A business may need to close operations at some point in time. The Houston Chronicle reminds us that this is termed “dissolution”. When dealing with corporate dissolution, there are a few essential steps that a business needs to follow. In this article, we’ll examine the very worst way a company can set about dissolution proceedings.
Setting the Stage – The Facts
Amid the backdrop of the 1980s, Stechler and Sapirstein incorporated a retail business to sell furniture. Around the 2000s, Stechler’s son joined the company. Two named plaintiffs in the case, 2901 Furniture Outlet, Inc., and Corner Furniture Discount Center, Inc. (known as the “Furniture Entities”) were operating entities. Attached to these two operating companies were two holding companies, 2926 Realty Corp. and Rongar Realty of N.Y., Inc. (the “Realty Entities”).
In 2018, the Stechlers removed Sapirstein from the company as a director and officer, barring him from making company decisions because of the discovery of the former’s embezzlement. The Furniture Entities went on to sue Sapirstein for fraud, conversion, being a faithless servant, and breach of fiduciary duty.
Sapirstein responded to claims made by the Furniture Entities and alleged counterclaims against both them and the Realty Entities. One of the counterclaims focused on dissolution based on “oppression” and “waste.”
The Faux Pas
Sapirstein’s dissolution counterclaim was challenged by the four entities in that it didn’t follow any of the procedures the court and the petitioner needed to file to make the counterclaim valid. The entitled proceeded to file a dismissal motion since the foundation of Sapirstein’s counterclaim was invalid. Sapirstein then challenged the dismissal. Unfortunately, he attempted to do so in a very unorthodox manner. To legitimize his initial claim, Sapirstein attempted to belatedly file an order to show cause, petition, and declaration for dissolution. Filing the order in the middle of the trial, after he had already submitted his answer and his counterclaim was damning. The plaintiffs seized upon Sapirstein’s folly and claimed that his belated filing (which the court clerk refused even to process) wasn’t enough to correct his initial procedural effects.
The Result
Justice Franco, in his decision, noted that a “proponent of dissolution must comply with Business Corporation Law 1105 and 1106”, which Sapirstein failed to follow. The judge continued, “[t]here must be strict compliance with the procedures set forth” within the state statute. Sapirstein had a method of amending the original order, as Justice Franco noted. However, his attempt to start a new filing wasn’t the right way to approach the situation, mostly as the initial order was already mid-trial.
Follow Up
Sapirstein actually filed another order of dissolution against Corner Furniture just nine days later. Unfortunately, this filing was tainted by his previous attempts, and the court refused to sign off on his order to show cause for procedural defects. Sapirstein had to make four corrections, and in his fifth filing, his order was approved. What we should learn from this is, while it’s tempting to counterclaim with corporate dissolution, the safe method would be to file a separate dissolution proceeding.
The Right Way to do Corporate Dissolution
Company dissolution can take place in either voluntary or involuntary methods. In a voluntary dissolution, the owner or shareholders are required to file a Notice of Dissolution to the Secretary of State. If a business fails to pay its taxes or has a reputation for tax avoidance or evasion, the government may force it to dissolve involuntarily.
Liquidating Company Assets
Liquidation simply means that the business moves to sell any assets it currently owns that are not being used as collateral for loans. If the business has the asset that’s being used for collateral, it must forfeit that asset to the person or institution with which the loan resides. If, at the time of dissolution, the company is solvent, then once liquidation of assets is complete, the money is returned to shareholders.
Settling Any Debts Remaining
If a business is facing dissolution, it must settle with its creditors. Any liabilities that the business incurred before it closed, all short-term debts, and all goods and services it still has outstanding need to be settled before the business shuts its doors. Among these debts are taxes, and the company must meet its obligation to federal and state taxes before they can close. The IRS also expects final tax forms to be filled out and sent, as soon as the final payroll has been distributed to employees. Any cash left after this step goes to the shareholders.
Notify Parties That May Be Interested
Aside from paying off all the company’s debts, the business must inform anyone that may be interested that they intend to close. This includes debtors, creditors, shareholders, employees, customers, and owners. The final legal notice of closure presents individuals or the government with the opportunity to bring claims against the business or inform the company of any unpaid fees or outstanding taxes it may not have settled. Notification laws vary by state and some even have the requirement that the company’s dissolution be recorded in the local newspaper, so that parties that the business may not even know can bring claims against the company if liable.
