’s first retail operating system:

Shopify Evolving Into World’s First Retail Operating System

Most people assume that Shopify is an ecommerce provider. We have more than a million stores on Shopify. If you were to aggregate our stores in the US we’d be the second-largest online retailer in America. Of course, we’re not a retailer but we’re a platform. But we now have these great economies of scale that we’re using to level the playing field for entrepreneurs and small businesses. That being said, what really Shopify is evolving into is the world’s first retail operating system. 

What we’re trying to figure out is what do brands and entrepreneurs and retailers need, not just now but in the future? We think the future of retail is retail everywhere. A brand that’s going to be successful in 5, 10 or 15 years from now needs to sell across any platform and across any channel where they have customers. This idea of enabling Shopify merchants to very easily push their products to the Amazon Marketplace or the eBay marketplace or now the Walmart marketplace, that gives them access to a new set of consumers. The idea is that it all feeds back in one centralized back-office, the retail operating system, which is Shopify. 

Then we’ve gone ahead and asked what else can we do for these merchants? Can we do capital? We’ve now given out about a billion dollars worth of cash advances and loans to small businesses. We’re doing fulfillment and we’re doing shipping. We’re increasing the scope and the relationship that we have with the million stores on Shopify. This is allowing them to become category leaders.

COVID Speeds Up The Ecommerce Revolution

From our view, it seems like the commerce world that would have existed in the year 2030 has really been pulled into the year 2020 (as a result of the COVID crisis). We’ve seen ecommerce as a percent of total retail go from 15 percent to 25 percent in the last three months. That’s the same growth rate that we’ve seen over the last 10 years. What really has emerged here is sort of this tale of two retail worlds. On one side you have these resilient retailers that are doing great, they’re pivoting, and they’re expanding their businesses. On the other side, you have these resistant retailers who have not made it. In many ways, it’s probably the most exciting time for retail in a very long time. 

We talk a lot about these direct to consumer brands that are becoming category leaders. The Allbirds and the Gymsharks who started on Shopify when they were very small and have grown to become the incumbents in their industry. Every 25 seconds a brand new entrepreneur makes his or her (products) for sale on Shopify. We talk a lot about those new startups, those new DTC brands. But actually, what we’re also seeing on Shopify are companies like Lindt Chocolate or Heinz ketchup or Chipotle. They are signing up for Shopify and basically from like five days from contract to launch they are completely changing their businesses. 

This resiliency isn’t simply in the hands of just the smallest of brands. Big companies are also beginning to think a lot more about how to stay resilient in this time. They’re moving well beyond ecommerce or thinking about offline commerce now. They’re thinking about how do they sell across social media? How do they sell across different marketplaces? So no, I don’t think it’s too late (to enter ecommerce) but I do think they have to rethink their strategies.

Print is Not Dead

To start, an owner can look at the facts: 8 in 10 small businesses on the global storefront say they rely on a printer for their daily services. However, most small business owners buy consumer-grade printers to do heavy business work, thus overworking those printers and having to make reactive purchases to fill in those gaps. 52% of small business owners across the globe say they wish printer companies better understood the challenges they face, with 69% of small business owners worldwide find it hard to source reliable office supplies, printers being one of those supplies. 

Over half of people own printers that break once a month or more. Why is this? Most ink printers are not made with a durable body and are also not made for the large work of a business. Laser printers are made with a highly durable steel-frame, making them ready to take on whatever job they are tasked with. Laser printers are also compact, easy for moving from location to location, while still keeping the ability to perform any big business features. 

For small business owners, high costs of any device or program can be overwhelming. With laser printers, small business owners will only spend $0.05 for laser toner and $0.075 for laser printer ink that never smudges, dries out, or expires. With regular ink printers, small business owners can spend over $12,000 per gallon of ink. Laser printer cartridges leave more room for small business owners to spend funds on other improvements. 

Security Considerations

Laser printers can also be password protected and require a password to use the services to help prevent online security threats. These printers will also reboot when a security threat is detected and have a secure fax option for things such as financial information, saving you and your businesses’ personal information. There is a capability with laser printers to add multiple employees on a single network, creating your own “smart business” and a printer network specific for your business. Laser printers have built-in access to a cloud service, meaning everyone on your businesses’ network can access much-needed documents or even print from a distance. 

In Conclusion

For small businesses in the technology age, a laser printer seems to be the best choice for day-to-day operations. There are many benefits to using a laser printer for a small business, along with the added services laser printer companies offer such as cartridge recycling programs and the option to shop directly from the manufacturer’s website for refills to add an ease of mind to businesses operating with these printers. Small business owners, don’t let a bad printer slow down your business in this digital age. Make an informed decision on what kind of printer is best for you and your small business.