Filing the Paperwork
The very last step in the dissolution process for a business is filing the paperwork. When you registered your business, it’s likely you filed articles or organization or incorporation. The articles of dissolution are the opposite of the articles of incorporation or organization. Through a legal framework, it ends the existence of the corporate entity.
If you fail to file dissolution paperwork, you leave yourself and all the other shareholders at risk of liability proceedings. The government will note the lack of final filing and will automatically assume that the business is still in operation. Taxes will become due from the company and failure to file them will lead to action from the IRS. To avoid these problems, it’s essential that you finalize the paperwork filing for a closed business.
The Worst Way to Start Corporate Dissolution
How You Can Succeed in Losing Weight in a Healthy Manner
Losing weight is on the list of millions of people around the world. Most people will do anything that they can to lose weight as it has been a nagging problem for them for years. Losing weight should be done over time rather than trying to lose a massive amount of weight in a month. People that drop weight quickly are more likely to gain it back as they didn’t create any long-lasting habits. You want to lose weight in a healthy manner which is by reducing your caloric intake over time. The following are tips to help you lose weight without crossing the line to unhealthy weigh loss.
Don’t Crash Diet
There are so many people that go on a crash diet for a week or two in order to look great for an event. This can be immensely unhealthy as the reduction of calories immediately can help you lose weight but can also impact your metabolism long-term. You should start by listing what you eatin a given week then find healthy replacements for some of your options. You could find that you are cooking with too much oil and baking meat is a better option. Count your current calories then start decreasing them for sustained weight loss.
Consulting a Professional
Consulting a professional like a Raleigh NC plastic surgeon can provide you with information on your options. You might ask about an area that is impossible to tone up as the surgeon likely sees this frequently. This medical professional is going to give you the honest truth on whether you can tone up an area. Consulting a nutritionist is also imperative as you want to be healthier and not just lose weight.
Slowly Increase Your Volume of Exercise
You do not want to injure yourself trying to lose weight by going crazy in the gym. You want to slowly increase the volume of exercise that you are getting weekly. You should listen to your body as you know when you are doing too much too quickly. Track your progress as this can act as a great motivator on days where you don’t want to exercise. Try a few different forms of exercise as you might find something you love and doesn’t feel like you are exercising.
Try Cutting Out Alcohol For 90 Days
There isn’t a shortage of articles online that explore the benefits of eliminating alcohol from your diet. Alcohol is empty calories and mixers can drive up that calorie count even more. Alcohol leads people to retain water so you might see a decent drop in water weight after a week or two. The other aspect of this is that you will be able to exercise more consistently. The last thing anyone wants to do after drinking too much is exercise for an extended period of time.
Losing weight can be tough as some people have struggled with this for their entire life. You have options as well as a vast amount of information online that can help. Take control of your health and weight permanently!
Areas of Your Young Business You Should Consider Outsourcing
Starting a business can be an exciting time that is also full of stress. Each decision you make will impact the future of the company at this juncture. Keeping costs low is important as cash flow is essential in growing most businesses. Outsourcing certain areas of your business can help drive costs down. Hiring a full-time employee when you only need a few hours of work per week doesn’t make sense. The drawback of outsourcing is that you need to make sure you source the work to a reliable company or freelancer. The following are areas that you should consider outsourcing during the infancy of your business.
Accounting
Accounting can be a nightmare for an entrepreneur that is disorganized and dislikes balancing the books. Business tax preparation is going to differ significantly from personal taxes as there are going to be more tax-deductible expenses. There are platforms that make it easy to integrate your billing system with accounting. Integration is key when it comes to making sure your business runs seamlessly. Find the right accounting firm to help you save as much money as possible during tax season.
Digital Marketing
Digital marketing can be overwhelming if you have no experience in the marketing field at all. Outsourcing this is even done by very large companies as it is so involved. Finding the right digital marketing company to take over online marketing is going to be a challenge. You want to find an agency that is within the budget that also has results generated recently for a similar client. Clearly define your goals before you sign anything and ask how they will assist in reaching those goals. Seeing results will not happen immediately as marketing is a long-term tactic. If you have already been marketing, you want to see an increase in website traffic, sales, and lead generation.
HR
Human resources can be complicated and have quite a few laws/procedures that need to be followed. Hiring an HR firm to assist with HR-related matters can be immensely important. These companies can do everything from handle employee discipline to assist in hiring. The last thing that you want is a former employee to sue the company and win because of an error. You want everything to be ironclad with a paper trail as this can help in court.
Additional Freelance Sales Staff
You might have in-house sales professionals that you want to supplement with additional salespeople. You can have freelancers that work on commission sell on your company’s behalf. For seasoned salespeople, a competitive commission is all that needs to be offered along with products/services that are in demand. Take the time to see if your current sales team knows anyone that might be interested in extra work. People that can sell can often sell nearly anything as they understand how to pitch and identify with customers/clients.
You should delegate certain areas of your business to freelancers/contractors to reduce workload while maintaining profitability. Take the time to assess which areas of the business can be outsourced for the best result possible.
What Are the Benefits of CBD? What Might the Future Hold?
During the past few years, there has been a significant shift in the way the public looks at CBD. Because the stigma has started to fade, there is a lot of research that has been done in this area. As a result, there are numerous new benefits of CBD that are being uncovered. With these new applications, there are several benefits of CBD that everyone should know.
The Benefit of CBD for Mental Health Issues
For those who explore CBD cigarettes, there could be some benefits in the realm of mental health. Mental health issues are finally starting to be taken seriously. As a result, people who suffer from depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder are gaining access to the resources they require to recover. CBD has shown to be effective in the treatment of numerous mental health issues, such as anxiety. By taking a well-rounded approach, CBD can work well with therapy and potential prescription medications with the supervision of a trained medical professional.
The Benefit of CBD for Sleep
There are lots of people who are struggling to get the sleep they need at night. Some people have trouble falling asleep while other people have trouble staying asleep. In addition to correcting sleep hygiene issues such as drinking caffeine in the afternoon and watching TV or messing around on a cell phone before bed, CBD can also help people fall asleep at night. Because CBD does not lead to the same side effects as prescription medications, many people believe that CBD is safer when it comes to managing sleep issues.
More Benefits of CBD Could Be Uncovered
These are just a few of the many benefits of CBD that some people could enjoy. As a result, it is important for everyone to think about how CBD might be able to play a role in their medical treatment. By working with a trained medical professional, it is possible for people to take a comprehensive, holistic approach to their healthcare. This could lead to new treatment options with fewer side effects.
5 Procurement Trends to Pay Attention to in 2021
If the watchword of 2020 was “uncertainty,” the term of 2021 will be “adaptability.”
As economies recover, some sectors will see a return to pre-2020 operation. But for procurement teams, adjusting to the “new normal” will take some time.
Everywhere you look, supply lines have been disrupted. Airlines and hotels are operating at reduced capacity. Retail stores are closing physical locations and building their e-commerce operations. Grocery stores have limited quantities of cleaning supplies, meats, and canned goods. Many businesses — big and small, young and established — are closing their doors for good.
In a few industries, such as travel, costs will go down due to decreased demand. In most sectors, however, sanitization needs and supplier failures will drive costs up. More companies will turn to group purchasing organizations to strengthen their supply lines.
What does all this mean for your operations? How your procurement costs and challenges shift will depend on how these five trends play out:
1. Covid-19 Vaccine Development and Distribution
During Covid-19 lockdowns, international shipping fell off a cliff. When and how freely trade returns depends on when a Covid-19 vaccine is developed and distributed.
If a vaccine is delayed, e-commerce will continue to be the name of the game. Most orders will be transported by ground, which is generally less risky than air or sea.
Airline shipping capacities decreased in 2020 and will be slow to recover in 2021. Airfreight costs have increased making it nonviable for many small suppliers. And because fewer seafaring barges are running, these costs have increased as well.
While trucking industry operations slowed in 2020, some experts believe that 2021 will be a banner year for ground freight operators. Already, most intrastate goods are transported by truck, and industrial decentralization may accelerate this trend.
Once a vaccine for COVID-19 is ready for shipment, it will require cold shipping containers. The total demand for a cold chain may outpace the available supply. Grocers and foodservice companies may struggle to find transportation for their supplies.
2. Recovering Manufacturing Operations
Large manufacturers took heavy hits working to keep production lines open. The recovery in 2021 is likely to be slow but steady.
Some plants, such as meat processing facilities, became COVID-19 hotspots. The Food & Environment Reporting Network (FERN) reports that, between April and October, over 71,300 employees in farms, food processing and meatpacking companies tested positive for COVID-19.
Other manufacturers faced similar hardships. They are preparing for increased winter infection rates as 2020 draws to a close. If too many workers call in sick, they may shut down again.
As 2021 begins, backorders on manufactured goods will be common. Plants will slowly dig themselves out as the economy improves. Vacancies will be filled by new workers.
Between new hires and regulatory changes, this is likely to be expensive. Manufactured goods will probably increase in price. The laws of supply and demand suggest suppliers won’t need to offer discounts to bring in business. For companies at the end of the value chain, growing use of GPOs may offset this to a degree.
3. Regulatory Changes and Limited Waivers
To help industries and consumers weather the pandemic, the federal government eased some safety restrictions. For example, it approved a waiver that allows some impurities in alcohol-based hand sanitizers.
This allowed alcoholic beverage companies to jump in, increasing supply levels. But in some markets, alcoholic beverage prices rose because supply levels fell as demand grew.
Expect to see the federal government grant other sectors a similar amount of flexibility. Beware that the downstream consequences of regulatory changes can be complex.
Say worker shortages continue to affect meat processing facilities. Federal regulators may relax labeling requirements. If so, consumers may react with caution, turning a shortage into a glut. Or, there may be a rebound, given that consumers have had less access to meat in recent months.
Remember, that’s just one scenario in one industry. Throughout 2021, procurement specialists will need to keep an eye on the status and market consequences of waivers.
4. Artificial Intelligence and Just-in-Time Inventory
While it’s not the most exciting application of artificial intelligence, AI is changing the procurement sector more than most. Machine learning is creating efficiencies and identifying excess supply levels.
For example, Amazon is using AI to power one-hour deliveries. Software can predict order volumes and deliver supplies to warehouses before they’re ever purchased by consumers.
With this technology, the question isn’t whether it works, but how widely it’s adopted. Will procurement teams feel confident enough to make tech investments while the market recovers? Will AI systems accurately predict supply needs during atypical times like these?
Frankly, this trend is tough to read. On one hand, investments in technology tend to accelerate during economic downturns. On the other, companies may be hesitant to invest in a model trained on “normal” economic conditions.
5. U.S.-Chinese Relations
In early 2020, China was dealing with its COVID-19 outbreak. Some Chinese manufacturing operations dropped to half capacity, causing shipping delays for nearly two-thirds of American companies. Since then, U.S.-China relations have been even tenser than normal.
Looking ahead into 2021, procurement specialists need to keep a pulse on U.S.-China relations. New tariffs and border closures may stop up international supply lines. If relations improve, increased trade could boost supply levels and decrease prices.
The bottom line is, procurement professionals can expect more turbulence in 2021. The best-case scenario is that a vaccine is developed and deployed quickly, improving supply levels and reducing international travel restrictions.
In the worst-case scenario, a vaccine may not be available until late in 2021 or even the year after. Chinese-U.S. tensions may continue to worsen, hampering both countries’ economies. If so, consumers and companies are both likely to clamp down on spending.
Regardless, supply lines will resume slowly but surely. As they do, procurement leaders will need to shift their spending and develop new relationships to stay competitive.
How To Create A Solid Estate Plan
I have just finished my estate plan and discovered lessons that many people don’t know off regarding the process. In this article, we will do an A to Z of how to establish a solid estate plan.
What is a Trust?
Firstly, some definitions. A trust is basically a fiduciary agreement between a grantor, otherwise known as a trustor, or settlor and that grantor’s trustees, who are entrusted with some asset or stream of income, which they hold title to on behalf of a third party. The trustee overseas that the deed of trust is adhered to. So, for example, you, the trustor, could appoint someone, a trustee, to oversee a trust, according to a “deed of trust” or “charter” that will have certain “beneficiaries”.
A trustee must be independent, and can be a friend, relative, or a professional, like a banker or lawyer, though in some states it is possible to establish “private trust companies” that protect you from having to cede control to an outside party.
A self-settled trust, which is what you are aiming for, is essentially a trust of your making, in which you are both the creator and the beneficiary and it can be created for the period of your life, in which case it is known as an “irrevocable trust”, or for the period after, in which case it is known as a “revocable trust”. In creating my trust, my aim was to protect my assets, but also, to minimize inheritance taxes. These two reasons happen to be the most common reasons for establishing a trust. The most common reasons for starting a self-titled trust are:
1. Asset protection
2. To avoid probate or will-contestation
3. Minimize taxes
4. Anonymity
5. Preserve Benefits
6. Control distributions
The degree of protection you will get from creditors varies according to jurisdiction, so you will have to check this first.
It is not necessary for a US citizen to go offshore to establish a trust. Some states in the United States allow for domestic asset protection trusts (DAPT) that have the same advantages of an offshore trust. So even if you are in a non-DAPT state, you can always create a DAPT in a DAPT-state.
Steps
Draft a Will
Fidelity defines a will as “a legal document that coordinates the distribution of your assets after death and can appoint guardians for minor children”. The name suggests the meaning, it is an expression of what you want done with your assets after your death. The AARP estimates that 60% of Americans do not have any estate planning documents. Indeed, 78 percent of millennials (ages 18-36) and 64 percent of Generation Xers (ages 37-52) do not have a will.
The will names an executor who executes your will, settling your debts and distributing the residuals according to your will. Without a will, your estate passes onto your legally defined heirs according to your jurisdiction’s laws of intestacy.
A revocable trust would allow you to pass on your assets after your death. This is perhaps the most tax-efficient approach to take and allows for greater asset protection, while avoiding probate. If you have minors, it is advised to still have a will in place to name a guardian for the minors.
Name Beneficiaries
Without a will or trust, the courts will determine your beneficiaries, even if that goes against what you would have wanted. Nevertheless, there are asset types that do not go through probate, for example, a house jointly owned with one’s spouse and which your spouse has survivorship rights to, will automatically pass in toto to them. Financial instruments such as payable-on-death savings, your 401(k), etc, will pass to the beneficiaries named in the registration documents you signed.
Use Federal Estate Tax Exemptions
US law allows for federal estate tax exemptions. The Internal Revenue Service announced in November 2019, that the 2020 federal estate and gift-tax exemption will be $11.58 million per individual and is adjusted-to-inflation. Spouses may combine their exemptions, without it affecting their federal estate tax exemption status. So, an individual can leave $11.58 million to heirs and pay no federal estate or gift tax, while a married couple can shield $23.16 million. The annual gift exclusion is $15,000.
To take advantage of the federal estate or gift tax exemptions, the surviving spouse, or executor, must file the deceased’s estate tax return even if no tax is due within nine months after the date of death, though the estate’s executor may ask for a six-month extension.
Write a Letter to Your Heirs
Not everything belongs to the will or deed of trust and so, you might want to leave a letter to state what arrangements must be made for your funeral, or any other such things you wish to say. Deposit the letter with your lawyer or a friend or relative. Some states do not give legal standing to such letters, but they may mean something to your heirs.
Draw Up a Durable Power of Attorney
In power of attorney or letter of attorney, you name someone as your attorney-in-fact (or agent) to make financial decisions for you. The power gives your agent control over any assets held in your name alone. With a power of attorney, you can ensure your finances are managed according to your wishes, even if you are too sick to act. A durable power of attorney is in effect even if you are incapacitated. Often emotions blind us to who the best person is to give power of attorney, so, think about naming co-trustees, balancing out a relative or friend with a professional. Many banks prefer to use their own durable power of attorney forms, so if you want to use your own, be sure to deposit a copy with your bank.
Create an Advance Healthcare Directive
An advanced healthcare directive, or living will, an example of which is here, is a legal document where you choose a healthcare agent and specify your wishes for health care, in the event you are ever unable to communicate. In some states, the health care directive is combined with a durable power of attorney. Where it is not, you will have to name someone as a healthcare agent in a separate durable power of attorney.
Your attorney must also prepare an HIPAA release form which will mandate health care personnel to release your medical records to your health care agent and this right of your health care agent must be included in your living will and health care durable power of attorney.
See the American Bar Association’s “Consumer’s Toolkit for Health Care Advance Planning,” to decide what type of health care you want.
Organize Your Documents
Organize your digital and physical documents, deeds, financial records and the like, and store them in a safe space. This will make everyone’s lives easier. Keep originals with your attorney or in a bank’s safe deposit box and ensure that the safe deposit box is owned by your spouse or heir so that your attorney does not have to petition to have it opened. Remember to keep a record of your passwords as well.
Review Your Estate Plan
Things change, people die, feelings evolve, so make sure to review your estate plans every five years or so to keep it in line with your wishes and changed circumstances.
The University Of Oxford
The University of Oxford is a very refined institution. It leads to some of the world’s most intriguing research and millions of people visit the campus. People like Diego Ruiz Duran have been fortunate enough to be accepted into such a fine institution. The more and more people that collaborate at such a great campus, the better facts come to the world. The university is located in the United Kingdom. It is a very well known institution because of the notable alumni that have graduated throughout the years it’s been open. It was first institutionalized in 1096. That is very much over a thousand years old. It is the oldest English speaking university in the whole world. Its acceptance rate is a sign of its uniqueness as well. They only accept about fifteen to seventeen percent of people who apply at an international level. It takes years of excellent studies and examinations to even be considered for a spot at The University Of Oxford.
When a person first starts at The University of Oxford, it can be overwhelming. There is a very, very competitive environment that many people thrive on. However, if one is not very competitive, this may not be the right choice. The Ivy League has the stereotype of being very high demanding institutions. Although the university is known for its stellar work with the English lounge and literature is very competitive in many other areas of study as well. For example, the research produced on COVID-19 and the pandemic is some of the most shared information on the planet. The students and staff work tirelessly to give the best facts and statistics about any topic of research. Many of the students participate in extracurriculars and international endeavors.
It’s critical to understand that The University of Oxford is one of the most competitive places in the world. It expects nothing but the best from each student that enters the university. It’s critical for people to tour and attend acceptance day before complying with an offer. Diego Ruiz Duran highly recommends the school because he got a once in a lifetime education there. There is a high regard for doing above and beyond what is expected. The more a person dedicates themselves to their studies, the better the university is perceived and the more opportunities they have to grow. The connections are also outstanding. Based on the famous alumni, there is a great renowned sense of community at The University of Oxford. Many people are proud of their schooling there and it’s one of England’s biggest accomplishments. When a person is first admitted, remember that this is a momentous moment and so much good can be done with a degree from the University of Oxford. A person is almost guaranteed a job after graduation because three is a large market for people who have Oxford degrees. Take your time to get to know the school visit before applying. There is nothing like getting a degree from an Ivy League and it’s highly recommended by many career advisors.
How Call Center Technology Is Revolutionizing the Customer Experience
The call center has come a long way from cubicles and landline phones. These days, software connects, records, and manages every aspect of call center operations.
While modern call center software can make your agents’ job easier, that’s not all it can do. Companies are investing in contact center as a service (CCaaS) technology to improve the customer experience.
Contact center software ensures any rep can pick up the baton, no matter which rep a caller last spoke with. Issues are resolved faster, with less time on the phone, and with less stress. Here’s how:
- CRM Integration
Customer relationship management software is the centralized hub for all the customer information your business has. Modern contact center software integrates with popular CRMs, ensuring agents have access to information about every part of the customer’s journey.
Connecting the two provides your agents with all the information they need before they even know they need it. Instead of having to interrupt the call to find relevant information, agents can simply check their screen. The result is a more efficient, streamlined contact center experience.
- Intelligent Routing
No one benefits when a customer service call takes an entire afternoon. Your agents and customers both want the process to be as quick and painless as possible.
Contact center software that pairs callers and reps intelligently can drastically speed up calls. Rather than pinging a customer from one person to another, modern contact center software ensures they are directed to the right people to help them from the first contact.
But this isn’t just about speed. Routing calls to the right agent also allows them to be more effective. Lack of effectiveness is the most common complaint among Americans who experience customer service frustrations. Second only to lack of effectiveness in the survey is lack of speed. Contact center software can address both of these customer pain points.
- Omnichannel Experience
Every customer has multiple touch points, from calls to emails to social media inquiries, with your company. An omnichannel experience connects these touchpoints, ensuring a customer’s Facebook message is considered in their latest call.
To understand why this matters, imagine chatting with a friend on the phone. How would you feel if he or she responds with “Huh?” when you try to continue the conversation later via email?
Use software to connect the dots. Call center technology that supports an omnichannel approach lets customers choose how they want to reach you. An emphasis on the digital experience gives your business new tools for customer delight and customers more choices.
- AI Integration
It may be intimidating at first to imagine leveraging machine learning at your contact center. But with the right contact center software, pre-built integrations make the process easy.
On the agent side of the equation, tools like automated call transcription help your team spend less time on busy work. Freeing up agents’ time is an easy way to reduce long hold times. And on the customer side, features like voice-based chatbots can answer common questions without the caller having to wait to speak with a human being.
- Work-From-Anywhere Freedom
Listening is a vital part of communicating with customers. In a loud, bustling call center, it isn’t always easy for agents to pay attention to what the customer is saying. Modern contact center software can enable them to work from anywhere.
Agents who work from home are likely to face fewer distractions when on the phone with customers. And because they’re at home, they’re also likely to be less stressed. They may not sound as exciting as AI integration, but stress- and distraction-free agent experiences are key. The customer’s own experience reflects the agent’s experience.
- Reliability
There’s nothing more frustrating for customers than a dropped service call. In some cases, it means being put at the back of the line to actually speak to a representative.
Contact center software operates through the internet, not mobile networks or traditional phone lines. Calls made over the internet are rarely dropped. While the customer may be calling in with a traditional phone, the agent’s system is half of the equation.
This also reduces costs, which saves customers money — something every customer can appreciate. The right call center software means reps only need three things to get work done: a computer, a headset, and internet.
- Simplicity
Old-school call center software involved multiple platforms and systems. These days, a single one can do it all. Through either native capabilities or integrations, modern contact center technology covers agents’ bases.
For customers, that means speedier service and less confusion. An agent who has every tool and tidbit of information at his or her fingertips comes across as more competent. Together, the agent and customer can get to the root of issues faster.
Contact center technology is not new, but it has gotten some key updates in recent years. Everything from AI integration to autodialing capabilities contributes to the customer’s experience. And at the end of the day, it also makes for a better agent experience. With the right software, everyone wins.
Prefabricated Temporary Storage Buildings vs. Traditional Buildings
If you have some free space and want to construct buildings for storage, you are often torn between choosing traditional buildings or the prefabricated ones. Both of these buildings have their own advantages and downsides, but what is the best option?
When people hear of the term temporary buildings, they often associate it with something that is not durable and weak. This is a misconception as modern temporary or prefabricated buildings are very beautiful, strong, and durable. In fact, many companies are now turning to prefabricated buildings when they intend to build an additional storage space.
There is a lot of negativity surrounding prefabricated buildings based on their suitability and functionality. In reality, temporary buildings are the best option if you want to quickly address your immediate space needs. Let us look how prefabricated temporary storage buildings compare with traditional buildings.
Quality
The term temporary or prefabricated should not mislead you to think that prefabricated temporary storage buildings are not of a good quality. The manufacture of prefabricated temporary buildings has rapidly gone up because these buildings can compete head-to-head with traditional buildings concerning quality standards.
In fact, there are some cases where you can encounter prefabricated storage buildings that are of a better quality than traditional buildings. All the parts required to complete a building are manufactured while being subjected to strict quality controls. Get in touch with Smart-Space if you are looking for quality prefabricated temporary storage buildings. Smart-Space is the leading provider for temporary building solutions in the UK.
Speed of construction
When it comes to construction speed, prefabricated temporary storage buildings have an upper hand when compared to traditional buildings. You have to start everything from scratch when building a traditional building and this process can take months or even a year.
On the other hand, temporary can be quickly assembled and be ready for use within a period of one week. While you have to source construction materials for traditional buildings from different suppliers, materials used in prefabricated temporary storage buildings can be obtained from one source. This makes it easier to quickly complete constructing a prefabricated building.
The cost
Again on cost saving, prefabricated temporary storage buildings beat traditional buildings. Prefabricated buildings can easily be assembled and disassembled in case you are moving to a different site. In fact, if you are doing business on a leased piece of land, it is advisable to construct prefabricated temporary storage buildings as opposed to traditional ones.
On top of that, when you compare the costs of materials used in constructing these two building types, prefabricated temporary storage buildings emerge to be the best option. They do not require a lot of different raw materials and can be designed with great flexibility to make great use of the available space.
Final thought
If you were torn between the building option you should go for your storage needs, I believe this article serves as the perfect guide. Do not be misguided into thinking that temporary buildings are structures intended to be used for a short time. If you are limited on budget and have been caught up with time, then prefabricated temporary storage buildings are the way to go.
Keith Orie Shares 3 Ways a Life Coach Can Help You Thrive as a Sales Professional
Whether you're doing well with your sales numbers, or they could use a little help, nearly every sales professional can benefit from a life coach. Success in sales is all about the right mindset. Here, Keith Orie, a certified professional life coach in Temple, Texas, discusses three ways a life coach can help you harness your sales potential to reach those winning numbers.
Sales can be a gratifying career, both in terms of life satisfaction and financial reward. Successful salespeople are some of the highest-paid individuals in any company or industry. They are almost always afforded high autonomy levels and other perks such as bonuses, travel, and often a company car.
But even A-players can have days full of doubts and uncertainty. No one can "hit it out of the park" every time. A life coach can help make the difference between a struggling or mediocre salesperson and the company superstar.
5 Signs That You Need a Life Coach
In general, there are quite a few people who could benefit from life coaching. Here are five indicators that you are one of them:
- You have big dreams but aren't sure how to realize them.
- You tend to slack off when you're not accountable to someone else.
- You sometimes talk yourself out of your good ideas.
- You sometimes give up when things get complicated.
- You are about to make a big life decision.
Three of these signs, numbers 1, 2, and 4, are particularly relevant to salespeople.
Develop New Healthy Habits
Many salespeople are outgoing and optimistic individuals who dream big. This positive outlook is part of what makes them successful. But how do you translate a confident vision into success in sales?
A good life coach has specific skills and talents. They will not be the same as your skills and talents, but that makes them a useful partner. The life coach will help you identify those daily steps needed to create good habits that lead to reaching your goals.
Gain an Accountability Partner
Autonomy, the ability to make your own choices about how you will spend your time, where you will go, how you will succeed, is a beautiful thing. Like all desirable conditions, it has a less desirable dark side. With autonomy comes the need to be self-motivating.
Most people need to be accountable to someone else. It motivates them when they would instead go to the beach or lounge around the house all day. You are responsible only for the sales report at the end of the month or quarter in many sales organizations. That may be too late. You need to be pursuing your goals daily.
A life coach will be that accountability partner. They are invested in your success, and you will not want to let them down. Listen to their counsel, follow their advice; they are in a win-win relationship with you.
Feel Supported and Motivated
The sales profession is nothing, if not at times frustrating and challenging. It is part of your job to have your ideas and proposals rejected. Competition is fierce, and it can be a daily battle.
A life coach is your cheerleader. They will help you stay motivated and positive. They can remind you that hearing no from a potential customer brings you one step closer to the next yes answer.
About Keith Orie
Keith Orie is a certified professional life coach in Temple, Texas, and an Advanced Medical Sales, LLC owner. He started the company to give patients a chance to live a life not dependent on pain relief medication or invasive procedures. Providing medical professionals access to an extensive range of top-of-the-line durable medical equipment helps provide patients with adequate pain relief treatment.